In the Footsteps of Jesus - 9 Day Protestant Pilgrimage - Includes Air

Day 1, USA – TEL AVIV: Overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Full service on board.  

DAY 2, TEL AVIV: Welcome to Israel, into Ben Gurion International Airport, you will be met and assisted by our airport representative. A short drive to visit the Old Town Jaffa, walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world and where cedars from Lebanon arrived to build Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 2:16), see St. Peter's Church and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv Shoreline from Jaffa Hilltop. Peter came to Jaffa (Joppa) from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-43). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. St. Peter's Church marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the Great Sheet (Acts 10:9-16). We continue to Netanya and check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.  (D) Ramada Hotel & Suites 4* Netanya 

DAY 3, TEL AVIV – JAFFA – CAESAREA – Mt. CARMEL – NAZARETH - SEA OF GALILEE – TIBERIAS: In the morning we drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 9:30 Acts 10:24-48) which was the center of early Christians, and capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct, here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25-26). We'll stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets (1 Kings 18:16-24). We continue and enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee region. Continue to Megiddo (Joshua 12:21, 1 Kings 9:15, 2 Kings 23:29 & Revelation 16:16), identified as the site of Armageddon (Revelation 16), see the remains from Solomon’s days, view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought (Revelation 16:14-16). Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue along the Jezerel Valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1:26, Luke 4:16, Luke 4:29 & Matthew 2:23) we will take a beautiful view from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It's believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus (Luke 4:29 Luke 4:30), continue to the Church of Annunciation if time permits. Continue and we'll drive to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first public miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast (John 2:1 John 2:11), Check in at Ramada Hotel in Nazareth. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)   Ramada Hotel 4*-Nazareth 

DAY 4, SEA OF GALILEE – GOLAN HEIGHTS – CAESAREA PHILIPPI – YARDENIT:  We begin this morning with a short ride to Galilee by boarding a wooden boat and sail on as the disciples did 2000 years ago on the Sea of Galilee where the Lord calmed the storm (Luke 8:22-25), and where he made one of the most dramatic miracles walking on water (Mark 6:47-52), and it was along the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus appeared for a third time after being raised from the dead, and asked his disciples to throw their net to the right side of the boat and caught many fish, and where the Lord made the disciples breakfast (John 21). We'll dock at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and visit the "Ancient Jesus Boat" the remains of a 2,000-year-old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. We will drive to the beautiful Golan Heights. Visit Banias- ancient Ceasarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13 and Mark 8:27) where Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Continue to the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee, returning to the Sea of Galilee and visit the baptismal site of Yarde nit on the Jordan River, where believers celebrate and some take the opportunity to submerge themselves in the same waters where the Holy Spirit descended like a dove from heaven, when John the Baptist baptized up out of the water Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17). (B, D) Leonardo Hotel, Tiberias 4* 

DAY 5, SEA OF GALILEE - Mount of BEATITUDES – CAPERNAUM – BEIT SHE’AN – DEAD SEA: Today will visit early Jesus Ministry around the Sea of Galilee, visiting Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7, Matthew 8) where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, see the famous Church of the Beatitudes chapel, constructed between 1936 and 1938 by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi and enjoy the view. Visit Tabgha- the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matthew 13, Mark 33, Mark 45, & John 21), Church of Multiplication with its 4th Century Mosaic floor, Capernaum (Matthew 4:13, Matthew 13:54, Matthew 17:24, Luke 7, Mark 1:2, John 4:46 John 4:54) where is believed to have been Jesus' home and the center of his ministry, here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered, and where he performed many miracles, and it's in Capernaum where Peter’s mother-in-law lived and was healed (Luke 4:38-40). Through the Valley of Beit, She'an to the ancient city of Beit She 'an (Mark 5:20, Mark 7:31), view the archaeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (2 Samuel 21:12-14), continue through the Jordan Valley   past the city of Jericho and arrive to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Check in at the hotel located at the shores of the Dead Sea, enjoy optional spa treatments and a massage, float on the salty water of the Dead Sea or enjoy a swim in your hotel pool.  (B, D) Leonardo Plaza Hotel 5* Dead Sea

DAY 6, DEAD SEA – MASADA, EIN GEDI - QUMRAN – JUDEAN DESERT – JERUSALEM: Today on your Holy Land tour will visit the 1500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the first century Synagogue, King Herod’s Bathhouse and other sites atop of Masada, descend and continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23), it was here that David composed several of his Psalms, next visit to Qumran where a cache of ancient biblical texts the Dead Sea Scroll were discovered in 1947. Continue to the Golden City of Jerusalem, and proceed to a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus, and take time for prayer. Continue to the hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the Old City Jerusalem. (B, D)  Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem 4*

DAY 7, OLD JERUSALEM – TEMPLE MOUNT – MOUNT OF OLIVES –KIDRON VALLEY – Garden of GETHSEMANE: From the top of Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended into heaven (acts 1) we will have a view across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We pass by Pater Noster Church standing on the traditional site of Christ's teaching of the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2-4), and visit Dominus Flevit where "The Lord wept" as he beheld the Holy City (Luke 19:41-44). Through Palm Sunday Road proceed down to the Gethsemane (Mark 14:32, John 18:1 & Matthew 26:36) where you will see 2,000 year old Olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane the place that Jesus prays (Luke 22:39) and his disciples customarily visited, which allowed Judas to find him on that fateful night of his arrest (Luke 22:47-52), and it's in Gethsemane where an angel from heaven appears to strengthen Jesus (Luke 22:43), and where he found his disciples sleeping and awakes them and tells them to get up and pray (Luke 22:46). Then to the Western Wall- The holiest site in Judaism and one of the original walls that retained the Temple. We will visit the Western Wall Tunnels running along the base of the Western Wall will lead us through the Second Temple era and reveal the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Continue to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the famous miracle of healing of the paralytic (John 5). We will walk the Stations of the Cross- the Via Dolorosa including Station 2 Judgment Hall of Pilate (John 18:33), located at the Church of the Flagellation and Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross, all the way to the final Station 14 inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Matthew 27, Matthew 33:57, Matthew 28:10). In the afternoon you will enjoy time to shop the colorful bazaars (markets). We'll join the prayer at the Western Wall, and after return to the Hotel for Shabbat Dinner. (B, D) Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem 4*

DAY 8, JERUSALEM OLD and NEW CITY – MT. ZION BETHLEHEM – GARDEN TOMB: We begin the day going to Mt. Zion, visit the Upper room (Luke 22), Lord’s Supper, visit King David Tomb, and walk through the Jewish Quarter. Drive through the New City and pass the Knesset (Israel Parliament) and continue to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80), the one to announce the coming of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). Visit the Church of the Visitation which commemorates the visit made by Mary the mother of Jesus', to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56), then continue to Bethlehem where Joseph travelled there (Luke 2:1-7) with Mary whom was pregnant, and where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1-5), and visit the Church of the Nativity. Proceed to see the Shepherd’s Field where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-20). In the afternoon visit The Garden Tomb, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15, Luke 24:6-7, Mark 16:5-7) with a time for prayer. Tonight enjoy with your fellow travelers a farewell dinner sharing the beautiful and spiritual experience that will last you a lifetime. (B, D)  Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem 4*

DAY 9, JERUSALEM – TEL AVIV – HOME: After Breakfast, and by 12 noon, check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy free day in Jerusalem. Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours prior to flight departure. After walking in the footsteps of our Lord – the Bible is now more alive, familiar and more personal than ever before. (B)

Late evening Flights: You will have full day at your leisure to catch up any sites you missed in the old city or just relax and wonder through the streets full of shops for last minute souvenirs. You need to check out of your hotel by 12:00 noon. Luggage can be left at a secure place within the hotel.

Transfers. International flights require that you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours prior to flight departure. 

Package Includes:

•  Roundtrip Airfare included from Boston or New York

•  First Class hotel Accommodations 1 N. Tel Aviv, 2 N. Tiberias, 1 N Dead Sea, 3 N. Jerusalem.

•  Meals Included; 7 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners

•  Full sightseeing by Private, Deluxe, Air-Conditioned Motor Coaches with one of the best Israeli guide-lecturer in the Holy land plus your spiritual adviser.

• St. Peter fish lunch on the Sea of Galilee

• All entrance fees to all sights on the itinerary.

•”Spiritual Baptism' at Jordan River - exact site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

• All Transfers throughout airport-hotel.

• All hotel taxes, service charges.

• Porterage for 1 suitcase per person.

Price Excludes: Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food  not indicated in the itinerary, expenses of a personal nature,

excess luggage and transfer of the same, optional excursions & excursions during the cruise, gratuities of any kind, Personal expenses, Customary tips to your drivers, guides and escorts.