Detailed Itinerary:
This itinerary is subject to changes as deemed necessary when in Israel. Hotels may be changed.
Atop Masada
Ein Gedi
Floating in the Dead Sea
Ritual Baths (Mikveh'ot) at Qumran
Cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered at Qumran
View of Beit Shean
Main street in Beit Shean
Sea of Galilee at sunset from the shores of Kibbutz Ein Gev
Boat ride across the Sea of Galilee
Gamla in the Golan Heights
Capernaum
Temple Southern Steps
Western Wall
Overlooking Jerusalem and the Temple Mount
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Wednesday, June 19, 2019:
Depart Charlotte for overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Thursday, June 20, 2019: Upon arrival in Tel Aviv at 4:20 pm, our group will be met at the airport and escorted to the Prima Oasis Dead Sea for a delicious dinner and good night's rest. Dinner and overnight at the Prima Oasis Dead Sea Hotel. Friday, June 21, 2019: We will start our desert studies by traveling to Herod the Great's desert escape, Masada. This incredible architectural achievement sitting atop a mountain plateau was the Zealot refuge during the Revolt against the conquering Romans. After three long years of Roman siege on this desert outpost, the Romans finally breached the fortress walls, only to discover that its inhabitants had chosen freedom through death rather than submission to Roman slavery. The setting and the story continue to touch our hearts today. Next, continue on to Arad, an ancient site where Canaanite and Jewish cultures meet, where desert and foothills meet and where farmer and shepherd meet. It is the site of the only extant preserved temple ruins in all of Israel. The ruins date from the time of Hezekiah. Finish off the day with a float in the incomparable Dead Sea! Undoubtedly, your skin will love you for it! Enjoy dinner and overnight in Prima Oasis Dead Sea. Saturday, June 22, 2019: Start the morning in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a beautiful oasis in the heart of the Judean desert, rich with flora and fauna. This was the place David chose when seeking refuge from King Saul. Continue on to Metzoke Dragot. This mountain plateau overlooks the Dead Sea and is a perfect setting for understanding life in a harsh environment where God's voice can be clearly heard. Then visit Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found,and where the Essene community studied and prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah. We will then drive via the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean, which has played an important role throughout history due to its geographical location. The city has had many conquerors: Egyptians, Philistines, Greeks, Romans and Arabs. Several impressive buildings have been uncovered, including a theatre and a public bath-house. The city was destroyed in a large earthquake in 749 AD. Dinner and overnight at the Kibbutz Ein Gev resort on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Sunday, June 23, 2019: We will drive up to Gamla, a Jewish stronghold during the revolt against Rome, which is also known as the Masada of the north. From there, we visit the Golan Heights, which have played an important role in Israel's history, both historically and today. It was to Caesarea Philippi that Jesus came to proclaim that He would build His Church. The site is also known as Banias, and it is a beautiful nature reserve, with waterfalls and streams that provide water to the Jordan River. However, its historical events were far from the serene scene of today. We will hike from there to the Nimrod Castle, probably built by crusaders in the middle ages and later used by Muslims for defense. Southwest of Caesarea Philippi lies Omrit, a Roman temple built on the site of a Greek temple at an important position along the Roman Road. If time permits, we will visit these Roman ruins as well, since they may have played a part in Paul's conversion along the road to Damascus. Dinner and overnight at Ein Gev. Monday, June 24, 2019: We will spend the day around the Sea of Galilee, starting with a hike up Mt. Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee, giving an impressive perspective of where Jesus spent the majority of his life. Next, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and then we will continue to the Ancient Boat at Kibbutz Ginossar. This is a 2,000 year old fishing boat discovered in the mud of the Sea of Galilee in an area several hundred meters 'offshore' that had become exposed when the lake receded after two years of severe drought. After visiting Capernaum, the place where Jesus lived during much of his ministry in the Galilee and where he performed many miracles, we will continue to Eremos Topos, aka Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount likely took place. Here we have a stunning view over the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight at Ein Gev. Tuesday, June 25, 2019: Our first stop will be Sussita, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here, Jesus probably healed the demon-possessed man. After descending from Sussita, we will continue together to Nazareth, where we will hike up to Zippori, a first century hellenistic city, which Jesus and his father may have helped to construct. Next, continue on to Magdala, the site of one of only seven 1st century synagogues discovered to date. Jesus almost certainly taught at this synagogue. Before going back to the hotel, we will end the day at the Jordan River, where those interested can participate in a baptism of repentance. Dinner and overnight at our hotel Ein Gev. Wednesday, June 26, 2019: Drive to Mount Carmel where Prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Ba'al. Here we will also see a tomb from the first century. We will drive to Caesarea Maritima, the Roman city on the Mediterranean coast. Caesarea was given to King Herod as a present by Augustus Caesar and is named after him. Herod built a massive port there alongside entertainment facilities, bathhouses and temples. Caesarea was the home of Cornelius, whom the Lord used to begin the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. Finally, end the day at the Herodian, one of Herod's most impressive palaces and the place where he was buried. This is a poignant alternative site to study the birth of Jesus with its proximity to Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Thursday, June 27, 2019: We start the day at the Shepherd's Fields in Bethlehem, then continue on to the Mount of Olives with a stunning view over the Old City of Jerusalem. We will walk the Palm Sunday Route down to the Garden of Gethsemane, where we will see the oldest olive trees in the world. Then we will walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site where Jesus was crucified. After walking through the Old City, we will end our day with discussion and communion at the Garden Tomb, one of the possible sites of Jesus' burial. Finish the evening with dinner and overnight at the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Friday, June 28, 2019: We start the day at the City of David, which began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left the city of Hebron and built his kingdom on a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem. Thus, he established the unified capital of the tribes of Israel. From there, we will descend from the City of David through Hezekiah's tunnel, ending at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the paralytic. Return to Jerusalem proper to visit Caiaphas' house and the Western Wall Tunnel that runs along the hidden continuation of the Western wall. Inside the tunnel is the closest spot accessible for Jews to where the Second Temple ‘Holy of Holies’ once stood. As such, the tunnel has become a site of prayer and spirituality. End our tour at the Southern Stairs, which was the main entrance to the Temple during the Second Temple Period. This was likely the location of the Pentecost event in Acts 2. Enjoy a final night of dinner and rest at the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Dinner and late night/early morning check out from the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Saturday, June 29, 2019: Transfer to the airport to return to Charlotte. INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
NOT INCLUDED:
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