Detailed Itinerary:
This itinerary is subject to changes as deemed necessary when in Israel.
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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Thursday, June 8, 2017:
Depart Atlanta for overnight flight to Tel Aviv on Lufthansa: LH 445 8 JUNE 2017 Atlanta- Frankfurt 4:25 PM - 7:30 AM on Friday LH 686 9 JUNE 2017 Frankfurt - Tel Aviv 10:20 AM - 3:25 PM on Friday Friday, June 9, 2017: Arrive in Tel Aviv at 3:25 PM. We will be met at the airport and begin our tour right away, starting at the Tel Beit Shemesh (Samson and the Philistines). The Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant, taken in the battle of Eben Ezer, to Beit Shemesh (1 Sam 6:12-13). Visit the Ella Valley, the location of the battle of David and Goliath. Beit Guvrin / Tel Maresha encompasses approximately1,250 acres of chalk hills overlaid with harder rock. For thousands of years people have been cutting quarries, burial caves, storerooms, industrial facilities, hideouts and dovecotes in the chalk layer. Hundreds of such caves were dug at Beit Guvrin and its surroundings, revealing subterranean networks of unparalleled complexity. An important site is Tel Maresha, fortified by King Rehoboam of Judah. Finally, time allowing, we will visit the Tel Lachish. The city of Lachish was perhaps the second most important city in the kingdom of Judah. It was invaded by the Assyrians in 701 B.C. and then was one of the final cities of Judah (along with Jerusalem and Azekah) to fall during the Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C. Dinner and overnight at the Leonardo Be'er Sheva Hotel Saturday, June 10, 2017: We will start our day at Ein Avdat, the home town of Herod the Great. Although it's in the middle of the deserts, the inhabitants here had perfected the art of growing grapes and manufacturing a well-renowned wine. To this day, scientists have not discovered their secret. Then enjoy the hospitality of the Bedouins along with a camel ride. 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 David and Solomon and the temple was in use at the time of the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. Finish off the day with a float in the incomparable Dead Sea! Undoubtedly, your skin will love you for it! Dinner and overnight in Prima Oasis Dead Sea. Sunday, June 11, 2017: We will continue 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, we continue northwards to 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. Then we will journey to Qumran, the desert abode of the Essene sect, who were likely the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This sect almost certainly influenced Jesus' teaching and theology. Finally, end the day with a quick visit to one of the oldest cities in the world: Jericho, where you can see a Sycamore tree similar to that which Zacchaeus climbed. Dinner and overnight at Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel. Monday, June 12, 2017: This day will be dedicated to the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights have played an important role in Israel's history, both ancient and modern. We will learn some modern Israeli history as we hear about the Valley of Tears. 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. Continue to Tel Dan nature reserve with ruins of the Canaanite city of Laish, which was captured by the tribe of Dan during the period of the Judges. Among the special finds here is the High Place, from the time of King Jeroboam. The Israelite city gate has been restored, as has the Canaanite gate, with perhaps the earliest constructed arch ever discovered. Finally, we'll finish the day at Omrit, the possible location of Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the Road to Damascus. Dinner and overnight at Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel. Tuesday, June 13, 2017: We will spend the day around the Sea of Galilee, starting with 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. Capernaum is the place where Jesus lived during much of his ministry in the Galilee and where he performed many miracles. We continue to Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place. Here we have a stunning view over the Sea of Galilee. The area of Bethsaida was referred in the New Testament in conjunction with two of Jesus miracles: healing the blind man and the feeding of the 5000. From here, we will head to the recently excavated ruins of Magdala, the town believed to be the home of Mary of Magdalene. This village contained the port where the Ancient Boat, now restored and on display at Kibbutz Ginossar, was found. Climb up to Mt. Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, giving an impressive perspective of where Jesus spent the majority of his life. Before going back to the hotel, we will stop at the Jordan River, the setting where John preached and baptized. Dinner and overnight at Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel. Wednesday, June 14, 2017: This morning begins with Mt. Tabor, possibly the site of the transfiguration. Next is Tel Megiddo, the site of over 6,000 years of international traffic along the Via Maris. Mentioned by every great power in the ancient Near East and the location of countless major battles, Christians know this city as Armageddon. 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. Dinner and overnight at Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Thursday, June 15, 2017: We start our day at Mount of Olives with a stunning view over the Old City of Jerusalem. We walk the Palm Sunday Route down to the Garden of Gethsemane, where you will see the oldest olive trees in the world. At the bottom of the Mount of Olives, close to the bed of the Kidron Valley, are a number of extremely impressive burial structures carved in the rock including the tomb of Absalom, the son of David. From there, walk the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. End the day at the Arab Market. Next we'll visit the Israel Museum, location of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Temple model. From there, take the short motor coach ride to Bethlehem to visit both the Shepherds' fields and Herod's incredible fortress palace, the Herodian. Dinner and overnight in the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Friday, June 16, 2017: We start the day at Yad VaShem, built as a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust as well as to those who took personal risk to save their Jewish brethren. From here, walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall Tunnel that runs along the hidden continuation of the Western wall. Inside the tunnel is the closest spot accessible to Jews to where the Second Temple ‘Holy of Holies’ once stood. As such, the tunnel has become a site of prayer and spirituality. Continue to Cardo, which was a wide colonnaded street running through the heart (or cardo) of Jerusalem on a north-south axis. The Southern Stairs were the main entrance to the Temple during the Second Temple Period. The story of the City of David 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. Years later, his son King Solomon built the First Temple on the nearby Mount Moriah, the site of the binding of Isaac. Next, we'll stroll to the Mahane Yehuda, an extremely popular open-air market. End the day with a Kabbalat Shabbat service to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. End the day with a discussion of Mt. Zion and its location in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Saturday, June 17, 2017: Begin the day with a short motor coach ride to Bethlehem, visiting the Shepherd's Fields. From there, we will return to Jerusalem and pass through the Kidron Valley to visit various sites on Mt. Zion, the ancient city of God. We will end the day and the trip with a visit to the Garden Tomb and communion. Dinner and late night/early morning check out from the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Sunday, June 18, 2017: Transfer to the airport. LH 691 18 JUNE 2017 Tel Aviv - Frankfurt 4:50 AM - 8:25 AM LH 444 18 JUNE 2017 Frankfurt - Atlanta 10:20 AM - 2:25 PM INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
NOT INCLUDED:
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