Israel Faith Trip Detailed ItineraryPlease note: This itinerary is subject to changes while in Israel if necessary.
Friday, May. 19, 2017
Depart Charlotte for overnight flight to Tel Aviv: UA 3408 19 May 2017 Charlotte- Newark 3:31 PM - 5:29 PM UA 90 19 May 2017 Newark - Tel Aviv 10:40 PM - 4:20 PM Saturday, May 20 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. Sunday, May 21 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, 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. 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. Monday, May 22 Start the morning in Metzke 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. 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. Then drive to Jericho, which is the oldest city in the world and in the text is described as "City of Palm Trees." 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. Tuesday, May 23 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. 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 the Nimrod Castle, probably built by crusaders in the middle ages and later used by Muslims for defense. Dinner and overnight at Ein Gev. Wednesday, May 24 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 Arbel where participants can opt in for an incredible hike up to a spectacular view of the Galilee region. If you can't hike up, don't worry! You can ride the bus to the same view. Afterwards, we will return to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to tour Tagbha, the likely site of the "feeding of the 5,000." We end the day at Chorazin, with a tour of the beautifully restored ruins of this important religious city from Jesus' time. Dinner and overnight at Ein Gev. Thursday, May 25 Our first stop will be Sussita, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here, Jesus probably healed the demon-possessed man. This is another optional hike. After descending from Sussita, those who did not hike will be picked up at the hotel and everyone will continue together to Nazareth. After a faith lesson in Nazareth, an optional hike will be offered to Zippori. As the group re-assembles in Zippori, everyone will tour this 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 three 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. Friday, May 26 Drive to Mount Carmel where Prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Ba'al. From Mount Carmel, 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. Drive to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Here we will visit the Herodium, a monumental fortress and palace built by King Herod. Finally, end the day with the highlight: a Shabbat celebration at the Western Wall. Dinner and overnight in the Dan Panorama Jerusalem. Saturday, May 27 We start our day at the 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. We will walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site where Jesus was crucified. 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. Sunday, May 28 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 to 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. Monday, May 29 Depart Tel Aviv to return home with new insights to apply! UA 85 Tel Aviv - Newark 12:15 PM - 5:10 PM UA 3423 Newark - Charlotte 9:20 PM - 11:15 PM INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
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