Israel Faith Trip Detailed Itinerary
Please note: This itinerary is subject to changes while in Israel if necessary.
Monday, October 13, 2014:
Depart Charlotte on US 671 1:15 pm - 3:14 pm JFK Depart JFK on El Al 8 11:30 pm - 4:45 pm Israel Tuesday, October 14, 2014: Arrive in Tel Aviv at 4:45pm We will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Rest up! We'll get off to a great start tomorrow! Wednesday, October 15, 2014: We will start 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 approximately of 1,250 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. Located on the east end of the valley is the site of Adullam. This place proved to be the perfect place for David to hide in his initial flight from Saul. 1 Samuel 22 says that David hid in the "cave of Adullam." Dinner and overnight at Isrotel Mitzpe Ramon Inn**. Thursday, October 16, 2014: The Wilderness of Zin / Ein Avdat is where the ancient Israelites wandered. We have the opportunity to hike in the same desert where they walked. Ein Avdat is a spectacular narrow canyon in the Negev. At the opening of the canyon, the water of numerous springs descends into two deep pools in a series of waterfalls. Driving southwards to Timna Park, outstanding in its variety of scenic, geological and archaeological sites of global significance, is the site of the world’s first copper mine. We will also see the replica of the Tabernacle which God commanded the children of Israel to build. Drive by Mt. Sedom. Dinner and overnight at Isrotel Mitzpe Ramon Inn**. Friday, October 17, 2014: We start our day at Masada, the desert fortress built by King Herod atop a natural plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. The well known story of the Jewish Zealots who fled to Masada for refuge during the Revolt against the conquering Romans touches us all. 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. 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. Qumran was the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Jericho is the oldest city in the world and in the text it 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. Dinner and overnight at the Kibbutz Afik** in upper Galilee. Saturday, October 18, 2014: 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. Our last stop will be Sussita, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here, Jesus performed the miracle of the swine. Before going back to the hotel, we will walk to a remote area of the Jordan River, perhaps similar to the setting where John preached and baptized. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in upper Galilee. Sunday, October 19, 2014: This day will be dedicated to the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. We start at one of King Solomon's cities,– Tel Hazor. Its Biblical history is rich: it was first conquered by Joshua and later became a main city of King Solomon. Archaeological excavations have produced fascinating finds, including a restored Canaanite palace bearing signs of a huge fire attributed to Joshua’s conquest. We continue further north 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. 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. Golan Heights have played an important role in Israel's history, both ancient and modern. The the city of Gamla was a Jewish stronghold during the revolt against Rome and it is also known as the Masada of the north. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in upper Galilee. Monday, October 20, 2014: We will leave the Galilee driving west, stopping at Zippori, which is identified with the codification of the Mishna by Rabbi Judah. The site of amazing mosaic floors, the town also features a Roman Cardo and an ancient theater and synagogue. Next will be Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood town. 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 in the Dan Jerusalem**. Tuesday, October 21, 2014: We start the day at 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 tunnels have 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. We will walk thru Hezekiah's tunnel. Drive to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Our first visit will be Herodium, a monumental fortress and palace built by King Herod. Then we continue to the Shepherds' Fields, the area to the east of the city is traditionally believed to be the area of the fields of the shepherds "keeping watch o'er their flocks by night". Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. Wednesday, October 22, 2014: 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. We will walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We will end our day at Garden Tomb. In the afternoon, free time. Spend the night at our hotel in Jerusalem. Thursday, October 23, 2014: We will spend another day in Jerusalem, but at a more relaxed pace. We will visit the House of Caiaphas and the Pool of Bethsaida. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to stroll around Jerusalem to shop, people-watch and take in the atmosphere at your own pace. After dinner, we will be transferred to the airport. Depart Tel Aviv on El Al 1at 1:00 am (Thursday night/Friday morning) - 5:40 am JFK (Friday) Friday, October 24, 2014: Arrive at JFK at 5:40am Depart JFK on US 2081at 11:51am Arrive in Charlotte at 1:59 pm **Hotels are subject to change. INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
NOT INCLUDED:
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