Itinerary – Christian Holy Land Tour:
Days: 8
Sunday, Day 1: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv
Shalom! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. After passport control, you will be met by a CTTI representative. Arrive at our hotel in the Tel Aviv for check in.
Enjoy a buffet dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Monday, Day 2: Caesarea, Megiddo, Haifa, Acre (Akko) to the Galilee
Following our first breakfast in Israel, we will leave the city of Tel Aviv and drive north along the Mediterranean coast and see the following:
Caesarea
See the ancient Roman theater, built by Herod and once the capital of Judea. Here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.
Megiddo
One of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel.
Haifa
Ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal.
Akko – Acre
See its underground passages and secret rooms, as well as the prison. Once occupied by many nations.
Afternoon/evening:
Drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee and to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in the Galilee
Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias / Wester Galilee / Banias
After breakfast, start the day with a short tour of Tiberias. Visits will include the following places:
Boat Cruise:
Cruise on the Sea of Galilee for a biblical revival in a Jesus boat replica.
Capernaum:
Center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.
Tabgha:
Site of the the “Loaves and Fishes”, including the Church of the multiplication (John 6:1-14), a 4th century mosaic floor.
Mount of Beatitudes:
Where Jesus delivered perhaps the most famous sermon preached – “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).
Banias Springs and Caesarea Phillipi:
One of the sources of the River Jordan. It’s believed Caesaria Philippi is where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16).
Afternoon/evening:
Return back to our hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner. Evening at leisure.
Overnight in the Galilee.
Wednesday, Day 4: Nazareth / Beit Shean
Breakfast at hotel. Today, visit the following places:
Cana of Galilee
Here we will visit the site where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1).
Nazareth:
The boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. We will also visit the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
Yardenit:
A Baptismal site in the Jordan River. Here we will have the chance of being Baptized.
Beit Shean:
Newly excavated and one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. See the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).
Jordan Valley:
See the dessert bloom with flowers and vegetation, prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 35:1-2.
Afternoon/evening:
Arrive to Jerusalem and check in to our hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel. After dinner, suggested stroll around the city center of Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Thursday, Day 5: Jerusalem: The Old City
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, visits will include sites in Jerusalem and the Old City.
Mount of Olives
Mount of Olives is situated on the east side of the Old City. On top of the mountain, is a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City and the Golden Gates. At the bottom of the mount, is an urban garden, most famous for the site where Jesus prayed in many occasions prior to His crucifixion.
The Upper Room:
Located above David’s Tomb compound at Mt. Zion, it is considered to be the room where Jesus had His last Passover meal (Room of the Last Supper).
Jewish Quarter (Old City):
Situated is the southeastern sector of the walled city. It stretches to the Zion Gate in the south and extends to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the east.
The Jewish quarter was reconstructed after the city was unified after the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. See the unearthed (main) Roman thoroughfare and the ancient marketplace lined with columns.
Western Wall (The Kotel):
It is the last remaining structure of a much greater wall from the Second Temple period. The temple was built by Herod and is the holiest place for Jews. The Western Wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, near the Dung Gate.
Via Dolorosa:
Is known as the “Stations of the Cross” and the Way of the Cross to Jesus’ Crucifixion. Today, the Via Dolorosa hold many colorful bazaars and marketplace.
Church of the Holy Seplechre
Believed to be by many Catholic and Orthodox Christians; this was the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
Garden Tomb:
Believed to be by many Evangelical Christians; this was the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
Afternoon/evening:
We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday, Day 6: New City Bethlehem
After breakfast, start the day at:
Ein Kerem
The birthplace of John the Baptist and where his parents enjoyed their summer house.
Yad Vashem:
Israeli memorial for the Holocaust, where six million Jews perished in WWII.
Israel Museum:
See the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed. View the scale model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period.
Bethlehem:
It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity.
Afternoon/evening:
We will return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Saturday, Day 7: Massada and the Dead Sea area
Early breakfast at our hotel, drive drive south towards the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores, we will start to descend to the lowest lowest point on earth 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. Visits will include:
Qumran
Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy.
Masada:
Ascend by cable car to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada to see where the Jewish Zealots struggled against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva. They chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery and torture.
Dead Sea:
Lowest point on the surface of earth to 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water (similar to a lake) and includes 11%-13% salt and other natural ingredients. Float on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud (weather permitting).
Afternoon/evening:
Return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Sunday, Day 8: Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.
