On His Footsteps Tour 2023

October 27 – November 6, 2023

We will land at Ben-Gurion airport and are met by a Shalom journeys representative immediately after passport control, where we will meet our guide and driver, and motor coach. We will journey north and stop at Joppa and the ancient city of Caesarea by the Sea, Herod’s Mediterranean palace. Then we continue towards Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel where will hear and see of the prophets of bail and Elisha. We arrive at our hotel in Haifa.   Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.  

Overnight in Haifa

After breakfast (at our hotel), we will check out from our hotel and to Nazareth. Where we will also visit the site of the synagogue of Nazareth, where Jesus preached his first sermon. Nazareth is where Jesus grew up in his youth years, working with his father as a carpenter in their family shop. Nearby, we will visit Nazareth village, an open-air museum, which reconstructs and reenacts village life in Galilee in the time of Jesus.  Conclude our day with a drive through the pastoral hills to the Sea of Galilee. We will conclude the day with a baptism at the river Jordan.  Arrive at our hotel on the Sea of Galilee for check-in.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight on the Sea of Galilee

After breakfast, we will start our day with a drive to the village of Magdalena. Archaeologists have uncovered a synagogue, where early pilgrims started to pray judo-Christian teachings. We will drive back south towards western galilee to visit Tabaha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes (john 6:1-14), and the mount of beatitudes. There we will experience the Beatitudes in the surroundings it was given. We will continue to the kibbutz of Ginosar for a. St. Peter lunch.

Overnight on the Sea of Galilee

After breakfast, we journey north to the border with Israel. On our way, we visit mt. Nebo, is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in Jordan, as it is believed to be the place where Moses climbed from the valley of Moab, where God showed him the promised land. It was also his last resting place. It features ruins from the 4th to the 6th century with marvelous mosaics adorning the grounds of the church still visible. After border procedures, we will meet our driver who will take us toward our hotel at the dead sea region. As we get closer to the shores of the dead sea, we will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of the earth at 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. Upon our arrival at our hotel, we will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Take advantage of the unsinkable waters of the dead sea,  enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Ein Bokek (dead sea)

After breakfast, we will check out and leave the hotel, driving north to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. We will ascend by cable car to visit the ancient fortress, where the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots in “their struggle against the Romans. The zealots held out for “three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands rather than submit to roman slavery and torture. Drive further north to beautiful Ein Gev reserve to see the oasis in “the desert. Here we will have a short hike to see the oasis in “the desert with its incredible waterfalls, gardens, and caves. Learn the biblical stories of David, and Saul and the book of psalms. Continue with our journey to the land of genesis. We will pass Qumran caves from a distance (left). Here, a young shepherd discovered the dead sea scrolls, and it’s believed John the Baptist visited this place on many occasions. Arrive at the land of genesis, for an optional camel safari in the Judean wilderness followed by a biblical feast, hosted by Abraham and his family and their large tent. After dinner, travel to Jerusalem and to our hotel.

Overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem

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After breakfast, we will start our first day in Jerusalem at “the top of mt. Of olives for an overwhelming view of “the old city of Jerusalem, facing the golden gates. Below, see the ancient Jewish cemetery. We walk down the Palm Sunday route to the garden of Gethsemane. Here, Jesus was arrested because of Judah’s betrayal. See “the ancient trees from “the time of Jesus at the garden and visit the church of all nations. Continue to mt. Zion to visit the upper room, where the last supper was held (mark 14.13, luke 22. 10-38, matt 26 17-29, ). Below a flight of stairs, we will also see the site of David’s tomb. We continue to “the house of Caiaphas, the rabbi (priest) who imprisoned Jesus at “the basement of his house.  Return back to our hotel, followed by dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Bethlehem and Jerusalem after breakfast, we will leave Jerusalem and head to be Bethlehem to visit “the site of the nativity and a shepherd’s field. We will return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel and continue to the Israel museum to see the model city of Jerusalem as it used to look like in 66 ce. In that fateful year, the great revolt against “the Romans erupted, resulting in the destruction of the city and “the temple. The ancient city was then at its largest, covering an area of ca. 445 acres (more than twice the size of “the old city today). In the same complex, we will also visit the shrine of the book to see the original dead sea scrolls and where “they are housed. We conclude our day with communion at “the garden tomb. Here, it is believed by many Christians, “this site was “the site Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Return to our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

We will enter the old city “through “the dung gate to visit the southern wall excavations. Proceed “through “the broad stone stairway down to the western wall, also known as the “Kotel” to see Judaism’s holiest place. Here we will have time to insert a prayer note in one of the cracks of the last remaining wall in­ the side, see the model showing “the different dwelling periods and history of “the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Visit the Christian quarter to see “the pool of Bethesda. from here, we will retrace “the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of “the cross) and its stations. We pass through the colorful bazaars, alleyways, and marketplaces to the church of the holy sepulcher. We will proceed to the Jewish quarter, view the unearthed main roman “thoroughfare, and continue to “the temple institute to see a museum dedicated to “the preparation of building the 3rd temple. Enjoy the remainder of the day after­ noon at leisure. We will return to the hotel, followed by dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Depending on our flight times, we will check out from our hotel or tour more in the AM and be transferred to Ben Gurion airport for our flight back home.

We will arrive back home with everlasting memories of Israel. 

• Touring in a deluxe vehicle/motor-coach with a professional licensed driver
• A professional government licensed English speaking guide – hand picked
• Entrance fees to all sites and parks

• Meet and assist at Ben Gurion Airport
• Transfers on arrival from Ben Gurion Airport to hotel in Tel Aviv
• Transfers on departure from hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport

• Lunch daily, other than those mentioned in the program
• Travel insurance = based on age and total cost of tour (highly recommended)
• Tips to the guide and driver