We depart San Francisco International or Atlanta International for Tel Aviv, Israel. We must be at the airport at least two hours before the flight and let's enjoy our on-board transatlantic experience.
Depart USA
On arrival in Tel Aviv we are met and assisted by our guide. Our coach is waiting, and we are transferred to our hotel in the coastal town of Hertzilya for a good night’s rest.
Dinner and Overnight: Daniel Hotel Herzilya
https://www.tamareshotels.com/
Visit the historical sites where Pilate lived, Cornelius household, and where Paul was imprisoned.
Mount Carmel where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal Tel Megiddo excavated 26 civilizations deep overlooking the Valley of Armageddon (Jezreel Valley). Mount Precipice near Nazareth where Jesus was rejected by his hometown.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Nof Ginosaur Hotel & Resort
https://english.ginosar.co.il/
After breakfast, we visit the ruins of Magdala on the western shore. It is the home town of Mary Magdalene. Continuing along the shore, we see the ancient boat from Jesus’ time which was recently recovered from the lake. Here, we board another Galilean boat for a sail on the Sea of Galilee and a time of worship. Afterwards, we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount followed by a stop another stop along the Galilee shore for a visit to Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the fish and loaves of a small boy. Almost adjacent is the site where. after the resurrection, Jesus cooked breakfast for some disciples and exhorted Peter to "Feed my sheep." Capernaum is another short distance down the shore. This town of Jesus was central to Jesus ministry and is referred to often in Scripture. The ruins of Peter’s house are still seen and the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus spoke.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Nof Ginosaur Hotel & Resor
This morning after our full Israeli breakfast, we travel along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital built by Herod the Great in 22 BC. The apostle Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome. Pilate lived here during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Cornelius and his household lived here too. Visit the Roman Theatre, the Aqueduct and Herodian Port. Continue toward Haifa to see the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Carmel. Visit the Mukraka, the location of Elijah’s altar where he slew the prophets of Baal. Afterwards, we drive to visit the Valley of Armageddon and the excavation of Tel Megiddo which is 30 civilizations deep going all the way back to the Canaanites. Here, too, are Ahab’s water tunnel and Solomon’s stables. We travel next to Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth for an unforgettable visit to the recreated Nazareth Village. If there is time, we will visit Mary’s well. We continue to the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Dinner and Overnight: Nof Ginosaur Hotel & Resort
Drive to Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 men to fight the Midianites. Continue to Beit She’an, where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on the walls after their Mount Gilboa defeat. Continue via the Jordan Valley, we stop at Genesis Land to enjoy Abraham and Eliezer Hospitality including a Bedouin lunch. Here you can also experience a camel ride. After lunch we drive to Jericho to see the ruins from the famous battle when the Israelite entered into Canaan, as described in the Book of Joshua.
In the afternoon, we drive to Bethlehem and visit the Shepherd’s Fields, the Fields of Boaz and Ruth and the Church of the Nativity, site of Jesus’ birth.
Lunch: Genesis Land
Breakfast, Dinner and Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham Jerusalem
Drive to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of the Old City and the surrounding area. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley, Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. On our walking tour we proceed to the temple area on Mt. Moriah where we visit a recently excavated archeological site at the southern wall of Temple Mount in the Old City. Afterwards we see the Dome of the Rock, visit the Western Wall, and walk through the Kotel Tunnel.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham Jerusalem
Drive to the City of David and see the excavated fortresses and passageways from David’s conquest of the Jebusites city as described in the 2nd book of Samuel. The City of David is where Jerusalem started. Hezekiah’s Tunnel runs from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam and acted as an aqueduct to provide Jerusalem with water during a siege. Visit the new excavations and walk thru the Herodian tunnel from King Herod’s period that runs from the Siloam Pool to the Davidson Center in the Old City. We exit the Tunnel at Davidson Center and proceed to visit the House of Caiaphas, where the high priest resided and where Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin – the Council in Jerusalem. Peter also denied Jesus in the courts of this House. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the King David Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham Jerusalem
https://jerusalemramadahotel.com/en/
After Dinner: Sound & Light Show
We also visit the Golden Gate, the Pinnacle, St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch. We continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre . Visit the Roman Cardo and continue to the Garden Tomb of Jesus, where we have an orientation beside Calvary and Communion.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham Jerusalem
https://jerusalemramadahotel.com/en/
Depart Jerusalem for the Shore of the Dead Sea - the deepest point on earth (1368 feet below sea level). Drive via the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea and then via Ein Fescha to Qumran to see the ruins of an ancient Essene community where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Continue to the Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. Ascend to Masada by cable car to visit its magnificent ruins. Masada is the fortress where from 70-73 AD the Jewish Zealots made the last stand against the Roman Empire. On our way back to Jerusalem, If time and weather allow, we may stop and enjoy a short swim in the Dead Sea.
Breakfast, Dinner, and Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham Jerusalem
Drive to Veria, which is ancient Berea. We visit the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD. View the ancient synagogue where Paul spoke, and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church. Continue to Thessaloniki to see the landmarks of the city; the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the House of Jason where Paul lived and the Agora where he preached. View the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia.
Dinner and Overnight: Grand Hotel Palace
Drive to Philippi where Paul lived, preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. See the baptismal site of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place. See a crypt from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a pris-on for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre.
Continue to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. Luke also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christopolis because it was the first Euro-pean city to accept Christianity. See the Roman Aqueduct and the Ruins of the Acropolis. Return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert.
Dinner and Overnight: Grand Hotel Palace
Drive to Meteora - the world-famous Byzantine monasteries, perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. They go back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Afternoon drive to Larissa.
Breakfast, Dinner and Overnight: Amalia Hotel Meteora
Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. On top Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. We view also the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. Visit the famous Plaka with its multitude of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Breakfast, and Dinner and overnight: Royal Olympic Athens
Visit ancient Corinth where Paul worked and preached. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Pei-rene and the Temple of Apollo. We then will stop at Di-olkos to view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and the Corinth Canal.
Breakfast, Dinner and Overnight: Royal Olympic Athens
After breakfast, we are transferred to the Airport for our flight home.
Transatlantic flight home
