We'd love to have you join our trip.
REV. ROGER AND BETH MC CARTY
Have you ever wanted to travel to the Land of the Bible? You have the opportunity to join us in 2021. The Bible simply comes alive right before your eyes as we see the land and the people. If you have any questions please reach out to me and I'll try to answer them. We look forward to seeing you in Israel in 2021."
12 DAY itinerary
THU, Jun 17 Transatlantic
WE MUST BE AT THE AIRPORT 2 HOURS BEFORE FLIGHT TIME.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
FRI, Jun 18 Tel Aviv / Netanya
Today, we arrive in Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we are met and assisted by our guide and transferred to our hotel.
OVERNIGHT NETANYA
SAT, Jun 19 Caesarea / Mount Carmel / Mukraka / Megiddo / Mount Arbel / Galilee
After breakfast, we start our touring to Galilee. We drive along the Mediterranean coast to the ancient Roman capital, Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 BC. Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome. Visit the Roman Theatre, the Aqueduct and Herodian Port. Continue to see the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Carmel and Mukraka, where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. Then we travel to Tel Megiddo, 30 civilizations deep, where we see a Canaanite altar, Ahab’s water tunnel, Solomon’s stables and a panoramic view of the Valley of Armageddon. We continue to the high cliffs of Mount Arbel where we see distant Mt Hermon, the Golan Heights, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee nearer by. Cliff dwellings here date to the Second Temple period where rebels sought shelter against King Herod.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GALILEE
SUN, Jun 20 Capernaum/Dan/Caesarea Philippi/ Golan/Bethsaida/Chorazin
We start the day at Capernaum, the city of Jesus, and visit the foundations of a synagogue where Jesus taught. We also can still see the outline of Peter’s house. Continuing north to ancient Tel Dan, where the Dan Tribe emigrated and where Jeroboam crafted a golden calf. See the unearthed city gates, a paved road, and remains of fortifications. See the Banias Springs, the source of the Jordan River and Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Christ as Messiah. Returning via the Golan Heights we visit Bethsaida where Jesus healed the blind man and the hometown of Peter, Philip and Andrew. We also visit the black basalt ruins of Chorazin where Jesus ministered but which He later cursed
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GALILEE
MON, Jun 21 Boat Ride / Jesus Boat / Mount of Beatitudes / Tzipori / Nazareth / Cana / Kfar Kedem
We enjoy an inspiring boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Nearby we visit a recently unearthed Galilean fishing boat like Jesus would have known. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount before traveling to Tzipori, an ancient Roman city built near Nazareth during Jesus’ youth. He may have helped Joseph work there. We drive through Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, and Cana before arriving at Kfar Kedem to experience Jewish everyday life in the Galilee as 2000 years ago.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GALILEE
TUE, Jun 22 Beth Shean / Qasr al Yahud / Mount of Olives / Gethsemane / Israel Museum / Model
Drive to the newly excavated ruins of Beth Shean where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on the walls after their defeat at Mount Gilboa. Continuing down the Jordan Valley, we see Qasr al Yahud, near the site of Jesus’ baptism and Elijah’s ascension in the chariot of fire. We drive up to Jerusalem. Our first stop is at the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock. We visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and walk between the ancient olive trees. We proceed via the Knesset to visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scroll collection is exhibited and where the amazing model of ancient Jerusalem is on display.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM
WED, Jun 23 Qumram / Ein Gedi / Masada / Dead Sea
Leave Jerusalem on our way to the Shore of the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1400 feet below sea level). Visit Qumran to see one of the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. Drive along the Dead Sea via Ein Fescha to Masada. Ascend to Masada by cable car to visit these magnificent ruins. Masada is the fortress where from 70-73 AD Jewish Zealots made their last stand against the Roman Empire. Enjoy a short swim in the Dead Sea and return to Jerusalem via the Judean Wilderness
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM
THU, Jun 24 City of David / Gihon Spring / New Excavations (House, lower city Wall, Cistern) / Hezekiah Tunnel/ Siloam Pool / Southern Steps / Western Wall / Rabbinical Tunnels
The City of David is where Jerusalem started. We visit the excavated fortresses and passageways from David’s conquest of the Jebusite city as described in the 2nd book of Samuel. Visit the Gihon Springs – the original water source for Jerusalem, the excavation of a typical Israelite house, the lower city wall and the cistern where Jeremiah was imprisoned. We walk through the Hezekiah Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus’s miracle in John 9. This tunnel acted as an aqueduct to provide Jerusalem with water during a siege. We drive to the Ophel Garden - a recently excavated archeological site near the southern wall of Temple Mount. We have time to reflect on the southern steps. Jesus would have entered the Temple via these steps. Just a short distance away is the Western Wall, the holiest site of current day Jewish reverence. We walk from the plaza through the Rabbinical tunnels viewing the engineering marvel of the wall construction.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM
FRI, Jun 25 Via Dolorosa / Church of Sepulcher / Caiaphas House / Upper Room / Temple Institute
This morning after breakfast we walk the traditional route of the Via Dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Afterwards we travel to Caiaphas house where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. We then visit the Upper Room before continuing to the Temple Institute to see articles of the Temple.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM
SAT, Jun 26 Herodion / St. Stephens Gate / Pool of Bethesda / Saint Anne’s Church / judgment Hall / Garden Tomb
This morning, we travel to Herodion, a conical shaped mountain built by King Herod. Unearthed remains include a synagogue, a residence and a bathhouse. Then we travel to St. Stephens Gate near the site of Stephens martyrdom. Just a few steps inside is the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, a wonderful place to sing together. As we travel toward the Garden Tomb we visit the Judgement Hall of Pilate. Arriving at the Garden tomb we enjoy a time of reflection and worship followed by an orientation beside Calvary where Jesus was crucified.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM
SUN, Jun 27 Morning Free; Afternoon: Holocaust Museum / Ellah Valley / Jaffa
Visit Yad Vashem – the holocaust memorial dedicated to preserving the memory of the 6 million Jews who were killed by the Nazis during the Second World War. Drive to the Valley of Ella – where David slew Goliath and continue to Jaffa where Simon the Tanner lived and Jonah set sailed for his encounter with the great fish. Continue to the Yemenite Quarter of Tel Aviv for a farewell dinner.
DINNER AND TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR LATE NIGHT FLIGHT
MON, June 28 journey home
Travel homeward and arrive back home same day.