There is nothing like going to Israel and Jordan
where God revealed Himself in time and space. The early church father, Jerome, once described Israel as “The Fifth Gospel,”
and once you’ve been there, you’ll know why.
You will never read the Bible the same again.
We depart our gateway international airport for Rome, Italy. We must be at the airport at least three hours before the flight. Enjoy our on-board experience.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
Connecting through Istanbul airport, we arrive in Tel Aviv and are met and assisted by our guide. Our motorcoach is waiting, and we are transferred to our hotel in the coastal town of Netanya for a good night’s rest.
OVERNIGHT VERT LAGOON HOTEL, NETANYA
We begin with a full group Israeli breakfast. We then travel north along the Mediterranean coast for these highlights:
* Caesarea Maritima for welcome remarks and a combined group teaching session in the amphitheater.
* Mukraka, the location of Elijah's altar where he slew the prophets of Baal.
* The excavation of Tel Megiddo overlooking the Valley of Armageddon. The ruins of Megiddo are 30 civilizations deep going back to the Canaanites.
* Mount Precipice where the people intended to kill Jesus, but He simply walked through them and away.
* Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth including a visit to the recreated Nazareth Village and Mary's well.
BREAKFAST VERT LAGOON HOTEL, NETANYA,
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT NOF GINOSAR, GALILEE
Today's highlights are:
* The ancient boat from Jesus’ time recently recovered from the lake.
* A sail on the Sea of Galilee and a time of worship.
* The ruins of Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene.
* Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the fish and loaves of a small boy.
* Primacy of Peter, site of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to disciples on the shore of Galilee. Site of John 21 "feed my sheep" declaration to Peter.
* Capernaum, the city of Jesus so central to His ministry. The ruins of Peter’s house still seen and the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus spoke.
* The Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT KIBBUTZ NOF GINOSAR, GALILEE
Todays agenda includes:
* Ancient Tel Dan, where the Dan Tribe emigrated and created the golden calf. Includes the unearthed city gates, a paved road, and remains of fortifications. .
* Banias Springs, the source of the Jordan River.
* Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Christ as Messiah.
* Driving via the Golan Heights we view Biblical Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrew and Philip; then, unrepentant Chorazin.
* Visit Yardenit on the Jordan River where you can be baptized.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT KIBBUTZ NOF GINOSAR, GALILEE
* The ancient Decapolis city of Beth She’an. Nearby is the Tel where Saul and his sons were hung after their defeat at Gilboa. Beth She'an is one of the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities.
* We drive south through the Jordan River valley
* Ascend the Judean Hills near Jericho for a delicious Bedouin lunch and hospitality in “Abraham’s tent.”
* View Wadi Qelt, perhaps David had this in mind for the 23rd Psalm.
* Bethlehem where we see the shepherd’s fields and visit the Church of the Nativity, site of Jesus’ birth.
* Time for shopping.
BREAKFAST NOF GINOSAR,
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSLEM
* Through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1200 feet below sea level)
* Masada, ascended by cable car, to visit the fortress where from 70-73 AD Jewish Zealots made a last desperate stand against the Roman Empire.
* Ein Gedi, where David found shelter from the rage of King Saul.
* Qumran: the ancient Essene community where Dead Sea scrolls were found.
* On our way back to Jerusalem, enjoy a short float on the Dead
Sea if time and weather allow.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
* Walk Hezekiah's Dry Tunnel. The nearby wet tunnel brought water from the Gihon Springs to the City of David during a siege.
* The City of David where Jerusalem started to see the excavations from David's conquest of the Jebusite's city as described in the 2nd book of Samuel.
* Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls) including the archeological wing where we will have a time of teaching..
* The amazing model of ancient Jerusalem.
* Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
* Mount of Olives for our group picture and overview of the city.
* Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations.
* On the way to the old city through the Kidron Valley see the Golden Gate, the Pinnacle, and the Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James.
* On the way to the Via Dolorosa we visit the Pool of Bethesda where we can sing in St. Anne’s Church with its magnificent acoustics.
* Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch and see the Catholic stations of the cross as we continue on Via Dolorosa through the Bazaar to the last four stations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
* Visit the Garden Tomb of Jesus for an orientation beside Calvary and time for worship and communion.
* Evening spectacular at Tower of David Sound and Light Show
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
* The Kotel Tunnel, Groups of 35 will visit according to schedule.
* Mount Zion and the traditional Room of the Last Supper, Caiaphas house where Caiaphas judged Jesus and Gallicantu, where Peter denied Christ three times before the cock crowed and where Christ was held prisoner.
* The Western Wall, the holiest of all Jewish sites.
* If time and security allow, we will visit the Temple Mount platform.
* Davidson Center and Southern Steps. Here Jesus certainly entered the temple.
* A free afternoon for leisure, shopping or revisiting sites
*Farewell dinner with our guides.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
We’ve seen spectacular sights, enjoyed unforgettable experience es together and alone. We’ve sung frequently, laughed a lot, cried a little, built lifelong relationships and, best of all, gained a unique appreciation and familiarity with God’s Word that only comes with “being there.”
Early morning departure from Jerusalem for Ben Gurion airport for those not extending to Jordan. We arrive same day back in San Francisco
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Jordan Extension:
Bethany Beyond Jordan / Plains of Moab / Madaba / Petra
This morning we leave Jerusalem and continue to the
* Allenby Bridge near Jericho to cross the Jordan River into Jordan.
After clearing customs
* Visit the Jordanian site which is believed to be the most likely place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
* Plains of Moab, here Elijah ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot whirlwind.
* Madaba where we view the most ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land.
* We visit a nearby mosaic factory and showroom
* We continue to Petra.
BREAKFAST, DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: MARRIOTT PETRA HOTEL, PETRA
We arrive at the entrance to the Siq which leads us to
* Petra, one of the ancient wonders of the world. An easy walk of about a mile leads us to the end of the narrow canyon which opens spectacularly to the familiar Treasury which is carved out of predominately red stone. Further down, the valley opens to even more wonders. Nearby is the traditional burial site of Aaron, Moses’ brother.
* In the late afternoon proceed to the Dead Sea shore on the Jordanian side.
BREAKFAST, MARRIOTT PETRA HOTEL, PETRA
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: MARRIOTT HOTEL, DEAD SEA
On our final day in Jordan we depart from our hotel:
* We travel north of Amman to see Jerash, another of the Decapolis cities in the region.
* Mt. Nebo to see the same view that Moses had of the Promised Land.
* The afternoon is open for leisure at our Dead Sea resort and beach.
* We enjoy a farewell dinner with our guides on our final evening together.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: MARRIOTT HOTEL, DEAD SEA
Day 13: Transatlantic / USA
We transfer to Queen Alia Airport in Amman to board our flight for home. We arrive in San Francisco the same day.
