DAY 1 MONDAY, MAY 10 - KANSAS CITY/ TEL AVIV
Tour members are welcomed today for their flights Tel Aviv. You will arrive in Tel Aviv the following day. Meals and beverages will be served on board.
DAY 2 TUESDAY, MAY 11 - TEL AVIV
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we will be met, assisted and transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv for overnight. Enroute we will visit the restored ancient port of JAFFA (JOPPA), where Peter had his housetop experience in the home of Simon the Tanner and from where Johna sailed and was caught by the whale. Dinner and overnight Metropolitan Hotel.
See Hotel
DAY 3 WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 - TEL AVIV/TIBERIAS
This morning we will proceed to CAESAREA, capital of the Roman procurators of Judea, to visit the remains of the ancient aqueduct, amphitheater, Crusaders' Moat and Byzantine churches. We then continue north via the coastal highway to MEGIDDO, site of the excavations, which unearthed 20 layers of civilization and focal point of the book of revelation. On to MUHRAKA, where Elijah defeated the priests of Ba'al. Passing through the Plain of Jezreel, we will stop in NAZARETH, the boyhood home of Jesus. Continue to TIBERIAS for overnight at Kibbutz Ein Gev.
See Hotel.
DAY 4 THURSDAY, MAY 13 - TIBERIAS
We begin our day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Drives to CAPERNAUM then continue to TABGHA, MAGDALA and the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES. Continue north to DAN, the northernmost limit of Jesus' travels and to BANIAS(ancient Caesarea Philippi) at the foot of MOUNT HERMON. At Banias we find the source of the JORDAN RIVER, a holy place where Jesus won a ringing profession of faith from Peter. We will begin our descent back to the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee, stopping at Kibbutz Ein Gev. Continue to visit to YARDENIT and its specially built baptismal site, you will have enough time to renew your Baptismal vows. Dinner and overnight Kibbutz Ein Gev.
DAY 5 FRIDAY, MAY 14 - TIBERIAS/JERUSALEM
Drive via the JORDAN VALLEY to BET SHEAN, where you will explore the extraordinary excavations of an ancient Roman City. Drive the winding mountain roads and ascend to the holy city of JERUSALEM. Enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the MOUNT OF OLIVES of this "golden" city. Visit the CHURCH OF PATER NOSTER, CHAPEL OF THE ASCENSION and then proceed to the olived-treed GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Overnight Moriah Classic Hotel Jerusalem.
See Hotels
DAY 6 SATURDAY, MAY 15 - JERUSALEM
Drive through the stark JUDEAN DESERT, stopping at the GOOD SAMARITAN INN, en route to the DEAD SEA, the lowest spot on earth. Arrive at MASADA and ascend by cable car to this palace/fortress constructed during the reign of Herod the Great. Stop at EIN GEDI for a swim in the buoyant, therapeutic waters of the "unsinkable" Dead Sea! Return to Jerusalem via QUMRAN, the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Overnight Jerusalem.
DAY 7 SUNDAY, MAY 16 - JERUSALEM
Visit the HADASSAH MEDICAL CENTER to view the stained glass Chagall windows. On to EIN KAREM, birthplace of John the Baptist. Proceed to YAD VASHEM, memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Museum, Children's Pavilion and walk along the street of the Righteous. Drive via the KNESSET (Israel's Parliament) to the SHRINE OF THE BOOK, Located at the ISRAEL MUSEUM, where the DEAD SEA SCROLLS are housed. SITUATION PERMITTING-Afternoon visit to BETHLEHEM, birthplace of Jesus and King David, visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Dinner and overnight
DAY 8 MONDAY, MAY 17 - JERUSALEM
Start your day at MOUNT ZION to visit the ROOM OF THE LAST SUPPER and the traditional TOMB OF KING DAVID. Enter the OLD CITY from the ZION GATE. Enter the restored JEWISH QUARTER. Walk along the excavated CARDO, once a main street of ancient Jerusalem. Continue to the WESTERN WALL and the TEMPLE MOUNT. Visit the DOME OF THE ROCK, sacred mosque of Islam. Walk through ST. STEPHEN'S GATE, stop at the POOL OF BETHESDA and on to the lovely Crusader CHURCH OF ST. ANNE. See PILATE'S JUDGMENT HALL, the CHAPEL OF FLAGELLATION and the ARCH OF ECCE HOMO. Then follow the VIA DOLOROSA through narrow alleys and souks to the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. End your tour at the GARDEN TOMB (GORDON CALVARY) and celebrate Communion. Dinner FOLLOWED BY TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT.DAY 9 TUESDAY - MAY 18 - EN ROUTE
Check in for your flights from Tel Aviv back to the USA, with memories to last a lifetime.