07 FEB ~ TUESDAY:
Today we depart for Israel via Newark, N.J.

08 FEB ~ WEDNESDAY – Tel Aviv/Dead Sea:
Arriving in Tel Aviv in the morning, we meet our Israeli guide and begin our search for the evidence! As we drive to our hotel we hear about the land of Israel and get some background for our quest. Our hotel is a spa hotel on the shore of the Dead Sea, known since ancient times for its mineral rich therapeutic waters. A good place to recover from our international travel! OVERNIGHT DEAD SEA. D

09 FEB ~ THURSDAY – Masada/En Gedi/Qumran:
 We begin at Masada, the wilderness palace fortress built by Herod the Great. It is where the Jews made a final suicidal stand against the Romans in 73 A.D. We take the gondola to the top to tour this amazing site and hear the even more incredible story. Masada offers very visible evidence of the process, even the sheer physical labor that is the science of archaeology. At the oasis still called En Gedi (Song of Solomon 1:14) where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 26), we hike in the nature reserve. At Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, we hear how these ancient documents were found and their amazing journey into modern times. It is an important first look at textual criticism for scripture’s reliability. The site reveals the community that made and hid the scrolls. We return to our hotel for some leisure time. We can try the hotel’s heated pools of Dead Sea water. Or we can walk down to the shore to float in the buoyant and therapeutic waters. OVERNIGHT DEAD SEA. B D

10 FEB ~ FRIDAY – Jordan River/Qsar El Yehud/Bet Shean/Magdala/ancient boat/Sea of Galilee:
“And so John came baptizing in the desert region..” (Mark 1:4). As we depart the region of the Dead Sea, we begin to follow the story or Jesus. It is in the wilderness that Mark’s Gospel begins. We stop at the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), a site known as Qsar El Yehud, or, “The Palace of the Jews”. We tour Bet She’an to explore an excavation of a 1st century Roman city. Then, as “Jesus went into Galilee…” (Mark 1:14), we arrive at the lake we have visualized since we were children. We drive around the lake to see the recent excavations revealing ancient Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. We end at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, to see the 1st century fishing boat and hear its story. We check in for the next 3 nights. DINNER & OVERNIGHT GALILEE.    B D

11 FEB ~ SATURDAY – Capernaum/Korazim/Caesarea Philippi/Tel dan/boat ride/Mt of Beatitude:
“As Jesus walked beside the Galilee…” (Mark 1:16) The Sea of Galilee is the setting for so many beloved stories from the New Testament. At Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry for over a year and a half (Mark 1, 2, 9), we see Peter’s house and the synagogue where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21-34). Listed with Capernaum and Bethsaide as condemned by Jesus (Matthew 11:21-24; Luke 10:13-15), the ruins of Korazim include an impressive synagogue. As we travel north to the Golan Heights we are essentially on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-19). “Jesus and His disciples went on to the village around Caesarea  Philippi…” (Mark 8:27-30). Near Mount Hermon, at the headwaters of the Jordan River, is Caesarea Philippi, where Peter first identified Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 8:27-29). Time permitting, we walk along the tributary that is the beginning of the Jordan River to a High Place from Jeroboam’s time. The city at Tel Dan was referred to in the expression, “From Dan to Beersheba” to declare the expanse of the Promised Land (Joshua 20:1). Excavations have revealed the seat at the city gate, an example of an important part of ancient society. We return to the hills above the Sea of Galilee to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). Overlooking Capernaum, recalling the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), it is a serene place to meditate on the words with the same view of Galilee enjoyed by Jesus and His followers. Finally, we board a Jesus Boat to sail on the lake. From the water we see the entire shore and get an idea of the distance walked by Jesus and the disciples in the New Testament stories. Shabat begins at sundown. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GALILEE. B D

12 FEB ~ SUNDAY ~ BETHSAIDE/TABGHA/PRIMACY OF PETER/ CANA/NAZARETH:
On the north shore of the Galilee, we find the 3rd of the condemned towns, Bethsaide, hometown to Peter, Philip and Andrew (John 1:44). It eluded archaeologists for years, only known to be on the northeast shore of the Galilee, near where Jesus fed the 4000 (Mark 8:1-13). Bethsaide yields evidence of 1st century Galillean fishing village life. On the shore just west of Capernaum is Tabgha, where the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes protects a 5th century mosaic commemorating the feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:30-44). The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy recalls John 21:15-19 where Christ appears after His resurrection and queries Peter, reinstating him after he denied Christ in Jerusalem. We go to Nazareth to see the place revered for centuries as Mary’s girlhood home (Luke 1:26-38), protected by the Basilica of the Annunciation. Jesus performed His first recorded miracle at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11), where many renew their wedding vows, a special tradition for pilgrims. Time permitting, we visit the Synagogue Church of Nazareth, built in the 12th century over the 1st century synagogue. The Precipice where they threatened to throw Jesus off is at the edge of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-20). Shabat ends at sundown. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GALILEE. B D

13 FEB ~ MONDAY ~ SEPPHORIS/MEGIDDO/MT CARMEL/CAECAREA MARITIMA/JERUSALEM:
Sepphoris, the Galilean capital in the first century, is not mentioned in the New Testament but is connected to Mary’s family by tradition, possibly her birthplace. Amazing mosaics show the beauty of the first century buildings. ~ Megiddo, an ancient “tel,” revealing over twenty layers of civilization, is referenced in the Old Testament as an important stronghold along the trade routes and in Revelation 16, as Armageddon. It is a study in archaeological method through the years of this relatively new science. From the top of Mount Carmel we view the Jezreel Valley. Caesarea Maritima is where the centurian Cornelius was baptized as the first Gentile convert (Acts 10). It is also where Paul was imprisoned before traveling to Rome to appear before Caesar (Acts 23-26). The archaeological site at this Roman capital includes restored Crusader fortifications, a Byzantine street, a Roman theater, amphitheater, and well-preserved aqueducts. We continue to Jerusalem for the remainder of our tour. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. B D

14 FEB ~ TUESDAY ~ BETHLEHEM/SHEPHERD’S FIELDS / HERODIUM/ YAD VASHEM:
In Bethlehem we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Fields (Luke 2: 8-10). After we can shop in an olive wood shop owned by Palestinian Christians. Near Bethlehem is Herod’s palace called Herodium. This manmade hill supports Herod’s reputation as a master builder. Recently King Herod’s tomb was found here. Returning to New Jerusalem, we visit Yad Vashem, the museum remembering the Holocaust. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. B D

15 FEB ~ WEDNESDAY ~ MT OF OLIVES/GETHSEMANE/OLD CITY/ TEMPLE MOUNT:
From the top of the Mount of Olives, the overview of the Old City of Jerusalem is beautiful. We have the opportunity to walk down the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethsemane, (Mark 14:32-51). We stop at the Dominus Flevit Chapel, the traditional site where Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41-44). We enter the Temple Mount area at the Western Wall. Previously called the Wailing Wall, the exposed part of the Temple Mount wall is always active with visitors coming to pray or just enjoy the setting that is so important to Israelis. Visiting the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount brings us in direct contact with the stones that Jesus and the disciples walked on when they entered the Temple in the first century. The Temple Mount excavations reveal the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. B D

16 FEB ~ THURSDAY ~ FREE DAY:
Today is free for you to explore Jerusalem. You may want to return to the Western Wall or Gethsemane. You can wander the streets of the Old City to shop or even check out the modern shops on Ben Yehuda Street. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. B D

17 FEB ~ FRIDAY ~ MT ZION/UPPER ROOM/CAIAPHAS’ HOUSE/ POOLS OF BETHESDA/VIA DOLOROSA/CITY OF DAVID/POOL OF SILOAM:
A day of faith and meditation in the midst of the evidence, we walk the path of Christ’s Passion. On Mt. Zion, we begin at a traditional Upper Room site (Mark 14:12-26). Nearby St. Peter in Gallicantu, the church recalling Peter’s denial (Mark 14:53-72), stands over High Priest Caiaphas’ house. Entering the Old City, we stop at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15) near the Via Dolorosa, Christ’s traditional way to the Cross. The ancient Arch of the Ecce Homo is part of the remains from the Roman Praetorium (Mark 15:1-20) where Pilate refused to judge Jesus. We descend to stand on the first century stones from the outer courtyard or Lithostrotos. As pilgrims have for nearly 2,000 years, we follow the route through the colorful Arab market, active as it would have been on Good Friday years ago, to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. While we learn how these sites have been determined, part of what we consider is the testimony of those who were here centuries ago with the same purpose and expression of faith. South of the Temple Mount, we are in the City of David, the oldest part of Jerusalem. We walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, by Warren’s Shaft, to the Pool of Siloam (John 9:1-12) from the Springs of Gihon, the original water source for ancient Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. B D

18-19 FEB ~ SATURDAY/SUNDAY ~ BIBLE LANDS MUSEUM/ISRAEL MUSEUM/ GARDEN TOMB/JAFFA/DEPARTURE:
Our final day begins at the Israel Museum to see the model of the first century Old City, and Shrine of the Book, the Dead Sea Scrolls museum. In addition, the permanent collection includes the actual “stones” we have heard of during our time in Israel, such as Caiaphas’ ossuary and the tablet referencing Pilate from Caesarea Maritima. At the Bible Lands Museum, we find many artifacts from Old Testament periods, evidence which clarifies the text. We reflect on Christ’s gift in His death and resurrection at the Garden Tomb, a setting with an example of a first century tomb. We share communion here. Departing Jerusalem, we pass a site associated with ancient Emmaus, remembering how Jesus revealed Himself to those who walked on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Our last stop is the ancient port of Jaffa (Joppa). This is the city of Jonah’s defection (Jonah 1:3) and Peter’s vision (Acts 10:5-9) at the home of Simon the Tanner. Today it is a charming artist community and its setting gives us a sense of the ancient Middle East we came to see. It is also a city of partings and departure. As shabat begins, we say good-bye to our guide and driver before heading to the airport. Our flight home departs just before midnight. B

19 FEB ~ Saturday ~ Arriving in in the USA, we clear customs before continuing home. Welcome home! The above itinerary lists tour highlights and is subject to change. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable in the Tour Operator’s discretion to alter the arrangements or itinerary for the comfort or welfare of the passengers or for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be without penalty to the Tour Operator.