Holy Land

We will send out flight booking instructions 4 months prior to the tour. Your flight should depart the US on May 3rd.

Enjoy a relaxing evening, walk on the beach or swim in the Mediterranean as you recover from jet lag and prepare for our wonderful adventure. (Herods hotel)

We will begin our vacation with a bus tour of Tel Aviv and then a visit of Old Jaffa (Joppa) and the Artist’s Quarters. Jaffa is where Peter received his vision leading to the expansion of missionary work to the Gentiles and is also the place that Jonah attempted to flee from the Lord’s presence aboard a ship bound for Tarshish. We will discuss the doctrinal implications of the two events. From Jaffa, we will travel along the Mediterranean coast to the Roman, New Testament capital, Caesarea. Once in Caesarea, we will see an ancient Roman theatre, hippodrome and study a couple of the Biblical events that happened here. From Caesarea, we will go to Tiberias stopping at Mt. Carmel on the way, where we will discuss the epic battle between Elijah and the wicked priests of Baal. Time permitting, we will stop at Megiddo, the prophesied venue of Armageddon. We will overnight at our hotel on the Sea Galilee.

Today we will spend most of the day discovering the early childhood home of Christ. Here we will see the Church of Annunciation and possibly a local synagogue church, which would be similar to the synagogue Christ taught in as a youth. We will visit Nazareth Village, which will demonstrate life in a small, first century village such as Nazareth. We will visit Cana, where the first recorded miracle of Christ took place in the turning of water to wine. In the afternoon, we will take shuttles to the top of Mount Tabor, the traditional location of the Transfiguration of Christ and his Apostles. We will then return to our hotel in Galilee.

Today will begin with a peaceful boat ride across the Sea of Galilee before arriving at traditional site where Christ delivered the Sermon on the Mount. On the Sea, we will read through and discuss several of the miracles that took place here. Upon arriving at the Mount of Beatitudes, we will find a quiet place to study the doctrines of that amazing sermon. Then we will visit Capernaum, which was the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. In Capernaum, Christ performed many miracles and gave many profound teachings, including the Bread of Life sermon. We will see the remains of a synagogue from the time of Christ, which very well may have been the synagogue in which He taught. Lunch today is included as everyone will have the opportunity to try St. Peter’s Fish. We will continue our day with a visit to Banias (Caesarea Phillipi), which is the site of Peter’s testimony of Savior (Thou art the son of the living God – Matthew 16) and one of the sources of the Jordan River as it emerges from the foothills of Mount Hermon. Time permitting we will visit the site of Magdala, which is believed to be the home town of Mary Magdalene and the site of a first century synagogue. Return to our hotel in Galilee.

This morning we will head to the northern border of both ancient and modern Israel, where we will visit the ancient city of Tel Dan. Biblical Israel extended from Beersheba in the South to Dan in the north. At Dan, we will see the remains of the cultic altars, the site of idol worship. We will also see the entrance to the city that existed there 2000 BC. We will then visit the site of Caessarea Phillipi (Banias). Where Christ asked Peter "Who do men say that I, the son of man, am? We will then begin our travels south to Jerusalem, stopping on our way at the Roman/Decapolis site of Bet Shean. Here you will see a great example of Greco-Roman life at the time of Christ. Hotel in Jerusalem.

Today we will head south to the the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. We will visit the natural springs of Ein Gedi. David hid from Saul in the caves near Ein Gedi. We will take the cable car up to the top of Masada, which was Herod's fortress and the locations where Jews hid from the Romans at 70 AD. On our way back to Jerualem, we will float in the Dead Sea.

This morning will begin with a scenic view on the top of the Mount of Olives. Today we will tour the Old City in which we will see Mount Zion, visit the St. Anne’s Church with the Pools of Bethesda, and the Antonia Fortress. We will walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, visit the Herodian Quarter or House of Caiphas and Room of Last supper. In the afternoon, we’ll have an optional tour by way of the via dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Free time in the Old City for those who would prefer. We will finish the day with the optional tour to Hezekiah's tunnel and the Pools of Siloam.

We will begin our day in the Private Gardens of Gethsemane where we will be able to study and ponder the events of the atonement. We will then head to Church Services at the Jerusalem Center. After Church we will go to Bethlehem and discover the world of Christ's birthplace, visiting the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd's Fields.

Today we will head south to the Red Sea, passing by Biblical sites along the way.

The morning begins with a pickup ride through the Wadi Rum desert. The scenery is surreal and the site of many movies, ranging from Lawrence of Arabia to the most recent Star Wars moving. After returning from the desert, you will have free time to enjoy shopping, swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. The hotel is right on the beach. Or you can also try out the world class snorkeling in the Red Sea. For about $30 you can grab a shuttle to the reef where snorkel gear is included (paid for at the hotel). Petra extension will be guided by a local guide. Stephan will not be with you on this part of the tour. Overnight at Marriott Petra.

Today we will leave our amazing resort on the Red Sea around 9:00 AM to visit the amazing site of Petra. Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma’an that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. It was made famous from the Indiana Jones movie. Petra was established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourist attraction. Overnight at the Amman Airport Hotel.

Flight departs this morning.