Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Once you arrive, our representative will welcome you at the Tel Aviv airport and transfer you to your hotel in Netanya to enjoy dinner and overnight.

Visit the Roman aqueduct and theatre at Caesarea, a center of early Christianity (Acts 10) and where Paul was imprisoned for two years (Acts 23:33). View Mount Carmel and recall Elijah’s dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). Follow an ancient caravan route through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo, an exciting archaeological dig with layers of twenty different cities all built on top of each other. Conclude your day in Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matt. 2:23).

Pass through the Valley of the Doves and see Mount Arbel (Isaiah 9:2) on your way toward the Sea of Galilee. This was a major pathway in the time of Christ. He and His disciples passed through this valley as they walked through the Galilee. In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3), visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Enjoy lunch together before crossing the waters of the Sea of Galilee on a very special boat ride, complete with an onboard worship service. At Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, see the 2,000-year-old “ancient boat,” a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus might have sailed. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached there (Matt. 5-7). Explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17).

At the ruins of Tel Dan, see the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25-30) and learn about where the “House of David” fragment from the First Temple Period was discovered. Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” (Matt 16 16). A scenic drive along the Golan Heights will give you some beautiful views of Syria and Jordan, as well as Israel. (B, D)

Stop in Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd. Enjoy a visit to Masada, the spectacular mountaintop fortress built by Herod that later became the final tragic stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore the fortress and look down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. On the way to Jerusalem, stop at the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth, for an opportunity to take a quick dip in the mineral-laden waters. (B, D)

In Bethlehem, gaze out over Shepherd's Field and visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace (Matt. 1:18-25). Walk through Nativity Square and enjoy the Christmas stalls and the large Christmas Tree. Visit the Church of the Nativity, where the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace is located in the world’s oldest functioning church (Matt. 1:18-25). Travel to Jericho, the world's oldest known inhabited city. Visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:1, 2, 20), and see parts of the ancient city walls that have been uncovered. From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11) and the Judean wilderness. Visit Qasr el-Yahud, the traditional site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. Return to your hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D)

In Jerusalem, visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial, with its poignant exhibits honoring the lives lost during the Holocaust. Then explore the Tower of David Museum, housed within the ancient citadel near Jaffa Gate. Discover its exhibits showcasing the history of Jerusalem through the ages and enjoy panoramic views of the Old City from the tower’s ramparts. (B, D)

Enter the Old City and walk along the Cardo, the ancient main street. Say a prayer at the Western Wall. Continue to the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple Mount and the Teaching Steps, where Christ would have been in the Temple area. After lunch, wander through the excavations of the City of David. Explore Hezekiah's Tunnel, an amazing engineering feat dug from both ends that met in the middle! (Note: Those who are claustrophobic may want to meet the group at the other end of the tunnel!). Visit the Pool of Siloam, which continues to be excavated to its original dimensions. (B, D)

Stand on the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done (Matthew 26:36-39). View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18), where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne to experience its beautiful acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and end your day at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, reflecting on Christ’s sacrificial love. End your day with communion at the Garden Tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).

Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension