Begin your journey to the land of antiquities as you depart from the United States on an overnight transatlantic flight.

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and assisted through customs by our representatives. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamen. Afterwards, visit the Pyramids of Giza, constructed over 1,000 years before the birth of Moses. See the Great Sphinx and have the opportunity to ride a camel in the desert near the Pyramids.

Enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile. Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 A.D., and view the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serge Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Late this afternoon, fly to Amman and overnight at the Dead Sea.

Visit Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Continue to Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its sixth-century, Byzantine, mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.

Travel south for a visit to the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback, or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliff sides of rose-colored rock.

Enjoy free time this morning at your hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. Cross the border into Israel and visit Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. Learn about the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. Head to Jericho to visit the ruins of the ancient city Joshua conquered (Joshua 6:20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1). Continue to the Galilee for dinner and overnight.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Capernaum, center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee (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). Experience a special onboard worship service as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves in Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). As you pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, remember how Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ three times (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle, before continuing on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today’s last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-25). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem. Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial.

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 the Temple area. After lunch, wander through the excavations of the City of David. Explore Hezekiah's Tunnel, an amazing engineering feat that was dug from either end and 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.

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 Sepulchre, reflecting on Christ’s sacrificial love. End your day with communion at the Garden Tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).

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