| Holy
Land Christian Roots Journey
11 Days
| A
tour specially designed for the Independent Christian Traveler,
inquisitive and eager to trace his religious roots. |
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This unique tour takes you to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born...
through the lush, rolling hillsides of the Galilee where He
walked... to the Mount of Beatitudes where the doctrines of
Christianity were first proclaimed... to the "golden" city of
Jerusalem, site of His preaching, trial, death and resurrection.
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| Join
us on this personal and inspirational journey. |
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - En Route
Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Israel.
Day 2 - Tel Aviv
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv; meeting, assistance
and transfer to your hotel. Meet your Tour Host. Remainder of the
day at leisure.
Day 3 - Tiberias
Morning drive to the ancient port of Joppa (Jaffa) where
Peter raised Tabitha from the dead. Walk along the charming cobblestone
streets, now filled with boutiques and galleries. Drive along the
Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea; tour the theater, aqueduct
and Crusader fortress. On to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Ascend
to the top of Mount Carmel, home to the Prophets Elijah and Elisha;
enjoy the beautiful view of the seacoast and the golden domed Bahai
Temple. Continue to the Crusader city of Acre; tour the underground
Crusader complex. Drive through the rolling Galilean hills to Tiberias,
nestled on the shores of the tranquil Sea of Galilee for overnight.
Day 4 - Tiberias
Morning Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee takes you to Nof
Ginnosar; see the extraordinary Jesus Boat, reclaimed from the Sea
of Galilee. Then, on to Cana, site of Jesus' first miracle and Nazareth,
where He spent part of His youth. Continue to Tzipori, the 1st-century
capital of the Galilee. Arrive at Megiddo, whose ancient "tel" has
unearthed twenty levels of civilization and provided inspiration
for Michener's The Source. Tonight, dinner, followed by a performance
of "The Galilee Experience."
Day 5 - Tiberias
Drive along the shore of the Lake via Magdala, home of Mary
Magdalene, to Capernaum, center of Jesus' preaching. On to Tabgha,
site of the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves.
Drive to the Mount of the Beatitudes site of the Sermon on the Mount;
enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the verdant Galilee. Continue
through the Hula Valley and past Hazor, a Canaanite city rebuilt
by King Solomon to command the Golan Heights. Ascend the Golan Heights
and cross the Hatzbani River to Dan and Banias (ancient Caesarea
Philippi) at the foot of Mount Hermon. Descend to the eastern shores
to reach Kursi, from where Jesus drove the swine into the lake.
Day 6 - Jerusalem
This morning, stop at the Jordan River and its specially
built Baptismal site. Drive via the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean,
where you'll explore the extraordinary excavations of an ancient
Roman city. Continue to the oasis of Jericho, the oldest known city
in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel," view Elisha's
Fountain and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. 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 Chapel of the Ascension and Church of Pater Noster.
Proceed to the olive-treed Garden of Gethsemane.
Day 7 - Jerusalem
Visit the Hadassah Medical Center to view the colorful stained
glass Chagall windows. On to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist,
to see the Church of the Visitation. Continue to the Scale Model
of the ancient city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Proceed to
Yad Vashem, Memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Museum, Children's
Pavilion and walk along the Avenue 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. Afternoon
visit to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus. Dinner at the hotel. Then,
a tour of "illuminated" Jerusalem and a rollicking Folklore Show.
Day 8 - Jerusalem
Ascend Mount Zion; visit Dormition Abbey, the Room of the
Last Supper and the traditional Tomb of King David. Enter the Old
City from the Zion Gate to reach the restored Jewish Quarter. Walk
along the excavated Cardo, once a main street of ancient Jerusalem.
Tour the Herodian Mansions, a complex of villas from 2000 years
ago or walk through the newly-opened Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule
permitting.) Descend to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Visit
the Dome of the Rock, sacred mosque of Islam. Continue to the Pool
of Bethesda and 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 touring day with a visit
to the Garden Tomb.
Day 9 - Jerusalem
Drive through the stark Judean Wilderness, stopping at the
Good Samaritan Inn, to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Arrive
at Masada; ascend by cable car to this lofty palace/fortress constructed
during the reign of Herod. Stop at Em Gedi for a swim in the buoyant,
therapeutic waters of the "unsinkable" Dead Sea! (Lockers and changing
facilities are provided.) Return to Jerusalem via the Qumran Caves,
where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Day 10 - Jerusalem
A full day at leisure to discover this endlessly fascinating
city on your own.
Day 11 - En Route
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight OR continue
to Jordan on Sunday for a fabulous extension tour.
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