Israel Tour 2023

Depart Atlanta at 2:00 pm.

Arrive Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport this morning (9:15 AM). Visit the ancient port of Jaffa, and then drive by Ziklag on the way to the Valley of Elah, where the story of David and Goliath took place. You will also see the mound and gates of Lachish or Arad (time permitting). Arrive at our lovely hotel, the new Kedma Sde Boker on the edge of the Wilderness of Sin. Enjoy the majestic desert vistas and pools. Dinner at the hotel. [D]

After breakfast, we depart for THE “Grand Canyon of Israel”, Mitzphe Ramon. We then arrive at the site of Timna and visit Solomon’s Mines and the Egyptian Temple of Hathor. Next, we will learn about the Tabernacle in the Desert and have lunch at a desert outpost. Our next stop is one of the most unique places on earth – the Dead Sea. You will arrive in time to jump into your swimsuit and float in this unique mineral-based sea. Dinner and overnight. [B/D]

This early morning we take the cable car to the top of Masada. Here we will have an expansive view of Jordan, Mount Nebo, the Mediterranean Sea, and even the Judean Hills. Afterward, we have a visit of Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and the mysterious Copper Scroll was found. We will have lunch at Qumran today. Then just a few miles down the same road, we will see the palms of Ein Gedi. We will pass Beit Shean and will stop, time permitting at the wall where King Saul was nailed.  Arrive at the Sea of Galilee this evening and overnight. Our scenic youth hostel is overlooking the Sea of Galilee. [B/L/D]

Thanksgiving Day: Today we visit the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Golan Heights. Visit Tel Dan and see the Gate of Abraham. Afterward, we will visit Caesarea Philippi (Banias) where Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Christ!” We will also stand at the overlook and see into Syria – even seeing the city of Damascus from military outpost at Kuneitra. Have lunch in a special village beneath Nimrod’s Palace. Time permitting, we will visit Kursi where Jesus met the man of Gadarene. [B/L/D]

Today will be an amazing day as we walk in the footsteps of The Lord Jesus Christ! Stand on a hilltop that may very well be the place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. Just as the scripture says, Jesus walked from synagogue to synagogue – we arrive at the synagogue of Chorazin. Come down the hill into Bethsaida – the new dig where Peter’s home is reputed to have been found. Then a visit to Capernaum and the home of Peter’s mother-in-law. Afterward, we have fish lunch on the shores of the Galilee, drive to Magdala to see the newly opened ancient synagogue. Drive to the Jesus boat and hear the amazing story of how they found this fishing boat kept intact in the mud of the Galilee. From here we have an early evening boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee. [B/L/D]

Depart the Sea of Galilee this morning and drive to Mount Precipice where you will be standing over the Plain of Megiddo and Armageddon. Afterward, we have  an instructional visit at Nazareth Village. Lunch and then drive towards the Mediterranean Sea to our long-awaited visit of Caesarea. On our way, we will be driving along the Carmel Ridge. It was on this long ridge, Elijah called down fire to defeat the gods of Baal. We will arrive at Caesarea Maritima and begin our visit to the aqueduct, with a walk along the beach. We will then see the remains of Herod’s palace and the most likely prison cell from the time of the Apostle Paul’s incarceration before being taken to Rome for his final writings and ultimate death. Arrive in Jerusalem this evening. [B/L/D]

Today we visit the pearl of Israel – the City of David. We will learn of the importance of its discovery, visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the Pool of Siloam. Afterward, we will visit the steps that Jesus walked up that we fondly call the Southern Steps. From here we will visit the mikvah’s where our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus were baptized in the Book of Acts. We will visit Archaeological Park and see the Trumpeting Stone and then the famous Western Wall. From here we will visit a special dig site from King Solomon’s stables (located at Emek Tzurim Valley). When departing we will stop atop Mount Scopus for a view and then have a special visit. We will have private time together in a rarely used garden in Gethsemane where we will have praise and worship as the sun begins to set. [B/D}

This morning we begin with visiting Temple Mount and Antonio Fortress. We then spend time at the Pools of Bethesda and will have an opportunity to sing at St. Anne’s. We will have free time for lunch in the Christian Quarter. We will stop adjacent to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Next, we visit the Jewish Quarter and the Cardo, passing the beautiful gold menorah and Broad Wall. We end our day with communion together in the precious Garden Tomb. [B/D]

Israeli Museum – the home of Israel’s greatest archaeological treasures, Model of Herodian Jerusalem – a model of Herodian Jerusalem as it looked at the time of Christ, Shrine of the Book – a section of the Israel Museum housing the Dead Sea Scrolls and Yad Vashem – Israel’s memorial to the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust.) Gloria [B/D]

Today we leave Jerusalem via the Bethany-Jericho Road. Stop at Jericho. A short hop to the Jordan for a baptismal service. Drive to Samaria where we will visit Shechem and stand beside Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim (the Blessings and the Cursings). We then drive to Shiloh and visit the site where the tabernacle stayed (369 years) during the time of the Judges. [B/L/D]

Pass Rachel’s tomb on the way through Bethlehem. Stop at the  (Shepherd’s fields) Cave by the Old YMCA,  lunch in a Bedouin Tent; Herodium;  Jerusalem (back for the afternoon/evening in Jerusalem.) Gloria [B/L/D]

Free Day in Jerusalem (Suggested sites: Catholic/Orthodox Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Excavations under the Wailing Wall (must be booked before the trip), Zedekiah’s Caverns, Actual Third Temple display of Temple furnishings [Ark, Candlestick, Table of Showbread, etc.] . . .  shopping, shopping, shopping . . . Gloria [B/D]

Early departure (11:55 AM), arriving back in Atlanta late afternoon (5:55 PM) . [B]