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

Our airport representative will welcome you to the Holy Land and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest. Time permitting, you will visit Caesarea by the Sea and stand in the place where it is believed Paul addressed King Agrippa and Festus (Acts 25, 26). This port city reveals many extensive theater remains and other sites, including a Roman aqueduct along the Mediterranean shore.

We’ll journey to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ” (Matthew 16). You will also visit the ancient remains of Tel Dan and the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25-30). Pass through the Golan Heights back to Galilee. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matthew 5-7). At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you’ll visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also see the Chapel of the Primacy, where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue, which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:13, 23).

With the Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinneret Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. At Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, you’ll learn about the “ancient boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat Jesus would have sailed. At the River Jordan, you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal site. Today you will enjoy a “fish lunch” (Included) at a kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23), and the Basilica of the Annunciation. Visit the Wedding Chapel at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle. Return to your Galilee hotel for dinner and overnight.

Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city Joshua conquered (Joshua 6:1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36). Travel to Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of the Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. Enjoy a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters at the shores of the Dead Sea. Enjoy your evening stay at the Dead Sea hotel.

Masada, Herod’s mountaintop fortress, became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. Stop in the “Land of Genesis,” where “Abraham” and his family will welcome and host us for a biblical-style lunch in their tent. Lunch and camel rides are included! Travel to Jerusalem and stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12). Walk the Palm Sunday Road and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matthew 26:36-44).

In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The Church of the Nativity, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby, you’ll view Shepherds’ Field, where the Good News was first heard. Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view from the south of Jerusalem, the Old City walls, and the Mount Moriah hill, where God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:2, 4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matthew 26:57-65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). View the site of King David’s Tomb.

Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple, including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City. Once lined with shops, it is now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-31), where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pass through the Old City walls at the Jaffa Gate. Explore the Citadel Museum, which preserves portions of the city’s history from the First Temple period. Enjoy a farewell dinner as a group to reflect and discuss your experience.

Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:26-40). Visit the Church of the Visitation here. Enjoy lunch on your own in Jerusalem. Visit, worship, and share communion at the Garden Tomb, the possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring.

Return home with memories of the Holy Land and a revitalized walk with God!