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

You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by our representative and transferred to Bethlehem for dinner and your overnight stay.

Visit the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Travel to Jericho (the oldest city in the world) and visit the ruins of the ancient city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2 & 20). In the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11). Continue to Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery. End your day with the opportunity to take a dip in the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Explore one of the most exciting archaeological digs in Israel, the Herodion, the palace-
fortress and final resting place of Herod the Great. In Bethlehem, visit the cave where
Jesus was born (Luke 2:1-7) and the Church of the Nativity. Gaze out over Shepherds’
Field, where angels first proclaimed the Good News. Tonight, you’ll be hosted for dinner
with a Palestinian, Christian family. You’ll be hosted at their table and enjoy scrumptious
food and riveting conversation.

Visit the Roman aqueduct and theatre at Caesarea, a center of early Christianity and
where Paul was imprisoned for two years (Acts 10). View Mount Carmel, the site of
Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). Travel the ancient caravan route
through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo, an exciting archaeological dig with its layers
of twenty different cities built on top of each other.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Capernaum, the 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 Loaves and Fish
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.

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 on 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.

Begin your day with a visit to Cana, the site of Christ’s first miracle (John 2), before
stopping in Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matt. 2:23). Continue past Tel Dothan,
thought to be the place where Joseph found his brothers with their flocks (Genesis 37).
Visit Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom and home to Ahab and Jezebel. See
Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where the Israelites recited the blessings and curses of
the Law. In modern-day Nablus (ancient Shechem), see where the Samaritan woman
encountered Christ at Jacob’s Well (John 4).

Stand on the Mount of Olives and enjoy a remarkable view of the Golden City of
Jerusalem. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from this place
(Acts 1:9-12). Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray beneath the ancient olive
trees (Matt. 26:36-44). On Mount Zion, visit the Upper Room, revered as the site of
the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26) and St. Peter in Gallicantu, the home of the High
Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was held after His arrest (Matt. 26:57). After dinner at your
hotel, you’re headed to the Sound & Light Show. Travel to the Old City
at night as the breathtaking story of Jerusalem unfolds on the walls of
the Old City in an open-air theatre. Spanning creation to today, you’ll
experience an innovative show featuring an original soundtrack, lights,
animation, and video to leave you with a fantastic memory under the
stars.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem along
the Cardo, once the main street of the city. Explore the Davidson Center
and the Southern Wall Excavations, including the Teaching Steps and the
Western Wall. Remember how Jesus healed on the Sabbath when you
visit the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-18). At Herod’s Antonia Fortress
(Luke 23:1), see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Walk
the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”) and remember the Lord’s
sacrificial love at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Share communion
together at the Garden Tomb in celebration of His Resurrection.

Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension.