Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Welcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. TEL-AVIV.jpg
Dinner
Day 2 TEL AVIV–JAFFA–CAESAREA–MEGIDDO–MUHRAQA–SEA OF GALILEE
Walking by FaithJAFFA Begin with a guided walking tour in Israel’s ancient port city. CAESAREA Guided sightseeing includes the Roman Amphitheater and the Crusader fortress. MEGIDDO Take an orientation tour before driving to Mount Carmel. MUHRAQA Photo stop en route to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. 118 mi / 183 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient port of Jaffa, where legendary biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and St. Peter took place. The Israeli city traces its roots to 1800 BCE, with mythological tales of Andromeda and Perseus. Today Jaffa features picturesque alleys, art galleries, unique boutiques, ancient buildings, and wonderful landmarks. JAFFA.jpg
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Day 3 SEA OF GALILEE. EXCURSION TO CANA & NAZARETH
Fishers of Men CANA Take a guided visit to the city of Cana, where Jesus changed water into wine for the legendary wedding here. NAZARETH Visit the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church in the city where Jesus lived and worked as a carpenter. SEA OF GALILEE CRUISE Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Tiberias, see an ancient fishing boat said to be from the time of Christ, then enjoy some free time this afternoon and evening. 39 mi / 62 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTMIRACLES IN THE MAKING In the New Testament, much of Jesus’ early ministry is reported to have occurred on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke describe how ordinary fishermen, Simon, Andrew, John, and James were recruited by Jesus here. Many of Jesus’ miracles were performed on these waters, including walking on water, miraculous catching of fish, calming the storm, and feeding the multitude in nearby Tabgha, as well as the Sermon on the Mount. It is also here that John recounts the third appearance of Christ following his death and resurrection.NAZARETH-ANNUNCIATION.jpg
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Day 4 SEA OF GALILEE–MOUNT OF BEATITUDES–TABGHA–CAPERNAUM–MAGDALA–JORDAN RIVER–BET SHE’AN–JERUSALEM
Blessed are the PeacemakersMOUNT OF BEATITUDES Visit the site where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. TABGHA Visit the Church of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. CAPERNAUM Take an orientation tour followed by free time. MAGDALA Take an orientation tour followed by free time. JORDAN RIVER Visit a Baptismal site on the river where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. BET SHE’AN Pass the Ancient Roman Archaeological Site en route to Jerusalem. 134 mi / 216 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Stand on the hill in Northern Israel, recognized for more than 1600 years as the site where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount -moral teachings through proverbial blessings. MOUNT-BEATITUDES-SEA-OF-GALILEE.jpg
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Day 5 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO EIN KAREM, BETHLEHEM & THE GARDEN TOMB
Joyful News EIN KAREM Visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of Visitation, honoring Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth to share the news of the Immaculate Conception. BETHLEHEM Visit the Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Jesus was born. JERUSALEM Visit the Garden Tomb, believed to be the tomb from which Jesus rose from the dead. 34 mi / 55 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTSACRED SITES The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is perhaps the most sacred of sites in Christianity and the oldest major church in the Holy Land. This basilica and UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the holy Nativity Grotto, considered to be the cave in which Jesus was born and was laid in a manger. As the oldest continuously visited church in Christianity, the Church features the Altar of the Nativity, placed above the 14-point silver star marking the cave where Mary gave birth. Visible through the center of this star lies an actual rock, upon which it is believed Mary rested. BETHLEHEM-CHURCH-OF-NATIVITY.jpg
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Day 6 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITY
The Passion & The PromiseJERUSALEM A guided walking tour of the Old City includes the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Via Dolorosa. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, see the Western Wall, Mount Zion, the Upper Room, and the Tomb of King David. TOUR HIGHLIGHTJESUS’ FOOTSTEPS Walk the sorrowful path of Jesus along Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa, where he carried the cross to his crucifixion on Calvary. Follow the stations of the cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in commemoration of the Passion of Christ. JERUSALEM-VIA-DOLOROSA.jpg
Breakfast
Day 7 JERUSALEM
The Cradle of ChristianityJERUSALEM Enjoy a free day to explore. TOUR HIGHLIGHTSACRED SITES Considered the cradle of Christianity, the city of Jerusalem has been a Christian pilgrimage site for 2,000 years. It is mentioned in the Old Testament and was the site of significant events in the life of Jesus, brought here shortly after his birth. This is where he cleansed the temple of merchants and gamblers and years later shared the Last Supper with his apostles.JERUSALEM.jpg
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Day 8 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA & THE DEAD SEA
A Soldiers’ Stronghold & the Sea of Salt MASADA Ascend by cable-car to the clifftop fortress of Masada. DEAD SEA RESORT Spend free time this afternoon floating in the waters of the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem. JERUSALEM Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel this evening. 125 mi / 200 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Explore the extraordinary cliffs of Masada, where the rebels fought against Rome and gave their lives in a desperate fight for freedom. Also known for the site of King Herod’s palace, Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Park, and worldwide pilgrimage site. Below the plateau of Masada lies the Dead Sea, where you’ll float weightlessly atop the salt-rich waters of the desert.DEAD-SEA.jpg
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Day 9 JERUSALEM–ALLENBY BRIDGE–JERASH, JORDAN–AMMAN
Bridging HistoryJERUSALEM Depart Jerusalem and cross the Jordan River via the historic Allenby Bridge to Jerash. JERASH Visit the majestic Greco-Roman archaeological site. 75 mi / 120 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the remarkable Roman ruins of Jerash’ ceremonial gates, colonnades, temples, and theaters Considered one of the world’s largest and best-preserved sites of Roman architecture, Jerash gives a glimpse into a world of chariots racing before 15,000 spectators in the Hippodrome, and religious sacrifices carried out in the Temple of Zeus. JERASH.jpg
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Day 10 AMMAN–WADI RUM–PETRA
Life on MarsWADI RUM Explore the spectacular red-stone desert landscapes on a four-wheel drive tour in the Jordanian desert. Receive a keffiyeh (traditional headscarf) as a keepsake. PETRA Enjoy free time. 273 mi / 440 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Climb aboard a four-wheel drive excursion for a visually thrilling ride you’ll never forget. Explore a spectacular Mars-like landscape spanning nearly 200,000 acres in the painted desert and rocky masterpieces of Wadi Rum. WADI-RUM.jpg
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Day 11 PETRA
Cinematic Treasures PETRA Take a guided walking tour of stunning Petra, featuring the Siq and the Treasury, which may look familiar from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Enjoy free time for lunch, followed by traditional tea service in a Bedouin tent. TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Step through the canyon corridor of Al Siq and turn back time to 300 BCE with a guided walking tour of Petra’s Siq and Treasury. Amazing is not the word for this mesmerising archaeological site in the southwestern desert of Petra – voted by 100 million people to be named one of the New7Wonders of the World ®. Explore the red sandstone facades of the Rose City, and venture further to marvel at its tombs and temples, which provided the perfect setting for the Indiana Jones movie. PETRA.jpg
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Day 12 PETRA–KERAK–WADI MUJIB–DEAD SEA
Capturing the CastleKERAK Visit the Crusader Castle, the largest, best-preserved castle in Jordan. Enjoy free time for lunch. WADI MUJIB Stop for a photo opportunity amid dramatic rock formations and scenic riverscape. 200 mi / 322 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Travel the Kings Highway between the desert and the Dead Sea to discover the mysterious tunnels, chambers, and dungeons of the massive Kerak Castle. Hear how this fortification has been the target of historic sieges since it was first built in 1140. WADI-MUJIB.jpg
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Day 13 DEAD SEA. EXCURSION TO MADABA, MOUNT NEBO & BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN
Washed in the Waters MADABA Visit St. George’s Church and the Madaba Archaeological Museum. MOUNT NEBO Join an orientation walk on the legendary mountain ridge. BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN Take part to an orientation walk where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist. DEAD SEA A farewell dinner has been prepared at your hotel. 75 mi / 120 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDARY LIVES Stand on Mount Nebo, the vantage point from where Moses saw the Promised Land (the Land of Canaan) before his death. Take in the panoramic view of the West Bank across the Jordan River Valley, the city of Jericho, and Jerusalem on a very clear day. MADABA-MOSIAC.jpg
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Day 14 DEAD SEA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Amman.) DEAD-SEA-JORDAN.jpg
Breakfast