Day 1 March 12 Tuesday – DESTINATION ISRAEL

4am Meet in the departure hall Edmonton airport to check in for the 6am Air Canada flight to Toronto. Arrive in Toronto at 11:40am continue on the non-stop, direct overnight flight from Toronto Tel Aviv at 5pm (meals served en route).

Day 2 March 13 Wednesday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL

9:15am Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport, clear customs and immigration and meet with your guide. Travel north, stop to visit Caesarea Maritima – the Roman capital built by King Herod the Great boasting the largest port in the Mediterranean. Here Pontius Pilate had his seat; Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Tour the historical site. Stop to view the audio visual architectural presentation. Drive North, visit the Muhraka (the burned place) on the summit of Mt Carmel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). Remainder of the day is at leisure in the beach side hotel. 1 night: Leonardo Plaza ~ Haifa [Dinner]

Day 3 March 14 Thursday – GALILEE

Drive north across the Jezreel Valley and through the lower Galilee. En route to the Sea of Galilee stop on Mt. Arbel for a great view of the area of Jesus ministry in the Galilee. Then visit sites central to Jesus’ Ministry – starting at Kfar Nahum, Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5-7 & 14-15). See the remains of St Peter’s house (Matt. 8:14) and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Continue to Chorazin, one of the three villages Jesus prophesied over for not accepting his teaching (Matt. 11:21). Then stop at the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5), continue to the Church of the Primacy of Peter in Tabgha (John 21:1-24). 2 nights: Kinar hotel ~ Sea of Galilee [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 4 March 15 Friday – GALILEE

Sail on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation and prayer, then stop to visit the famous ancient fishing vessel from the time of Jesus and learn about its discovery. Drive north in the Jordan Valley to Hazor “the head of all kingdoms” to visit the site famous for Joshua (Joshua 11:1) and Deborah’s conquest (Judges 4 & 5) with an impressive Solomonic gate. Continue north along the foot of the Golan Heights to visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, site of ancient “Caesarea Philippi” where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). Stop at Kursi, in the ancient Byzantine Monastery marking the site of the miracle of the swine. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 5 March 16 Saturday – JORDAN

Travel south along the Jordan Valley to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Jordan. Travel through Perea of Jesus’ day through the mountains of Gilead, to Jerash – stop to visit the impressive ruins of the Roman city. Travel to Madaba to study the unique ancient Byzantine mosaic map of the world. Emulating the children of Israel and Moses, stop on Mt. Nebo for a glimpse of the Promised Land. Continue south through the Moab Mountains to Petra. 1 night: Petra Palace ~ Petra [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 6 March 17 Sunday – PETRA ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Get an early start, walking and riding into the centre of the ancient Nabatean capital, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy the splendor of the “Sik” a unique gorge culminating with the first glimpse of the Hezna (Treasury), a magnificent Mausoleum. See the stunning charm of the extensive Necropolis and the colourful hues of the sandstone. Midafternoon leave Petra travelling south on the Kings Way toward the biblical “Etzion Gaber,” cross into Israel at the Arava terminal, then travel North through the Arava wilderness to the Dead Sea. 1 night: Prima Oasis hotel & spa ~ Dead Sea [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 7 March 18 Monday – THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD

Spend part of the morning at the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth (417 meter below sea level); enjoy a unique experience “float” in the Dead Sea – you cannot sink! Visit Masada – ruins of King Herod’s mountaintop fortress and last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 C.E. (Ascend and descend by cable car). Visit Qasr El Yahud where John baptised Jesus. Ascend through the Judean Desert and stop at Genesis Land to experience Biblical hospitality at Abraham’s tent – with camel rides. Continue through the wilderness to the Holy City. Enter Jerusalem as Jesus did via Mt. Scopus where you stop to recite a Psalm of ascent and enjoy your first view of the Holy City and the Temple Mt. Time permitting travel to Herodion, site of King Herod’s tomb. 4 nights: Prima Royal hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 8 March 19 Tuesday – WINDOWS INTO THE BIBLICAL PAST

Pay respect to the victims of the Shoah at Yad Vashem, National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust. Visit the Model of Jerusalem, learn about the city from the time of Jesus and visit the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Explore King David’s City including Warren’s shaft, the Canaanite tunnel and the pool of Siloam. Continue to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Southern Wall Excavations) including the very same ancient steps that Jesus and the Galilean pilgrims used to enter and exit the Holy Temple. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel), (schedule permitting) walk back in time under the city through Western Wall Tunnels excavations. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 9 March 20 Wednesday – JERUSALEM OLD & NEW

View the site of the Holy Temple from the Mt of Olives, then follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the Galileans, walking down the Mt. via Dominus Flevit to visit Gethsemane – the Church of All Nations. Get a close up view of some unique ancient tombs in the Kidron Valley. Enter the Old City and stop at the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Continue through the Suk (market) and stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enjoy the ancient alleyways of the Old City and exit via Zion Gate. Visit the Church of the Last Supper and St Peter in Gallicantu, the site of Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus. End the day at the Garden Tomb remember the resurrection, with time for prayer and reflection. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 10 March 21 Thursday – JERUSALEM

Spend the day at leisure in Jerusalem, revisit places of interest with time for last minute shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 11 March 22 Friday – RETURN TO CANADA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv for Toronto at 11:50am on the direct non-stop Air Canada flight arriving at 5pm, meals served on board. Continue on the Air Canada flight to Edmonton at 8:55pm arriving at 11:20pm

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