Day 1 February 12 Sunday – DESTINATION ISRAEL

2:30pm Meet at the Air Canada check in counter Pearson. Depart for Tel Aviv on a non-stop overnight flight from Toronto at 5pm (meals served en route).

Day 2 February 13 Monday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL

10:15am Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport, clear customs and immigration and meet with your guide. Travel north and stop to visit Caesarea, the Roman capital and port. 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. Drive over Mt Carmel and along the Jezreel Valley en route to your hotel on the Sea of Galilee. 3 nights: Nof Ginossar Country Lodge ~ Sea of Galilee [Dinner]

Day 3 February 14 Tuesday – GALILEE

Visit sites central to Jesus’ Ministry – starting at the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt.5). Continue to Chorazim, one of the three villages Jesus prophesied over for not accepting his teaching. Drive down to the Church of the Primacy of Peter and the church of the “feeding of the multitude” in Tabgha. Continue to Kfar Nahum, Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 14-7; 9; 1-7; 17: 18). See the remains of St Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Proceed to Mt. Arbel for a great view of the area of Jesus ministry in the Galilee. Stop to visit the famous ancient fishing vessel from the time of Jesus and learn about its discovery. End the day sailing on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation and prayer. [Breakfast/dinner]

Day 4 February 15 Wednesday – GALILEE

Stop at Kursi for our Sunday worship; visit the Byzantine Monastery marking the site of the miracle of the swine. Drive 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). Drive south in the Jordan Valley to Hazor “the head of all kingdoms” to visit the site famous for Joshua (11:1) and Deborah’s conquest with an impressive Solomonic gate. Time permitting, and for those up to it, take a walk to visit Hippos, one of the cities of the Decapolis. [Breakfast/dinner]

Day 5 February 16 Thursday – JORDAN

Travel south along the Jordan Valley to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Jordan. Travel through Perea of Jesus’ day in the mountains of Gilead; stop at Ajloun to visit a Moslem Ayyubid desert fortress. Continue to Jerash – stop to visit the impressive ruins of the Roman city. Travel to Madaba to study the unique ancient mosaic map of the world from the Byzantine era. 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: Guest House or La Maison hotel Petra [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 6 February 17 Friday – 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. See the stunning charm of the Necropolis and magnificent sandstone. Midafternoon leave Petra travelling south on the Kings Way then follow in the footsteps of Joshua and the children of Israel, return to Israel. Cross into Israel at the Arava terminal and travel through the Arava wilderness to the Dead Sea.1 night: Ganim hotel & spa Dead Sea [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 7 February 18 Saturday – 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 of “floating” 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; stop at Genesis Land to experience Biblical hospitality at Abraham’s tent with camel rides. Continue through the Judean wilderness and enter Jerusalem as Jesus did via Mt. Scopus; stop to recite a Psalm of ascent with your first view of the Holy City and the Temple Mt. Travel to Herodion, site of King Herod’s tomb 4 nights: Dan Boutique or Caesar hotel or Prima Park Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 8 February 19 Sunday – WINDOWS INTO THE BIBLICAL PAST

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 an audio visual presentation, 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), Judaism’s most sacred site then walk back in time under the city through Western Wall Tunnels (Excavations). Pay respect to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 9 February 20 Monday – 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. Enter the Old City and stop at the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Continue through the Suk (market) along the Stations of the Cross and stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then enjoy the ancient alleyways of the Old City to the 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 February 21 Tuesday – JERUSALEM

Spend the day at leisure in Jerusalem, revisit places of interest with time for last minute shopping. Check out at the hotel is at noon – leave suitcases with security. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel, [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 11 February 22 Wednesday – RETURN TO CANADA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv for Toronto at noon meals served on board. Arrive in Toronto at 6:20pm.

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