Holy Land Tour

Depart for Israel. Overnight on the trans-Atlantic flight.

Arrive in Tel Aviv. Transfer to the hotel and spend the evening on your own preparing for our amazing experience. Later that night, Cruise Lady will hold a “Welcome to Israel” meeting to go over the itinerary and meet everyone else in the group.

Today we travel back in time to Caesarea and recall the stories of Paul preaching the gospel in the King’s Court. Hear again the words of King Agrippa to Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Not far away, the road rises to Muhraqa (Mt. Carmel), site of the prophet Elijah’s contest of faith with the priests of Baal. After a lunch stop at a local Druze Restaurant, we visit Zippori National Park described by Josephus Flavius as the “ornament of all Galilee” with its famed mosaics and more. We then drive by Nazareth, the quaint, sacred town where Jesus Christ “grew and waxed strong in spirit…” In Nazareth we explore the Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s carpentry shop, and The Synagogue Church. Our last stop is Mt. Precipice, where, in addition to enjoying the spectacular view, we discuss the transfiguration. We end our day at our hotel by the shores of Galilee, our home for the next three nights. (B, D)

Our first stop is Tabgha—site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Next we will visit the Mount of Beatitudes. Hear again the words Jesus offered as He taught the “Sermon on the Mount.”  Our lunch stop will be at a unique Lebanese restaurant near the gate into Caesarea Philippi.  After lunch we enter Caesarea Philippi, where the Savior asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”  We then drive to Mt. Bental which offers a gorgeous and sweeping view north to Mt. Hermon and the road to Damascus. We drive by Bethsaida—home of Peter, Phillip, and Andrew before returning to our hotel. After dinner, we enjoy an inspiring fireside. (B, D)

This morning we walk a short distance in the Valley of the Doves to experience the trail of Jesus in a way that is authentic. Next we stop at the Church of the Primacy of Peter followed by Capernaum—where Jesus lived and recruited His future apostles. We then board a replica of an ancient fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. After a delicious lunch together of St. Peter’s Fish at Ein Gev, we arrive at Bet She''an where King Saul and his sons were hung from the walls. (B, L, D)

Our day begins as we journey past Jericho to the traditional baptismal site on the Jordan River. We then journey to  Masada and take the aerial tram up to Herod’s mighty fortress. This afternoon we have free time for lunch and to enjoy the buoyant salty waters of the Dead Sea at Qumran Beach. We then travel to the caves of Qumran where the precious Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Our journey ends at the sacred city of Jerusalem, our home for the next three nights. We will have an opportunity for shopping for olive wood carvings before dinner. (B, D)

This morning we visit the town of Bethlehem. Our first stop is the Church of the Nativity to remember the birth of Christ. Next we spend some time in the shepherds’ field contemplating the events that took place so long ago. After some shopping time, we enjoy a unique lunch in a Bedouin tent restaurant overlooking the shepherds’ fields. Our next stop is at Yad Vashem, the official memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Nazi-wrought holocaust in Europe. We discover the treasures of the Israel Museum with the Shrine of the Book, the site chosen to house the priceless Dead Sea Scrolls, and visit the Holy Land Model, a unique scale model of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Christ. (B, L, D) 

Winding our way along the cobbled streets of old Jerusalem, we arrive at Mount Moriah where Solomon''s ancient temple once stood. Here on the Temple Mount we will see the Muslim mosque and Muslim shrine - The Dome of the Rock. At the Pool of Bethesda we will marvel once again at Christ''s miracles. Next we go to Pilate’s Judgment Hall / Condemnation Chapel and the Chapel of Flagellation. We see the area where Antonia Fortress once stood and where Christ was scourged then we walk the Via Dolorosa through the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After a break for lunch and some shopping time we visit the Room of the Last Supper. Devoid of gilded statues or ornate chapels, the simplicity of this room helps recall Christ’s poignant last moments with His beloved disciples. We then head to the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned before His final day in mortality. On our way back to our hotel, we drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox neighborhood. (B, D) 

We start the morning at Garden of Gethsemane, Orson Hyde Park, and the Church of All Nations followed by a visit to the Wailing Wall and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. We then walk to the Jewish Quarter where will have lunch on our own and free time for shopping. After lunch we visit the remarkable BYU Jerusalem Center with its incredible views of the Old City and the Temple Mount. We then journey to the Garden Tomb, believed to be the site of Jesus’ burial. Next to the Garden, there is a limestone hill which many revere as Golgotha, site of the crucifixion. After our farewell dinner we continue on to the airport for our late night or early morning return flights to the USA. (B, D)

Arrive back home.