Israel, Asia Minor and Europe - Imagine Tours & Travel

Day 5 - GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAESAREA PHILIPPI,
TEL DAN, BEIT SHEAN, JERUSALEM
Today we travel north to the Golan Heights and view
the area from a special lookout. Then on to Caesarea
Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus as “the Son of the
living God.” We will have a short hike/walk to Tel Dan
where we will see the gate of Jeroboam and Gideon
Springs. We’ll visit Beit Shean, one of the best preserved
Decapolis Roman cities. There, the bodies of King Saul
and his sons were hung from the city walls after they
were defeated by the Philistines. We then ascend to
the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and
overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go
to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within
your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2).
Day 6 - MT. OF OLIVES, PALM SUNDAY ROAD, GARDEN
OF GETHSEMANE, JEWISH QUARTER, TEMPLE MOUNT,
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, SOUTHERN
STEPS, BETHLEHEM
We begin the day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to
behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City.
Our pilgrimage will proceed down the old Palm Sunday
Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient
olive grove, and the Church of Agony, where tradition
holds that Jesus prayed before his arrest. We will enter
Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest
site in the whole Jewish world: the Western (Wailing)
Wall of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre
temple area purchased by King David, on which now
stands El-Aksa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the
Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). From the temple
area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the
Via Dolorosa—including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, the
Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood
while being tried by Pilate), the Ecce Homo Arch, and
the ancient Cardo (market). We continue to the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by some to be the place
of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. A short walk takes us to
the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered
the temple area. We conclude our day with a visit to
Bethlehem, passing by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts,
and visiting the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s
Field. We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
After dinner we return to the Western Wall to walk the
Rabbi’s Tunnel.
Day 7 - MASADA, EIN GEDI, QUMRAN, DEAD SEA
Today we drive to the Wilderness—the road from
Jerusalem to the Dead Sea region is a decent of 4,000
feet in 13 miles. Our first stop will be at Masada, where
we will take a cable car to the fortress built by King
Herod. Here we survey the ruins of fortifications,
waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces.
From here we drive to Ein Gedi where David hid from
King Saul. A short drive takes us to Qumran and the
settlement of the first-century sect known as the
Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Afterward
we follow the road south along the western shore of
the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) and stop for
a short swim/float. Time and conditions permitting,
we’ll include a short visit to Jericho. Dinner and
overnight in Jerusalem.
6 • Trust. Experience. Integrity. Excellence.
Day 8 - SHRINE OF THE BOOK, MODEL CITY,
HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, GARDEN TOMB
Today we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum,
where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. You will be
fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it
would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next we drive to
Hezekiah’s Tunnel—an ingenious water delivery system
to the pool of Siloam—for a walk through the tunnel;
bring water shoes and a flashlight and be ready to get
wet if you go. Of great interest will be our visit to the
Church of St. Peter Gallicantu—built over the site of the
High Priest’s home where Jesus was tried, and where
Peter denied the Lord. Afterward we visit Golgotha and
the Garden Tomb for worship and communion. Overnight
in Jerusalem.
Day 9 - JERUSALEM
Today is without a planned schedule. It’s a special
opportunity to collect your thoughts and revisit the
places of most interest to you. We will suggest several
options including the Rockefeller and Hebrew Museums
displaying a wealth of archeological treasure. Return for
a last look within the walls of the Old City for souvenirs,
where bargaining is a must. Farewell dinner and
evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return
flight back home.
Day 10 - ARRIVE USA
We arrive back to the USA in the morning. The close
of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful
memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal
of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of
our Lord.
“ Listen! Your watchmen lift up
their voices; together they shout
for joy. When the LORD returns
to Zion, they will see it with their
own eyes. Burst into songs of joy
together, you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted
his people, he has redeemed
Jerusalem. The LORD will lay
bare his holy arm in the sight of
all the nations, and all the ends
of the earth will see the salvation
of our God.”
Isaiah 52: 8-10
11-Day Israel Ladder-of-Faith
Tour Featuring both Old and New Testament Sites
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Tour members depart USA for our overnight flight to Israel. Enjoy the
in-flight meals and entertainment, and rest in order to be refreshed upon
arrival and begin our adventure—walking through the pages of the Old and
New Testaments.
Day 2 - ARRIVE TEL AVIV, VALLEY OF ELAH, DEAD SEA
We arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport in the afternoon. The tour
company’s personal representative will meet us, help us get our luggage,
and make our way through customs and immigration, and take us to our
deluxe motorcoach to meet our expert guide and driver. Our guide will
escort us throughout our tour, helping us gain a deeper understanding of
Israel’s history, archaeology, culture, and modern life. We start off heading
south to the Wilderness regions, with our first stop in the Valley of Elah,
where David faced the giant Goliath. Dinner and overnight will be in Ein
Bokek, a resort area by the Dead Sea. Our journey into the Scriptures
has begun!
Day 3 - DEAD SEA, MASADA SOUND & LIGHT SHOW
This is a day of exploration of Israel’s southern, desert regions. We visit
the Negev, where Moses led the children of Israel after their failure at
Kadesh Barnea. We’ll see the Wilderness of Zin and various places in the
Wilderness in the Dead Sea area. Along the way we will experience
Bedouin hospitality similar to that of Abraham’s day. The desert was a
training ground for the patriarchs and for Israel, and we’ll consider how
the Exodus and Wilderness experiences foreshadowed the life and work of
Jesus. We return to the Dead Sea for a float on the water. After dinner at
our Dead Sea lodging, those interested can take an excursion to experience
Masada’s Sound & Light Show (additional cost).
Day 4 - DEAD SEA, MASADA, EIN GEDI, QUMRAN, RIVER JORDAN,
GALILEE
Heading forward in history today, we begin with a tour of Masada, Herod
the Great’s impressive mountain fortress where Jewish zealots made
their last stand against their Roman conquerors in AD 73. Back to the Old
Testament, we visit the oasis and springs of Ein Gedi, David’s hiding place
from Saul. Then we head to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea
Scrolls, dating from the second century, were found. We’ll then pass by
Jericho (stopping if time & conditions permit) and travel up the Jordan
Valley to Beit Shean, a city dating back to the Canaanites but now known
for its remarkable restored ruins from the days of the Decapolis in the
Gospels. Our “long” day of sightseeing (both in terms of history and the
length of the country) ends at the Jordan River where those who wish
to be baptized may do so. Dinner and overnight on the shore of the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 5 - TEL DAN, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS
“Galilee” of the Gentiles will come alive today, as we head north to Tel Dan,
the northernmost point in ancient Israel—one of the two places where
Jeroboam erected a calf for the northern tribes to worship. From this
ancient city we’ll make our way to Caesarea Philippi, a site of idol worship,
from Baal in the Old Testament to the Greek god Pan during the New
Testament times, and the place of Peter’s great confession of Christ as “the
son of the living God.” We’ll view the Golan Heights from a special overlook,
and have lunch in a Druze village, before returning to the shores of Galilee
for possible further exploration! Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 6 - SEA OF GALILEE BOAT RIDE, CAPERNAUM, MT. OF BEATITUDES,
BETHSAIDA, NAZARETH VILLAGE, ZIPPORI
Today we continue to explore the Galilee. We’ll see a boat from Jesus’ day
and take a ride on the Sea of Galilee. We visit Capernaum, the village of
much of Jesus’ ministry; the Mount of Beatitudes, for a time of reflection;
the site of the multiplication of loaves and fish; and Bethsaida—all
bearing witness to the ministry of Jesus. We’ll have St. Peter’s fish for
lunch (additional cost) and then head toward Cana, where those interested
will have an opportunity to renew their marriage vows. A short drive takes
us to Nazareth, where we see a re-creation of a first-century village. We’ll
also visit Zippori, the major cultural center near Nazareth and explore the
possible links between this place and Jesus’ early years.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 7 - MEGIDDO, CAESAREA MARITIMA, JERUSALEM
We head to Megiddo, overlooking the Plain of Jezreel—Armageddon. We
will then see the beautiful Monastery of St. George on the Wilderness cliff.
We then travel to the coast, where we visit Caesarea Maritima, the Roman
capital and port for the province, where both Herod and Pilate lived. It is
also the place where the gospel came to the Roman centurion Cornelius,
opening the door of faith to Gentiles everywhere. We’ll explore the ruins of
Herod’s day, a Crusader fortress, and an aqueduct that brought water to
the city. We then make our way to the true heart of the land—Jerusalem.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Days 8 & 9 - JERUSALEM, MT. OF OLIVES, PALM SUNDAY ROAD,
GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, WESTERN WALL, DOME OF THE ROCK,
SOUTHERN STEPS, VIA DOLOROSA, BETHLEHEM
Jerusalem beckons and we will answer! Based on open times and
accessability, we’ll see all the important sites in Jerusalem. On the beautiful
Mt. of Olives we behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our
pilgrimage will proceed down the old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of
Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of Agony, where
tradition holds that Jesus prayed before his arrest. We will enter Jerusalem
through the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish
world: the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies
the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David, on which now stands
El-Aksa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest
shrine in Islam). From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s
Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa—including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, the
Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by
Pilate), the Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo (market). We continue
to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by some to be the place of
Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. A short walk takes us to the original steps that
Jesus walked on as he entered the temple area. Of great interest will be the
Church of St. Peter Gallicantu—built over the site of the High Priest’s home
where Jesus was tried, and where Peter denied the Lord. In the City of
David, we’ll see the excavations of David’s palace and much more, offering
the chance to go through Hezekiah’s Tunnel—an ingenious water delivery
system to the pool of Siloam—bring water shoes and be ready to get wet
if you go. One evening we’ll walk through the Rabbi’s Tunnel at the Western
Wall and see the very foundations of that structure. We will also visit
Bethlehem, where we’ll see the Church of the Nativity and if time permits,
make a visit to Bethlehem Bible College where we’ll see the only training
ground for evangelical believers in the Palestinian territory. Dinners and
overnights in Jerusalem.
Day 10 - JERUSALEM
Our last day in Jerusalem. We’ll take a morning trip to see a scale model of
the city from Jesus’ time, and the Shrine of the Book Museum, where parts
of the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. We’ll then go to Yad Vashem, the
Israeli memorial for victims of the Holocaust. We’ll return to our hotel
for lunch and some free time, and then make our last stop—a trip to the
Garden Tomb, where we will reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus through a
time of communion. From here, we’ll leave for a farewell dinner and then
transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our late night flight home.
Day 11 - ARRIVE USA
We arrive in the USA in the morning. In the days ahead, we’ll reflect on
what we’ve seen and marvel at how much we have grown in our
understanding of our faith.
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