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Daily Schedules in Israel are subject to change as Dr. Caldwell feels lead to do so, or deems Necessary!!
Tuesday, October 19
HOUSTON • TEL AVIV
Depart from New York on our flight to Tel Aviv via El Al Airlines. Meals and overnight on board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
Wednesday, October 20
TEL AVIV
Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport and meet our guide who will welcome us to the Land of the Bible and escort us throughout our stay in Israel. Israeli guides are legendary for their knowledge and dedication. Ours will instruct us on the many sites we will visit and their relationship to the religion, history, archaeology, culture, and modern life in Israel. Time permitting, visit Old Jaffa, the traditional home of Simon the Tanner and the port from which Jonah sailed. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Herzilya.
Thursday, October 21
CAESAREA • MEGIDDO • TIBERIAS
Refreshed from a good night's sleep you may wish to stroll the beach before a full Israeli Buffet Breakfast. Today we pass through the fast growing towns and farms of the Plain of Sharon enroute to Caesarea, site of major events in the lives of Peter and Paul. It's on to Megiddo, inspiration for James Michener's "The Source". Archaeological digs reveal 20 layers of civilization, including fortifications of King Solomon and the water tunnel of King Ahab. Megiddo provides a magnificent view of the fertile Jezreel Valley, prophesied site of Armageddon, located at the crossroads of the ancient Via Maris. We drive through the Jezreel Valley to Sepphoris, the former Roman capital of the Galilee and the famous seat of the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish ruling council, in the second century C.E. Sepphoris is comprised of a Crusader fortress, a Roman amphitheater and numerous impressive mosaics. Drive through the rolling hills of the Galilee to Nazareth, site of Mary's Well, and Cana, site of His first miracle. Continue on to Mt. Tabor the traditional site of Transfiguration. Ml Tabor is also where Gideon's brothers were killed by the midianites. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias. SUN,
Friday, October 22
SEA OF GALILEE
This day alone is worth the trip! We are now literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We will take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, in a replica of the ancient wooden boat used in Jesus' day. We will visit an ancient boat believed to be from Jesus' time found in the Sea of Galilee in 1986. We walk into old Capernaum with the ancient synagogue; on to the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Tabgha), the Sermon on the Mount and the Mount of Beatitudes. You will have an opportunity for a lunch of St. Peter's fish (optional.) In the afternoon we will journey north to Caesarea Phillipi (Banias Spring) where Peter confessed, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16.) Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias.
Saturday October 23
JORDAN VALLEY • JERUSALEM
This morning we will visit the Jordan River and have the opportunity for a baptismal service. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Beit She'an to see the expansive excavations taking place at this ancient Roman Decapolis city. Stop at Gideon's Spring where Gideon selected his soldiers to do battle against the Midianites. Continue driving south to Jericho, oldest known walled city, for a view of Mt. Temptation and Mt. Nebo, from where Moses looked upon the Holyland. It's now time to "go up" to Jerusalem. We will enter the city as pilgrims did since ancient times to fulfill the words of the prophet "I was glad when they said unto me: 'Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem'" (Psalms 122:1-2.) Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Sunday, October 24
JERUSALEM • BETHLEHEM
Start the day with a magnificent view of the Old City from the top of the Mt. of Olives. Take the "Palm Sunday Walk" to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and drive across the Kidron Valley. Enter the Old City through St. Stephen's Gate (Lions' Gate) to the Muslim Quarter, visit the beautiful Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, into the Christian Quarter, and see the Stations of the Cross. Drive to Mt. Zion to see the House of Caiaphas and the Upper Room of the Last Supper. We will visit Bethlehem and see Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity, and view Shepherds' Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Monday, October 25
MASADA • DEAD SEA • QUMRAN
Depart to Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth, where we ascend by cable car to visit the remnants of Herod's Palace and where in 73 A.D. the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome. Visit Ein Gedi, fabled Spring of David, and proceed to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Time permitting, we will go for a swim, rather a "float", in the salted waters of the Dead Sea. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Tuesday, October 26
JERUSALEM
We will begin the day with a visit to the reconstructed Jewish Quarter, walk through the Cardo, the original Roman street and see the amazing remains of the massive wall built by King Hezekiah. See the important excavations taking place at the Western Wall and the Southern Temple Staircase. On to the Temple Mount, where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. See the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque that now stand there. Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and continue on to the scale model of Jerusalem as it looked in the first century A.D. End the afternoon at Golgotha (Gordon's Calvary) and the empty Garden Tomb. Special time is planned for worship, communion, meditation and inspiration. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Wednesday, October 27
JERUSALEM
Today is at leisure for shopping or relaxing. Some may choose to investigate the Western Wall Tunnel or the Citadel of David Museum at Jaffa Gate, which tells the fascinating story of the world's 3 monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, as they developed in Jerusalem over the centuries. You may want to visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed or the recently opened Bible Lands Museum. This evening we will share in a Farewell Dinner and the presentation of a Certificate of Pilgrimage to each tour participant.
Thursday, October 28
ISRAEL • HOUSTON
Today we transfer to the airport. Our guide will assist us with check-in procedures. Depart on our flight to Houston from Tel Aviv. We arrive home today with wonderful memories of a visit to the Land of the Bible! Have A Very Pleasant Journey!
SPECIAL NOTE: The tour operator and/or guide reserve the right to alter the sequence of the daily itinerary and make substitutions in order to meet changes brought about by weather, airline delays or as deemed necessary for the best interest and overall comfort of the group.
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