Israel - Protestant Journey
7 Full Sightseeing Days - 8 Nights

Tour Includes:

• Escorted by Professional Tour Director
• Choice of Deluxe, Superior First-Class or First Class Hotels
• Breakfast & Dinner
• Comprehensive Sightseeing
• Transfers, Porterage and Entrance Fees
• Deluxe Document Case
• USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - En Route to Israel

Enjoy complimentary meals and beverages en route to Israel.

Day 2 - Ben Gurion International Airport - Joppa - Tel-Aviv

Upon your arrival to Ben Gurion International Airport, meet your guide and driver and get your first glimpse of Israel! On the way to your hotel, stop at ancient Joppa (Jonah 1:3) - Jaffa - the oldest known port city. It was from this port that Jonah set sail for Tarshish and where Peter, the Apostle, had his rooftop experience at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:8). Dinner and overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Day 3 - Tel-Aviv - Neot Kedumim - Valley of Elah - Masada - Dead Sea Swim - Dead Sea

Today travel to Neot Kedumim, the world’s only Biblical Landscape Reserve. Covering over 625 acres, you’ll witness Biblical metaphors, parables and stories come to life as you enjoy this unique experience. Next, travel to the Valley of Elah (I Sam. 17:1-4, 32) and envision the contest between a young boy named David and the giant Philistine, Goliath. This afternoon visit Masada, King Herod the Great's fortress-palace built in the midst of the desert. First learn the story of the Jewish zealots who chose death atop Masada in 73 AD rather than becoming slaves to their Roman conquerors. Then it’s off to the summit by cable car to view the exquisitely restored archeological remains of the palace complex. Nearby, it's time to relax! Experience the buoyancy of the highly therapeutic Dead Sea waters with a Dead Sea swim - it's simply indescribable! Dinner and overnight along the shore of the Dead Sea.

Day 4 - Ein Gedi Nature Reserve - Qumran - Beit She’an - Ein Harod - Mount Arbel - Tiberias

This morning travel north to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve (I Sam. 23:29) and hike to David's Waterfall and the myriad of caves that became David's refuge from Saul. Nearby visit the excavated ruins at Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue north, around the ancient city of Jericho, to Beit She’an (I Sam. 31:10), an ancient Decapolis city where King Saul and his sons' bodies were pinned to the city walls - view the extensive archeological reconstruction. Nearby, stop at Ein Harod (Gideon Springs - Judges 7), where God reduced Gideon's army to a few valiant men who later defeated the Midianites. Time permitting; conclude the day on Mount Arbel for a panoramic view of the entire Galilee region. It's a photo op you won't want to miss! As the sun sets on the Sea of Galilee, arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Boat Ride - Jesus Boat - Mount of the Beatitudes - Capernaum - Tabgha - Nazareth - Mary’s Well - Synagogue - Precipice - Yardenit

Begin the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee (Mat. 14:25). Dock at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar where the remains of an ancient fishing boat dating from the time of Jesus - aptly nicknamed the Jesus Boat - can be seen. Ascend to the Mount of the Beatitudes and reflect on the words Jesus spoke to the multitudes (Matt. 5). Next, visit Capernaum (John 6:24) - the center of Jesus’ preaching - and Tabgha (John 6:1), the traditional site which commemorates the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves. This afternoon travel past Cana to Nazareth (Mat. 2:19-23) - the boyhood home of Jesus - to visit Mary’s Well and the Synagogue church believed to be built on the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus attended. Upon leaving Nazareth, stop at the traditional Precipice (Luke 4:28-30), believed to be where the mob took Jesus with the intention of throwing Him from the cliff. Your exciting day concludes at Yardenit, a baptismal site built where the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6 - Tiberias - Muhraka - Megiddo - Caesarea Maritima - Multi-Media Presentation - Jerusalem

This morning depart Tiberias, and travel west to Muhraka on the summit of Mount Carmel for a 360° panoramic view of the Jezreel Valley and beyond. This is the traditional site where Elijah manifested the Lord’s supremacy against the false prophets of Ba’al (I Kings 18:18). Drive south along the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo (I Kings 9:15), the focal point of the Book of Revelation, where excavations have unearthed over twenty layers of civilization. Next, visit Caesarea Maritima (Acts 25:4) - capital of the Roman procurators of Judea. See the remains of the Roman theater, port and experience the new informative multi-media presentation. Also, view the fortress and another one of Herod's engineering masterpieces - an aqueduct. As the sun sets, ascend to Jerusalem - "The Golden City." Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 - Yad Vashem - Scale Model - Shrine of the Book - Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity - Shepherds’ Fields

This morning begins with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust. Spend time touring the new complex including the Children’s Pavilion, Hall of Remembrance and the Avenue of the Righteous, where trees have been planted to commemorate the many Christians who helped save the lives of Jews during World War II. Next, visit the Israel Museum to see the Scale Model - a depiction of Jerusalem at the time of Christ - and the Shrine of the Book, which houses many original manuscripts and copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This afternoon, subject to security conditions, travel back in time as you visit the ancient city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 / Luke 2:1) - birthplace of King David and Jesus. Tour the Church of the Nativity and view the manger area. Also included is a special visit to Shepherds’ Fields (YMCA site) which overlooks the fields of Boaz. Before leaving the village, stop at one of the largest olive wood factories and enjoy some shopping. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 - Upper Room - Cardo - Burnt House - Third Temple Institute - Davidson Center - Southern Excavations - Temple Mount - Western Wall - Rabbinic Tunnel - City of David - Pool of Siloam - Ben Yehuda Street - Illuminated Walls of the Old City

Today begins at the traditional site of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12). Nearby, enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to see the Cardo - Jerusalem’s ancient marketplace - and visit the Burnt House. Once belonging to a temple priest, this house is a vivid illustration of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. From here it's a short walk through the narrow streets to the Third Temple Institute where rabbis, goldsmiths, weavers and artisans are creating authentic Temple utensils based on Biblical, Talmudic and archeological research to be used in the future Third Temple. After a brief photo-op overlooking the ancient temple compound, descend to the Davidson Center for a “virtual tour” of the Second Temple. Then, walk amid the Southern Excavations and stand on the ancient stairs that Jesus would have used to ascend to the Temple. Nearby, subject to security conditions, ascend to the Temple Mount. Though unable to enter the mosques, enjoy a splendid view of the Golden Gate - which remains closed to this day - and the Mt. of Olives. Next, view the remaining Western Wall and subject to availability; walk through the Rabbinic Tunnel system by which means the priests traveled to the Temple. This afternoon, explore the ancient City of David - including the new excavation of the Pool of Siloam at the time of Jesus. After dinner, it's a special night out! Explore more of the city, browse the many shops and enjoy a drink or ice cream at one of the many sidewalk cafes on Ben Yehuda Street - a pedestrian mall in the heart of New Jerusalem. Complete the perfect evening with a drive around the illuminated walls of the Old City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9 - Mount of Olives - Dominus Flevit - Garden of Gethsemane - St. Peter in Gallicantu - Pool of Bethesda - Lithostrotos of Antonia Fortress - Via Dolorosa - Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Garden Tomb - Leisure Time - Farewell Dinner

This very special day begins on the summit of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:8). Enjoy the spectacular view of the Old City before walking down the Palm Sunday road to the tear-shaped church of Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:41-44), where tradition holds that Jesus wept over His beloved Jerusalem. Continue the descent to the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat. 26:36) with its ancient olive trees. Cross the Kidron Valley and ascend Mount Zion to visit St. Peter in Gallicantu (Luke 22: 55-62) - the traditional site where Peter denied Jesus three times. Next, enter the Old City through St. Stephen's Gate to view the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1) and the lovely Crusader Church of St. Anne. Continue your walk to the Lithostrotos of Antonia Fortress (The Pavement – John 19:1-19). Nearby, view the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) and then follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Celebrate communion and enjoy a time of fellowship at the Garden Tomb (John 19:38). The remainder of the afternoon is leisure time to return to your favorite site, shop in the Old City souk (marketplace) or relax at your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 10 - Ben Gurion International Airport - En Route Home OR Choose An Extension

This morning it's time to say “Shalom” to the Land you have come to love! Transfer by motorcoach to Ben Gurion International Airport. While en route - treasure your memories of the fellowship and Biblical sites you’ve experienced - Memories that will last a lifetime!