There is no better way to connect and renew your faith than to join a departure of “In the Footsteps of Jesus” pilgrimage tour to the Holy Land offering spiritual inspiration following Biblical history. Explore ancient landmarks while visiting the most celebrated places in Israel. Visit places you have only read about in the Bible.
Your land arrangements include:
– Sharing transfer on arrival* and departure (from/to Ben Gurion Airport)
– 7 nights accommodation based on double occupancy, half board basis B/D
– 6 touring days as per itinerary with English speaking guide
– Entrance fees to the sites visited as per itinerary
*Assistance at the airport on arrival.
Your land arrangements do not include:
– Airfare to and from Tel Aviv
– Departure taxes, fuel surcharges or airport improvement fees
– Porterage at the airport or hotels
– Insurance
– Early check-in/late checkout
– Single room supplement – a limited number of single rooms available on payment of a supplement
– Meals and beverages not mentioned
– Optional tours not quoted
– Gratuities for individual services, laundry and valet service and any other items of a purely personal nature
– Tipping to guide, driver, hotel or restaurant staff
– E.& O.E.
For information and bookings, contact Janice Snider.
Day 1 – Sunday Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv. D
Day 2 – Monday Tel Aviv/Caesarea / Muhraka / Megiddo / Acre/Galilee
Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea located halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa once the Roman capital of the region to view the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the picturesque and well-preserved aqueduct and amphitheatre that has been restored to its former glory and is now used as a concert venue. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal and enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and the Lower Galilee. Southeast of Haifa is the ancient city of Megiddo identified as the site of Armageddon where you will learn the impressive history of this battlefield as you visit the archaeological excavations revealing the remains of 20 + cities built on top of each other as well as the well-preserved water supply system. Continue onto Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt. This ancient city possesses a long history intertwined with various cultures. Walk through the old city recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site to visit the local market and harbour. Overnight in a hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. B/D
Day 3 – Tuesday Galilee/Tiberias / Capernaum / Banias / Galilee
After a short tour of Tiberias situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee named after the Roman Emperor, enjoy a 45-minute boat ride on the tranquil waters of the Sea of Galilee. Also known as the Kinneret, it is the lowest freshwater lake on earth and the second-lowest lake in the world. It is a place of Biblical interest since Jesus taught the crowds by the shore (Mark 4:1-34) and preached while standing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. At Kibbutz Nof Ginossar we stop to visit the Yigal Allon Center housing the 2000-year-old “Jesus Boat” discovered by two fishermen brothers. The boat was buried in mud near the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the ancient fishing village of Capernaum on the northern shore we see the remains of the 2nd-century synagogue and the octagonal Church of St. Peter. A short drive takes us to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves where we visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th-century mosaic floor. In a serene setting, we find the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the memorable Sermon on the Mount. From here we drive to Banias Springs and tour the strategic Golan Heights. Overnight in a hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. B/D
Day 4 – Wednesday Cana / Nazareth / Beit She’an / Jerusalem
Our day begins in Cana where Jesus performed His first Miracle turning Water into Wine at a marriage feast when there was no more wine. A short drive takes us to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus and one of the most important Christian sites in the Holy Land. Here we visit the Church of the Annunciation, Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. We are now on our way to the Baptismal site of Yardenit on the Jordan River frequented by Christian pilgrims. Special white robes must be worn during Baptism. These can be rented or purchased on site (cost not included). NOTE – bathing suits must be worn underneath. If required, we can assist in providing a clergy to perform the Baptism (cost not included). There is no resident clergy. Moving on we come to Beit She’an, once known as Scythopolis which played an important role in the history of the region. We stop to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheatre. Driving along the Jordan Valley we arrive in the holy city of Jerusalem. Overnight at your hotel. B/D
Day 5 – Thursday Jerusalem (Old City)
This morning enjoy the magnificent view of the city from the Mount of Olives site of many Biblical events and named for the olive groves that once adorned its ridges before heading to the Church of All Nations located next to the Garden of Gethsemane believed to be built over the rock on which Jesus prayed in agony on the night before He was crucified. See the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper also known as the Cenacle located on the upper floor of the same building. Men and Women enter separately. To enter one must dress modestly and wear a head covering. Enter the walled Old City and walk through the Roman Cardo, an ancient street starting at the Damascus Gate in the north and running southwards to the Zion Gate lined with a row of columns on each side. Visit the Jewish and Christian Quarters, two of the four traditional quarters of the Old City. Moving on we come to the Western Wall, an ancient limestone wall in the Old City also known as the Wailing Wall or the Kotel. The venerated Temple Mount is next. Take a solemn walk along the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrow that is believed Jesus followed on the way to His Crucifixion. Pass the Oriental Bazaar with its colourful alleyways filled with vendors on our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre found in the Christian Quarter built on the traditional site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial. Drive to the Garden Tomb just outside the Old City walls which were unearthed in 1867 where we pause for a few serene moments of reflection. Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 6 – Friday Jerusalem (New City) / Bethlehem*
Drive to the ancient village of Ein Karem in West Jerusalem where a few steps from the main road we will visit the Church of Visitation where according to tradition Mary recited the Magnificat her song of praise known as the Canticle of Mary, one of the most ancient of Marian hymns. Afterwards, we head to Yad Vashem located on the western slope of Mount Herzl also known as the Mount of Remembrance, Israel’s official memorial documenting the story of the victims of the Holocaust. Situated on a hill in Givat Ram is the Israel Museum, the largest cultural institution in Israel. Here you will find the Shrine of the Book where the priceless Dead Sea Scroll fragments are housed and the miniature Model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. About six km. southwest of Jerusalem, we come to Bethlehem*, the birthplace of Jesus where we stop at Shepherds’ Field where an angel announced the birth of Jesus. Walk through Manger Square in the center of the city where it was said Jesus was born. Visit the Church of Nativity which holds religious significance for Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. It is considered to be the oldest church in the Christian world. To stop looters in past centuries, one has to stoop low to enter the church. Its interior is minimal with no pews. Return to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 7 – Saturday Jerusalem/Qumran / Masada / Dead Sea
Driving through the Judean Hills we come to Qumran, an archaeological site in the West Bank where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 in caves by a young shepherd looking for stray goats. Continuing along the shores of the Dead Sea we arrive at Masada, the isolated mountain fortress of King Herod and the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD who chose to commit mass suicide rather than be enslaved by the Romans. To reach the top we ascend Masada by cable car for a tour visiting the remains of the walls, the palaces, synagogue and bathhouse. Descend by cable car and continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth where you have an opportunity of using the spa facilities of the hotel (at additional cost) or floating in the buoyant waters and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud believed to possess therapeutic effects (weather permitting). Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 8 – Sunday Jerusalem / Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure. Today marks the end of your journey. B
* Visit subject to the security conditions.
** Program sequence is subject to change without advance notice.
*Site under the Palestinian Authority Jurisdiction – visit subject to situation
**Visit subject to weather conditions
***The sequence of the tour, border crossing point used, hotels used and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances
****Men must cover their head while in the prayer area and women must cover their shoulders and wear long pants or a knee-length skirt. If you forget to bring a covering, guards will provide you with a piece of fabric for that purpose before you enter. The prayer area is separated by gender. If you want to be super respectful follow Jewish custom by never turning your back on the wall. You will see many people walking away from the wall backwards because it is simply disrespectful to turn away.