HOLY LAND DISCOVERY TOUR
DAY 1
Welcome to the Holy Land Discovery Tour! We will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by a Beyond Israel representative immediately after passport control. Our representative will assist us in the terminal and guide us through customs to meet our driver waiting by our transfer vehicle. We will have a short ride to our hotel in Tel Aviv located on the dazzling shores of the Mediterranean. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Suggested: take a stroll along the beautiful oceanside promenade of Tel Aviv, before a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Overnight Stay – Tel Aviv, Israel
DAY 2
We will journey along the coastal highway to the ancient Roman capital, Caesarea. Explore the excavations of the Crusader city and the Roman port, where the famous amphitheater has been recently restored, and now hosting live events for local and international artists. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular views of the Jezreel Valley and the lower Galilee. Our tour proceeds to Megiddo, which has been identified as the site of the battle of Armageddon. Our last stop of the day is the ancient city of Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt; walk through the Old City recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, explore the local market and harbor.
Overnight Stay – Sea of Galilee, Israel
DAY 3
After a short tour of Tiberias, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Our tour proceeds to visit the Yigal Alon center where the “Jesus boat” is located, an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century. We will continue to Capernaum, which was home to Jesus, to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter. The next stop is in Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, to visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. On to the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount. Our final destination on today’s tour is the Banias Springs, where we will tour the Golan Heights region.
Overnight Stay – Sea of Galilee, Israel
DAY 4
We will drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Joseph’s workshop and Mary’s well. Our tour will proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan river (robe rentals available on-site). Continuing, we will stop at Beit Shean to visit the newly excavated Roman city amphitheater. Our tour today will end with a scenic drive along the Jordan valley towards the ancient city of Jerusalem.
Overnight Stay – Jerusalem, Israel
DAY 5
Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from the Mount of Olives. Proceed to the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, we will visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of Last Supper on Mount Zion. From there we enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter. Some of the sites include the Roman Cardo, the Herodian quarter and, most notably, the Western Wall. Then we will walk along the Via Delarosa, to the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Next, we will drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy its beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance.
Overnight Stay – Jerusalem, Israel
DAY 6
We start our day with a drive to Ein Karem, where we will visit the Church of Visitation. Our tour will then proceed to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum. Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. We will visit Shepherds’ field, and walk through Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity.
Overnight Stay – Jerusalem, Israel
DAY 7
Driving through the Judean hills we will pass by the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. As we continue down towards the shores of the Dead Sea, we arrive at Masada, the location of King Herod’s unbreakable fortress. We will descend by cable car and continue down to the Dead Sea, considered the lowest point on earth, where many enjoy floating in the unsinkable waters or self-caring by .
Overnight Stay – Jerusalem, Israel
DAY 8
Our journey though the Holy Land ends today but the stories and memories we’ve made live on. After an early breakfast, we will check-out and depart for the airport.
