Starting from the recent and moving back to the past, the Church of the Nativity was the scene of the hostage crisis in 2005, for which there was a bloodless resolution thanks to the fine mediators on the scene.
Holyland Tour
Body:
This weekly tour caters to the Christian traveler visiting the Holy Land. For those individuals who are looking for a deep, serious and spiritual experience.
THURSDAY: Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem
FRIDAY: Tel Aviv / Caesarea / Megiddo
Our guide will pick you up and we'll drive for a short visit of the city of Jaffa (Joppa) where we will take a short walking tour in picturesque alleys of the old, fortified town. We we'll pass by the house of Simon the Tanner and marvel at the views from the hill top. Proceed along the coast to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans to visit the Roman Theater and the Crusader fortress. Visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct. Continue to Megiddo, identified in the book of Revelations as the site of Armageddon; Visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. Drive towards the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias for a check in.
Overnight in Tiberias
SATURDAY: Tiberias / Capernaum / Banias
After a tour of Tiberias, we'll take a boat ride to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. We drive on to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and it is believed that Jesus picked his 12 apostles. We'll ascend to The Golan Heights to view the panoramic view of the peaks of Mt. Hermon and the rugged plateau of the Golan Heights, through the Banias Springs and waterfalls.
Overnight in Tiberias
SUNDAY: Nazareth / Beit Shean
This morning we travel through Cana to Nazareth. Visit the Wedding Church where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. We proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, and the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where archaeologists believe the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. You’ll also see Mary’s Well and Joseph’s Church. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean with its recently excavated amphitheater Visit the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman City which was destroyed in an earthquake, and then onward to our hotel in Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem
MONDAY: Dead Sea / Masada
En route to the Dead Sea, we’ll travel through the magnificent scenery of the Judean Desert and visit the Qumran
Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Nearly 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. We'll continue to Masada which is situated on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert. Masada was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. We ascend by cable car to the fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Visit the excavations, King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. Bring your swimsuit as if weather permits it’s possible to “float” on the salty, mineral rich, water.
Overnight in Jerusalem
TUESDAY: Jerusalem – Old City
Start the day at Mount Scopus. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem. Your tour includes the Mount of Olives, a stop at the site where Jesus first gave the Lord’s Prayer, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus. Enter the Old City from the Cardo and you’ll see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, housing both the traditional site of Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. Then at Mount Zion, enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem, with the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper.
Overnight in Jerusalem
WEDNESDAY: Jerusalem – New City and Bethlehem*
Today’s tour includes Ein Karem a picturesque village on the south western outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions, since this is where according to the tradition John the Baptist was born and we'll also visit the Church of Visitation. We'll proceed to the recently renovated Yad Vashem, the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust located on the foot of Mt. Herzl. Visit the Israel Museum with a detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. We might visit Bethlehem to see Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Nativity.
Overnight in Jerusalem
*Site under the Palestinian Authority Jurisdiction. Visit subject to confirmation on day of visit.
THURSDAY: Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion airport for departure
