Itinerary

1. 

   Fly to Tel Aviv (D)

   Itinerary can be based on an early morning flight departing Heathrow at approximately 07:00 or an afternoon flight with a late evening arrival in Tel Aviv. Flights are available direct from Heathrow, Gatwick (seasonal), Luton, Dublin and Manchester. Heathrow flights operate daily. Other airports operate schedules a few times a week which may require additional overnight stays in the Holy Land. 

   Morning: meet your Group Leader and check-in for your flight to Tel Aviv.

   Afternoon: arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport and be met by your expert local guide who will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in Netanya for an overnight stay. For groups on earlier flights a stop for an hour or two in Jaffa the old port district would be possible on the way to the hotel. Explore the stony walkways and beautiful port overlooking the Tel Aviv skyline, with its art galleries and historic stone buildings. Jaffa is perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean and named after Japhet - one of Noah's three sons who founded the city after escaping from the flood.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel. Late evening arrivals will be offered a cold platter served in the room.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

2. 

   Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo & Nazareth Village (B, D)

   Morning: travel to Caesarea built by the Romans and enlarged under Herod. Ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and modern residences sit side-by-side. Continue to beautiful Mt Carmel with its Druze villages and lush vegetation and the home of Elijah's challenge.

   Afternoon: visit the ancient town of Megiddo overlooking the Plain of Esdraelon  After continue to Tiberius and check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Excavations have shown that the first town there was built in the early 4th century. In modern times Megiddo gave its name to an important battle won by the British general Edmund Allenby, who commanded the British forces in Palestine during the latter part of World War I. Later visit Nazareth Village, an authentic first-century farm and archaeologically accurate re-creation of the hometown of Jesus with real ties to the life and time of His friends, family and fellow Nazarenes. Also you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where Mary the mother of Jesus was first visited by the Angel Gabriel.At the end of the afternoon check-in to your hotel in Tiberias for a three-night stay.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

3. 

   Galilee cruise, Tabgha, Capernaum and Magdala (B, L, D)

   Morning: start the day with a gentle cruise across the Sea of Galilee on a traditional wooden boat. Then take in lakeside worship at Tabgha the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes where Jesus fed the 5,000. Here we visit the Church of St. Peter's Primacy, the location of Jesus' reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles.

   Afternoon: included fish lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered followed by a visit to Magdala, believed to be the birthplace of Mary Magdalene.  Archaeological excavations have uncovered an ancient synagogue, called the "Migdal Synagogue", dating from the Second Temple period.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

4. 

   Tel Dan, Golan Heights, Mt. Bental, Jordan River Baptismal site (B, L, D)

   Morning: visit Tel Dan with its archaeological highlights from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Ages including the site possibly where Jeroboam's golden calf once stood. After, travel to Upper Golan and Banias National Park for a short walk to the Banias Waterfall that provides water to the River Jordan. Mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, under the name of Caesarea Philippi, as the place where Jesus confirmed Peter's confession that Jesus was the Messiah. After, continue to Capernaum where Jesus lived after being driven from Nazareth and also the home of the disciples Peter, Andrew and Matthew and where several healings took place. After, continue to Mt. Bental for views across the entire region.

   Afternoon: visit the Jordan River Baptismal site and visit where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. A very moving site located south of the river's outlet from the Sea of Galilee.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

5. 

   Beit Shean, Qumran, Ein Gedi nature reserve (B, L, D)

   Morning: visit the ancient city of Beit She’an in the northern Jordan Valley is an immensely impressive archaeological site with remains dating back mostly to the Roman and Byzantine period. Beit She’an gained a Biblical reference when the Israelites under King Saul were defeated at the Battle of Mount Gilboa – it is said that the body of Saul was hung from the city’s walls, along with the bodies of his sons.

   Afternoon: continue to Qumran, located on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert, known as the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Then visit Ein Gedi, a nature reserve and archaeological site, where you will enjoy a short hike to the 'David Falls' After continue to your Bedouin camp, for an overnight stay, and take a camel or donkey ride the final section to find the camp tucked away in the Kana`im Valley in the Judean desert between the city of Arad and the ancient citadel of Masada. Your picturesque desert resort features spacious lodges made of local stone and fabrics and many relaxing spots to unwind among palm trees and captivating nature.

   Evening: dinner under the stars (weather permitting) with your Bedouin hosts.

   Note that the Bedouin camp can be replaced with a night in a hotel on the dead Sea where you just have dinner under the stars at the camp.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

6. 

   Masada & Bethlehem (B, D)

   Morning: drive to Masada (Hebrew for fortress) that sits atop an isolated rock-cliff overlooking the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Masada has become one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols as the place where the last Jewish stronghold against Roman invasion stood. After, continue to the Dead Sea for a float in its briny waters.

   Afternoon: journey to the Shepherds Fields the site where an angel of the Lord came and said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy’. A thoroughly moving experience. After, we visit the Basilica of the Nativity in Manger Square, the oldest complete church in the Christian world, which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It replaced the original church of Constantine the Great, built over the cave venerated as Christ’s birthplace, and dedicated in AD 339. Then, continue to Jerusalem and check-in to your hotel for a four-night stay.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

7. 

   Mount of Olives and the Palm Sunday Path (B, L, D)

   Morning: visit the Mount of Olives and look down over Jerusalem, then follow the Palm Sunday Path into the city. Visits will include the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested; the Church of St. Peter de Galicantu then enter the city through the Lion's Gate. Inside the city walls visit the Church of St Anne and the pool at Bethesda, identified as the scene of one of Jesus’ miracles, the healing of the paralysed man who had waited for 38 years for someone to help him into the pool “when the water is stirred”

   Afternoon: stroll the Via Dolorosa “the sorrowful way” in which Jesus travelled on the day of his crucifixion from the judgement seat of Pilate to Mount Calvary. We include a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

8. 

   The Temple Mount and old walled city (B, D)

   Morning: visit the Temple Mount and see the outside of the Dome of the Rock a holy site for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people. Within the area of the Temple Mount, there are about 100 different structures to see spanning different time periods, including prayer locations, arches, and fountains. After, continue to visit the City of David Hill and National Park, Hezekiah's Tunnel and Mt. Zion; the highest point in Jerusalem. The final stop will be at the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall, also called Wailing Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem, a place of sacred prayer and pilgrimage. It is the only remains of the retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount, the site of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem. You will stroll the ramparts of the wall before free time for lunch.

   Afternoon: this afternoon is free. Wander the old city and enjoy the local atmosphere. Lunch (at own cost) in a local restaurant or sample the array of fascinating Jerusalem street food.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel followed by the Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David Museum. Watch the walls of the Citadel become the stage for a nighttime show celebrating Jerusalem’s 4,000-year-old history through sights and sounds.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

9. 

   Ein Karem (Marys Well) Ellah Valley (B, D)

   Morning: visit Ein Karem, a beautiful tranquil village and neighbourhood in the west of Jerusalem believed to be the place where Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, miraculously became pregnant and gave birth. During her pregnancy, Elizabeth was visited by a family relative – Mary, who was also pregnant, with Jesus and for this reason the village well is now called Mary’s Well. After continue to Beit Guvrin National Park wit its historical ruins from the first Temple Period.

   Afternoon: continue to the Elah Valley. The valley was of great strategic importance—a corridor from the coastline up through the center of Judah and its stronghold cities: Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jerusalem. It was also the setting for the epic biblical battle between David, the future King of Israel, and Goliath, a Philistine giant from Gath. On return to Jerusalem visit the visit The Israel Museum. The focus of the museum is on the art, Judaica and ancient artifacts of the Land of Israel and beyond, featuring the most extensive holdings of Biblical and Holy Land archeology in the world. The museum has a collection of nearly 500,000 objects, representing a full scope of world material culture.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

10. 

    Judea and Samaria (B, L, D)

    Morning: travel to the mountain ranges of Judea and Samaria to stand where Abraham stood when God promised his descendants inheritance of the land. Visit Shilo: home of the Tabernacle for 369 years and the Mount of Blessings: Where Joshua first addressed the Jewish nation after entering the land. This site also overlooks the city of Shechem and the tomb of Joseph.

    Afternoon: continue to Tekoa, an ancient city of Israel steeped in Biblical heritage… the birthplace of Amos the prophet…where citizens helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and finally to Hebron and visit the holy Cave of the Patriarchs and burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah .

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

11. 

    Israel and Yad Vashem Museums and Garden Tomb (B, D)

    Morning: visit The Israel Museum. The focus of the museum is on the art, Judaica and ancient artifacts of the Land of Israel and beyond, featuring the most extensive holdings of Biblical and Holy Land archeology in the world. The museum has a collection of nearly 500,000 objects, representing a full scope of world material culture. Also, visit of Yad Vashem, Israel’s largest Holocaust memorial, which sits on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance on the edge of Jerusalem. Opened in 2005 its nine galleries of interactive historical displays present the Holocaust. It uses a range of multimedia including photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art, and personal items found in the camps and ghettos. Finish at The Garden Tomb, a possible location for the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

    Afternoon: free in Jerusalem maybe try wandering the Mahne Yehuda Market/Shuk with over 250 vendors selling fresh produce and handmade goods.

    Evening: Farewell dinner in the hotel.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

12. 

    Depart for the UK (B)

    Free before departing for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight to the UK after this ten day tour covering both biblical and archaeological wonders.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

13. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS FOR YOR GROUPS HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE

    There are a number of things that we can offer to the main tour programme to create your groups individual experience in the Holy Land. Some may require additional night stays and always subject to availability. When contacting us do enquire. Some suggestions would be...

    • Worship opportunities with local communities
    • Visit a Druze community
    • Spend Sabbath dinner with an Orthodox Jewish Family and be welcomed into their home
    • Stay in a Kibbutz near Galilee instead of Tiberias
    • Stay in Bethlehem instead of Jerusalem
    • Add a stay in Tel Aviv
    • Visit of McCabe Educational Trusts sponsored projects
    • Stay 15 minutes from Jerusalem instead of in the city at Neve Ilan in the Judean Hills with great views.

Essential Information

Practical information

Dates