We fly with EL Al from London to Ben Gurion airport, landing in Tel Aviv. We then transfer to the Ramada Hotel in Netanya.
The tour begins: Maritime, the Roman coastal city where Cornelius lived, and most likely Pontius Pilate. From there we travel to Mount Carmel where Elijah contested with the Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:15-46). Then we drive to the Jezreel Valley and Megiddo, also known as Armageddon, (Rev 16:16). This was one of King Solomon’s chariot cities. We will see the archaeological remains of the city before travelling to Tiberias. Dinner and overnight at the Restal Hotel, Tiberias.
We begin the day with a tour of Beit Shean where the Philistines hung the bodies of King Saul and his sons from the city walls at the top of the hill. On then to the spring of Ein Harod at the foot of Mt Gilboa, where Gideon chose the 300 men (Judges 7). We will view Mt Gilboa which in Hebrew means “boiling springs” or “bubbling fountains”. At Gilboa, which overlooks the Jezreel Valley, we will remember David’s lament for King Saul and Jonathan. Next, we visit Mt Arbel in the lower Galilee, and from the summit we will view the plain of Gennesaret, the Sea of Galilee, and in the distance the Golan Heights and Mt Hermon. Dinner and overnight at the Restal Hotel.
Today begins with a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Ginosar, from where we will drive to Capernaum, village of Nahum and the fishing village where Jesus lived after leaving Nazareth (Matthew 4:12-13). The day ends with a visit to Chorazin, one of the places where Jesus preached the Gospel to an unresponsive audience (Matt. 11:20-21). Dinner and overnight at the Restal Hotel.
Evening Breaking of Bread Service.
Travelling north, we begin the day with a trip to Hazor, the city of the Canaanite kings Jabin I and Jabin II. In the days of Jabin I, the city was captured by Joshua and burned to the ground (Joshua 11: 1-15). Jabin II was later defeated by Deborah and Barak at Mt Tabor. Hazor is currently the largest archaeological site in northern Israel. From Hazor we travel further north to Tel Dan, which was the most northern city of the kingdom of Israel. Next, we visit Banias (Caesarea Philippi), where Jesus asked Peter “But who do you say that I am?” perhaps the most important question of them all! (Matt. 16:15). Then we travel through the Golan, famous for its fine wines, to Mt Bental for a view of Mt Hermon, and across the border into Syria. Dinner and final overnight at the Restal Hotel.
Today we travel south down the Jordan Valley. We stop at Beth Arabah (Qasar el Yahud), where it is likely that John baptised Jesus. From Wadi Quelt near Jericho we will see the Red Ascent, the ancient road from Jerusalem to Jericho. We go on to visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, including the Isaiah scroll now housed in the Shrine of the book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. We will end the day with a “float” in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at David Resort hotel and spa at the Dead Sea.
We start the day with a visit to Ein Gedi, the oasis in the Judean wilderness where David and his men hid from King Saul. We will walk up to the waterfall, passing the caves in the hillside and one or two wandering ibexes and conies (hyrax). Then we will travel down the Dead Sea coast to Mt Masada, which we will ascend by cable car to tour the ancient fortification site last stand of the Jews against the besieging 10th Roman Legion under the command of General Flavius Silva in AD 73. Dinner and overnight at David Resort and Spa hotel.
The day begins at Tel Arad on the border of the northern Negev, an ancient, fortified Canaanite city partially rebuilt during the days of King David and King Solomon. Amongst the archaeological findings is evidence of King Hezekiah’s religious reforms Next, we visit Tel Be’er Sheva, site of Abraham’s well. We drive through the modern city of Be’er Sheva en route to Jerusalem, where we will ascend the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city across the Kidron Valley. On the lower slopes of the Mt of Olives we will visit an olive grove and remember Jesus’s visit to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night he was betrayed by Judas. Dinner and overnight at the Caesar Hotel.
Today we will travel to Shiloh in Samaria (currently West Bank) where Joshua set up the tabernacle after the conquest of the land of Canaan, and where Eli and Samuel served as priests. We will stop at Mt Gerizim to view the modern town of Shechem (Nablus) and Mt Ebal. We end the day at Nevi Samuel, which is the traditional tomb of the prophet Samuel, before returning to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the Caesar Hotel.
After breakfast we depart for Tel Lachish, site of the city that was besieged by Sennacherib in 701 BC. From there we visit Tel Azekah, one of the defenced cities of Judah. Next, we visit Ekron, the ancient Canaanite and Philistine city from where the Ark of the Covenant was sent back to the Israelites at Beth Shemesh, which is the final place we visit today. Dinner and overnight at the Caesar Hotel. Evening Breaking of Bread service with Israeli Brethren and Sisters.
We start the day in Jerusalem at the City of David excavations, first exploring Warren’s shaft which will bring us to the large stone structure, then the stepped stone structure before we emerge at the Gihon Spring. Then we will have the choice of splashing through Hezekiah’s conduit by torchlight or walking through the dry Canaanite tunnel, before we meet up at the Pool of Siloam. We will enter the Old City through the Zion Gate, and in the Jewish Quarter we will walk on the Cardo, and we see Hezekiah’s defensive Broad Wall. We visit the Davidson centre and the Southern Temple steps. Finally, we will reach the Western Wall, before exiting the Old City through the Dung Gate. Dinner and final overnight at the Caesar Hotel.
Our final day begins with a visit to Yad Vashem the Israeli Holocaust Museum before a tour of King Solomons quarries. We will have a tour of Jaffa where Jonah was swallowed by the ‘Big Fish’ and a short city tour of the Tel Aviv area. We will then transfer to Ben Gurion for our evening flight home to London.
Prices
£2687.00 per person sharing a double/twin room (Based on minimum 30 paying group members)
Single room occupancy £1010.00
Non-refundable deposit is £350 per person.
Included:
Good quality hotels
Flights from London to Tel Aviv return.
Fully licensed English speaking tour Guide, Coach, all entrance fees and sites as per itinerary. Daily
Israeli buffet breakfast and evening dinner. ATOL certificate for your financial protection & Gratuities/All tipping.
Not Included
Travel Insurance and any lunches except where mentioned in the itinerary.
Travelink have an excellent travel insurance policy for Israel: https://toursforchristians.com/insurance-details/
Please note: all itineraries, flight details and hotels are subject to change