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Home , Nazareth

HOLY LAND TOURS 12 DAYS of the most meaningful, spiritual, well deserved, once in a lifetime tour of

Program Includes: Accommodations:  1 night hotel in  2 nights at hotel in  4 nights hotel in  2 nights hotel in  1 night hotel in Tel Aviv

Tours and guiding:  Touring in a Deluxe motor-coach  A professional licensed English speaking guide  Entrance fees to all sites and parks  All guide's and driver expenses

Meet, assist and transfers:  Meet & assist at Ben Gurion Airport, immediately after passport control  Transfer on a arrival from Ben Gurion Airport to hotel in Tel Aviv  Transfer on departure with guide (night transfer)

Meals included:  Israeli style buffet breakfast daily  Everyday dinners at hotels

Other services also included:  Hotel taxes and service charges  Cruise on the  Portfolio of travel documents  Maps, pens and luggage tags

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com

Highlights and summary of program

Regions:  The Mediterranean Coast  The Galilee, Golan and the Sea of Galilee  Jerusalem, including Old City and  Judean Wilderness and the Dead Sea  Eilat, the the Red Sea, Petra

Tour Highlights:  Caesarea  Megiddo  Akko (Acre)  and Nazareth  Cruise on the Sea of Galilee  ,  Mount of the Beatitudes  Tabgah  Caesarea Phillipi and the Golan Heights  Baptismal site (optional Baptism in the Jordan River)  Beit Shean  Qumran  Masada  Hospitality  Garden Tomb  Church of the Holy Seplechre  Upper Room (Last Supper)  Bethlehem  Garden of Gethenamy  Negev Desert  Eilat  Petra extension (additional cost)  Underwater observatory  and much much more

Not included:  Airfare from city of your choice  Tips to guide and driver  Travel insurance (optional)  Lunch daily

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com

Itinerary (12 days)

Saturday, Day 1: Departure to Israel We will depart from a North American gateways on a trans-Atlantic flight to Israel (bought separately). We will enjoy on-board flight entertainment and meals. European participants would leave the following day.

Sunday, Day 2: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv Welcome to Israel. We will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and will be met by a Shalom Journeys representative, immediately after passport control. He will assist us in the terminal and will escort us through customs and outside the terminal to meet our driver with vehicle. We will have a short ride to our hotel, in the beautiful coastal City of Tel Aviv for check-in. The remainder of the day or evening will be at leisure (depending on flight time arrivals). Suggested stroll in the ocean front promenade of Tel Aviv, before our relaxing dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Monday, Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo, , Acre (Akko) to the Galilee Following our delicious Israeli buffet breakfast, our guide will meet us at the lobby of the hotel and introduce himself, as well as introduce us to the group. We will leave Tel Aviv and drive north along the Plain of Sharon, the old Mediterranean coastal road (Via Maris), which linked Egypt and Babylon to Caesarea. We will see the ancient Roman theatre, built by Herod and once; the capital of . Here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). We will explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today, it draws major venue attractions, for concerts and festivals. We will walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city. We proceed inland to Megiddo, one of King Solomon's walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. We will drive to Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. From here, we will continue with our journey north along the coast and stop at the crusader city of Acre (Micah 1.10) to see the ancient fortress, with its underground passages and secret rooms. Here we will visit the prison where members of the Hagana and Irgun were held captive during Israel's fight for Independence. This is also where Leon Uris's famous novel “Exodus” was filmed. We will conclude our day with a drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee and to our kibbutz for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and explore the kibbutz and its ambiance. Overnight in the Galilee.

Tuesday, Day 4: , Western Galilee, Banias Springs () After breakfast, we will start our day with a short tour of Tiberias. We will board a boat cruise for a journey on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, the center of ' Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). We will also see the remains of the 2nd century . We will continue to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of the "Loaves and Fishes" and to see the Church of the multiplication (John 6:1-14), with its 4th century mosaic floor. We proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached - "The Sermon On The Mount" (Matt. 5). We will drive north to the Golan Heights and visit Banias, one of the sources of the River Jordan and the site of ancient Caesaria Philippi, where it is believed Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). We will return back to our kibbutz for dinner and for the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight in the Galilee.

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com

Itinerary (page 2)

Wednesday, Day 5: Nazareth / Beit Shean After breakfast, we leave the upper Galilee area and drive southeast to visit Cana of Galilee. Here we will visit the site where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (:1). We will continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Grotto of the and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. We will also visit the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel appeared to Mary. We will return back towards Tiberias and drive to Yardenit, a Baptismal site in the Jordan River. Here we will have the chance of being Baptized. We will leave the Galilee area and proceed south towards the to visit the city of Beit Shean. We will have time to wander the newly excavated city, one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the with its amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10). We will continue south along the lush Jordan Valley, where the dessert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2) towards the mountains of Judea. We will arrive to Jerusalem and check in to our hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel. After dinner, suggested stroll around the city center of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday, Day 6: Jerusalem: The Old City After breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to for an awesome panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Golden Gates of the Old City. We will drive or stroll down to the bottom of the mountain to visit the Church of All Nations and the Garden of , where Jesus prayed in many occasions and where Jesus was arrested. We proceed by bus across the Kidron Valley, passing the tombs of Absolom, Zacharias, James and King Jehoshaphat to Mt. Zion. Here we will visit the site of David’s tomb and the Upper Room, where the Last Supper was held (.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2). We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem to visit the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the "Cardo", meaning the "heart" of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. We will continue to the Temple Mount (entry to Mosque not included) and continue down to the Western Wall - the "Kotel", which is considered the most Holiest place for the . We begin at the passageways and retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross), while experiencing the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces (a chance to test our negotiating skills) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is believed by many , this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected. We will conclude our day with a visit to the Garden Tomb. It is also believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected. We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, Day 7: New City Bethlehem After breakfast, we will drive to Ein Kerem, named after the Virgin Mary, who used to visit ’s parents summer house often. Ein Kerem is also the birthplace of John the Baptist. We will continue to Yad Vashem - the Israeli memorial for the Holocaust, where six million Jews perished in WWII. Walk along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors. We will continue to Israel Museum, to see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and the scale model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period. In the afternoon, we will leave Jerusalem and drive towards Bethlehem. We will arrive at Manger Square and enter into the Church of the Nativity. It is believed by many that this was the site of the birth of Christ. We will return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem.

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com

Itinerary (page 3)

Saturday, Day 8: Masada and the Dead Sea area After an early breakfast, we will drive towards the Dead Sea area. Our route will take us back down the main highway towards . As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest lowest point on the surface of the earth at 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. We will drive along the shores south and stop at Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls and drive to Masada. We will continue south to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada and ascend by cable car to the ancient synagogue and to explore the ancient fortress. Here, was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. (Seasonal - if time and weather permits), we will stop at a Dead Sea facility for a short time at leisure. Here we will have the opportunity to cover ourselves in mud, use the sulfur pools and float on the unsinkable Dead Sea. We will return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, Day 9: Beer Sheva /Sde Boker / Mitzpe Ramon / Eilat After breakfast, we will travel south to the Negev desert to Timna Park to see the copper mines and King Solomon's pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations. We will continue to Eilat and to the underwater observatory, which is considered to be one of the largest sea aquarium in the world, built into coral reef to visit the conclude your day at the resort city of Eilat. We will arrive to our hotel for check in. Take a dip in the most beautiful clear water of the Red Sea or walk around the city of Eilat and explore the duty free shopping. Dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Eilat.

Monday, Day 10: At leisure or Optional tour to Petra If taking the Petra tour (additional cost), we will be driven in the early morning to the Israel/Jordanian border. After visa proceedings at the Jordanian Border, we will drive straight to Petra through desert highways. Our ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra which was built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe). Petra was renowned for its massive architectures, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback ride, about 700m, until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 Km long (walking distance). There is also a possibility to rent a chariot (extra) to get inside Petra and back to the gate outside. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as The Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman Theater, Roman Street, Qassier Rl-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh's daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate visitors. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world. After the visit, we will enjoy lunch in a nice restaurant, followed by a drive back to the border. En route, stop for a short visit in Aqaba, with possibility for a short walk in the town. We will be transfer to border at approximately 18:00 for crossing to Eilat. Overnight in Eilat.

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com

Itinerary (page 4)

Tuesday, Day 11: Eilat to Tel Aviv After an early breakfast, we will leave Eilat and drive north to Ramon Crater to gaze into an otherworldly geological wonder. You will arrive in Eilat for overnight. Proceed to visit Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and grave, overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. We will stop at a Bedouin camp to ride camels in the desert, an experience we will never forget. After camels, we will enjoy a light lunch with Bedouin hospitality, a presentation about Bedouin life. We continue to Hatzerim to visit the Air force Museum. Here we will see the many planes and equiptment used in the past wars and learn the stories of the brave fighting force. We will arrive back in Tel-Aviv and to our hotel for check-in. Dinner will be included and the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Wednesday, Day 12: Departure After breakfast, (depending on flight times) we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home with everlasting memories of Israel. We will arrive the same day.

If flight is at night, we will enjoy the day at leisure. Please note: Check-out will be at 12 noon. Optional day use rooms can be arranged (additional cost). In the evening, we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home.

th 160 E 38 Street, Suite 35G New York, NY 10016 | 866-592-1818 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.shalomjourneys.com