CLASSIC PROGRAM # 2 - 9 NIGHTS

ITINERARY

Day 01  LOD - Haifa

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion’s airport, you will be assisted by our representative and driven to Haifa. Dinner and overnight at Stella Maris Carmelite convent.

Day 02  Muhraqa – Megiddo – Mt. Thabor – Nazareth  

After breakfast, drive to Muhraqa, the place of the sacrifice of Elijah. Then drive to Tel Megiddo, one of the biblical cities fortified by King Solomon, dominating the Yzreel Valley. Afterwards you will head to Mount Tabor, and visit the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Continue to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

Day 03  Nazareth - Akko

Most of the day will be dedicated for the visits of the city of Nazareth, starting with the Basilica of the Annunciation, which is built over the house of Mary. Then you will visit the Synagogue-Church, followed by St. Gabriel’s Church and Mary’s well. In the afternoon, the group will be driven towards Akko where they will walk through its medieval markets and buildings, and explore the Crusader remains of this ancient port city. Back to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

Day 04  Cana Sea of Galilee

After breakfast, drive to the village of Cana, the place of the first miracle performed by Jesus. Visit the Franciscan church, then drive to the Sea of Galilee, visiting: the Mount of Beatitudes with its beautiful garden and fabulous view over the lake, Tabgha where according to tradition, the miracles of multiplying the fish and loaves took place, as well as being the place of the Primacy of St. Peter, and finally Capernaum, the “Town of Jesus”, with its Synagogue and the house of St. Peter. Return to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

Day 05  Jordan Valley – Massada – Dead Sea – Qumran - Jericho

After breakfast, drive south through the Jordan Valley towards the Herodian fortress of Massada, Ascend by cable car and visit the place, descend back down by cable car. Next, drive by the Dead Sea towards Qumran, and visit he Essene monastery, close to where the Dead Sea scrolls has been found in 1947. Enjoy a unique swim in the Dead Sea, and continue towards Jericho, the oldest city in the world below sea level. Stop by the famous Sycamore tree, and at the foot of Mount of Temptations. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.

Day 06  Israel Museum - Bethlehem

After breakfast, drive to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where you will see an exceptional model of Jerusalem during the 2^nd Temple period, as in the time of Jesus, nest you will see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are exhibited. Then you will continue towards the village of Bet Sahour and visit the Franciscan chapel at the “Shepherds’ Field”, where according to tradition, the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing them the birth of the Savior. Afterwards visit of the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the birth place of Jesus. Drive to the hotel in Jerusalem, dinner and overnight. 

Day 07  Mount of Olives – Mount Zion

After breakfast, drive up to the Mount of Olives to visit the Ascension Mosque and the Eleona, walk down on foot towards the chapel of Dominus Flevit, followed by the church of All Nations and Gethsemani. Continue to Mount Zion, and visit the Dormition Abbey, where according to a local tradition, Mary slept her eternal sleep. Next visit the Cenacle and the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu which is built over the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 08  Old City of Jerusalem

After breakfast, walk towards the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), next up on the top of the Temple Mount, and visit the exteriors of the Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, the third most holy site in Islam. Continue towards the church of St. Anne with the pool of Bethesda, and walk on the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) towards the Holy Sepulcher, which is built over the empty tomb of Jesus. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 09  LOD

Depending on flight time, drive to the airport, with a possibility to visit the crusader church of the Resurrection in Abu Gosh en route.