CLASSIC PROGRAM #1 - 7 NIGHTS

 

ITINERARY

Day 01           LOD – Jericho

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion’s airport, you will be assisted by our representative then driven to Jericho. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.

 

Day 02           Jericho – Qumran – Dead Sea – Jordan Valley - Nazareth
After breakfast, you will explore the oldest and continually inhabited city in the world: Jericho (Mt20,29-34). Stop by the foot of Mount of Temptations (Mt4.1-11), where Jesus was tried twice by the devil, passing by the famous Sycamore tree (Lk 19,5-10) of Jericho. Next, drive to Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Depending on the weather, you might experience the unique swim at the Dead Sea (MK6,17-29). Drive through the Jordan Valley towards the city of Nazareth where you will stop to visit the Baptismal site of Qasr il Yahood (Jn 1,28). Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

 

Day 03           Cana – Sea of Galilee
After breakfast, drive to the village of Cana (Jn 2, 1-11), the place of the first miracle performed by Jesus. Visit the Franciscan church, then drive to the Sea of Galilee, (Mt 14,22-23) visiting: the Mount of Beatitudes (Mt 5,1-12) with its fabulous view over the lake, Tabgha (Mt 14,13-21) with its springs, where the miracles of multiplying the fish and loaves (Mk 6, 30-44) took place, and ending by Capernaum (Mt9,1-8 / Mk 1, 21-38), the “Town of Jesus”, with its Synagogue and St. Peter’s house. Return to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 04           Nazareth – Caesarea Maritima – Bethlehem
After breakfast, you will visit the city of Nazareth (Mt 2, 22-23), starting with the Basilica of the Annunciation (Lk 1, 26-38), which is built over the house of the Blessed Mother Mary. Then you will visit the Synagogue-Church (Lk 4,15-30), followed by St. Gabriel’s Church and Mary’s well. In the afternoon, you will drive towards the coastal plain where you will visit the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, which was built by Herod the Great. Continue to Bethlehem, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 05           Bethlehem – Israel Museum

After breakfast, visit the village of Bet Sahour and the “Shepherds’ Field” chapel (Lk 2, 8-21), where according to tradition, the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing them the birth of Jesus Christ. Next, visit the Basilica of the Nativity (Lu 2,1-21), built over the birth place of Jesus Christ. Continue to Jerusalem, visiting the Israel Museum, where one can see an exceptional model of Jerusalem representing the 2nd Temple period (Jn 2,19-21), as in the time of Jesus. Next visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are being exhibited. Back to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 06           Mount of Olives – Mount Zion
After breakfast, drive up to Mont of Olives( Lk 22,39), and visit the Ascension Mosque ( Lk 24,50), the Eleona (Pater Noster Church)(Mt6,7-13), the Chapel of Dominus Flevit(Mk 13, 3), the church of All Nations and Gethsemani(Mt 26,30-56). Continue to Mount Zion, and visit the German Dormition Abbey, where according to local tradition, the Blessed Mother slept her eternal sleep, followed by the Upper Room (Jn 13;14;15) and the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (Jn 18,15-27 / Mt 26,69-75 / Mk 14, 66-72), which is built over the house of Caiaphas the high priest. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 07           Old City of Jerusalem
After breakfast, walk towards the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), next up on the top of the Temple Mount(Mt 21, 12-17), 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 (Jn 5, 1-18) with the pool of Bethesda, and walk the Via Dolorosa path (Mt 27, 27-31/ Mk 14,66-72 /Lk 22,56-62 / Jn 18, 12-27) towards the Holy Sepulcher, which is built over the empty tomb of Jesus. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 08           LOD

Depending on flight time, drive to the airport, with a possibility to visit Abu Gosh on route.