ITINERARY

Day 01  LOD - Arad

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion’s airport, group will be assisted by our representative, and driven to Haifa.

Day 02  Mamshit – Ein Avdat – Avdat

After breakfast, drive to Mamshit, the Nabatean city of Memphis to visit the Byzantine ruins.  Possibility of a Camel ride in the desert. Continue further south through the Great Crater, to reach Ein Avdat, where the group will have the chance to walk through the canyon until reaching the water fall. Finally, drive to Avdat, another Nabatean city, which carries the name of Obodas the Nabatean King. Back to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 03  Beersheba – Hebron – Bethlehem

After breakfast, drive to the capital of the Negev, Beersheba. Visit the ruins at Tel Sheva, where according to tradition; this would be the area where Abraham had a pact with Abimelek. Afterwards you will head up north following the Patriarchs road towards Hebron, where lies the tombs of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, a place which became nowadays a Muslim and a Jewish site of worship. Drive to the hotel in Bethlehem, dinner and overnight.

Day 04  Bethlehem - Jericho

After breakfast, visit the village of Bet Sahour and the Franciscan chapel at the Shepherds’ Field”, where according to tradition, the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing them the birth of the Christ. Afterwards the group will visit the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the birth place of Jesus. After lunch, the group will head east and make a stop at the Dead Sea. The group will have the possibility to have a unique swimming experience. By the end of the afternoon, the group will be driven to the oldest and continually inhabited city of Jericho, stopping by the foot of the Mount of Temptations, where Jesus was tried twice by the devil. Finally the group will pass by the famous Sycamore tree of Jericho before heading to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 

Day 05  Taybeh – Nablus - Nazareth

After breakfast, the group will be driven through Samaria towards the biblical city of Ephraim, known since the 12th century as Taybeh village. Over there you will visit the “house of Parables” at the Latin Parish, and the ruins of the Byzantine church of St. Georges. Then they will head to the biblical city of Sichem, known as Nablus today, to visit Jacob’s well and Mount Girzim, the place of the Samaritan temple.  Finally the group will continue up north towards the Galilee to reach Nazareth. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Nazareth.

Day 06  Nazareth – Mount Tabor

This 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 the group will visit the Synagogue-Church, followed by St. Gabriel’s Church and Mary’s well. In the afternoon the group will head to the Mount of Tabor to visit the Franciscan Basilica on the top of the mountain, built over the place where the Transfiguration of Jesus took place. Back to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

Day 07  Cana Sea of Galilee

After breakfast, drive to the village of Cana, the place of the first miracle performed by our Jesus Christ. The group will visit the Franciscan church, then drive to the Sea of Galilee visiting the following sites: the Mount of Beatitudes with it’s fabulous view over the lake, Tabgha with its springs, where the miracles of multiplying the fish and loaves took place, and Capernaum, the “Town of Jesus”, with its Synagogue and St. Peter’s house. Return to Nazareth, dinner and overnight.

Day 08  Caesarea Maritima – Ein Karem – Israel Museum - Jerusalem

After breakfast, drive to the coastal plain and visit the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great. Afterwards the group will continue towards the village of Ein Karem, where according to tradition this is the place where Mary met her cousin Elizabeth. After a short drive, you will arrive to the Israel Museum, where one can see an exceptional model of Jerusalem representing the 2nd Temple period, as in the time of Jesus. Finally you will visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are exhibited. Drive to the hotel in Jerusalem, dinner and overnight.

Day 09  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 10  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 11  LOD

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