Day 2
We start with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We visit Capernaum and the ruins of "Jesus synagogue" that dates to the first century. We continue to Mount of Beatitudes, traditional site of Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount', overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Ascending the Golan Heights to Banias also known as Caesarea Philippi, the site where Jesus revealed Peter's leadership role among the disciples. We visit the former Syrian fortifications and overlook Syria from Mt. Bental. Descent to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee to Kursi; where Jesus cast out the demons from a man and on to Yardenit, the baptism site on the Jordan River.
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz hotel on the Sea of Galilee.
Day 3
We visit Kibbutz Ginosar on the Sea of Galilee to see a boat from the time of Jesus. Continue to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle, and to Nazareth and the Church of Annunciation. We drive south through the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean and see the excavation of this ancient Roman city that was destroyed by an earthquake. We travel south past Jericho to the Dead Sea where you can enjoy a relaxing dip in its mineral-filled waters.
Dinner and overnight: Ein Boqek.
Day 4
We visit the fortress of Masada, where Jewish zealot defenders made their last stand against Rome in 73 CE. We continue along the shore of the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, where David was chased by King Saul and today is a unique nature reserve. On to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Drive to Jerusalem.
Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem.
Day 5
We start our day at Mt. of Olives for a magnificent view of Jerusalem. We descend to Kidron Valley to visit the Church of Agony, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Continue to Mount Zion and visit the room of the last supper and nearby King David's Tomb. We enter the Old City by Zion Gate for our walking tour to the Jewish Quarter through the Roman Cardo. We proceed to the Western Wall and visit the western wall tunnels. Continue to the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem.
Day 6
Today we visit the New City of Jerusalem. Pass by the Knesset Israel's Parliament House and its special Menorah and continue to the Israel Museum to view the Dead Sea scrolls, the model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple and the archaeology wing. We visit the newly renovated Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. We conclude the day with a visit to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.
Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem.
Day 7
Drive via the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath to Neot Kedumim, a biblical landscape reserve located just outside of Jerusalem. We will have a unique introduction to the natural treasures and beauty of ancient Israel. We continue to Mini Israel, a miniature park displaying hundreds of models of buildings and landscapes from around the country. Return to Jerusalem for evening departure to Ben Gurion Airport for return flight.
