The Holyland

Day 1. New York. Depart from J. F. Kennedy Airport in the late afternoon on your trans-atlantic flight with dinner and breakfast on board.

Day 2. Tel Aviv. Afternoon arrival into Tel Aviv Gurion Airport. After formalities you will be escorted by our representative to your local hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure with dinner at your hotel.

Day 3. Tel Aviv/Tiberias. After breakfast, sightseeing begins with a tour of JAFFA, the old Canaanite  port city dating back to the 15th century BC. Jaffa continued to be the country's most important harbour until Herod the Great built Caesarea in the 1st century BC. Next we drive along the coastal road to CAESAREA. Here, Peter baptized the centurion Cornelius  and his household, the first Gentile converts, and here St. Paul was brought before King Agrippa and was imprisoned for two years after he made his famous defense. See the great Roman Amphitheater and the Hippodrome. Drive further north to HAIFA, Israel's main industrial center, stop for panoramic view of the city from Mt. Carmel, then continue to ACRE to visit the Citadel, the Crypt of St. John and Oriental Bazaars. Then we drive to NAZARETH, the boyhood home of JESUS to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Church of St. Gabriel, Joseph's workshop, and Mary's Well. Stop at CANA to visit the Wedding Church, the site of Jesus' first miracle, then proceed to TIBERIAS on the western shores of the SEA OF GALILEE and your hotel.

Day 4. Tiberias/Tabgha. This morning take a boat ride on the SEA OF GALILEE for an enjoyable cruise and arrive at CAPERNAUM. Jesus made the center of his Ministry here, and more of his miracles were performed here than in any other place, it was from here he called Peter, Andrew, James John and Matthew to follow him. Motor up to the MT. OF BEATITUDES and continue to TABGHA to visit the Church of Multiplication which stands on the site where tradition says Jesus fed five thousand people.

Day 5. Tiberias/Jerusalem. After breakfast, leave TIBERIAS via MAGDALA, home of Mary Magdalene. View Mount TABOR before arriving at the fortress city of MEGIDDO, where more than 20 layers of civilization have been excavated. This was one of Solomon's chariot cities, famous as a place where many battles have been fought. Visit modern SEBASTIEH, site of the ancient city of SAMARIA, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. Continue towards JACOB'S WELL near SACHEM, which became the major religious center of the Samaritans who built their temple on MT. GERIZIM. Drive through modern NABLUS, dominated by the twin mountains Gerizim and Ebal. Finally arrive to the holy city of JERUSALEM.

Day 6. Jerusalem/Bethlehem. After breakfast drive south to BETHLEHEM, stopping first to visit Rachel's Tomb, the Shepherd's Field and visit the Shepherd's Cave. Stop at the Chapel of the Angels and the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem and enjoy free time to explore the old city.

Day 7. Jerusalem. A morning walking tour of the Old City, passing through St Stephen's gate to the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Approach the temple area on Mt. Moriah to visit the Dome of the Rock, the El Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall of the Temple. Walk through the colorful bazaars to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In the afternoon, drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of the city and surrounding area. Pass the Garden Tomb discovered in 1885 by General Gordon, and the Hill of Golgotha. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Church of All Nations, the Garden of Gethsemane, Tomb of Absolom, Golden Gate, the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu, Gihon Spring, Hezekiah's Tunnel leading down to the Pool of Siloam, Mt. Zion, the Room of the Last Supper and King David's Tomb.

Day 8. Jerusalem/Qumran/Massada. Drive today to the nearby village of BETHANY , the town of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. We will visit the church and the convent built on the site of their home and the Tomb of Lazarus. Then drive past the Mt. of Temptation which dominates the landscape. We descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Stop at the excavations of QUMRAN, where the famous Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, then continue to the oasis of EIN GEDI and an opportunity to walk down to the sea. Continue to MASSADA where over 900 Jewish Zealots died in a tragic murder-suicide pact fighting the Romans.

Day 9. Jerusalem. Today visit NEW JERUSALEM and tour the unusual museum that was built to house the Dead Sea Scrolls. Here also at the shrine of the Book we will see the priceless 24 foot long scroll of the book of Isaiah. Drive around the New City of Jerusalem to tour the KNESSET (the Israeli Parliament), and see the Chagall Tapestrisco.

Day 10. Jerusalem. All day at leisure to explore the Holy City on your own.

Day 11. Jerusalem/New York. Transfer to the airport for your return to the United States, arriving into New York in the early evening.