Tuesday October 25          Bethlehem/Jerusalem

Early departure to Bethlehem (a).  Two famous birthplaces today – the shepherd boy David and the Messiah, Jesus, were born in this little town.  Visit the Church of the Nativity (b) built over the stable where Jesus was born.  Visit the Shepherd’s Fields (c) and the Plains of Boaz. We will sing overlooking the Shepherd’s Fields, knowing our favourite Christmas carols will take on new meaning after this journey.  See Manger Square.  Lunch will be provided in Bethlehem, then return to Jerusalem.  We will visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited, and then to Yad Vashem Memorial for the Six Million Jews (d) who died in the Holocaust by the Nazis during World War II.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem.

Leaving behind us the beautiful city of Jerusalem, we take one last look at it as we drive to Bethany to see the house of Mary & Martha and the Tomb of Lazarus.  A stop at Qumran (a) where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, on to Ein Gedi where David sought refuge from Saul will be exciting.  View Jericho and the Mount of Temptation.  No one can fully understand the historical background of Israel until they visit the fortress of Masada (b), the site of one of the most dramatic episodes in Jewish history.  Here in 73 AD, after a three year seige, the last of the Jewish resistance fell to the Roman Empire.  Tour the excavations of Herod's Palace, baths and storehouses.  See the ramp built by the Romans by which they were eventually able to scale this impregnable fortress.  Experience the panoramic view from the top of the mountain.  We return to Ein Gedi for those desiring to have a "relaxing float" in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth (1,292 feet below sea level) (c).  Dinner and overnight at our hotel at the Dead Sea.

Thursday October 27          Tiberias 

This morning we leave for the north on our way to the Galilee area.  We drive to the famed fortress of Megiddo (a), site of King Solomon’s Stables and the “Armegeddon” of the New Testament.  Here we will view Mt. Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration.  We will travel east to Beit Shean (Judges 7: 4-8) to visit the magnificent ruins of a Roman city (b).  Proceeding to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, visit the beautiful Church of the Annunciation, built over the traditional house of Mary and Joseph, see Mary’s well, the ancient synagogue (Luke 4:16), and visit “Nazareth Village” – a replica of Jesus’ boyhood hometown (c).  How exciting to enter Cana of Galilee, the site of the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding  (John 2:11). We will share in a celebration for those wishing to renew their marriage vows in a brief ceremony (d).   Arrive at hotel for dinner and overnight.  

Friday October 28          Galilee

We will commence the day with Woody & Sharon leading in a devotional time as we cruise on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of the type of boats used in Jesus’ day (a).  We sail across the Sea of Galilee (b), drive to Capernaum, the second hometown of Jesus where Peter lived (Matthew 4:13), the center of Jesus’ ministry, then visit the ancient synagogue.  Continue along shore to the Mount of Beatitudes (c) , site of the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt 5-7) where we will take time for personal reflection.  Visit Tabgah where Jesus fed the multitudes (John) then go to the Church of Primacy where Peter declared his love for the Lord (John 21:1, 15-17).  Visit the beautiful Banias, a major water source for the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River, and the site of Caesarea Philippi where Peter declared Jesus Christ to be the Living God (Matthew 16:13-16)  We will conclude the touring day visiting the Jordan River where there will be an opportunity for baptism following a brief worship service at Yardinet in the area where Jesus Himself was baptized.

Saturday October 29          Galilee/Tel Aviv/Herzylia,

Leaving Tiberias we find ourselves heading north to tour the Golan Heights (a) , with it’s valleys, grazing land and snow capped mountains. Proceed to Mount Carmel to visit the Monastery of the Muhraka, where Elijah fought with the Baal priests (b). From the roof of this Monastery we have a beautiful view of the Jezreel Plain.  After the visit drive along the Mediterranean coastal route South to Caesarea Maritima (c). Visit the Roman Theater , the Herod's Palace, the Palace of the Roman Procurator (Acts 23:23 and Acts 26:23 - Paul; Acts 10:20-48 - Peter and Cornelius, the  Amphitheater and the Crusaders' City and Harbour.  Continue on to visit the ancient Joppa (Jaffa) (d); here was the house of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:9-16) and the place of the Miracle of the resurrection of Dorcas (Acts 9: 36-43).   We will finish our touring day enjoying a general view of Tel Aviv.  Proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Sunday October 30          Tel Aviv/Toronto  

The time has come to say good-bye to His Land, the Land of the Book, the Holy Land , and a land that has gripped our hearts (a).  After breakfast we will depart for Ben Gurion Airport to board our return flight for Toronto Canada (b) , arriving at 6:30 p.m. – “never to be the same again.”