JOIN JENTEZEN FRANKLIN
Best of Israel Tour!
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: USA to Tel Aviv
Your journey begins as you depart the United States on your international flight to Israel.
Day 2: ARRIVE in Israel
Arrive into Tel Aviv and stay overnight in Tiberius.
DAY 3: Your Journey in Israel
Visit Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Cana, Megiddo, and Nazareth.
DAY 4: Caesarea Philippi, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, Boat Ride, Jordan River
~~Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and where nearby Peter proclaimed to Jesus, "You are the Christ!" (Matthew 16). Return to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Capernaum. Stand in the ruins of the synagogue built atop the remains of the one in which Jesus taught. See the excavations that include where Peter's house is thought to have been located. Here, reflect on the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4). Visit the peaceful Mount of Beatitudes that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. On this hill, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5‐7). Enjoy a St. Peter's Fish Dinner at the Ein Gev kibbutz. With your Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinneret Sailing Company boat. Remember your baptism at the Yardenit Baptismal site, where the Jordan River exits the Sea of Galilee on its journey southward (Matthew 3). Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, Jericho (if available), Valley of the Shadow, Jerusalem
~~Today you will leave the Galilee area and begin your journey to Jerusalem. You can stop and visit the ruins of Beth Shean where you will tour the impressive excavations of Scythopolis, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Drive to the Jordan Valley. If available, we will visit Jericho and the ruins of the ancient city that was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4). Pass through the Judean Wilderness paralleling the ancient Roman road to view the Valley of the Shadow. Journey on to Jerusalem where you will be taken to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Model City – Shrine of the Book
Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1.) Walk the Palm Sunday Road, down the Mount of Olives. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane among the Olive Trees in the Kidron Valley across from the walls of Jerusalem. Understand better the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day with a look at the First Century Model of the City of Jerusalem. Also visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Book of Isaiah, discovered among the dead Sea Scrolls, is displayed. Return to your hotel this evening for dinner overnight.
DAY 7: Mt. Zion, Upper Room, King David’s Tomb, Caiaphas’ House, Yad Vashem, Bethlehem
Journey to Mt. Zion and stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14). View the site of King David’s Tomb. Walk through some of the ancient rooms of Caiaphas' the High Priest's house. Here Jesus was held overnight before His crucifixion (Luke 22). Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and be touched by its poignant images. Cross the border into Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (Luke 2). Enter the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously functioning church in the world. See the cave where tradition holds Jesus was born. Look out on the Shepherd's Fields, where angels spread the Good News. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea
~~Journey south through the Judean Wilderness to Qumran. This settlement, located in the northern area of the Dead Sea is famous for being near the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue along the Dead Sea to the Herodian fortress of Masada. Here, Jewish zealots held out against the Romans encamped below until the walls were breached. In an act of defiance against the anticipated slavery and slaughter, the group committed mass suicide, denying the Romans their “prize.” Following the visit to Masada, take an opportunity to touch the mineral‐laden waters of the Dead Sea, whose buoyancy and medicinal benefits are world renowned.
Day 9: Old City Tour, Pool of Bethesda, Garden Tomb, Gordon's Calvary, Transfer to Airport for Late Night flight to USA
~~Part of this morning will be a walking tour through the Old City to the Cardo. This ancient marketplace has ruins that date back to the Judean monarchy among modern shops. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle. Take time to reflect at the Garden Tomb, celebrating the exhilaration of the resurrection of our Lord, followed by our remembrance of the agony of the cross at Gordon’s Calvary. This evening you will be transferred to the airport for your late night flight back to the USA.
Day 10: Arrive USA
~~Arrive home with memories that will last a lifetime.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Entrance and Program Fees
- Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
- Gratuities
- Guided Tours
- Study Guide
- Visas (U.S. Citizens)
- International Airfare from *NY
- Overseas Airport Transfers
- Overseas Transfers