DAY 3-MAY 05: We depart Tel Aviv this morning and drive to Caesarea to see its ancient seaport and Roman theater. We continue to Mukhraka on Mt. Carmel where Elijah fought the prophets of Ba’al. We have a spectacular, panoramic view of the whole area. We then tour Megiddo in the Valley of Armageddon. Next, we drive to a location where one may plant a tree in Israel! These tree planting forests are all over Israel and are dedicated to replanting trees that have been destroyed in times of war. (As the tree planting carries a fee, we have left this as an option.) Afterwards, we continue to our hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4-MAY 06: Our first visit is to the museum that houses the 2,000 year-old fishing boat, “The Jesus Boat.” We then have a marvelous time on an authentic fishing boat as we cross the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. We have a special time of music and worship out on the Sea. After Capernaum, we visit the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount. Our last stop today is at the baptismal site on the Jordan River where those who wish may be baptized. (Bring your swim suits!) Tonight we have a wonderful time at the home of Jewish believers (Messianic Jews) who live in the Galilee area. They share Shabbat dinner with us and their music, then have time for dancing—with lessons, too!

DAY 5-MAY 07: This morning we drive to the Golan Heights where we see the United Nations outpost at Mt. Bental, overlooking the Israel/Syrian border. We have a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee from the Peace Garden. We next journey through the Jordan River Valley to Bet She’an for a tour of this truly amazing archaeological site. Afterwards, we drive down to the Dead Sea on the lowest road on earth and check into our hotel on the Dead Sea.  Later this afternoon, one may “swim” or float in the Dead Sea, or take advantage of one of the spas available in the area or at your hotel. (Spa fees not included).

DAY 6-MAY 08: Our first adventure today will be a tour of Masada, the Herodian fortress built by King Herod. It was here in 70 AD that Jewish zealots took their and their families’ lives rather than be enslaved by the Romans. Next is Ein Gedi, the oasis on the Dead Sea where David hid from King Saul. We next board our motor coach and ascend UP TO JERUSALEM!!!  On the way, we stop at Qumran and view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Expectantly, we continue our ascension to the magnificent city of Jerusalem! (The remainder of our nights, breakfasts and dinners are at our deluxe Jerusalem hotel.)

DAY 7-MAY 09: Today we drive to the top of the Mount of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. We walk down the Palm Sunday Path, upon which Jesus made his triumphal entry, to the Garden of Gethsemane. We then enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate and visit the Pool of Bethesda.  We enter St. Anne’s Church and experience its wonderful, deep acoustics through singing. We make our way down the Via Dolorosa to the Sisters of Zion Convent to visit the site of Pilate’s judgment area in Antonio’s Fortress. (We actually see the pavement on which He may have walked.) Next we visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre built over the site that some believe to be the hill of crucifixion and Christ’s burial tomb. After lunch, we go to Mt. Zion and visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David. We also visit the House of Caiaphas or St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Christ.

DAY 8-MAY 10: We enter the New City of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate. We visit the Jewish Quarter and walk along the Cardo Maximus and see a portion of Hezekiah’s Wall still standing. We then take a brief walk to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Next we visit the Southern Steps of the Temple and see the recent archaeological finds. This afternoon we visit the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display, then enjoy a tour of the magnificent Model City of Jerusalem. At some point we tour the Rabbi’s Tunnel that runs north and along side the Western Wall of the Temple Mount.

DAY 09-MAY 11: This morning we visit the Garden Tomb, the other location that some believe is the true area of Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We have a special communion service with time for private reflection in the Garden. We then drive to Mount Herzl and visit the military cemetery named for Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. Herzl's tomb lies at the top of the hill, as well as that of Golda Meir and Yitzak Rabin. We next tour Yad Va’Shem the memorial museum dedicated to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Yad Va’Shem also commemorates many non-Jewish people such as Oskar Schindler and Raoul Wahlenberg who became known as “The Righteous Among the Nations” by helping to save many Jewish lives by hiding them from the forces of destruction.

DAY 10-MAY 12: Free day to sightsee on your own, shop or rest.

DAY 11-MAY 13: This morning we proceed to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. We depart on our non-stop flight to the U.S. This afternoon, we arrive at Newark International Airport, go through U.S. Customs, then board our flight for Charlotte. We return to the U.S. with a new fervor in our hearts and spirits to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim) Psalm 122:6.