Day by Day Travel Itinerary

• DAY 01 Wed . Dec . 27

  DEPART THE USA

  Today we depart Raleigh for our flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, with a connection in Toronto.  After dinner is served, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the on-board entertainment to prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.

• DAY 02 Thu . Dec . 28

  ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV

  We arrive into Tel Aviv early morning and proceed through passport control where we are welcomed by our Wilcox World Travel representative. After claiming our bags, our representative will lead us to the airport exit to meet our guide, board our bus, and begin our tour of The Holy Land. We’ll take a scenic drive through Jaffa, the oldest port in the world. Jonah set sail for Tarshish from Jaffa but was swallowed by a whale. Jaffa was also the home of Tabitha, who was raised from the dead by Peter. Peter had his vision here while lodging in the home of Simon the Tanner. It is also where King Solomon imported the cedars of Lebanon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. We walk through the Old City of Jaffa through the artist quarter. After the short tour you will drive through the modern city of Tel Aviv in time for dinner and overnight at our hotel overlooking the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

• DAY 03 Fri . Dec . 29

  TIBERIAS

  This morning, we depart for the Galilee to visit Biblical sites at Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the good news to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). We also see Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Time permitting, we will stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Then we continue to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home) and the Mt. of Precipitation. We then arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

• DAY 04 Sat . Dec . 30

  AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE

  Nothing compares to watching the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee! We begin today at Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding of the 5000) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We then spend time reflecting and worshiping at the Mt. of Beatitudes and then head to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to set sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit the Ancient Boat at Ginosar. Our lunch stop includes the special St. Peter’s Fish (other menu options available as well). After lunch, we head to Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting). We conclude our sightseeing with a visit to the new Magdala archaeological site, which is rich in cultural history for both Jews and Christians. Dinner and overnight are back in the Tiberias.

• DAY 05 Sun . Dec . 31

  GOLAN HEIGHTS / BEIT SHEAN / JERUSALEM

  After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of the northern Israel’s landscape. Then we head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We embark on a short hike to Tel Dan to see the alter of Jeroboam before heading to Gideon Springs. Next, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘let us go to the house of the lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB).

• DAY 06 Mon . Jan . 01

  QUMRAN / EIN, GEDI / MASADA / DEAD SEA

  After breakfast, we drive down into the Jordan Valley and head to Jericho. We then travel to the nearby Qasr El-Yahud, the site where tradition holds that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. We then head towards the Dead Sea to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes. They were the first century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We then travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada where we ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on Earth) for a short swim or float. We retrace our steps back driving north along the western shores of the Dead Sea heading back to Jerusalem and passing by the Good Samaritan Inn on the way.

• DAY 07 Tue . Jan . 02

  JERUSALEM / BETHLEHEM

  Today we enter Jerusalem through the Dung Gate. Just inside the Gate, we take the time to examine the ruins near the south side of the Temple complex, which includes steps where we may be certain that Jesus taught, and He and his disciples walked. These are the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area.. These are also the steps where Paul sits at the feet of Gamaliel as his disciple. early years; Acts 22:3. We then proceed to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by Kind David (2 Samuel 24:18-25), which is called the Temple Mount. This area is the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the El-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa- including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the pavement (where Jesus Stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and then a short walk to the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area. We then proceed to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the famous, breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane where we’ll have some quiet time for devotion. Then we continue to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) where tradition says Jesus prayed before his arrest. We finish off our sightseeing with a visit to Bethlehem as we pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts and then we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. This evening after dinner we have a special treat, walking through underground tunnels to see the remnants of the Temple Mount of Jesus' day including hewn stones of over 400 tons!

• DAY 8 Wed . Jan . 03

  JERUSALEM

  After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Then we have a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Next, we drive to the City of David, and then we go on a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through Hezekiah’s shaft. If time permits, we will visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. We end our day in worship at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

• DAY 9 Thu . Jan . 04

  ELAH VALLEY / JAFFA / FAREWELL DINNER

  This morning we drive to Mamre, recalling God’s three-person visit with Abraham there (Genesis 18), and then to nearby Hebron. From the hill of the ancient city, we shall be able to understand why it became the capital of Judah. We take a close-up view of the fully preserved Herodian structure (same design as the Temple periphery) honoring the graves of the patriarchs and matriarchs. We then drive down to the Shephelah: the low hills between the mountain and the coast. Here we visit Maresha (aka Beth Guvrin), from which we can see the entire Judaean range to the East as well as Lachish, Gath and the Philistine cities to the West. We explore the intricate caves of Hellenistic Maresha. Then we drive Khirbet Kiyafa overlooking the Elah Valley. We then drive north for a stop in the Valley of Elah, where David encountered Goliath (I Samuel 17). After reliving this story, we head up the historic Beth Horon Road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and returning to Jerusalem for our farewell dinner and overnight.

• DAY 10 Fri . Jan . 05

  AIRPORT TRANSFER / ARRIVE U.S.A.

  After breakfast we’ll transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the USA, arriving the same day. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.