Itinerary – Israel Trip 

• Caesarea Maritima – Remains and excavations of city built by Herod the Great with one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean, aqueducts, stadiums, ruins

•  Megiddo – Ruins and excavations of King Solomon’s capital of the north and the future Armageddon, with 30 levels of living since 3200 B.C.E.  Explore tunnels and water system

•  Akko -  (Acre)– Remains and excavations of the Crusader-city and now an Arab town. Walk on the ramparts of the city walls and explore the subterranean world of a Crusader Fortress.

• Bahai Gardens in Haifa     -  View the outstanding hillside gardens and take in the huge panorama of Haifa Bay.

•  Overnight in Haifa (Dan Panorama)

Monday, May 2   -  Drive from Haifa to Tiberias

• Tzippori (Sepphoris) Remains of the ancient rich town with mosaic floors, residence of the Mishna scholars (200 C.E.).

• Nazareth - the various sites in Jesus' hometown – Church of the Annunciation, Joseph's house, Mary's spring.

• Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) sites:

• Capernaum - Peter's House and the ancient synagogue,

• Tabgha - Multiplication of the Loaves church

• Mount of Beatitudes. – Primacy church & Sermon on the Mount

• Overnight in Tiberias (Rimonim Galei Kennereth)

Tuesday, May 3   -  Sea of Galilee Area

• Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) - Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. 

• Tzfat (Safed) - Walk the alleys of the old Kabbalah town, visiting unique synagogues, artist quarter, meeting local residents. 

• Jordan River Rafting (whitewater OR peaceful rafting)

• Kinneret Hiking and Swimming – In local streams going into the Sea of Galilee

• Overnight in Tiberias (Rimonim Galei Kennereth)

Wednesday, May 4  -  Drive from Tiberias to Golan Heights toJerusalem

• Golan Heights - ATV/jeeps ride into volcanoes and hills by the Syrian border.

• Golan Heights Bunker -Take the view of Syria from a bunker on top of one of the volcanoes and discuss prospects of peace with Syria.

• Golan Heights wineries – Tour and tastings

• Bet Shean (Scythopolis) - The most well preserved and expansive ancient Roman city in Israel. Understand Roman everyday life through its various facilities.

• Jordan Valley - Drive to Jerusalem

• Overnight in Jerusalem (Harmony)

Thursday, May 5  -  Jerusalem Area

• Mount of Olives - View Jerusalem from the most beautiful point

• City of David - The foundation of an Israelite capital and a holy center - understand King David’s mind while viewing the, walking in the underground tunnels of the immense water system and the wet Hezekiah's Tunnel down to the newly excavated Siloam pool. 

• Western Wall Tunnels.- Descend to the foundations of the second temple

• Burnt House and the Herodian Quarter - Experience the story of the destruction of the Jewish city.

• Church of the Holy Sepulcher – Via Dolorosa – site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial – understand the circumstances of his end.

•  Temple Mount - View from a high point and learn the making of it into a Moslem holy site.

• The Old City - Experience colors, sounds and smells of the Arab and Crusader markets and walk into the Jewish Quarter. View the old city from various rooftops.

• Yad Vashem - Visit The Holocaust Museum

• Overnight in Jerusalem (Harmony)

Friday, May 6  -  Jerusalem Area

• Herodium - The incredible artificial mountain built by King Herod and where his tomb was found recently.

• Ein Kerem – The birth place of John the Baptist and an extremely pictorial neighborhood with many interesting stories.

• Sataf – a place in the mountains where they restored ancient agriculture - see the springs and crawl into a cave in which one of them flows.

• Mahane Yehuda Market Large indoor/outdoor market in its busiest time of the week.

• Overnight in Jerusalem (Harmony)

Saturday, May 7  -  Dead Sea Area

• Qumran One of the earliest communities of hermits, Jews of the 2^nd temple time, who retreated into the desert to live a pure and simple life.  Location of the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Masada - One mighty rock, a great Jewish king, a group of zealots, a Roman invasion, an amazing story and a lot of question marks.

• Ein Gedi – Oasis in the desert - Walk through a mixture of green, brown, blue and some unique animals. Take showers and dips at the waterfalls and pools.

• Dead Sea - Lose all sense of gravity while floating on the heavy water and smearing yourself in black mud.

• Overnight in Jerusalem (Harmony)

Sunday, May 8  -  Drive from Jerusalem through the Negev Desert to Eilat

•  Judean Hills - The story of Samson and the tribe of Dan told at the beautiful landscape of the where he killed the lion. 

•  Tel Maresha and Beit Guvrin - Explore the amazing underground excavations and witness the amazing mixture of ethnic groups that influenced each other 2200 years ago.

• Ramon Crater  (Makhtesh Ramon)  -  Largest volcano in Israel

• Overnight in Eilat (Dan Panorama)

Monday, May 9  -  Day trip to Petra