Exploring Israel with Pastor Jeff Baxter

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 July 10: Depart USA

• Overnight flight to Israel from Denver, Colorado.

Full Day Itinerary

Board your overnight flight to Israel from Denver, Colorado. Aloft, we will have dinner, time to sleep, breakfast, and the opportunity to praise the Lord for His beautiful creation from the vantage point of 35,000 feet!

Day 2 July 11: Tel Aviv, Israel

• Arrive in Tel Aviv
• Meet your Tour Director
• Check-in at your hotel

Herods Tel Aviv or similar Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv and we begin our Biblical journey. We will spend the night in Tel Aviv, where we will experience our first Israeli dinner and time permitting, a walk by the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3 July 12: Galilee

• Walk in Jaffa, the world's largest seaport
• Caesarea Maritima - Roman Capital of Judea
• Mt. Carmel – Elijah / False Gods
• Megiddo / Armageddon
• Nazareth - visit Mary’s Well

Nof Ginosar Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy a walk in the Jaffa, the Old Port, the oldest seaport in the world, and home to a vibrant multiethnic community of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. We begin with a visit to the port city of Caesarea and then travel to Mt. Carmel where Elijah had a showdown with the prophets of Baal. We will visit the ruins of Megiddo, an important Old Testament site. Continue to Nazareth Village, a remarkable representation of a 1st century farming village that depicts life in the region during the time of Jesus. Then, visit one of the newest and most exciting archaeological finds in recent years. Under the Sisters of Nazareth Convent, archaeologists have unearthed a courtyard house which might just have been the home where Jesus was raised. Continue to our resort on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  

Day 4 July 13: Around Galilee

• Mount Arbel
• Mount of Beatitudes
• Capernaum
• Visit the ruins of the Magdala Synagogue
• Church of the Primacy of St. Peter (John 21)
• Boat ride across the Sea of Galilee

Nof Ginosar Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning we will set off for a morning hike of Mount Arbel and enjoy a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee.  Continue to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the Mount of Beatitudes. Later, set sail on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, and visit the ruins of the ancient Magdala synagogue, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Today we will also view the 1st century "Jesus Boat", found by members of the Kibbutz after a drought in 1985 caused the water level in the Sea of Galilee to fall, exposing this ancient boat. Buried in a mud bank for almost two millenia, it is the only ancient boat to be recovered from the Sea of Galilee.

Day 5 July 14: North of Galilee/Jerusalem

• Bethsaida
• Korazin
• Yardenit (Jordan River Baptisms)
• Beit She’an

Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, drive along the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida, home of apostles Philip, Simon and Andrew, where Jesus fed the five thousand and healed the blind man, and Kursi, where Jesus cast out the demons from the man of Gedara. Continue to Korazin, a city condemned by Jesus. On to Yardenit, a special site on the Jordan River, for a Baptism service. Then, to Beit She’an, an ancient city which has been extensively excavated and is considered the best preserved Roman-Byzantine city in Israel, with beautiful, colonnaded streets, bath houses, and magnificent mosaics.  Continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 July 15: Dead Sea

• Visit Masada, the last stand against the Romans
• Enjoy a hike through Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to David’s Waterfall
• Dead Sea Float
• Jericho Road (panoramic view)

Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, set off east from Jerusalem, descend through the Judean Desert towards the Dead Sea. En route, stop at a lookout point for a view of Wadi Qelt and the cliff-hanging Monastery of St. George, which was founded in the 5th century and is still active and inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. Continue to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans in 73 CE. Ascend via cable car to the fortress of Masada, where Jewish defenders made their last stand against Rome in AD 73. Continue along the shore of the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, David’s waterfall and a wonderful nature center.

Later, enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the Dead Sea, the lowest point at 1,388 feet below sea level. Cover yourself in a mineral-rich mud and float in the buoyant water. Return to Jerusalem for dinner.

Travel south through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest known city in the world. It is near Jericho that Jesus was baptized by John.

Day 7 July 16: Jerusalem

• Palm Sunday Path
• Mount of Olives
• Garden of Gethsemane
• House of Caiphas
• Judgement Hall of Pilate/Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion
• Garden Tomb (Communion)

Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, enjoy full day of sightseeing in the Old City of Jerusalem, exploring your Christian heritage and its Jewish roots. Begin your day with a visit to the Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, Mount Zion, the site of the Upper Room.  Walk the Palm Sunday path to Dominus Flevit Chapel and visit the ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane. Visit the restored Jewish Quarter and the Garden Tomb.  Today you will also visit the House of Caipha and the Judgement Hall of Pilate.  

Day 8 July 17: Jerusalem

• Temple Mount
• Bethesda Pools (Church of St. Anne)
• Davidson Center & the Southern Temple Mount
• Western Wall
• Farewell dinner

Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast set out on a full day tour of Jerusalem, including visits to the Temple Mount, the Israel Museum, where you’ll view a scale model of Jerusalem during the 2nd Temple Period and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and exhibited.  Today we will also visit Bethesda Pools and the Church of St. Anne.  Continue later to the Davidson Center and the Southern Temple Mount.  Tour the Jewish Quarter including a visit the Western Wall, the most sacred spot in Jewish religious and national consciousness, by virtue of its proximity to the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Each step takes us further into Jerusalem's history.   Tonight, enjoy farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. 

Day 9 July 18: Jerusalem/Tel Aviv/USA

• Early morning transfer to Ben Gurion Airport to board your return flight home. Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today.

Breakfast

Optional Jordan Extension

Day 9 July 18: Jerusalem/Mt. Nebo, Makawir & Petra

• Visit Mount Nebo
• Explore the ancient fortress of Machaerus in the village of Mukawir

Petra Canyon Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge.  After border crossings formalities, continue to Mount Nebo, the memorial of Moses, the presumed site of the prophet's death and burial place. A small, square church was built on the spot by early Byzantine Christians and later expanded into a vast complex. Then drive to Makawir, Jordan’s undiscovered gems is Herod the Great’s ancient fortress of Machaerus, located by the village of Mukawir. There, it is said, the Beautiful Salomé danced for Herod Antipas, who presented her with the head of the Prophet Yahya or John the Baptist to honor her wishes. Then continue to Petra for dinner and overnight. 

Day 10 July 19: Petra

• Explore Petra during a guided tour

Petra Canyon Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the many sites of Petra. Petra was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Your guided tour of Petra begins with a ride on horseback, followed by a walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked by cliffs. At the end of the Siq, the breathtaking sight of the Treasury comes into view with its elaborately carved façade. Explore the various tombs and structures at this site and marvel at the artistry and creativity that must have inspired the Nabateans to construct so impressive and dramatic a city. Overnight in Petra.

Day 11 July 20: Petra, Jerash & Amman

• Explore the Citadel and the Roman Theater
• Visit Jerash, the "Pompeii of the East"

Landmark Amman Hotel & Conference Center or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, depart to Amman and tour the old city exploring the Citadel and the Roman Theater, two of the most popular archaeological sites in the city.  After, continue overland to Jerash, the Graeco-Roman city [ancient Gerasa], and close second to Petra on the list of favorite destinations in Jordan. Boasting an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years and hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash is a fine example of the grand, formal and provincial Roman towns found throughout the Middle East. One can walk beneath four imposing gates or down the "Street of Columns" north from the “Oval Plaza” while stepping over the tracks of chariot wheels still visible in the paving stones.  Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 Day 21: Amman/USA

• Enjoy the day at leisure in Amman
• Late check-out included

Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Full day free at leisure. Late evening transfer to Amman airport to check in for your return flight to the U.S. departing after midnight. Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today.

Day 13 July 22: USA

• Arrive to your home city today.

Hotels

Herods Tel Aviv

Deluxe

Located on the waterfront promenade in the heart of Tel Aviv, within walking distance from the beach, and decorated in a 1930s theme that recreates the atmosphere of Tel Aviv’s White City during that period, the Herods Tel Aviv is the perfect choice for experiencing authentic Tel Aviv.

More information

Nof Ginosar Hotel

First Class

With an outstanding location on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and at the foot of Mount Arbel, the Nof Ginosar Hotel offers the ideal base for exploring Upper Galilee, Jordan Valley and Golan Heights. Situated 10 kilometers north of Tiberias, the Nof Ginosar provides a relaxing and quiet retreat away from the noise and busyness of the city.

More information

Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem

Deluxe

The Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem is centrally located in the heart of Jerusalem. The Independence Park is directly across from the hotel and the Old City and Western Wall are only 15 minutes away. This hotel is the perfect starting point if you wish to visit other popular sites such as the Tower of David Museum, Yad Vashem Holcaust Memorial, Israel Museum and Dead Sea Scrolls, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, City of David, and Biblical Zoo.

More information

Petra Canyon Hotel

First Class

The Petra Canyon Hotel is located 1 mile from the Petra Visitor Center. The hotel welcomes you with its fresh bold interiors and clean rooms and delights you with its unbeatable value and reliable safety standards. Here friendly smiles and a lively environment go hand in hand with professional service.

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Landmark Amman Hotel & Conference Center

Deluxe

The Landmark Amman Hotel & Conference Center is located in the heart of Amman, just a short walk away from the old city Jabal Al Lweibdeh and the new downtown area of Abdali. During your stay, discover a distinct blend of warm Jordanian hospitality, inspiring local influences, and contemporary cosmopolitan elegance at one of the city’s most renowned hotels.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Israel? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Jordan? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.