USA to Tel Aviv - Jaffa

Welcome to Israel! As you begin your journey in this ancient land, you will notice that the mountains have hidden secrets and the old ruins have legends. For 3,000 years on this small patch of land, men have toiled and battled; prayed and worshiped; and added their own small humanity to the history of this country. Listen and let the land of Israel tell you the stories of its past. Sitting on the edge of the Mediterranean, Jaffa still stands as one of the world's oldest ports. Tradition claims that Jaffa was settled by Noah's youngest son when the Flood receded; and ever since its founding, Jaffa has been a center of commerce, activity and historical events. Located in one of the small alleyways, we will visit Simon the Tanner's house that remains a monument to the revelation Peter the Apostle received to go and preach to the entire world. 

Caesarea - Mt. Carmel - Megiddo - Nazareth - Cana

Today we follow Peter to Caesarea where Cornelius lived and was taught by the chief apostle. Here we find the, remains of a city founded by Herod, the residence of Pontius Pilate and a prison for Paul. Sit in the well-preserved amphitheater overlooking the blue sea and hear the story of Paul's conversion of the Centurion and his defense before King Agrippa. the scenery begins to change as we approach Mt Carmel where the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal contested their faith. Standing on the balcony of the Carmelite Monastery of Saint Elijah we have a marvelous view of the fertile Jezreel Valley. Not far away is Megiddo, the tragic site of ancient bloody battles where nations were won and lost. Upon these same tragic fields, the great and terrible last battle of Armageddon will be fought. As we make our way towards the Sea of Galilee we will visit Nazareth and the historic recreation Nazareth Village, a living presentation of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. 

Sea of Galilee - Mount of Beatitudes - Capernaum

We will attend sacrament meeting at the Galilee Branch and learn about life as a member of the Church in Israel. This afternoon, we sail upon the Sea of Galilee and have a demonstration of how the fishermen cast their nets. The Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount is always a highlight to visitors. Here we will ponder and see in our mind's eye the Master teaching the attentive throng as we read his Sermon that he gave to the multitudes. We will end our day in Capernaum, where Jesus lived and called the first of his apostles from among the fishermen. This well-preserved city will amaze you as you sit in the synagogue and imagine Jesus teaching and performing miracles for the multitudes. 

Banias - Tel Dan - Golan - Tabgha

Besides being a place of great natural beauty, Banias is the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus said of Peter "Thou art the Rock". Here is one of the springs from which the Jordan River is formed. We will visit Tel Dan National Park, which combines a lush nature reserve with a biblical archaeological experience. As we make our way back south towards the Sea of Galilee you will see some of the rich farmland that has made Israel one of the leading agriculture leaders of the world. We will visit Tabgha, site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We will view a fourth century mosaic tile floor in the Church of the Multiplication depicting this miracle. 

Mt. Tabor - Beit Shean - Bethabara

Mount Tabor is one of the mountains traditionally claimed to be the site of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. You will thrill to the hair-raising taxi ride up the mountain, but once at the summit, you will feel the peace and calm of the surrounding valley. We then travel to the ancient tel of Bet She'an, where 6,000 years and 18 levels of civilization have been discovered. It is at Bet She'an where the conquering Philistines fastened the headless body of King Saul, to the city wall. Adjacent to the tel is the wondrous excavations and restorations of the only Roman City of the Decapolis west of the Jordan. It is the best preserved Roman and Byzantine City in the country. As we leave the fertile valleys of the Galilee, we follow the Jordan River Valley south to near Jericho where we will visit Bethabara, the site where the Savior was baptized by John the Baptist. 

Qumran - Dead Sea - Masada - Jerusalem 

We drive to the lowest point in the Heart, the desert of the Dead Sea. Once the Biblical Lands of Moab and Edom, the Dead Sea basin has been a refuge to prophets, zealots, and outcasts throughout time. Buried in the beige limestone bluffs, the ruins of Qumran still tell the story of Essenes, a reclusive Jewish sect that buried the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Further south lays Ein Gedi, the oasis where David hid from King Saul. Still further south is the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada, where a community of 960 Jews preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to the overwhelming Roman forces. From the desert floor, we will ascend by cable car to tour this ancient wonder. While at the Dead Sea, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the buoyant waters and bathe in the healing medicinal mud at Kalia Beach. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, sent her slaves to retrieve this magical mud in order to preserve her legendary beauty. This evening we will journey to, and get our first glimpse of, the Holy City, Jerusalem. This evening, a tour of the tunnels beneath the Western Wall. Above the wall is Mount Moriah where the Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, is located. 

 Bethlehem

 Travelling south toward Bethlehem we will see on the way the Herodium, built by Herod the Great as a fortress and palace and his burial place. We will gather on the Shepherd's Field where Shepherd still tend their flocks near Bethlehem just as they did over 2,000 years ago when the angel appeared bringing them glad tidings of great joy. We will sing Christmas hymns and listen to the wondrous story where it all took place. Music, bells and churches appropriately adorn the little town of Bethlehem for it was here that the Light of the World was given life. Pilgrimages, sacred holidays, and festivities occur all year long to celebrate the birth of Christ. Tradition holds that the small humble inn with just a stable for lodging was located where the Church of the Nativity now stands. 

We will visit the Mount of Olives on whose slopes the Garden of Gethsemane lies nestled. Here the atonement was made for all mankind, which culminated on the cruel cross raised just across the valley. Our last stop will be at the House of Caiaphas, wherein the dark and sad dungeon is where it once imprisoned the Savior. To experience the cold, dismal cells and fell the sorrow and grieving of such a place, brings understanding and gratitude to our hearts. 

Jerusalem - Garden Tomb

We follow the winding alleys and crowded streets to the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a man who had an infirmity 38 years. We marvel at the Church of Saint Anne, a beautifully preserved Crusader church. We will discover the ancient city beneath the modern streets where the old paving stones are carved with Roman games at Antonia Fortress. 

We will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of the crucifixion and tomb. The empty feeling experienced there will provide contrast to the beautiful and peaceful Garden Tomb, our next stop. An ancient tomb, now empty, that could have once held the Savior's mortal body is located here. Here we will have time to contemplate ad ponder the resurrection of the Savior and our promise of everlasting life. From the Garden, we view the limestone hill, which is probably Golgotha, site of the crucifixion.

Located in the old quarter of Jerusalem is the site believed to be the Room of the Last Supper. Devoid of gilded statues or ornate chapels, the quiet simplicity and elegance of this room helps one to focus on the words of Christ and the poignant last moments with his beloved apostles. 

Mount of Olives - Gethsemane - Israel Museum - Yad Vashem - Farewell Dinner 

On our last day in Jerusalem, we will enjoy Sacrament meeting at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Then, after lunch, we will discover the treasures of the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, the site chosen to house the Dead Sea Scrolls. this unique building is shaped like the ancient pottery jar in which the scrolls lay preserved for nearly two thousand years. While we are there we will view the Holy Land Model, a unique scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. The model visually explains the layout of the ancient city as well as the design and magnitude of the Second Temple. One of the most memorable and dark pages of Jewish history unfolds as we visit Yad Vashem, the official memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Nazi-wrought Holocaust in Europe. 

Tonight we will have a farewell dinner together as we prepare to leave the land we have grown to love. After clearing immigration and customs, we will transfer to the connecting gate for our flight back to our homes. Flight departing on May 8th.