U.S.A. • Transatlantic Flight • Israel

We will take a morning flight from our various U.S.A. homes and change planes at the JFK International Airport in New York. We will arrive in Israel the following afternoon at the Ben Gurion Airport—which is near New Testament Lydda, where Peter healed Aeneas. We will visit Jaffa, where Peter received the important revelation about taking the gospel to the Gentiles. We will check in to the Metropolitan Hotel in Tel Aviv, where we will have our group meeting before retiring for the night.

Tel Aviv • Caesarea • Muhraka • Megiddo • Nazareth

We will drive through Tel Aviv, the largest Jewish metropolitan area in the world, and then north along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to the Roman New Testament seaside capital, Caesarea. Here in the ancient Roman Theater, we will study the biblical events that happened in this place as well as see some other areas. We will drive to the top of Mount Carmel to visit Muhraka, the traditional site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, to enjoy a view of the Jezreel Valley and talk about the importance of this valley both anciently and now.  Our next stop will be at tel Megiddo, where important Old Testament history is recalled. At the lovely city of Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, we will visit the Nazareth Village (developed to show life as it existed at the time of Jesus) and briefly reflect on His early life. We will then drive past ancient Cana toward the Sea of Galilee and check in to the Nof Ginosar Guesthouse for three nights. 

Sea of Galilee • Capernaum • Mount of Beatitudes • Mount Tabor

Our day will begin with an exhilarating boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Then we will visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, where He performed many miracles and gave many teachings, including His “Bread of Life” sermon. We will pass St. Peter’s Primacy on our way to the Mount of Beatitudes, where the important Sermon on the Mount will be discussed. We will then drive to Mount Tabor.  From this high point we will discuss biblical events associated with Gideon, Deborah, King Saul, and the Savior’s transfiguration and His visit to the village of Nain at the foot of Mount Moreh. We will return to Nof Ginosar for the night.

Tel Dan • Banias • Golan Heights

Today takes us to the north as we pass Hazor on our way to Tel Dan, the ancient northern limits of Israel (“from Dan to Beersheba”), to enjoy a beautiful nature walk and to see this historic tel. We’ll continue on to Banias at the foot of Mount Hermon, which is ancient Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s testimony of the Savior. This is where one of the sources of the Jordan River emerges from the foothills of Mount Hermon. We will discuss Paul’s revelation on the road to Damascus as we drive up on to the Golan Heights—home of many Druze people as well as the scene of fierce fighting between Israel and Syria in 1967 and again in 1973—to enjoy a view of Mount Hermon at Har Bental. We will return to Kinar to enjoy dinner and an evening on the lakeshore.

Galilee • Beth Shean • Jericho 

Our first stop this morning will be at the natural warm-water pools at Sakhne. Next we will see the impressive ruins of Beth Shean and experience the splendor of Roman life and Hellenistic culture.  We will then continue south down the Jordan Valley and view the meandering Jordan River and the Jordan Plateau to the east with its interesting biblical history.  We will stop at Qasr El Yehud, the possible site of Jesus’ baptism, and review some important scriptural events that took place in this area.  Finally we will visit the Old Testament site of Jericho before checking in to the Oasis Hotel for the night.

Dead Sea • Masada • Ein Gedi • Qumran • Bethany • Jerusalem

A morning drive will take us south along the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. Here we will take the cable car to the top of Masada to see the ruins of the palace-fortress built by King Herod and to recall the story of the Zealots’ last stand against the Romans.  Before leaving this desert fortress, we will visit the museum at Masada’s base. As we drive north, we will stop for a quick float in the Dead Sea and lunch at Ein Gedi, one of the areas where David hid from King Saul. Then we’ll drive on to Qumran, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and discuss their importance on the way to Jerusalem. We will next enjoy a brief stop in the historic Judean Wilderness, where we will discuss the Savior’s forty-day experience and temptations. We will make a brief stop in Bethany and talk of events related to Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. Our time in Jerusalem will begin on the Mount of Olives, where we can view and discuss the history of the Old City of Jerusalem.  We will check in to the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem for the remainder of our nights in Israel. 

Jerusalem • Old City • Holy Mount • Western Wall • Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Today we will begin a walking tour of the Old City through the Dung Gate to visit the Holy Mount and to see the outside of the Dome of the Rock, built to honor Mohammed, Islam’s founder. Later we will stop at the Western Wall, where we will observe Jews as they participate in morning prayers and bar mitzvahs at Judaism’s holiest shrine.  We will visit the Ophel to examine how it looked at the time of the Savior.  In the afternoon we will visit the Jewish Quarter to see the Broad Wall and the Cardo.  There will also be time spent in the Christian Quarter as we visit the major shrine of Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  We will then proceed to the City of David to see the Jerusalem of Nephi’s time and walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a hydrological wonder of Isaiah’s time.  We will also visit the true Pool of Siloam mentioned in John 9.

Jerusalem • Bethlehem

As the morning begins, we will drive by the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) on our way to visit the Yad Vashem Memorial, the Holocaust museum, in West Jerusalem.  We next visit the Israel Museum, including the famous Model City of Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls display). In the afternoon we will travel to nearby Bethlehem, site of the Savior’s birth, and visit the Church of the Nativity. We will then visit Shepherds’ Field, overlooking Bethlehem, and review the biblical events connected with this area in a special late afternoon program before returning to the hotel for dinner or returning to the Western Wall to watch the religious Jews welcome in the Sabbath.

Jerusalem • Footsteps of Jesus

We will go early to the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden to review some LDS history in this city. We will then go to BYU Jerusalem Center and have sacrament meeting with the Jerusalem Branch in the center’s beautiful auditorium, with its spectacular view of the Holy City.  We will continue our Sabbath with a visit to Gethsemane to begin our discussion of the Atonement. We will continue to the Upper Room, a reminder of the Last Supper and the ordinance of the sacrament. At St. Peter’s in Gallicantu, the possible site of the palace of Caiaphas, we will discuss Peter and the trials of Jesus. We will continue on to Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion, and the Garden Tomb—where we will consider the final mortal events in Jesus’ life and His atonement. We will return to the hotel for dinner, final packing, and our drive to the airport.

Airport for flights to Rome

This morning we’ll fly to Rome.  Upon arrival you will be given a panorama city tour before arriving to your hotel for a welcome dinner and to rest from travel.

Rome LDS Temple Tour

After breakfast you will transfer by private coach to the beautiful new Rome Temple., You will be able to tour the temple and lovely grounds at the Open House. Return transfer to our hotel by private coach. 

Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Tour with free Afternoon

This morning tour the Vatican, the world's smallest, yet wealthiest independent state. Your guide will start with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery.  The highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the 'Creation' and 'Last Judgment.'  Then we explore St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's 284 columns, before entering St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. See the many treasures including the golden mosaics of the apse, Bernini's bronze baldachin and the famed 'Pieta' by Michelangelo.  This afternoon you are free to enjoy the city of Rome.

Ancient Rome Tour    

Today we visit the famous sites of Ancient Rome.  As we arrive at the Coliseums, walk underneath the Constantine Arch then enter the huge arena dating from 79AD.  Next stop is the Roman Forum, where the ancient market place seems to jump to life as we stroll through the ruins.  Back on the coach, we’ll drive past Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracella on our way to the Pantheon, which was built over 2,000 years ago to honor Caesar Augustus and later converted to a Christian church.  Stop at Piazza Navona, one of Rome's most beautiful and popular squares with its three fountains. 

Airport for flights back to USA

Transfer to the airport for your flights home with Memories to last a lifetime!

(Itinerary is subject to change)