U.S.A. - Transatlantic Flight - Tel Aviv, Israel

We take a morning flight from our various U.S.A. homes and arrive the next afternoon at the Ben Gurion International Airport. 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. Tonight, we rest from our journey at a seaside hotel in Netanya.  After our welcome dinner, we will gather together to get to know our group members better. 

Caesarea - Haifa - Mount Tabor - Sea of Galilee  

And on the morrow, they entered into Caesarea Cornelius thy prayer is heard. Caesarea is the remains of a city founded by Herod, a 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.  The scenery begins to change to the beautiful green pastures and high rolling hills of the Jezreel Valley as we approach Mt Carmel where the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal contested their faith. 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.  Our next visit will be at the Yardenit Baptismal Site on the banks of the Jordan River. It is here that people from around the world, representing diverse denominations, still come to be baptized. We end our day at the beautiful Sea of Galilee where we will be staying for the next 3 nights.

Mount of Beatitudes• Tabgha • Capernaum • Sea of Galilee • Magdala

The Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount is always a highlight to visitors and a perfect place to start our day. While here we can see how it was possible for Jesus to teach the multitude all at the same time as we celebrate and learn more about his teachings. From here we will visit Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. There is a beautiful Byzantine mosaic on the floor of this miracle that you will not want to miss.  We will then venture over to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and recruited his first followers 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 masses.  This afternoon you will feast on St Peters's fish as we have a special fish lunch before our sail out on the Sea of Galilee.  Here we retell many bible stories and have an incredible view of the area of Jesus Christ's early ministry. As the wind carries your boat, note the halo of mountains that surrounds its shores.  Our last stop of the day is Magdala. Here one can find a first-century synagogue, a complete first-century city, and remains of a once prosperous fish processing industry.

Mt Tabor • Nazareth • Beit Shean  

And he lifted up his hands and blessed them while he blessed them; he was carried up into heaven. Mount Tabor is one of the mountains traditionally claimed to be the site of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. You will thrill to the almost hair-raising taxi ride up the mountain, but once at the summit, you will feel the peace and calm of the surrounding valley. We journey next to Nazareth, the quaint town where Jesus Christ spent his childhood, learned his earthly vocation as a carpenter and grew and waxed strong in spirit. We will visit a recreated town from Christ's time and visit with the villagers to learn what life was like for Jesus as a boy.  

This afternoon we will travel to the ancient tel of Bet She'an, where 6,000 years of civilization seem to unfold among the ruins. It is believed to be the very Bet She'an of the Old Testament where the former King of Israel, Saul, was fastened to the city wall without his head by the conquering Philistines.  

Dead Sea • Masada • Qumran • Jerusalem

As we leave the fertile valleys of the Galilee, we enter the strange and barren 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. We will 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. Buried in the beige limestone bluffs, the ruins of Qumran still tell the story of the essences, 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. 

From the desert floor, ascend by cable car to 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. While at the Dead Sea, you cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the buoyant waters and bathe in the wonderful medicinal mud! Even Cleopatra sent her slaves to retrieve this magical mud to preserve her legendary beauty. This evening we will journey to the beloved city of Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem • Old City • City of David

The Western Wall is the most important site in all Jewish civilization because these rough massive stones are all that is left of the great Second Temple. Revered and honored, the Jews wait and hope for the day they will rebuild their third and final temple upon these sacred remnants. Above the wall is Mount Moriah where the Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, is located. Entering the oldest quarter of Jerusalem, follow the winding alleys and crowded streets to the Pools of Bethesda and learn about their importance. We will discover the ancient city beneath the modern streets where the old paving stones are carved with Roman games at Antonia Fortress.  Our next stop will be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City.  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 disciples. Our last stop will be at the House of Caiaphas, which owns the dark and sad dungeon that once imprisoned the Savior. To experience the cold dismal cells and feel the sorrow and grieving of such a place, brings understanding and gratitude to our hearts.

Israel Museum• Davidson Center • City of David • Hezekiah's Tunnel

This morning we get our hands in the dirt as we have a special opportunity to participate in a sifting project of dirt taken from under the Dome of the Rock or the City of David.  Here we can find a bone, pottery, and possibly an ancient coin!  Next, we visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, the site chosen to house the Dead Sea Scrolls. This unique building is shaped like ancient pottery in which the precious scrolls lay hidden for thousands of years. While we are there, we will get to see 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. Following lunch, we visit the Davidson Center Archeological Park at the base of the Temple Mount to visit the Southern Steps of the 2nd temple. This is one of those special places because Jesus Himself walked these stairs many times. Our last stop will be at the City of David to explore the ancient waterway of Hezekiah’s Tunnel!  When Jerusalem was preparing defenses against the approaching Assyrian army in the 8th century B.C.E., King Hezekiah decided to protect the water source by diverting its flow deep into the city with an impressive tunnel system. This engineering feat was accomplished by digging a 1,750-foot tunnel into the mountain we can explore today. 

Bethlehem • Ein Karem Village  • Emek Hala • Free Time

From there 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. Shepherds still tend their flocks on the fields overlooking Bethlehem just as they did over 2,000 years ago when the angel appeared bringing them glad tidings of great joy. Gathered on these fields, we sing the beloved hymns and listen to the wondrous story - a moment not to be forgotten.  At the end of our tour, we enjoy a fun traditional lunch at the Tent Restaurant.  After lunch, we stop at Ein Karem Village. Christian tradition places the birth of John the Baptist in this picturesque village. Our next stop will be Emek Haela.  Emek Haela is best known as the place described in the Bible where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath. The rest of the day will be free time to go back into the Old City to revisit sites or to finish up shopping for treasures to take home.

Sacrament Service at BYU Jerusalem Center • Mount of Olives • Gethsemane • Garden Tomb

This morning we travel up Mount Scopus to attend sacrament services at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Following lunch, we visit the Mount of Olives on whose slopes the Garden of Gethsemane lies nestled. Feel the powerful spirit in the Garden as you envision the momentous events, which took place at this sacred site. After lunch we will stop at the beautiful Garden Tomb, there is a limestone hill, which many revere as Golgotha, site of the crucifixion. Just around that hill is an old cemetery with an ancient tomb that once held the Savior's mortal body and saw its glorious resurrection. There is a sign on the door of the tomb that says, do not look for Him here for He is risen. You will never forget this moment in your life as you look for Him, not in the tomb but within your own life. Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner together as we prepare to leave the land we have grown to love to travel back home. After clearing immigration and customs, you will transfer to the connecting gate for your flight back home with memories to last a lifetime. 

Tel Aviv • U.S.A.

We bid a very early morning farewell to the Holy Land as we depart for the Ben Gurion International Airport to fly home—taking with us never-to-be-forgotten memories. We arrive home in the afternoon.