Price of tour includes: Round trip airfare from JFK New York on Turkish Airlines ● Full Israeli breakfast and dinner daily ● Full sightseeing program and all entrance fees on itinerary ● All transfers and porters at hotels ● Gratuities to driver, guide and hotel staff ● Deluxe air conditioned motor coach ● 10 days o f sightseeing ● English speaking Licensed Israeli guide ● 10 nights, first class accommodations, double occupancy ● Tour price is cash/check discount rate

Not included: Charges for passport ● Bottled water or beverages ● Room service, items from room mini-fridge, or personal items ● Single Room ● Lunches ● Travel Insurance ● Use of credit cards for tour payments

Airline Taxes: Airline Taxes and Fuel Surcharge are not included in the tour price. The current rate is $430. The airline will not guarantee the tax and fuel surcharge and this fee may change. If the airline impose an increase, the difference will be collected before departure.

Itinerary

Day 1, Mon, Mar 15 — Depart JFK New York on Turkish Airlines #2 at 5:45 p.m. for our flight to Israel.

Day 2, Tues, Mar 16 — Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we meet our guide and transfer to the Blue Bay Hotel in Netanya on the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3, Wed, Mar 17 — At Caesarea Maritima we begin our day.  Among the magnificent array of archeological finds you will see a well-preserved aqueduct, hippodrome and amphitheater. We then visit Mt. Carmel, where Elijah held the triumphal contest with 450 prophets of Baal. Continue to Megiddo to see 26 superimposed cities, the remains from Solomon's day and view the Plains of Jezreel where the final Armageddon will be fought.  We continue north to visit the Bridges for Peace distribution center in Karmiel. We arrive at Hagroshrim Kibbutz Hotel diner and overnight.

Day 4, Thurs, Mar 18 — Today we travel to the northern part of Israel. At Banias, one of the headwaters of the Jordan River, visit the site of Caesarea Philippi. Then, walk through the beautiful nature reserve of Tel Dan where we will see the discovery of Jeroboam’s Altar and an ancient Canaanite Gate. An four-wheel drive adventure will take us up to the Golan Heights, major scene of the Yom Kippur War.

Day 5, Fri, Mar 19 — Sites around the Sea of Galilee are on today’s program. We will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient “Jesus” boat discovered in 1986. Next, you will explore the archeological gardens at Capernaum. Walk on the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount, and then visit Tabgah where Jesus fed 5,000. We then come to the first century city built of basalt stone, Chorazin, a city that would not respond to the miracles of Jesus. We end our day with the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River.
 
Day 6, Sat, Mar 20 — Driving down the Jordan Valley, we stop to explore the excavations at Beit Shean, the largest archeological site in the land. Drive by Mt Gilboa, site of Saul's death and visit the natural springs where Gideon brought ten thousand to be tested. Continue down the Jordon Valley, driving by Jericho and the Mount of Temptation, to the lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea. We will visit Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery and Ein Gedi to view the waterfalls where David hid from Saul. We then drive to the deluxe Le Meridien Hotel for two overnights.

Day 7, Sun, Mar 21 — We visit Masada to tour the famous archaeological site where Jewish Zealots made their last stand against Rome in 73 C.E. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy free time with options to “float” in the Dead Sea, relax, enjoy the mineral pools or spa facilities.

Day 8, Mon, Mar 22 — Today we drive to Jerusalem, and stop on Mt. Scopus for a magnificent view of the Golden City. From the Mount of Olives we walk down the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethsemane. We drive to Mt. Zion and visit Caiaphas' house where it is believe that Jesus was held before trial. Visit the Upper Room and walk by King David's Tomb. Then to the Dan Panorama hotel, where we will stay for the rest of our tour.

Day 9, Tues, Mar 23 — This morning we enter the Old City and visit the Temple Mount, circumstances permitting. We then visit the Western Wall and walk through the Western Wall Tunnel to see remarkable underground excavation of ancient Jerusalem. We visit the Davidson Center to enjoy a virtual tour and explore the southern steps of the Temple during the time of Christ. Continue through the Old City following the Via Dolorosa, and walk through the Old Arab markets and Jewish Quarters. See the ancient Roman Cardo and the remains from Hezekiah’s Wall. Visit the Temples Institute, an organization that is preparing vessels and tools for the future Temple.  End the day at the Pools of Bethesda before returning to our hotel. 

Day 10, Wed, Mar 24 — Today’s program takes us to New Jerusalem. We view the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum and the miniature model of Jerusalem during the time of Christ. Next, we walk through Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, and drive by the Knesset, Israel's Parliament. Enjoy this evening at Ben Yehuda Street.

Day 11, Thurs, Mar 25 — The City of David is located just outside the Old City Walls. Here we will see the latest excavations of original Jerusalem. Enjoy a time of worship and communion at one of the sites believed to be the burial site of Jesus, the Garden Tomb.  We say good-bye to Israel at a lovely farewell dinner and Biblical Garden tour at Yad Hashmona.

Day 12, Fri, Mar 26 — We depart Tel Aviv at 7:15 a.m. on Turkish Airline, change planes in Istanbul and arrive in New York at 2:45 p.m. with a lifetime of memories of the Land of the Bible.


Extension Tour to Turkey

March 26— Depart Tel Aviv and arrive in Istanbul for a full day of site seeing including the Archaeological Museum that houses the Siloam Inscription and Gezer Calendar from Jerusalem, We begin at one of the oldest standing church in the world, Basilica of St. Sophia, which was built 300 years before the Coliseum in Rome. Out tour continues with a cruise on the Bosporus before arriving at our hotel. Overnight Istanbul.

March 27 – a short flight to Izmir, visit Ancient Smyrna, the second city of the Seven Churches. Visit Sardis, where Christianity arrived in the 1st century. and home to a large Jewish community that built the largest ancient synagogue outside of Israel.

March 28 – Visit Pergamum where Paul encouraged faithfulness. See temples, library and medical facilities that made the ancient city one of the renowned cultural centers and a major center for the early church.

March 29 – Visit Ephesus today, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.  We will walk the marble street where Paul held daily discussions, visit the Celsius Library and see the 24,000-seat theatre. 

March 30 – depart Istanbul  and arrive in New York at 2:45 p.m.