Price of tour includes: Round trip airfare from Dallas or Los Angeles on Delta Airlines ● Full Israeli breakfast and dinner daily ● Full sightseeing program and entrance fees on itinerary ● All transfers and porterage at airport and hotels ● Tips to driver, guide and hotel staff ● Deluxe air conditioned motor coach ● Licensed Israeli English speaking guide ● 7 days of sightseeing ● 7 nights first class accommodations double occupancy ● shipping of documents ● Tour price is a 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-tour price is cash/check discount(4% convenience fee not retained by Madison International Travel)*

Airline taxes are not included in the tour price.  The current airline taxes are $310 and will be shown on invoice after registration.  Should the airline impose a tax or fuel surcharge increase, the difference will be collected before departure.

Itinerary

Day 1, Wed, Nov 5 — Depart from DFW or LAX on Delta Airlines with change of planes in Atlanta for the overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

Day 2, Thur, Nov 6 — We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at 5:25 p.m. where we will be met by our representative and transfer to the Metropolitan Hotel in Tel Aviv. After a delicious buffet dinner, enjoy a walk along the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3, Fri, Nov 7 — We begin our tour visiting Independence Hall, the historic hall in which Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. Most of the exhibits are original, and will transport you back to that incredible event. Next we visit Neot Kedumin Biblical Nature Reserve. This unique landscape will help you understand the Bible by re-creating the physical setting.  Travel north to Caesarea Maritima. Among the magnificent array of archaeological finds you will see well-preserved aqueducts and a beautiful example of the Roman Amphitheater.  Visit Mt. Carmel, where Elijah held the triumphal contest with 450 prophets of Baal.  Continuing to Megiddo, see the site of 26 superimposed cities, the remains from Solomon’s days, and view the Plains of Jezreel where the final Armageddon will be fought. We drive by Nazareth before arriving at Kibbutz Beach Hotel, on the shores of the Galilee, where we will stay while in Tiberias.

Day 4, Sat, Nov 8 — Start the day by sailing across the Sea of Galilee in a replica boat of 2,000 years. Visit the ancient “Jesus” boat discovered in 1986, which is consistent with boats built from 100BC to AD200. Next, travel to Capernaum to see the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught, the Apostle Peter’s home, and explore the archeological gardens. Then walk on the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. We travel to the northern part of Israel this afternoon to see Banias,      one of the headwaters of the Jordan River and site of ancient Caesarea Philippi. We then drive on the Golan Heights, site of the Six Day War. Ending the day at the beautiful Yardenit baptismal, you will have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River.

Day 5, Sun, Nov 9 — Leaving the  Galilee area we drive down the Jordan Valley to explore the latest excavations at Beit Shean, revealing the remains of a Decapolis Capital. 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 Jordan Valley, driving by Jericho and the Mount of Temptations, to the lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea. We will visit Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery before arriving at the Novotel Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea for an evening of relaxation, take advantage of the spa facilities, or “float” in the therapeutic Dead Sea water.

Day 6, Mon, Nov 10 — Our morning begins at Massada to tour the famous archaeological site, where Jewish Zealots made their last stand against Rome in AD73. We enter Jerusalem and stop at Mt. Scopus for an overview of the city.  Continue to the Mount of Olives and walk down the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethsemane. Arrive at our hotel, the Prima Royale, for dinner and overnight

Day 7, Tues, Nov 11 — This morning we enter the Old City and visit the Western Wall for a personal time of reflection and prayer.  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. Walk through the Old Arab markets and Jewish Quarters and see the ancient Roman Cardo and the remains from Nehemiah’s Wall. At Antonia’s Fortress, see original paving believed      to be where Christ stood before Pilate, and markings of a cruel game used by the soldiers. Next, view the tools to be used in the future temple at the Temple Institute.

Day 8, Wed, Nov 12 — Today we visit the new excavations of the City of David. Just outside the Old City Walls, lies the original Jerusalem. Recent excavations on this site have revealed the very walls, wells, and passageways where ancient Jerusalem unfolded. Enjoy a time of praise in the Upper Room and then to the Pools of Bethesda and the church of St. Annes for a time of singing. Enjoy free time this afternoon for shopping or leisure.

Day 9, Thurs, Nov 13 — On our final day in Israel, we will visit the areas of New Jerusalem. First, we drive by Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, and then walk through Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. We then visit the Israel Museum and see the Holy Land Model, replica of Jerusalem during the time of Christ and also see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book. We end our time in Jerusalem with worship and communion at one of the sites believed to be the burial site of Jesus, the Garden Tomb. We visit the Bridges for Peace Distribution Center and Headquarters. Enjoy a farewell dinner and lovely biblical garden tour at Yad Hashmona, as we say good-bye to Israel and prepare for our flight home.  Transfer to the airport for our late night departure on Delta Airlines.

Day 10, Fri, Nov 14 — We arrive in home with a life time of memories of the Journey to the Land of the Bible.