Day 1: DepartureToday we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepareyourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on theflight… Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Day 2: Arrive IsraelArrive in Israel and travel northward to our hotel for one night inthe coastal area near Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free towalk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. The timeis right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the “GreatSea.” Meet your Israeli guide, enjoy a time of prayer of thanks forsafety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people ofthe "Promised Land", and a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & NazarethAfter breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coastof the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heardthe Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see theRoman Amphitheatre, hippodrome, a film on history and the re-mains of this famous port city, and aqueduct, and then journeyon to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and theprophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley toMegiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists haveunearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the area ofCana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visitthe Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical timeswith costumed guides. We will have dinner and overnight lodg-

Best of IsraelFirst Class 10 Day Package

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ing for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea ofGalilee.

Day 4: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Magdala,Sea of Galilee Boat RideFollowing breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuablenorthern sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to thedepths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site ofPeter’s Confession and pagan worship. We pass the possible siteof the multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and theMount of the Beatitudes. Returning to Tiberias for a St. Peter’sFish Lunch (other selections available), we then visit the ancientFisherman Boat followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea ofGalilee. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board bringsto life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. InCapernaum we view the excavations of the sea-side village andPeter’s home, followed by a visit to Magdala, home town of MaryMagdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Syna-

gogue and well preserved village makes Magdala one of the mostinteresting Biblical sites in Israel.

Day 5: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean, & DeadSeaWe begin our day with the opportunity to be baptized at the Jor-dan River Baptismal site. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site inIsrael, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordanvalleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupiedthroughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt.Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chiefcities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing Greek cul-ture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley south-ward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the“Land of Milk and Honey” and Israel’s intricate irrigation devel-opment. We pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance thiscity famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho alongthe Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) is the Israeli side ofBethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized byJohn the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well aswhere the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the PromisedLand. Our lodging for the evening is at the Dead Sea – the lowestplace on earth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip inthe Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 6: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham'sTentOur day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortressof Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the fa-mous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Springof the Goat", an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Be-cause of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the sitedeveloped a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palmgroves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where Goddefeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led

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Wailing Wall

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by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where theDead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This afternoon we will takepart in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where weenjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patri-archs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, camel rideand authentic food. Our lodging for the next four nights will bein Jerusalem.

Day 7: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, BethlehemConditions permitting we will visit the Temple Mount, with com-mentary on the Temple Periods, and the variety of belief systemspast and present that make this area so valuable. Next we willvisit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tun-nels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel andexhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction ofthe Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman streetwhere our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnelwe see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. Wemove on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who con-spired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating andhumiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool ofBethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. This afternoonwe visit the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side ofThe Temple was the main entrance for the common folk,whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from thehigher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to theTemple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthed alongwith the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple

Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers whowere exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the placethat Peter stood and preached and where thousands were savedand baptized on the Day of Pentecost. We spend the remainderof the day surrounding the birth of Christ with a visit to Bethle-hem.

Day 8: Jesus' Steps, Last Days, Way of Suffering, Garden TombToday we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with apanoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of theRock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden ofGethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in timeto get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a mo-ment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scrip-tures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection isimportant here. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the"Upper Room" just outside the Zion Gate where the disciplewhom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where laterThomas cried, "my Lord & my God." While walking along the ViaDolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering along with avisit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explainthe differing opinions on the route that Christ was led and theactual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study.The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull)and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection withcommunion and a time of praise.

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Cam

el Ride

Day 9: Israel Museum, Friends of Zion Museum, Houseof Caiaphas, Yad VashemAn interesting and educational time awaits us today at the IsraeliMuseum. Walk through collections of century’s old Israeli arti-facts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and then a guided walkthrough an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. Thismodel will help put into perspective all that you have seen overthe previous days touring. We then visit the Friends of Zion Mu-seum to learn of the 19th and 20th century heroes of the Jewishpeople. Next we spend time at the House of Caiaphas whereJesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may havebeen held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps hewalked as he was taken to be condemned. We conclude the daywith a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a neededreminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. Thisevening we enjoy a special lecture by a local believer prior to din-ner, giving us a perspective of Messianic life in Israel.

Day 10: Free Day or Return HomeYou may choose to take an early flight home or spend the daysightseeing on your own and take a late day return flight. Thosechoosing to depart late in the day on Day 10 will arrive home onDay 11.

PRICE PER PERSON:BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Please contact us at800.322.0788

or mail@pilgrimtours.com

Dead Sea Float

Qumran Caves

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