Israel Tour Itinerary: Land Package with Group Flight

This itinerary outlines a comprehensive journey through Israel, featuring significant historical, biblical and cultural sites.

Each day is planned to help us enrich our biblical knowledge and study God’s word in the actual places of Scripture’s events.

May we all deepen our faith from the experience and the fellowship.

Day 1: Saturday, May 2 – Depart Austin

· Depart at 3:39 pm AA flight #1405

Day 2: Sunday, May 3 – Arrival in Tel Aviv

· Arrive in Tel Aviv at 5:00 pm

· Enjoy dinner in Tel Aviv.

· Check in – hotel.

Day 3: Monday, May 4 – Free Day in Tel Aviv

· Free day to rest, explore modern-day Tel Aviv, and get to know fellow travelers, depending on time of arrival.

· Stay overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Day 4: Tuesday, May 5 – Lowlands of Judah and Philistia

· Visit Beth-Shemesh, associated with the stories of Samson.

· Explore the Elah Valley, the site of David and Goliath’s battle.

· Overview at Azekah.

· Stop at Tel Qeiyafa, an Israelite village from the time of Saul and David.

· Walk along the Aderet brook, another David and Goliath site.

· Tour Maresha, a biblical city featuring Sidonian tombs and Bar Kochva revolt caves (lunch included).

· Visit Lachish, the second largest city of ancient Judah, known for the Assyrian siege during Isaiah’s era.

· Travel to Ashkelon for the night.

· Stay overnight in Ashkelon – hotel.

Day 5: Wednesday, May 6 – World of Abraham: Negeb and Wilderness

· Tour Tel Ashkelon, a massive port from Abraham’s time through the Philistines and Crusaders.

· Visit Beer Sheva, including Abraham’s well and the regional administrative center of Judah’s kings.

· Explore the Wilderness of Zin and Ein Avdat, a spring visited during Israel’s wanderings with Moses (lunch included).

· See Arad, a 4000-year-old city and Israelite fortress defending Judah against the Edomites.

· Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea.

· Stay overnight at the Dead Sea – hotel.

Day 6: Thursday, May 7 – Wilderness of Judah and Jordan Valley

· Visit Masada, David’s “fortress” and “rock” from the Psalms, and the site of Herod’s glory and Jewish valor.

· Explore En Gedi, a classic spring in the wilderness and the setting for some of David’s poetry (Psalm 42).

· Tour Qumran, home of the Essenes and the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

· Stop at Jericho, known for its Neolithic beginnings and biblical stories involving Rahab, Joshua, and Jesus (lunch included).

· Experience the Jordan River baptismal site.

· Stay overnight in Ein Gev on the Sea of Galilee for three nights – hotel.

Day 7: Friday, May 8 – Upper Galilee and Golan

· Visit Hazor, the Canaanite “Head of all those kingdoms” and a fortress of Solomon.

· Tour the Naot Sandals Factory.

· See the Abel Beth Maacah lookout, an Israelite city at the entrance to the land and the site of Joab’s story.

· Explore Dan, a nature preserve with springs and an Israelite city significant in the reigns of Jeroboam I and II.

· Visit Banyas (Caesarea Philippi), a site of pagan worship, fertility springs, and Peter’s confession (lunch included).

· Optional: Tour Qatzrin, a Jewish village and archaeological site, if time permits.

· Visit the Golan lookout at Bental Cone, with views into Syria.

· Stay overnight in Ein Gev.

Day 8: Saturday, May 9 – Sea of Galilee Sites

· Enjoy a boat ride on Nof Ginnosaur.

· Visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the loaves and fishes miracle, featuring a Byzantine church with mosaics.

· See Mt. of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the Beatitudes and a panoramic viewpoint over Lake Galilee and the Arbel Pass.

· Tour Chorazin, a city mentioned by Jesus with a well-preserved synagogue and ancient houses.

· Visit Capernaum, the base of Jesus’s ministry and a center of commerce.

· Explore Magdala, home to an intact synagogue from Jesus’s day and a typical village, including the Women’s Chapel.

· Visit Bethsaida, an Israelite city and New Testament origin of several disciples, and a site of ongoing archaeological debate.

· Stay overnight in Ein Gev.

Day 9: Sunday, May 10 – Lower Galilee and Jezreel Valley

· Visit Arbel lookout, for overview of Galilee in both Old and New Testaments, and the ministry of Jesus.

· Stop at Nazareth Lookout at Mt. Precipice for views of the Jezreel Valley, Nazareth, and Mt. Tabor.

· Tour Megiddo, a strategic crossroads city with history from the Egyptian pharaohs to the Book of Revelation (lunch included).

· Visit Caesarea, Herod’s impressive port built on sand and the launch site for missionary journeys.

· Stay overnight in Netanya on the Mediterranean – hotel.

Day 10: Monday, May 11 – Through Samaria to Jerusalem

· If conditions allow, travel through Samaria; otherwise, proceed directly to Shiloh.

· Tour Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, including the palace of Ahab and prophetic sites (lunch included).

· Visit Shechem, a place of patriarchs, Judges’ treason, and events from Joshua 24, Abimelech’s power struggle, and Rehoboam’s reign.

· Stop at Jacob’s well, where Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman.

· Tour Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle during the days of Eli and Samuel.

· Visit Bethel lookout, highlighting Benjamin’s role as the “wedge or glue” between Judah and Israel’s northern kingdom.

· Arrive in Jerusalem with a lookout and preview of the Holy City.

· Stay overnight in Jerusalem for five nights – hotel.

Day 11: Tuesday, May 12 – Jerusalem and Surroundings

· Visit Yad V’Shem Holocaust Memorial.

· See the Chagall Windows at Hadassah.

· Tour Bethlehem.

· Visit Herodium, Herod’s fortress and tomb.

· Shop at a Christian store.

· Review Jerusalem and the wilderness at UN Hill and the promenade.

· Evening visit to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and Holy Land artifacts.

· Stay overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12: Wednesday, May 13 – Jerusalem: City of David and Old City

· Tour the City of David, including Jebusite ruins, David’s palace, the millo, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Siloam.

· Visit the Davidson Museum to see archaeological finds from the Temple Mount area, including videos and animations.

· Walk the Temple Steps and Ophel, the southern entrance to the temple in Jesus’s day, with its ritual baths.

· Visit the Wailing Wall, the exposed stones of Herod’s temple platform and Judaism’s holiest site.

· Take a guided tour of Rabbinic Tunnels and see underground discoveries along the wall.

· Stay overnight near Jerusalem.

Day 13: Thursday, May 14 – Jerusalem in the Days of Jesus

· Visit the Temple Mount, site of Solomon’s Temple and today’s Dome of the Rock.

· Tour the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne Church, notable for New Testament healing and Byzantine architecture.

· Visit Mt. Olives, with an overview of the city’s history.

· See Gethsemane, the traditional site of Jesus’s agony and betrayal.

· Explore the Jewish Quarter, experiencing the vibrant life of the restored Old City.

· Stay overnight near Jerusalem.

Day 14: Friday, May 15 – Jerusalem Old City

· Experience the Western Wall VR experience in the Jewish Quarter.

· Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the certifiable site of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.

· Tour the Wohl Museum, featuring an excavated and well-preserved villa from Jesus’s day.

· Enjoy free time for lunch. Suggested activities include visiting churches, shopping, and observing Sabbath eve at the Wailing Wall.

· Stay overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 15: Saturday, May 16 – Departure

· Experience the Western Wall VR experience in the Jewish Quarter.

· Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the certifiable site of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.

· Stay overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 16: Saturday, May 17 – Depart Tel Aviv at 12:20 am (just after Sat midnight)

· Arrive Austin on Sunday, May 17 at 10:56 am (still Sunday due to time change)