Depart from the USA for the Biblical Heartland. 

Begin this day at Jaffa, one of the oldest functioning harbors in the world. Travel to Caesarea-by-the-Sea, a site built as the imperial center for the Roman government. Its harbor, theater, and marbled streets signal the arrival of foreign occupation in the Heartland and, not surprisingly, the beginning point for Christianity in the Gentile world. Visit Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Enjoy places linked to specific Gospel moments: the calling of the disciples, miracle feedings, the Sermon on the Mount, and the restoration of Peter. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Conclude the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Wander the ruins of Sepphoris, a Roman-era capital remembered as “the ornament of Galilee.” Travel to the boyhood home of Jesus in Nazareth. Visit Mary’s Well, the Church of the Annunciation, and the living display known as Nazareth Village. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Experience the beauty of the far north. Leave Galilee behind and travel to the site of Tel Dan. Here, an Israelite “high place,” gate complex, and fortification walls are visible. Continue to the birthplace of the Jordan River at Panias, named after the goat-god, Pan. Consider the nearby site of Caesarea Philippi where Peter declared Jesus to be “the Christ.” Finally, climb into the heights of Mount Hermon, a snowy peak that marks the highest spot in all the Heartland. From a castle built in the crusader period, take in a view to the region where Jesus was transfigured. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Rise early to experience Masada, the fortress of Herod the Great and the last stand for the Jewish zealots of the First Revolt. Return through the desert and appreciate the humble village of Beit Sahour, home to the Christmas shepherds. Travel further uphill to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity, where Christ was born! Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Begin this walking tour of Jerusalem on the top of the Mount of Olives. Capture a view of the Old City. Walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane. Enter the Old City and contemplate the path of the Via Dolorosa. Along the way, visit the Pool of Bethesda, the Church of St. Anne, Ecce Homo and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Conclude this magnificent day with a moment of reflection at the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Enjoy free time this morning to explore the Old City or other parts of Jerusalem. This afternoon visit the church that has been proposed as the House of Caiaphas. Travel from there to the Israel Museum, a treasure-house of artifacts. After a farewell dinner, transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for an evening flight home.

Return to the USA