Tour Route
Day 1: Bethlehem & Jericho
We’ll start our tour, leaving Jerusalem for its neighboring city Bethlehem, hometown of King David and birthplace of Jesus. Our first stop will be Manger Square, home to one of the world’s oldest churches, The Church of the Nativity. Below the Church we find the grotto and the exact location of Jesus’s birth. We continue to visit the adjacent Church of St. Catherine, and head on down to the Milk Grotto where Mary nursed Jesus as a newborn.
Before leaving Bethlehem we’ll also get a view of the Shepherd’s Fields and the church on site. We then descent to the Judea Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan and make a short stop at sea level on our way to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. Our first stop at Jericho will be Tel Essultan, where excavations revealed ancient findings, among those crumbled Canaanite walls, providing insight to the conquest of Jericho by Joshua.
We then stop at the Sycamore tree which Zacchaeus climbed on to get a better view of Jesus as he walked by. Then we'll stop for an overview of Mount Temptation. The tour ends with a visit the mound of Ancient Jericho where 25 ancient cities were uncovered.
Overnight stay:
Jerusalem
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Day 2: Jerusalem - In The Footsteps of Jesus
We’ll start our tour on Mount Olives, visiting the site of the Ascension and the Church of Patre Nostre, built by Constantine the Great, constructed on top of the site of a 4th century basilica to mark the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The church houses dozens and dozens of panels, each rendering the Lord’s Prayer in 123 different languages. After a mesmerizing overview of Old and New Jerusalem including the Temple Mount, we begin our descent, stopping by the Dominus Flevit Church where Jesus cried and mourned as he foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem.
We then continue to the Mount’s foot touring the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus’s capture by the Romans. Before ascending to the Old City and entering through the Lion's Gate, we take a look back at the Kidron Valley and the three thousand years old Jewish cemetery on Mount Olives, with the monumental burial sites located at its base.
We then enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate, making way towards the Church of St. Anne, home to the Virgin Mary and then move on to the Pools of Bethseda depicted in the Gospel of St. John. Our final stop will be the Convent of the Sisters of Zion located at the end of the Via Dolorosa. Underneath the convent we’ll see evidence reflected in ancient stone pavements, engraved with markings used by the Roman soldiers for playing games.
Overnight stay:
Tel Aviv
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Day 3: Nazareth, Tiberias & Sea of Galilee
The tour will begin its journey traveling north alongside Israel’s scenic coastal highway, providing a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Plain of Armageddon whilst making way to Nazareth.
Arriving in Nazareth we visit the Church of Annunciation, a significant remnant of the Byzantine era where it is said according to Catholic sources, The Annunciation was held. Next to the Church of Annunciation lies the Church of St. Joseph, the proclaimed site of residence of the Holy family and the carpenter’s workshop.
Leaving Nazareth we will head towards the Sea of Galilee and stop by the ruins to explore Capernaum, the city of Christ and the ancient synagogue residing within it.
We then stop at Tabgha to visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, residing on top of two previously existing churches.
We then head towards the baptismal site on the Jordan River - the Yardenit, where you could participate in an optional baptismal service.
Additional Information
The tour includes:
- Two nights' accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis. Click here for Hotel Class & Prices.
- Three touring days as per itinerary, with English speaking guide.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service.
- Transport by air-conditioned van/bus.
- Entrance fees (Unless otherwise specified).
The tour does not include:
- Lunch, dinner, drinks.
- Donation to the churches (USD 1 per church).
Notes:
- Single supplement is required according to Hotel Class & Prices.
- High season supplement is required according to Hotel Class & Prices.
- A moderate dress code is required to enter the holy places. Knees and shoulder must be covered.
- Confirmation will be received 24 hours post booking.