Day 1 – Follow Jesus in the Galilee
The beginning of our tour will be devoted mostly to exploring the hometown of Jesus – Nazareth. Strolling through the local market, we visit the Church of Annunciation (Luke 1), the “Synagogue church” (Luke 4), and S. Gabriel church next to Mary’s Well. We can also drive to visit Mount Precipice. After a lunch break in one of the local Arab restaurants we continue to Cana to learn about the “first miracle of Jesus” – turning water into wine (John 2). We end the day ascending to the top of Mount Tabor – the mountain of the “Transfiguration” (Luke 9), and possibly visit the village of Nain, where Jesus raised a Widow’s son from the Dead (Luke 7).
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 2 – Miracles on the Sea of Galilee
breasfast we head first to “The town of Jesus” – Capernaum, where we learn about finds related to Jesus and his activity. We then drive by the Golan Heights and asses the location of the “Road to Damascus” where Paul was convereted to Christianity. When we reach Caesarea Philippi (Banias), we explore the site where Peter proclaimed Jesus as “Massiah, son of living God“. (Mat. 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20), and have a nice lunch. On the way back, if time permits, we could also visit Mount of Beatitudes, Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish, “Church of the Primacy of Peter”, or “Sea of Galilee Boat“ exhibit.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 3 – Greeting Jerusalem
Before heading Jerusalem we visit the new fascanating finds made in the hometown of Mary Magdalene – Magdala. We then drive along the Jordan River, pass by Beit She’an, one of the Members of the “DECAPOLIS” cities, and make a stop by Jericho at the famed Baptism site (qasr el-Yahud). For lunch we could go to the visitors center of Qumran where we can learn about the fasanating archaeological discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and then head up to Jerualem, possibly stopping at the Good Samaritan Inn, and reaching Jeruaslem just before sundown, to greet it from Mount of Olives Viewpoint .
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 4 – Exploring Jerusalem and Bethlehem
We start with a drive to the check point, where a Palestinian guide will take into Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity. When Returning from Bethlehem we will park by Jaffa Gate, walk by Saint James Cathedral at the Armenian Quarter, and visit the site of the last supper (Cenacle), and possibly also the First Century Church on Mount Zion?; King David’s Tomb Mark on Mount Zion and Dormition Abbey. We proceed into the Jewish Quarter, visit to the Western wall, we join the Catholic traditional path known as the “Stations of the Cross” (Via Dolorosa), from place of the trial of Jesus, to the site of his Crucifixion and burial – Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 5 – On the Way to Emmaus
Our last day will be deovted to significant sites along the Mediterranean coast. We First head to Caeasrea, where we review the wealth of finds, and especially those relating to Paul’s prison (Acts 23-26) and the baptism of Cornelius by Peter (Acts 10). Next we head to Jaffa. Visiting the House of Simon the Tanner and\or the Saint Peter’s Catholic church we learn about Peter’s experience in Jaffa (Acts 10:9-16). East of Jaffa, we can also visit the unique Samaritan Community in Holon. If time permits we also visit Emmaus-Nicopolis, where Jesus appeared after his resurrection according to Luke (24:13-31).