Day 1 New York, NY  Depart from the USA on overnight flight Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served aboard.

Day 2 Tiberias  Arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met and transferred to our hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 3 Tiberias  Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginnosar where we visit the fishermen's boat found here that dates to Jesus' time , continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and to Capernaum, the center of the Lord's early ministry. Drive along the lower Galilee mountains to Cana, site of the wedding feast , followed by a visit to the Nazareth Village where we experience a living presentation of life at the time of Jesus and visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary's Well. We continue on to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4 Jerusalem  This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Center on the Jordan River. From here we drive to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Muhkraka, the location of Elijah's altar. We continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation of Tel Megiddo and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater and aqueduct. We ascend the Judean Hills to arrive at the Holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 5 Jerusalem  Departing Jerusalem we visit the inn of the "Good Samaritan" and continue to the shores of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. We drive along the shore to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender..Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, we enjoy a short "float " on the Dead Sea. Continue to Qumran where in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in cave. Afterwards we return to Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 6 Jerusalem  We start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. Travel to the Old City, through St. Stephen's Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. View the Gabbatha pavement then proceed to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall, the Ophel archaeological park, where we see the Pinnacle and visit the new visitors' center dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome. (B, D)

Day 7 Jerusalem  Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University. Then drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and Tomb of Absalom, Zechariah and James. We continue to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper, and King David's Tomb, and past the Knesset and the Israel Museum. Next visit the recently constructed Model of Ancient Jerusalem. Time permitting, visit the recently excavated archaeological site in the Jewish quarter- the Cardo, the "Wide" wall built by King Hezekiah and the Herodian mansion. Enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport. (B, D)

Day 8 New York, NY  Depart Tel Aviv and arrive home the same day.

Return Home from Israel or Choose from One of the Optional Extensions

• 4 Nights Egypt $898
• 3 Nights Jordan $698

DAY 7 Jerusalem:  Those passengers taking the extension after a full day of sightseeing will return to there hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 Jerusalem/Mt. Sinai:   After breakfast today we head south to the city of Eilat on the Red Sea. We motor coach through the Negev Desert, whose history dates back to the tenth century forts constructed by Solomon to defend King David's rule over the Negev. Marvel at the wind carved rock formations known as King Solomon's Pillars. Our motor coach arrives at Solomon's southern port of Etzion Geber, known today as Eilat. We then we continue to the Taba border to cross over into Egypt. We are met by our Egyptian guide and bus which takes us to the foot of Mt. Sinai, where we have dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)
DAY 9 Mt. Sinai/Cairo:  An early wake up call starts our journey to climb Mr. Sinai following in the footsteps of Moses. A prayer service Can be held on the summit. As we descend the mountain, we are able to see the majestic view of the desert. We visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush and the Museum of the Skull. The monastery of St. Catherine, the oldest on earth, is where monks have been witnesses to the Christian faith since the fifth century AD. Our motor coach takes through the Sinai Desert over the Suez Canal to Cairo where we will stop at the tomb of President Anwar Sadat and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight (B,D)
DAY 10 Cairo After breakfast our sightseeing today will include the great Pyramids at Giza and the world renowned Sphinx. Here if one wishes, they have an opportunity to ride a camel. Into the desert. We then drive to the fantastic Egyptian Museum which contains it many treasurer mummies, and artifacts and treasures of King Tut.(Tutanka-Amon).Our day also includes a visit to the Citadel, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque which offers a panoramic view of Cairo and the Nile. We also have time to visit the exciting bazaars to where you can bargain for memorable treasure. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. (B,D)
DAY 11 Cairo/USA   Today we say farewell as we are transferred to the Cairo Airport for our flight home. Arrival back in USA the same day with good memories of your trip.

AMMAN AND PETRA EXTENSION

DAY 8  Jerusalem / Jerash / Amman:  Morning transfer to the Allenby Bridge to cross into Jordan and drive to the city of Jerash, known as the Pompeii of the East and the city of a thousand pillars. We will have time to walk around the ancient ruins, which includes churches, the triple arched gate, the high hippodrome, the Roman theater and Forum dating back to the 4th century. As we leave Jerash we drive to the beautiful city of Amman past the King Hussein's Sport City. We check into our hotel and have time to walk around and shop before dinner. (B,D)
DAY 9 Bethany Beyond the Jordan/Petra/Amman:  After breakfast we depart for Bethany beyond the Jordan. The area at Tell-Al-Kharrar on the River Jordan has been identified as the biblical site where John was living in a Byzantine Monastery with a large baptismal pool, and findings from the first century AD confirm that this site was inhabited during the lives of Jesus and John the Baptist. We then drive south to the long lost city of Petra . This city with its rose-colored temples and amphitheatre was carved out of multihued rocks. and is a UNESCO world heritage site which is more than 2,000 years old. Petra dominated the trade routes and was completely lost to the world for 300 years. In 1812 it was "rediscovered". The Apostle Paul studied here for 3 years and Herod came from this city. After exploring this exciting sight we return to Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 11 Madaba, Mt Nebo, Tel Aviv:  Today we bid farewell to Jordan and head for the Holy Land first stopping at Madaba where we will see some of the finest Byzantine mosaics.  We then visit Mt Nebo with a remarkable view of the Jordan Valley where we can see the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. It is here that Moses looked over the Promise Land but did not cross over. We cross the Allenby Bridge where we are met by our guide and driver and head for the airport for our flight home. We will stop for dinner along the way. (B, D)
DAY 12 New York, NY:  Today our journey ends with many blessings and memories as we head home. We arrive home the same day.