Seven day Christian tour
Day - 1 Jerusalem
Begin the day at the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of the old city of Jerusalem, there we will get the introduction to the importance of Jerusalem to the three main monotheistic religions. Continue down to the Basilica of Agony (Gethsemane). Continue on for a Walking tour of the Old City, the "Via dolorosa, thru the Muslim & Christian quarters to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the roman Cardo, Mt. Zion to visit the Dormition Abby, Jewish Quarter, Davidson archeological park and the adjoining Southern Wall Excavation area and the Wailing wall. Time permitting we will enjoy the amazing City of David excavations that exposed in 2005 the palace of king David and much more. This is a full day walking tour with many uneven steps.
Day 2 – Jerusalem
Visit the memorials at Yad Vashem museum, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Continue to the neighborhood of Ein Karem (home of John the Baptist) to the church of visitation and John in the mountains. Drive outside of Jerusalem, to visit the Absalom Cave (to view the stalagmites and stalactites). Another option can be a 3 hour geopolitical tour of Jerusalem to get an idea of the complexity of the reunited city.
Day 3 – Dead Sea/ Masada/Ein Gedi
Early morning drive to the dead sea area to see Qumran (where the Dead sea scrolls were found). Continue to Masada – the Palace built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE. It is the site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. Visit the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and take a short walk in the Stream of David. Float in the Dead Sea.
Day 4 - Sea of Galilee
Drive North along the Jordan valley via the city of Jericho, the Baptismal site on the Jordan river & Bet She'an to the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Tabhga area (Mt of Beatitudes, Peter's primacy, fish & loaves and Capernaum).
Day 5 - Golan Heights
Begin the day with a nice nature walk in the Tel Dan nature reserve sitting on the largest attribute to the Jordan river where the Jews built the second Alter after the split 10th century B.C. Or to Caesarea Philippi. From there we will ascend to the Golan Heights to view into Syria and understand a little more about the middle-east, we will visit an Israeli stronghold, an ancient village with a nice synagogue and a modern winery.
Day 6 - Lower Galilee
Visit a Kibbutz (social community that live and work together for the benefit of the partners) Continue along the Jezreel valley to Mt. Tabor the Church of transfiguration and the biblical stories of Debora and Barak ben Avinoam…. Visit the city of Nazareth the village Jesus spent his childhood with Joseph & Mary. Optional time in Nazareth is a visit to Nazareth village that reproduces the life style common in the time of Jesus.
Day 7 Akko/Caesarea
Drive to Akko (a Crusaders fortified city and the "kingdom of Jerusalem" during the 13th century) for a Walking Tour of the Old City. Continue to visit the ancient port city of Caesarea where Cornelius- the first "non Jew" converted to Christianity by Peter. On the way you will stop momentarily to see the amazing Baha'i gardens in Haifa. Finish the day in Tel Aviv.