Your Day-By-Day Itinerary
Oct 30 Depart USA
Board your overnight TransAltantic flight.
Oct 31 Arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy this evening’s welcome drink with your traveling companions and Neil & Tracy, hosted by your Globus Tour Director.
Nov 1 Tel Aviv – Caesarea – Megiddo – Muhraqa – Haifa
Start your tour of the Holy Land with Caesarea, the perfect place to learn about the Roman and Crusader presence in the country. Visit the Roman Amphitheater and the impressive Crusader Fortress, and admire Herod’s Stadium and harbor. In the afternoon, travel to the ancient fortified city of Megiddo, regarded as one of the most important biblical sites in Israel.This is the famous battleground where armed struggles of Assyrians, Canaanites, Egyptians, Greeks, Israelites, Persians, Philistines, and Romans took place. According to the New Testament, Armageddon will serve as the gathering place for an army that will fight in the battle that causes the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:10). Next, continue along the coast through Baron Edmond de Rothschild’s vineyards and apricot groves to the slopes of the scenic Carmel mountain range. At Muhraqa, site of Prophet Elias’ contest of faith with the priests of Baal, enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of the fertile Jezreel Valley. Via the Druze Village of Daliyat el Carmel you reach Haifa, a city with a long history dating back to biblical times. (B,D)
Nov 2 Haifa - Acre - Nazareth - Cana - Kibbutz
Enjoy a visit to the golden-domed Baha’i Sherine, the world center of Baha’i faith. Next, visit Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the northern end of the lovely Bay of Haifa. Acre became the capital of the Crusader kingdom after its conquest by Richard the Lionheart. Marvel at the forbidding Ottoman fortress and tour the excavated part of the immense underground Crusader City with its secret passageways and the vaulted crypt of the Knights of St. John. On to Nazareth in Galilee, chief scene of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Here, visit the contemporary Church Of The Annunciation. Continue to St. Joseph’s Church, built over a cave known as St. Joseph’s Workshop and pass by Mary’s Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. Next, travel on to Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus changed water to wine at a wedding (John 2:1-12). Many couples renew their wedding vows at this sacred place. After a panoramic view over Lake Tiberias, see an ancient fisherman’s boat said to be from the time of Christ. Time to relax or to swim before dinner. This evening youare invited for a Lecture On Kibbutz Life. (B,D)
Nov 3 Kibbutz - Mount of Beatitudes - Tabgha - Sea of Galilee - Bet She'an - Jerusalem
Heading towards the Sea of Galilee, visit the Mount Of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. Next, visit the Church Of The Multiplication Of Loaves And Fishes at Tabgha as well as the Church Of St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus instructed Peter “to feed my lambs and tend my sheep” (John 21:15-19). At this place, warm springs used to flow into the sea, attracting fish, which is why Peter came here to earn a living. On to Capernaum, where Jesus recruited his first followers among the fishermen. Afterwards, enjoy a 45-minute cruise on the Sea of Galilee.Via the ruins of Kursi, which memorialize two of Jesus’ miracles, arrive at the Jordan River and visit a Baptismal Site.Then, visit the ancient city of Bet She’an with its fine Roman and Byzantine Relics.The city is located at the foot of Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son died by their own hands in battle with the Philistines. On the way to Jerusalem, stop for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Holy City, considered one of the oldest places in the world, with a history dating back as far as 4000 BC. (B,D)
Nov 4 Jerusalem Excursion to Ein Karem, Bethlehem and the Garden Tomb
This morning, drive to Ein Karem and visit the Church Of St. John The Baptist andthe Church Of Visitation, said to be built over the home of John the Baptist’s parents. Continue to Bethlehem and see Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Next, visit the Church Of The Nativity, which stands on the site where Jesus was born. On the way back to Jerusalem, visit the Garden Tomb, where you will enjoy the scenery of the beautiful holy Garden.Tonight, perhaps an optional Israeli folklore show with dinner? (B)
Nov 5 Jerusalem Excursion to Masada and the Dead Sea
Drive through the Judean wilderness to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth. Enjoy the scenery as you follow the road between the salty water and majestic desert mountains. Catch glimpses of the caves of Qumran, where the precious Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Ascend by cable car to the spectacular clifftop Fortress of Masada, and hear how 960 Jewish zealots preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to overwhelming Roman forces.Around lunchtime, reach one of the comfortable Dead Sea resorts. You will have plenty of time here to experience the feeling of buoyancy in the heavy water. Then, back to Jerusalem (B)
Nov 6 Jerusalem Excursion to the Old City
After a panoramic view from the Mount Of Olives over the old and modern part of the city, start your guided walking tour. Via the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, arrive at the Garden Of Gethsemane. Here, see the Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest (Matthew 26:36). Nearby is the Cave of the Assumption of Mary and the Cave of Betrayal. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, and visit the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre. Erected over the site of the crucifixion, this church is shared by six Christian communities.Walk past the Temple Mount from where you can see the Dome of the Rock, a splendid mosque on the holy mount. On to the Wailing Wall, the most holy shrine in Jewish religion.Then, stroll through the restored Jewish quarter to Mount Zion, where we visit the Upper Room, the Tomb Of King David, and the House Of Caiaphas, where Jesus was kept the night after he was arrested (Matthew 26:57). (B)
Nov 7 At leisure in Jerusalem
At Leisure in Jerusalem A full day at leisure or attend mass in one of the churches in Jerusalem. Later, maybe join your Tour Director on an optional excursion featuring the synagogue of Hadassah Hospital with its famous Chagall windows, representing the 12 sons of the Patriarch Jacob, who formed the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Continue to the Israel Museum with the Shrine of the Book and the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Bible in the world, and the model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period. Also visit the famous Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem. (B)
Nov 8 Jerusalem – Valley of Elah – Latrun – Jaffa – Tel Aviv
Take the scenic winding road through Wadi Sorek towards the ancient land of the Philistines. In the Valley of Elah, stop at the site of David’s victory over the Philistine champion, Goliath, and hear about this biblical event (Samuel 17:1-58). Later, refresh your memory with the tale of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:1-20) as you proceed through the land of the Dan tribe to the wide Valley of Ayalon. At strategic Latrun you visit the Monastery Of The Trappist Monks. Then, stop near the ruins of the basilica that is said to be the site of Emmaus, where Jesus manifested himself to two of his disciples (Luke 24:13-35). Continue along the Mediterranean shore and stop in Jaffa for a walk through the beautifully restored ancient port, where medieval pilgrims started their strenuous 2-day trek to Jerusalem. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions of an unforgettable journey through the Holy Land. (B,D)
Nov 9 Tel Aviv Return flight home
Bid farwell to the Holy Land and your new-found friends as you board your flight for your return home. Or extend your tour to Jordan as part of our optional three-night package. (B)
Extend Your Vacation in Jordan
Nov 09 Tel Aviv, Israel - Amman, Jordan - Petra, Jordan
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival head to Um Quais (Umm Qays) to see the site of the miracle of the Gadarene swine and recent excavations. Next is Bethany, the site of John the Baptist’s settlement.This afternoon, head south to Petra with a stop at Lot’s Cave along the way. Drive along the Dead Sea and arrive in the “rose-red city” of Petra. Relax at your hotel this evening or explore the ancient capital of Jordan. (B,D)
Nov 10 Petra
Full day of guided-sightseeing in Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World®. Lost to the world for centuries, it is located in the biblical land of Moab (Judges 11:17-18). Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you walk down the SIQ, the narrow gorge made famous in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Stand in awe in front of the iconic and famed treasury. In addition to seeing numerous spectacular temples and tombs created out of rose colored sandstone, sip tea in a Bedouin tent. (B,D)
Nov 11 Petra - Kerak - Wadi Mujib - Mukawir - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Amman
This morning features a visit to Kerak to visit the Crusader castle and Wadi Mujib, the “Jordanian Grand Canyon.” Continue to Mukawir (biblical Machaerus), where Salome danced and John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded (Mark 6:14-29). Then, on to Madaba to visit St. George's Church, which houses a precious 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Also explore the Madaba Archaeological Museum. One of today’s major highlights is a visit to Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land (Deut. 34:1-12). Arrive in Amman for your final overnight and enjoy an orientation tour of the capital. (B,D)
Nov 12 Homebound flight. (B)
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