Tour Itinerary: Days 14-17


June 28: Gideon's Spring, Tel Jezreel, Mount Carmel and Caesarea

Today we leave Galilee for Jerusalem. On our way, we will stop at Gideon's Spring, the site were Gideon's faith in God was tested. After this we will visit  Tel Jezreel. Jezreel was a major Biblical city, and at the 9th Century BC it was the northern capital of the Israel Kingdom. The Bible tells about many events associated with the city: the King's palace in the city; the battle of the Gilboa when King Saul was killed; Naboth's vineyard and the plot of Jezebel to posses it; and Jehu and the death of Jezebel and her son. From here we travel to Mount Carmel, the site where the Prophet Elijah battled with the priests of Baal as recorded in 1 Kings 18.  

 

 

After lunch, we will visit Caesarea Maritima, the site of Herod the Great's famous man-made harbor. Caesarea was the only harbor in ancient Israel. In addition to sailing in and out of this harbor during his missionary journey's, the apostle Paul was also imprisoned here for several years. Caesarea was also a key location for the Crusaders in the Middle Ages.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem at the Leonardo Hotel.

 

 

June 29: Jesus and the Jerusalem Temple 

Today we will visit the Temple Mount, the original site of the Jewish Temple and current home of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. It is here that Jesus directly challenged the authority of the religious leaders by driving out the money-changers and merchants from the Temple (Mark 11). After lunch, we will visit the Herodian Quarter, where we will see the homes of the wealthy priestly families who lived in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Some say one of these homes may even be the residence of the High Priest Annas, who was involved in the trial of Jesus (John 18:12).

Dinner and overnight at the Leonardo Hotel.

 

June 30: The City of David and the Herodium

In the morning, we will explore the City of David, the part of Jerusalem that dates to the time of King David. In addition to seeing the area that was once the palace of David and subsequent kings of Judea, you will also have the opportunity to walk through Hezekiah's tunnel, a 1,500 foot long tunnel created in 701 BC to protect Jerusalem's water source from the invading Assyrians (2 Chr 32:2-4). After lunch we will visit the Herodium, the palace-fortress Herod built just outside of Jerusalem, and then travel to Bethlehem to see the place where Jesus was born. After returning to our hotel for supper, we ill return to the Western Wall just before sunset to join hundreds of Jews in welcome in the Sabbath.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem at the Leonardo Hotel.

 

July 1: The Way of the Cross

Today we will experience the fateful events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. We begin at the Mount of Olives, where Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem the Sunday of Passover Week. As we reflect on His betrayal, trial, and execution, we will make several stops on route to the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch, we will walk on the Via Dolorosa as we make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place were Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Then we will visit the Kidron Valley to reflect on the resurrection.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem at the Leonardo Hotel.