Bible Lands Experience

Today we meet at the airport to begin our fascinating journey to the Land of the Bible.

Today we arrive at Ben Gurion airport, meet our guide and driver and proceed to Jericho, the lowest city on earth. We will have a short tour that includes the ruins of the ancient city then have free time to rest before dinner.

An exciting day lies ahead as we visit the Dead Sea region, dropping over 300 metres below sea level. First we stop to see the ruins at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls - the oldest biblical documents ever found - were discovered hidden in caves inside clay jars. Then we arrive at Masada, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (WHS), and take a cable-car to the top of the mountain to see the remarkable fortress built by Herod the Great.

Afterwards we have a chance to cure our ails in the restorative mud and water at the Ein Gedi Spa, next to the Dead Sea. The sensation of floating in the salt water here is a unique experience not to be missed (bring water shoes). Then we return to our hotel.

This morning we pass through the Allenby Bridge border crossing into Jordan where we are met by our Jordanian guide and driver. Next we visit 'Bethany beyond the Jordan', believed to be the site where John the Baptist lived and where Jesus was baptized. Then we travel to Petra (WHS), such a rare find of antiquity and considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Petra was the capital of the Nabateans, a nomadic people that settled here more than two thousand years ago. They controlled the trade routes of ancient Arabia and the city became well known for its refined culture and massive architecture.

Today we visit the remarkable rose-red city of Petra in a mile-long canyon, with walls up to 200 metres high that leads us into the city. The Treasury, Petra’s most famous monument, suddenly appears before us in all its splendour.

This is the first of many visually stunning buildings we'll see carved out of the brilliant sandstone. In the afternoon we will visit 'Little Petra' - another site with amazing carved structures built by the Nabateans. 

This morning we travel to Wadi Rum, acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desert-scapes in the world, where we will enjoy a four-wheel drive excursion into the desert. This is where many scenes from the film 'Lawrence of Arabia' were shot with local Bedouin families taking part. Then we travel north to Amman, formerly known as Philadelphia and now the modern day capital of Jordan.

We start our day with a visit to Madaba to see the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, made from over two million small stones. Our next stop is Mount Nebo, from where Moses surveyed the Promised Land after forty years in the wilderness. The views of the Dead Sea (4000 feet below) and the Jordan Valley are spectacular and on a clear day the church spires of Jerusalem are visible. Then we return to Amman for a city tour that includes the amphitheatre, citadel and King Abdullah Mosque.

This morning we travel north to Jerash, the best preserved Roman city of Jesus' era to be found in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

It is one of the ten 'Cities of the Decapolis' that are often mentioned in the Bible. We'll walk through the gate of the city into the Oval Forum, then along the amazing 'Street of Columns' where you can see the tracks made by chariot wheels in days long gone by. Also seen are beautiful mosaics from early Christian churches, well preserved amphitheatres, and ruins of pagan temples. Then we stop at Gadara (Um Qais), another city that belonged to the Decapolis, which has commanding views of the north Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards we cross the border into Israel and proceed to our hotel along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Today we travel north to Upper Galilee and visit Dan, the largest of four sources of the Jordan River and the city that used to define the northern border of Israel. Next we visit Banias, previously known as Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus told Simon, 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.' Lunch at a kibbutz is included followed by a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. On board we have time for a short service as we contemplate stories from the Bible that relate to this area.

Afterwards we'll visit Capernaum, where Jesus spent several years preaching. Next is Tabgha, where He performed the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Then we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.

Our day starts with the impressive ruins at Sepphoris, formerly a city of great wealth and beauty, and believed to be the birthplace of Mary. Next is Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, to see the Church of the Annunciation and the beautiful mosaics of the 'Madonna and Child', created by artists from around the world.

Then we visit Nazareth Village, a recreation of what a Galilean farm and village would have been like 2000 years ago. Our final stop is Mount Tabor, believed to be the site of Christ’s Transfiguration.

After an exciting taxi ride to the summit, we can enjoy the commanding view across the Jezreel Valley. Then we return to our hotel for our last night in Galilee.

This morning we visit the museum that houses the 2000 year old 'Jesus Boat'. Our next stop is at Yardenit, where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee, a popular spot for baptisms.

Then we continue to Megiddo (WHS). This was once a great city and over twenty levels of occupation have been uncovered.

Then we continue to Caesarea, the former Roman capital of the region, founded by King Herod to honour Caesar Augustus. This is where Peter baptized the first Gentile convert and where Paul was held awaiting his trial in Rome. Excavated ruins include an amphitheatre, a hippodrome and an aqueduct. Finally we make our way up to the incredible city of Jerusalem - sacred to three religions.

We start the day with a stroll through Ein Karem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, to see the Church of the Visitation and St. John's Church. Next we visit Yad Vashem, an emotionally moving museum dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims. Don’t miss the Children's Memorial, an underground chamber filled with tiny pinpoints of light, each representing one of the young lives taken away in World War II concentration camps. Then we see the New City of Jerusalem including a visit to the Israel Museum featuring the Archaeological Wing, The Shrine of the Book and the fascinating model of Jerusalem in AD 66.

We start the day with a visit to the Mount of Olives, associated with several very important events in the life of Jesus, and where we enjoy an incredible view of Jerusalem. We walk down the hill, stopping at Dominus Flevit Church ('The Lord Wept') then pass through the Garden of Gethsemane to the Church of All Nations. Afterwards we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Shepherd's fields then have lunch and an informative visit to the International Center of Bethlehem, an organization dedicated to ensure Christianity survives and thrives in the region.

Before returning to Jerusalem we visit one of Christianity’s most sacred sites - the Church of the Nativity - which marks the site of Christ’s birthplace.

Our tour of the Old City (WHS) starts as we enter St. Stephen's Gate and visit St. Anne's Church, (listen to the beautiful acoustics), and see the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man.

Then we travel the 'Way of the Cross' on the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - considered to be the holiest shrine in the world by most Christians as this is believed to be where Jesus was resurrected. We'll enjoy lunch during a visit to Wujoud Museum and Cultural Center then walk through the Jewish Quarter along the Cardo - the reconstructed main street from Roman times.

We emerge at the Western Wall, where Jews come to pray. This is part of the original retaining wall of the Second Temple, built by Herod the Great in 20 BC. On the Temple Mount we see the beautiful golden domed architectural treasure - the Dome of the Rock. If time permits we will visit the Ophel Archaeological Garden, dating back to the Second Temple period, featuring ancient streets and routes the pilgrims took to visit the Temple from the main part of the city below

This morning we visit the peaceful Garden Tomb, where we have the opportunity to take part in a private Communion service. The rest of the day the driver and guide are available to take you to whatever sites interests the group. Tonight we will celebrate the success of our pilgrimage at our farewell dinner.

This morning we are taken to the airport for our flight back to Canada where family and friends are eager to hear about our experiences.