After arrival in Tel Aviv transfer to the Sea of Galilee for dinner, opening reflections, and overnight accommodations.

Explore Jesus’ adult ministry in Galilee led by a Palestinian Christian guide. Highlights include the Mount of Beatitudes, the churches at Tabgha, the ruins of Capernaum (home of Simon Peter), a lunch of “St. Peter’s Fish,” a museum with a 2,000 year-old boat, and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Return to the Galilee for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Option 1: Begin the day with a visit to Zippori National Park just north of Nazareth. Scholars have suggested that Jesus may have worked as a stonemason in the construction of this city in the first century. 

Option 2: Begin with a visit to the Mar Elias Educational Institute, founded by Melkite Archbishop Elias Chacour as a school for all the children of Israel including Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Druze. 

After either option, the day continues in Nazareth with a traditional Palestinian lunch followed by an “off the beaten path” tour of the Arab-Israeli city of Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Visit the historic Synagogue Church and the White Mosque. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Today we head southeast, down the Jordan River Valley, stopping at the Jordan River Baptism Site before continuing on to Bethlehem. Once in Bethlehem, we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of Jesus’ birth, and Shepherds’ Field.  In the late afternoon visit the Holy Family Olive Wood Workshop where the Jerayseh family has been making olive wood handicrafts for four generations. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Today is Sunday, so we will join the congregation of the Christmas Lutheran Church for worship. Following worship, we’ll get a closer look at contemporary life in Bethlehem while visiting with a cooperative of Palestinian women raising disabled children. They will give us a tour of their neighborhood and lead us in a cooking class that concludes with a delicious lunch. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

We leave Bethlehem this morning and focus on Modern Jerusalem. Our first stop is the Israel Museum home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, an extensive Judaica collection, and many works of art. Next, we visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum to pay tribute to the 6 million Jewish people who were killed and to honor those who fought to save them. Check in to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight accommodations for the duration of your pilgrimage.

Start the day atop the Temple Mount complex for a tour with our Jewish guide before proceeding to the Western Wall and the Southern Steps, dating from the first century CE. After lunch, tour the modern Jewish Quarter of the Old City including a visit to an active synagogue.

Visit the Judean wilderness to consider Jesus’ temptation and David’s hiding place in the oasis of Ein Gedi. Visit the palace of King Herod which later became a fortress for Jewish rebels at Masada. Experience the ruins of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. End the day with a relaxing bob in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.

From the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem’s old city, walk down the Palm Sunday Road concluding at the Garden of Gethsemane. Join the Franciscan friars for their Friday afternoon pilgrimage along the Via Dolorosa before visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Those returning home will depart Jerusalem hotel for Ben Gurion Airport and our flights home. Actual times TBD.

Those continuing on will cross into Jordan at the Allenby Border Crossing. You’ll visit Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land, and Madaba, home to an ancient mosaic map of Jerusalem. Continue on to Petra for dinner and overnight accommodations.

With our guide, we explore the ancient city of Petra. This area has been inhabited for nearly 9,000 years and was settled by the Nabataean people around the 3rd century BCE. After walking through the slot canyon (called siq) you will come face to face with the impressive treasury followed by more tombs, Roman ruins, and for the intrepid walkers, the monastery. Return to your Petra hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Departing Petra you’ll visit Jerash, an ancient city containing Roman ruins, including a theater, a colonnaded forum, and two temples. We will continue on to the Amman International Airport for our return flight.

Your flight from Tel Aviv/Amman arrives today. Flight times will be posted closer to departure.