Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL

On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport you will be met by a Yarkon tours representative, assisted through customs and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

Day 2– TEL AVIV, JAFFA, CAESAREA, MT. CARMEL, MEGIDDO

After breakfast view the city of TEL AVIV and visit the biblical port city of JAFFA including the house of Simon the Tanner. North along the coastal road to CAESAREA built by Herod the Great. Continue to MT. CARMEL where Elijah defeated the Priests of Baal, with a breathtaking view of the north of Israel. Travel to MEGIDDO overlooking the Jezreel Valley - the Valley of Armageddon. See the remains of King Solomon’s stable and the famous water tunnel. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 3 – MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAESAREAPHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAPERNAUM, , JORDAN RIVER

After breakfast drive to the MT. OF BEATITUDES where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. On to BANIAS - CAESAREA PHILIPPI one of the main sources of the Jordan River. Drive up to the GOLAN HEIGHTS the site of fierce battles between Israel and Syria during 1967 and 1973. Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit CAPERNAUM, the center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Drive to YARDENIT Baptismal site where the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 4 –NAZARETH, JERICHO, JERUSALEM

After breakfast drive to NAZARETH, the Galilee town of Jesus’ youth. Continue on through the Jezreel Valley to the Jordan River which leads south to JERICHO a flourishing oasis in the Judean Desert and the first city conquered by Joshua in the Promised Land. From here we begin our ascent to Jerusalem, stopping at the entrance to the city for a breathtaking view of the Holy City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 5 – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

Full day Old City, walking tour. Begin with a view of Jerusalem as Jesus saw it from the crest of MOUNT OF OLIVES. Walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees. Enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate and proceed along the VIADOLOROSA also called the Way of the Cross, Jesus’ route from Pilate’s judgment hall to Golgotha. Walk through colorful bazaars. Visit the TEMPLE MOUNT and the WESTERN WALL part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount. Continue to the CARDO the main street of the ancient Jewish Quarter of the Old City which has been excavated and restored with shops and galleries that have opened along the street. Visit MOUNT ZION and the Upper Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6– QUMRAN, EIN GEDI, DEAD SEA, MASSADA

Depart Jerusalem today for the Dead Sea region. The first stop is QUMRAN, the remains of a desert settlement where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue on to Ein Gedi, the desert oasis where David hid from King Saul. Stop to visit the DEAD SEA - the lowest spot on earth for a unique floating and swimming experience. Continue to MASSADA the site of one of the most dramatic scenes in Jewish history. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 7– NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM, BETHLEHEM,

Full day sightseeing: Mt Scopus, the Knesset – Israel’s parliament, Israel Museum, YAD VASHEM, the national holocaust memorial Visit the Model of Jerusalem as in Jesus’ day. Drive to BETHLEHEM the site of the tomb of Rachel and the birthplace of Jesus. The town is dominated by the Church of the Nativity, built on the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born. Return to Jerusalem for a visit to the Garden Tomb and communion service. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Free Day

Enjoy a day on your own to explore Jerusalem, shop or relax at the hotel.

Day 9 - Departure

Transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport for the return flight.