Humanity and Hope

We depart on our group flight from Chicago (or other major city) to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel.

After our arrival in Israel, we will travel north to the ancient Roman city of Caesarea where we will visit the ruins, including the Roman theater and impressive archaeological park. We will then proceed to nearby Mount Carmel where Elijah the Prophet won a competition with the prophets of Baal and enjoy a beautiful, rooftop panoramic view. If time allows, we will visit Tel Megiddo, site of the ancient city of Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon, before making our way to our stunningly beautiful hotel—Hotel Magdala—in the Galilee region. D

After a wonderful breakfast, we will visit Magdala´s first century synagogue before continuing to Nazareth where we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. We will experience Nazareth Village, built on ancient agricultural land, where life in Galilee in the time of Jesus is reenacted featuring houses, terraced fields, wine, and olive presses. Our day will conclude in Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle; turning water into wine at a wedding. B, D

After breakfast, we will drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the Yigal Allon museum, where we will see the ancient fishing boat from the 1st century AD (also known as the “Jesus Boat”). After sailing across the Sea of Galilee on a modern wooden boat, we continue to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and started his ministry. In Capernaum, we will see the remnants of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house and the old synagogue where Jesus preached. We will enjoy a special St. Peter fish lunch before continuing to Tabgha, where the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves took place. We will visit the Church of Primacy of St. Peter before proceeding to the Mount of Beatitudes (location of the Sermon on the Mount), and time permitting, visit Kursi National Park (Gadara), an archaeological site where according to tradition, Jesus performed the “Miracle of the Swine.” Our day ends at Yardenit, a popular baptismal location in the Jordan River. B,D

Our daily excursion begins with a visit of Korazim where we will see the ruins of a first century town condemned by Jesus. We will also visit the impressive fourth century synagogue before traveling north to the beautiful Tel Dan nature reserve that includes an archaeological site from biblical times. We continue to the nearby Banias (Caesarea Philippi). Here we will see the capital of Galilee in Jesus’ time, the remains of pagan temples, and one of the sources of the Jordan river where Jesus met the apostles. We will then venture to the Golan Heights to see the strategic borders overlooking the Valley of the Tears and learn about Israel’s unique security situation. We will stop at a local winery for a tour and wine tasting before returning to our hotel. B, D

Today, we transition to Jerusalem. After breakfast, we travel south to visit Gideon’s Spring before continuing to Beit Shean, the largest excavated Roman city in the Middle East with fabulous ruins dating to the Roman empire. As we wander among the extensive ruins, including a well-preserved grand amphitheater, our imaginations will be transported to the time of Jesus among the Romans. We continue south to Jericho where we will travel by cable car to enjoy magnificent views on our way to visit the monastery at Mount of Temptations. We continue to Jerusalem where will be welcomed at the beautiful Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem. B, D

Today, we will venture beyond the city walls of Jerusalem. We begin with a tour of the Jewish Quarter where we will walk through the picturesque streets including the Cardo, built during the Byzantine era. We will make our way to the last remaining vestige of the once monumental Second Temple—the Western Wall—where we will soak in the inspirational atmosphere steeped in rich Jewish history. We will navigate the fascinating subterranean Western Wall Tunnels, as a continuation of the open-air Western Wall that reaches segments which are hidden from view. The underground passages present exquisite archeological findings. We can touch the original and special stones that tell the story of the Jewish nation. In the afternoon, we visit the birthplace of Jesus—Bethlehem. We will have the opportunity to visit the fields where the angels announced the birth of the Christ Child to the shepherds. We will visit the Church of the Nativity which stands upon the site where Jesus was born, Mary’s Grotto and St. Jerome’s Cave before we return to central Jerusalem. B, D

After breakfast, we will visit the Mt. of Olives where we can enjoy the magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem from the same vantage point as Jesus. We will have the opportunity to learn of Jerusalem’s rich history including many important structures in the city. We will then visit the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mt. of Olives, before we continue to Mt. Zion, where you will visit King David’s Tomb, the Upper Room (site of the Last Supper), and church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu. We will enter the Old City through the Lions Gate where we can visit St. Anne’s Church and Pool of Bethesda. We will retrace the steps of Jesus through the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our walk through the colorful and authentic Arab Markets scattered around the Old City will present an opportunity to practice our negotiating skills by bargaining with the local peddlers. B, D

We depart Jerusalem after breakfast to journey south through the remarkable scenery of the Dead Sea. We pass by Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. On our way to Massada we will pass by En Gedi, where David hid from Saul. We will visit the Masada fortress, a UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, which is situated on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert, a site of a unique heroic story of Jewish Zealots who chose death over surrendering to the Romans. We will ascend by cable car to visit the excavations of King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea before we descend to make our way to one of the beaches of the Dead Sea to “float” in its heavy, mineral-rich water and cover in the Dead Sea mud to absorb its therapeutic qualities. B, D

Our excursion today begins with an emotional visit to, the holocaust memorial– Yad VaShem Museum—located on the slopes of Har HaZikaron (Mount of Remembrance). We will have the opportunity to contemplate what it means for us to live as Christians today as we encounter the story of the holocaust as experienced by Jewish victims and survivors as told through original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. We will explore  the Israel Museum that has an amazing collection of objects and artifacts including a detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book which holds the ancient Jewish manuscripts, the Dead Sea Scrolls. We return to the Old City of Jerusalem where we will visit the City of David which is the main site where archaeological finds from the First Temple period are found. We continue to a wet or dry (depending on your preference) walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel which is the ancient water system of Jerusalem believed to be from the 8th century BC. We continue to the Davidson Center, an archaeological park where you can see significant findings from the First and Second Temple periods, such as an ancient city street, the steps leading to the Temple, and the First century city walls. We end the day with an emotional visit to the Garden Tomb, walk in the beautiful garden and see the ancient empty tomb. B, D

The memories will indeed last a lifetime.  We hope your journey will continue with your new friends.  Our journey concludes with the departure of our flight home, or continues with an exciting journey to Egypt and Jordan, for those who choose that option.

Welcome to Cairo – We say goodbye to Israel and hello to Egypt.  We will be met at Cairo International Airport by an airport representative who will assist us through customs and arrival formalities.  We will then travel to our beautiful, five-star hotel with time to relax before dinner.  D

After a wonderful breakfast, we will meet our Egyptologist who will escort us on a full day of exploring the pyramids including the Great Pyramid of Cheops which is the largest of the three main pyramids and only surviving pyramid from the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World.  We will also visit the Pyramids of Chephren and Mycerinus as well as the Sphinx. Our spectacular day includes a visit to The Papyrus Institute where we will learn about paper making in the ancient world.  After shopping in the Papyrus Museum, perfume factory and jewelry shop, we will return to our hotel.  Our leisurely evening will include an option to attend the Sound and Light Show. B, L, D

Today we will visit the Egyptian Museum which is among the most spectacular in the world.  We will learn of the historic ancient world with an especially enjoyable to learn about King Tut and his masterpiece golden mask.  We will also visit the Citadel of Salah El Din and the Mohamed Ali Mosque.  We continue our fascinating day with an experience of Old Coptic Cairo with its concentration of Christian churches from a time when Egypt had a Christian majority.  Our leisurely evening will include a dinner cruise on the Nile, buffet and show.  B, L, D

The memories will indeed last a lifetime.  We hope your journey will continue with your new friends.  Our journey to Egypt ends with the departure of our flight home or continues with  the optional extension to Jordan.

We say goodbye to Egypt and hello to Jordan.  We will be met at Amman International Airport by a representative who will assist our arrival before traveling to the beautiful Bristol Hotel Amman, with time to relax before dinner.  D

We will explore the fascinating city of Amman, a city with a glamorous past and present.  We will visit the Citadel and the Roman Theater.  We will then venture by a city built by Alexander the Great, Jerash, the most well preserved city of the Roman Empire.  B, L, D

We depart Amman and travel south to visit the City of Mosaics, Madaba.  The most popular and well known of these mosaics is a map of the Jordan and the Holy Land that dates to the sixth century. We will visit Saint George Orthodox Church, highlighted by points of interest and biblical stories.  We will ascend Mt. Nebo for a breath taking view of the Holy Land and the Jordan Valley.  It is here where Moses is said to have died.  We will proceed to Karak via the Kings’ Highway; known as the Silk Road, for the trade of silk, perfume and spices.  We will visit a Crusader fortress built by the Templars between 1110 and 1143 CE.  We continue south to the city of Petra for dinner and an overnight stay.  B, D

After breakfast, we will spend a full day in one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Nabatean red rose city of Petra, a city carved out of rock over two millennia ago.  Indian Jones was filmed here.  We will access the city through its entrance (Siq) of 1.2 kilometers, and continue to the impressive monumental Treasury (El Khazneh) which was believed to hold countless treasures.  Time permitting, we will see the Theatre, Byzantine Church, and Royal Tombs with free time to visit the Petra Museum.  We will continue on to our desert camp for dinner and a stay at Wadi Rum.  B, L, D

Today we utilize 4 X 4 Jeeps to explore the magnificent Wadi Rum desert.  Approximately 200 miles south of Amman, beautiful Wadi Rum is the filming location of many well known movies, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Martian (2015), Aladdin (2019), Star Wars and other movies.  After the tour, we return to Amman, to our hotel and a farewell dinner.  B, D

The memories will indeed last a lifetime.  We hope your journey will continue with your new friends.  Our journey concludes with the departure of our flight home.