HOLY LAND CLASSIC
March 1 - 10, 2022
Tuesday, March 1 - Wednesday, March 2 - Flight from the USA to the Holy Land
Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight. You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by our representative and transferred to your hotel to enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Thursday, March 3 - The Galilee
Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus's ministry in Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7). Explore the Church of the Fish and the Loaves at Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three times to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Recall Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Friday, March 4 - Cana, Nazareth, Tel Megiddo & Caesarea
Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle, before continuing to Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today's last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Saturday, March 5 - Jericho, Qumran & Mount of Olives
As you stop in Jericho to view the ruins of the city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2, 20), in the distance you can also see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). Continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. End your day with a group picture taken from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6-12).
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(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Sunday, March 6 - Jerusalem & Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus' birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7). Gaze out over Shepherds' Field before returning to Jerusalem. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 26:57). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26).
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(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Monday, March 7 - Jerusalem & the Old City​
Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City. Explore ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod's Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in Christ's steps on the Via Dolorosa ("the Way of the Cross"). At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, take time to reflect on His sacrificial love.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Tuesday, March 8 - Leisure Day (Masada/Dead Sea Option)
Today you have free time to explore on your own, or you may choose to visit Masada and the Dead Sea (additional charge). Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod's legendary mountaintop fortress which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. End your day with a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.​
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Wednesday, March 9 - Jerusalem
Travel to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist and where Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:26-40). Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Memorial. Visit the Garden Tomb for a time of reflection and communion.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Wednesday, March 10 - Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension:
(Please check back for a full detailed itinerary on each extension)
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Cairo & the Route of the Exodus Extension Itinerary
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Wonders of Petra & the Dead Sea Extension Itinerary
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Hiking in the Holy Land Extension Itinerary
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Nile Cruise Extension Itinerary