ITINERARY: The FUN stuff about the trip!

 

Day 1 – Thursday, December 26: The Journey Begins

The journey begins today as we board our flight at DFW and head to the Promised Land. Prepare yourself for a life changing experience!

 

AA1148 DFW to Boston. Departs 12:35 pm – Arrives in Boston at 5:20 pm
LY016 Bostin to Tel Aviv. Departs 8:15 pm – Arrives in Tel Aviv at 1:05 pm (December 27)
Time Zone Differences
 

Boston – where we layover both going to Israel and coming home – is 1 hour ahead of Texas time Israel is 8 hours ahead of Texas time
 

All flight times reflect the time zone of the airport/city from where we are arriving and departing

 

Day 2 – Friday, December 27: Welcome to Israel!

We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel. We will be greeted by our guide and on-the-ground team and head to our hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We will enjoy a walk on the beach and visit Jaffa (Joppa). Jaffa is famous for its association with the Biblical stories of Jonah and Peter. We will then enjoy an amazing dinner at our hotel and relax for the evening.

Overnight: Tel-Aviv, Dan Panorama Hotel

  

Day 3 – Saturday, December 28: Caesarea and Haifa

After a great breakfast we will head north on the coastal road to the stately ancient ruins of Caesarea. This is where Paul stood trial and shared the good news about Jesus in the Roman amphitheater. It is here where the Holy Spirit first fell on the Gentiles as Cornelius, the first Gentile of the Church-age, met Peter. Next, we will drive up the Mediterranean Coast to Mount Carmel, the place where the Prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Ba’al. We will end the day by enjoying a dinner in our Hotel that overlooks the city of Haifa. We will also have the privilege of hearing from Pastor Leon Mazin, Pastor of the Return to Zion Congregation in Haifa. Pastor Leon will give us insight into all God is doing in the life of the Jewish people throughout the Promised Land.

Overnight: Haifa, Dan Panorama Hotel

 

Day 4 – Sunday, December 29: Journey to the Galilee

Today we make our way to the Galilee. On our journey, we will visit Megido, overlooking the valley of Jezreel, the prophetic future site of the battle of Armageddon. We will then visit Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We will have a time of prayer and teaching at the site where Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah the prophet and then proclaimed that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. We will end the day with sunset cruise and time of worship on the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight: Tiberias, Scott’s Hotel

 

Day 5 – Monday, December 30: Explore the Galilee

Today is a most fascinating day in the Galilee. We begin by exploring Capernaum, where we will visit the home of the Apostle Peter. This is where Jesus healed Peter’s Mother-In-Law. A short bus ride will take us to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). We will then journey north to explore the beauty of Tel Dan. Tel Dan is at the base of Mt. Hermon and dates back over 5000 years. Once known as the Canaanite city of Laish. We will visit Abraham’s Gate. The very gate through which Abraham entered the city of Laish in Genesis 14. While we are in Northern Israel, we will stop by and tour Caesarea Philippi. This is the place where Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” and Peter replies “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” and Jesus replies “You are blessed, Simon son of John...Now I say to you that you are Peter {which means rock} and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:13-20). After an amazing day, we will make our way back to Tiberias for a good meal and a good night’s rest.

Overnight: Tiberias, Scott’s Hotel

 

Day 6 – Tuesday, December 31: The Jordan Valley and Jordan River Baptisms

After a hearty breakfast we will head south through the Jordan Valley. We will visit Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in Israel. Beit Shean is also where King Saul’s body was retrieved by the brave men of Jabesh Gilead. We will then journey to the baptism site of Jesus and allow any Christ-follower who wishes to be baptized. This promises to be an amazing experience! We will end the day enjoying the beauty of the Dead Sea, anyone who wishes is welcome to take a dip in the sea and experience what it is like to float on water. Our hotel, which is right across the street from the Dead Sea, will have pools and spas as well.

Overnight: Dead Sea, David Hotel

 

Day 7 – Wednesday, January 1, 2020: Making our Way to Jerusalem

This morning we will begin the day by stepping back in time to 66 CE when a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada and settled on top of Masada until 73 CE when the Roman Governor laid siege. The view of the Roman camps can still be seen from atop Masada, as well as a spectacular view of Jordan and the Dead Sea. Then on to Ein Gedi where David fled from Saul, and Qumran, where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a little shepherd boy. Then we will head to Jerusalem for the remainder of our time in Israel!

Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel

 

Day 8 – Thursday, January 2: Jerusalem, Exploring the Old City

Today we enjoy a more relaxing day as we explore the old city of Jerusalem. After breakfast at our hotel, we will walk down to the old city and enter through the Jaffa Gate. We will experience the Western Wall and have time to shop at the market. We will then enjoy lunch in the food court and then make our way to the City Of David. Those who wish to explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel can do so. It is a great experience but not a good idea for those who are claustrophobic. This evening we have free time to do more shopping and explorer as desired. We will all gather together for dinner at the hotel and then we have the privilege of hearing how God is rescuing the unborn throughout the Promised Land from Sandy Soshani, Founder and President of Bead Chaim Pregnancy Resource Center (one of GBH’s partners).

Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel

 

Day 9 – Friday, January 3: Jerusalem, Temple Institute and Bethlehem

We then will head down to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. This is a unique opportunity as many tourists have not been able to visit Bethlehem for many years. We will end the day with a meal in our Hotel and get ready for our most exciting day in Israel!

Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel

  

Today we will visit the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. The major focus of the Institute is its efforts

towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple.

 

Day 10 – Saturday, January 4: Jerusalem. The Passion Journey

Today we end our time in Israel with the best day of our entire tour. We begin our day on the Mount of Olives where Jesus looked over Jerusalem and prayed for the Jewish people. We will enter the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed submitted His life to God’s will, was arrested, and set the Passion journey into motion. We will follow the journey to the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was put on trial and where Peter denied Jesus. We will continue our journey down the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha where our Savior shed his blood for our sins. We will then make our way to the Tomb where they laid Jesus’ body. As you will witness first-hand, the tomb of Jesus is empty! We will then end our Passion journey with a time of worship and communion.

 

After our Passion journey, we will head back to the hotel to gather our luggage and begin making our way to Tel-Aviv for our late-night flight home. Though we will all be physically exhausted, we will be renewed in our spirits. Our love and awe for God will be deepened.

 

Day 11 – Sunday, January 5: Destination DFW

The journey home begins today as we board our flight at Ben Gurion Airport and head to back to our families in the US. Forever changed because of our time in Israel!

 

LY015 to Boston. Departs 12:55 am – Arrives in Boston at 5:30 am
AA2730 Boston to DFW. Departs 10:15 am – Arrives in DFW at 1:26 pm (January 5)