Dan To Beersheva Tour

Dan to Beersheva Tour (8 Nights) – Available Upon Request

Day 1: En Route

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, our representative will meet the group and assist us through customs. We will then transfer to our seaside hotel for an overnight stay in Tel Aviv or Netanya.

Day 2: Tel Aviv

After breakfast, we will step back in history as we tour Old Jaffa (Joppa) on the Mediterranean coast.

From Joppa, we will transfer to our seaside hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: To the Galilee

After a rich Israeli breakfast, we will leave the hotel and drive north along the famous highway, biblically known as the “Way of the Sea.” We will arrive at Caesarea, where we will explore the ruins of the Roman and Crusader city. We will see the reconstructed Roman city and theater, the walls from the time of the Crusaders, and the prison where St. Paul was held in captivity before being sent to Rome.

This was also the place where the first Gentile was converted to Christianity. As we leave the beautiful walls and moat, we will pass the remains of the Roman horse-racing stadium, the Hippodrome. We will stop at the amazing remains of the Roman aqueduct, which has been beautifully preserved beneath the dunes for 2,000 years. We will continue to Mount Carmel and visit Mukhraka, the site where the prophet Elijah debated the 450 prophets of Baal. We will also visit Acco. From here, there is a breathtaking view over the entire Jezreel Valley, better known as the Valley of Armageddon.

We invite you to enjoy your first lunch in Israel—a typical falafel meal in a Druze village. We will then continue to Tel Megiddo, the archaeological mound that inspired The Source by James Michener. Here, we can see the remains of King Solomon’s stables, an altar from the time of Abraham (4,000 years old), and the magnificent water tunnel. We will continue across the valley to view Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.

We will arrive in Nazareth, where we will visit the Church of the Annunciation and the synagogue where Jesus learned to read the Bible. On the way to Tiberias, we will pass Cana of Galilee, the village where Jesus performed His first miracle—the miracle at the wedding.

Arrival at our hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight. In the evening, we will stroll through the streets of Tiberias.

Day 4: Galilee

Wake up to a beautiful morning in the area where Jesus spent three years of His ministry.

Today, we will dedicate our time to following in the footsteps of Jesus. After breakfast, we will drive north through the Golan Heights to Caesarea Philippi and Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River. We will then return to the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum, the “Town of Jesus.” We will walk among the ruins of this biblical village and see the synagogue where Jesus preached and the house of Peter’s mother-in-law.

We will drive up to the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We will visit the beautiful mosaic floor at Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We will sail in a wooden boat across the Sea of Galilee and then enjoy the famous St. Peter’s fish for lunch at a restaurant on the lakeshore. We will conclude the day with a baptismal service at Yardenit.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Galilee to the Dead Sea

Today, after a full breakfast, we will drive south to Beit She'an, the largest archaeological site in Israel. We will explore the ancient Roman city with its amphitheater, steam baths, and reconstructed streets. We will continue south through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the world’s oldest settlement (conditions permitting). We will view the archaeological excavations and the Mount of Temptation.

We will then drive to the Qumran Caves area, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, and continue to the lowest place on Earth—the Dead Sea (1,300 feet below sea level and the saltiest body of water in the world). Our hotel is located on the shores of the Dead Sea, where we will swim—or, more accurately, float—on its remarkable waters, a paradise for non-swimmers.

Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

Day 6: Masada to Jerusalem

Today, after breakfast, we will visit Masada, the site of the Zealots’ last stand against the Romans. It was originally built as a magnificent palace by Herod the Great. We will ascend by cable car to observe the impressive construction, beautiful mosaics, synagogue, bathhouse, and Byzantine church. After descending by walking down the ramp built by the Romans, we will drive to a Bedouin camp and enjoy authentic Middle Eastern hospitality. We will then continue to Beersheva, the capital of the Negev.

This is the city where Abraham dug seven wells. We will view Tel Arad, the Canaanite city conquered by Joshua. We will continue through the Negev Desert to the Elah Valley, the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath.

We will continue our ascent to Jerusalem, 2,400 feet above sea level, passing Bet Shemesh and Emmaus along the way. At the entrance to the Holy City, we will celebrate with a traditional blessing while overlooking the walls of the City of the Lord.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7: Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will begin our pilgrimage with a spectacular panoramic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives. We will walk downhill to the Kidron Valley and enter the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, also called the Basilica of the Agony. In this area stand some of the oldest olive trees in the Holy Land, dating back to ancient times—a living witness to Jesus’ arrest.

We will continue along the Kidron Valley, viewing the Tomb of Zechariah and the Tomb of Absalom, King David’s son. We will enter the Old City through one of its ancient gates and proceed to the Western Wall, the remnant of the Temple, where we may touch its ancient stones. We will ascend the Temple Mount and view the Dome of the Rock.

We will continue through the Western Wall Tunnels to the Pools of Bethesda, the Via Dolorosa, and the Arab Market. We will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the largest church in Jerusalem. We will then proceed to the Jewish Quarter, where we will see the renovated Cardo, the ancient north-south colonnaded Roman street, and its excavations.

We will conclude the day with a short communion service at the Garden Tomb.

In the evening, we will walk and shop along the famous pedestrian street, Ben Yehuda Street.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8: Jerusalem and Bethlehem

After breakfast, we will begin the morning by visiting Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, where we will plant a tree. We will continue to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. We will also visit the scale model of Jerusalem, showing the city as it once was.

We will tour the New City of Jerusalem, including the Montefiore neighborhood, Mahane Yehuda Market, Mea Shearim—the Orthodox Jewish neighborhood—and more.

In the afternoon, we will visit Bethlehem (if open), the birthplace of Jesus. We will visit the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Jerusalem

Free day to pursue personal interests, revisit favorite sites, or enjoy shopping.

In the evening, we will celebrate with a farewell banquet dinner and the presentation of pilgrimage certificates.

Late evening transfer to the airport for our return flight to the United States.

Day 10: Return / Arrive Home