				Bob Hostetler > Events > Holy Land 2010

Holy Land “Journey Through the Bible” Itinerary

Day 1
Depart the USA
Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Day 2
Arrive in the Holy Land
You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest.

Day 3
Mt. Arbel, Nazareth, Mount of Precipice, Nazareth Village, Sepphoris
Travel to Mount Arbel and walk along its peak for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee and the area in which Jesus ministered, with extended views of Mt. Hermon in the north and Mt. Tabor in the south. It is a magnificent photo opportunity. Visit Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus (Matthew 2: 23) and the Mount of Precipice where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger they “led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29). Explore the Nazareth Village, a living presentation of the life, times, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Visit Sepphoris, the cosmopolitan Roman capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias. It is heralded as the traditional birthplace of Mary.

Day 4
Hazor, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights
Explore Hazor, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Israel. The 3000 year old city was the inspiration for The Source, James Michener’s epic history of the region. Here, Joshua fought against Jabin (Josh. 11: 1-11). Hazor was later fortified by Solomon. At nearby Tel Dan, see the mud brick arch constructed in pre-Israelite (Canaanites) times and where The House of David fragment-from the First Temple Period-was discovered. Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and where nearby Peter made his great confession to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16: 16). Continue on to Mount Hermon, probably the site of the Lord’s Transfiguration (Matt. 17: 1-9). Travel on through the strategic tableland known as the Golan Heights.

Day 5
Nof Ginnosar, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Kursi, Bethsaida, Chorazim
Watch the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee where fishermen work the waters with nets much as in the time of Jesus. Ride across the waters to explore Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4:13, 23). Visit the peaceful Mount of Beatitudes which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. On this hill, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Not far away is Bethsaida where Jesus chose five of his disciples (Matt. 4: 18-21; John 1: 39-51). Visit Chorazim, the town cursed by Jesus because He did mighty works there and they “repented not” (Matt. 11: 21). On the far shore of the sea is Kursi where Jesus cast out evil spirits from a demon-possessed man and cast them into a group of swine which ran violently down a steep hill and drowned in the sea (Mark 5: 1-13). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you will learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed.

Day 6
Yardenit Baptismal Site, Beit Shean, Gideon’s Spring, Mt. Gilboa, Megiddo
At the Yardenit Baptismal site, situated where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee on its way to the Dead Sea, enjoy the peace and tranquility of the natural surroundings and participate in a baptismal service in the river in which Christ was baptized by John the Baptist (Mark 1: 9-11). Travel to the ruins of Beit Shean where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on the walls there after they were killed in battle (I Sam. 31: 10,12). Beit Shean is also noted for having the best-preserved ancient Roman theatre in Israel. Also visit Gideon’s Spring (Ein Harod) where Gideon chose his army of 300 by observing how they drank from the springs (Jd. 7). The spring is in the shadow of Mt. Gilboa where Saul fought and died. His death made David lament and pray that no dew would fall on the mountain (2 Sam. 1:19-27). You will view the mountain and see that, to this day, Mt Gilboa is bare of trees. Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other, and where Solomon built his stables.

Day 7
Leisure Day with Optional tour to Caesarea, The Emmaus Road and Ein Karem
Explore on your own or visit (additional charge) Caesarea, where you will see the ancient Roman aqueduct and theatre. View the road of Emmaus where Jesus, after His resurrection, met two of his disciples who did not recognize Him until He later broke bread with them in their home. Continue to Ein Karem, traditionally known as the birthplace of John the Baptist, and where tradition holds that Mary journeyed to share with Elisabeth her good news (Luke 1: 39-48).

Day 8
Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Bethlehem, Mt. Zion, Upper Room, City of David, Garden of Gethsemane
In Jerusalem, view Hezekiah’s Tunnel, walk to the Garden of Gethsemane via the Kidron Valley and pray there as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26: 36-44). Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9-12). On Mount Zion view the site of King David’s Tomb. Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12-26). In Bethlehem, visit the cave where Jesus was born and the church, which has been constructed on the site (Matt. 1: 18-25; Luke 2: 1-7). Nearby, view the Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.

Day 9
Southern Wall Excavations, Teaching Steps, Western Wall, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb
Visit the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, the “Way of the Cross”, and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Garden Tomb, the possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, and experience the reality of the Resurrection.

Day 10
Return to USA
Depart on an exciting extension or return to USA (we hope to take either an Egypt or Oberammergau Passion Play extension).