VMW Tours - 6 day Sample Tour
Day 1: Welcome to the Holy Land
Upon arrival at Ben-Gurion international airport, you will be welcomed by one of our accomplished tour guides who will accompany you throughout your travels. Leaving the airport you will make your way north through the scenic Israeli countryside to the ancient Roman city of Tiberias that rests on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Arriving in Tiberias you will receive a warm welcome while checking-in to the hotel before heading to the Tiberias docks for an unforgettable evening boat ride on the famous wooden boats that are a replica of those used in the time of Jesus. Debarking from the boat you will return to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 2: A day in the footsteps of Christ
The first day of your adventures commences bright and early, breakfast and leave from the hotel by 08:00, heading south to the Yardenit baptismal site to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan river. After freshening up, you will continue your path south towards the ruins of Beit-Shean, one of the most impressive archaeological excavations in the Middle East from the Roman era. The next stop will be Ein-Harod where the story of Gideon will come to life like never before as you behold the very spring where the 300 hundred were chosen. Following a drive through the lower Galilean hills, you will arrive at the church on the Mount of Beatitudes the very place Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Descending the hill you also will visit the ancient fishing village of Capernaum where Jesus performed the healing of the paralytic and Tabgha the location of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Returning along the western shores of the Sea of Galilee you will be received for dinner at the hotel and have the evening free.
*Bathing suits required
Day 3: Ancient Phenomenons and Ascent to Jerusalem
Breakfast and leave the hotel by 08:00, to begin an exciting day experiencing the ancient reality of life in the time of Jesus at the Nazareth Village reenactment open-air museum. Continuing your journey south, you will explore the incredible ancient ruins of the Herodian port city of Caesarea where the story of Cornelius took place in the book of acts. You will see the famous amphitheater, the hippodrome, and the time-worn port that lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Leaving Caesarea you will make the ascent to the Holy City of Jerusalem through the western Judean hills, following the very path the people of Israel would make every holy feast thrice a year. To conclude the upward climb you will be rewarded with the spectacular view from the Mount of Olives (place of Jesus’ return) overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. Departing from the mount of olives you will be escorted to the hotel for check-in and dinner. The evening will be free to rest or explore downtown Jerusalem.
Day 4: Desert Wonders
After an early rise and shine, enjoy a rich Israeli-breakfast ahead of leaving the hotel at 08:00 am to explore the Judean desert and the Dead Sea. Making your way down via the Jerusalem-Jericho highway referenced by Jesus in the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ you will turn south along the eastern border road ending up at the foot of the mountain top fortress of Masada. Ascending via cable car you will encounter the jaw-dropping view and astonishing archaeological finds of the Roman architecture and hear the story of the Jewish zealots' rebellion that occurred within Masada’s desert walls.
After descending by cable car it will be time to finally tick the bucket list and swim in the rich healing waters of the Dead Sea and document your visit to the lowest place on earth.
Depending on your hunger for adventure, the option will be available to visit the Qumran caves and desert scrolls or the ruins of Jericho from the Canaanite era as you make your way back to Jerusalem and the comfort of the hotel.
*Bathing suits required
Day 5: The Holy City
Day five is time to face the music, leaving the hotel after breakfast at 07:00 am, red eyes can be expected. Starting with a visit to the temple mount, you will see first hand the location of Solomon's temple and the current Dome of the Rock mosque. Leaving the temple mount you will visit the Western Wall and have time for prayer and opportunity to take pictures before descending to the foundations of the Holy City and learning of the ancient traditions and architecture displayed in the Davidson Center. In the Old City you will ascend mount Zion to visit King David’s tomb and enter the upper-room hall to see the very place where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and changed the world forever. Return with the bus to the hotel for dinner before being escorted to the Friends of Zion museum or Mahane Yehuda market.
Return to the hotel to rest.
*Modest clothes required
Day 6: Yad VaShem and the Path to the Cross
The last day begins with another early start, leaving the hotel by 08:00 am in order to arrive nice and early at the Yad Va-Shem Holocaust museum for a guided tour. You will enjoy an early lunch at the Yad Va-Shem food court before making your way to the Garden of Gethsemane and discovering the very place Jesus wept and prayed before beginning His path to the cross. Leaving the garden you will follow in the footsteps of Jesus through winding streets of the old city and the Via Dolorosa, finishing the path by entering the Garden tomb and the empty grave where Jesus was laid and resurrected. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for shopping and preparation for departure.
Day 7: Bon Voyage …
Check-out and transfer to the airport.