VMW Tours - 8 day 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 be transferred to check-in at your hotel in the beach-front city of Tel-Aviv. After settling in, you will have a guided tour of the old city of Jaffa and the opportunity to bathe in the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. 

 

Day 2:  The Journey North

The first day of your adventures commences bright and early, breakfast and leave from the hotel by 08:00. Heading north along the western shoreline 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 ascend mount Carmel to visit the site where Elijah was answered by fire and defeated the prophets of Baal overlooking the prophetic valley of Armageddon. Descending the mountain and crossing the valley you will stop in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth to experience the reality of life, in ancient times at the Nazareth Village open-air museum. Departing from Nazareth you will make your way 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 enjoying dinner and a free evening.

 

Day 3:  A day in the footsteps of Jesus

Breakfast and leave the hotel by 08:00 am, to begin an exciting day starting by climbing aboard one of the famous wooden boats that are an exact replica of those used in the time of Jesus. Departing from the Tiberias docks for an unforgettable morning boat ride you will debark in the ancient village of Capernaum where Jesus performed the healing of the paralytic followed by a visit to Tabgha where the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes took place. You will then visit the church on the Mount of Beatitudes famously known as the location Jesus delivered ‘the sermon on the mount’. Succeeding your visit to the church, you will have a scenic drive north to behold the beautiful Banias waterfall and the ancient site that developed around a spring once associated with the Greek god, Pan, located at the foot of Mount Hermon. 

Returning along the western shores of the Sea of Galilee you will be received for dinner at the hotel and have the evening free.
 

Day 4: Baptism, Archeology and the Ascent to Jerusalem

The fourth day of your travels will be another early start, 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. After a lunch break the journey continues south, visiting the ancient ruins and the very walls that fell before Joshua and the people of Israel as they entered the promised land before beginning the monumental accent through the Judean desert mountain to the Holy City of Jerusalem. 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 for a time of communion. 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 5: Desert Wonders

After an early rise and shine, enjoy a traditional 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 and enjoying a rewarding lunch at the Masada food court, 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 where the desert scrolls were discovered as you make your way back to Jerusalem and the comfort of the hotel. 

*Bathing suits required

 

Day 6: Yad Ve-Shem and Mount of Olives

The day begins with another early start, leaving the hotel by 08:00 am in order to arrive nice and early at the Yad Ve-Shem Holocaust museum for a guided tour. You will enjoy an early lunch at the Yad Ve-Shem food court before making your way to the mount of olives for a more extensive explanation of the area. Visit the Tomb of the Prophets, the church of Dominus Flevit as you make your way down the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane to discover the very place Jesus wept and prayed before beginning His path to the cross. Leaving the garden you will visit the modern ‘Friends of Zion’ museum, then return to the hotel for dinner and free evening.
 

Day 7: The Holy City

Day seven 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 and Western Wall excavations. After lunch in the old city, you will visit the City of David and then 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. Returning by bus to the hotel you have dinner and time for some much-needed rest.

*Modest clothes required

 

Day 8: Jesus’ Path to the Cross and Resurrection:

You will begin the day following in the footsteps of Jesus as He made His way through winding streets of the old city to the cross. You will walk the Via-Dolorosa, ending the path by entering the Garden tomb compound, Golgotha hill and the empty grave where Jesus was laid and resurrected. After a time of prayer and worship, you will be introduced to the busy local life of the Mahane Yehuda Market and will have the remainder of the afternoon free for shopping and preparation for your departure.

 

Day 9: Bon-Voyage …

Check-out and transfer to the airport.