Day 1 – Depart for Israel

Begin your journey to Israel, a land rich with biblical history and spiritual significance. Prepare to walk in the footsteps of prophets, kings, and Jesus himself.

Day 2 – Arrive in Tel Aviv

Upon arrival, visit Aphek, where the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4), or Joppa (Jaffa), the ancient port where Jonah fled from God (Jonah 1:3) and Peter received his vision opening the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 3 – Shiloh, Samaria & Jacob's Well

Visit Shiloh, Israel's spiritual center for 369 years and resting place of the Ark (Joshua 18:1), then Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom (1 Kings 16:24). Stop at Jacob's Well, where Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman (John 4), before concluding at Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, where Israel proclaimed blessings and curses as Moses commanded (Deuteronomy 11:29). Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 4 – Caesarea, Nazareth & Mount Carmel

Explore Caesarea, where Peter baptized the first Gentile convert (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before sailing to Rome (Acts 23). Travel to Nazareth to visit the local church of Christ and Nazareth Village, a living museum of first-century life. End with a devotional stop at the base of Mount Carmel near the brook of Kishon. Overnight at the Sea of Galilee.

Day 5 – Hazor, Dan & Caesarea Philippi

Visit Hazor, a great Canaanite city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 11:10), and Dan, where Jeroboam erected a golden calf and led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28–30). Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:13–20). Return through biblical Bashan with views of Mount Hermon and the region of Paul's road to Damascus. Overnight at the Sea of Galilee.

Day 6 – Sea of Galilee, Capernaum & Magdala

Climb Mt. Arbel for sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee, then take a boat ride recalling Jesus calming the storm and walking on water (Mark 4, Matthew 14). Visit Capernaum, Jesus' ministry base (Matthew 4:13), Magdala with its first-century synagogue, and Chorazin, one of the cities Jesus rebuked for unbelief (Matthew 11:21). Overnight at the Sea of Galilee.

Day 7 – Beit Shean, Qumran & the Dead Sea

Tour Beit Shean, where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed after their defeat (1 Samuel 31:10), then Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. End the day floating in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Overnight at the Dead Sea.

Day 8 – Masada & Jericho

Ascend the fortress of Masada, site of the Jewish rebels' last stand against Rome in 73 AD. Travel to Jericho, one of the world's oldest cities, where Joshua's march brought the walls down (Joshua 6:20). Take a cable car to the Mountain of Temptation, enjoy a traditional Arabic lunch, and stop at the Wadi Qelt overlook before a first view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Overnight in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Day 9 – Israel Archaeological Museum, Beth Shemesh & Elah Valley

Spend the morning at the Israel Archaeological Museum, including a detailed study of the outdoor model of first-century Jerusalem. In the afternoon, visit Beth Shemesh, where the Ark returned after Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 6:12), and the Elah Valley, site of David's legendary victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10 – Jerusalem: Western Wall, City of David & Pool of Siloam

Begin at the Kotel (Western Wall) for prayer and reflection, then take the Great Bridge Tour for a modern view of Jerusalem's history. Explore Davidson Archaeological Park and its Second Temple ruins, then descend into the City of David (2 Samuel 5:7) to walk Hezekiah's tunnel. The day concludes with a devotional at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9). Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11 – Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa & Tower of David

Walk the Mount of Olives, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and ascended to heaven (Luke 19:41; Acts 1:9–12). Visit the Church of All Nations at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46), walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and conclude at the Tower of David Museum, tracing Jerusalem's history from Herod's palace to the present. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12 – Garden Tomb & Free Time in Jerusalem

Visit the Garden Tomb, a peaceful site connected to Golgotha and proposed as an alternative to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enjoy the remainder of the day for personal reflection, shopping, or independent exploration before a late departure from Tel Aviv.

Day 13 – Arrive Home

Return to the United States enriched by a journey through the land of the Bible, carrying new depth and meaning to the stories of Scripture.