2027 Israel and London Tour

Day 1 – Tuesday, Feb. 16: Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight… Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Day 2 – Wednesday, Feb. 17: Arrive Israel, Caesarea
Arrive in Israel and travel northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. After meeting our guide and driver, we make our way along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre, hippodrome, a film on history and remains of this famous port city, and aqueduct, and then make our way to our seaside hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – Thursday, Feb. 18: Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Mt. Precipice, Capernaum
This morning we journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we
travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We then stop in Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth
Village – a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. Nearby is Mount Precipice, traditionally believed to be where an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus off a cliff after He stated that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. We then continue east to Capernaum, around which much of Jesus’ ministry was centered. After viewing the excavations and Peter’s home, we transfer to our hotel where we will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 – Friday, Feb. 19: Mt. Arbel, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Tabgha, Galilee Boat Ride, Magdala
We enjoy an early morning bird’s-eye of Lake Galilee and the surrounding view from atop Mt. Arbel before driving north to two valuable sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession and pagan worship. Our time here includes the ruins of Herod Agrippa II’s palace. Enjoy a lovely nature walk to Banias Falls before returning to south to Tiberias where we visit Tabgha, and the Church of the Primacy of Peter, built in the place that tradition says may be where Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples and challenged Peter to serve Him faithfully. Arriving back at Lake Galilee, we enjoy a relaxing boat cruise and special time of worship. We end our day with a visit to Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and well-preserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel.

Day 5 – Saturday, Feb. 20: Mt. of Beatitudes, Chorazin, Gideon’s Spring, Beth Shean, Dead Sea
Our day begins at the Mt. of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount. We continue on to Chorazin, one of the towns cursed by Jesus for unbelief, and then we make our way south for a brief visit to Gideon’s Spring. This is the place where God chose out the three hundred men whom Gideon was to lead to battle against the Midianites. Our next stop is Beth Shean, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Known as Scythopolis in Jesus’ time, it was a chief city of Decapolis and boasts impressive Roman ruins. Continuing south along the Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) we see the Israeli side of Bethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was
baptized by John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Our lodging for the evening is at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 6 – Sunday, Feb. 21: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Abraham’s Tent, Jericho, Mt. Scopus
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we make a brief photo stop to see the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. For lunch today, will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham’s Tent, where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, camel ride and authentic food. We then enter ancient Tel Jericho to see remains of fallen walls and view the Mount of Temptation where Satan tempted Jesus. Arriving in Jerusalem this evening, we get our first glimpse of the Holy City from atop Mt. Scopus. We will overnight in Jerusalem for the next three evenings.

Day 7 – Monday, Feb. 22: Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Jewish Quarter, Temple Institute, Wailing Wall, Western Wall Tunnels, St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Church, Pool of Bethesda
This morning starts with the option (for those who don’t mind tight spaces) to take a water walk through the incredible
Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus’ miracle in John 9. Ascending to the Jewish Quarter we see
the gold Menorah built for the next Temple, the Temple Institute, the Burnt House, a wall built by King Hezekiah, and the Roman Cardo. Next we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. We will also see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. Upon exiting the tunnel, we will be able to see St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Church, and the Pool of Bethesda.

Day 8 – Tuesday, Feb. 23: Bethlehem, Elah Valley, Tel Azekah, Temple Mount, Caiphas’ House
Our morning begins in Bethlehem, the City of David, where we visit the Church of the Nativity as well as the Shepherds Field outside the city. We then continue west of Jerusalem to the Elah Valley. From Tel Azekah, we have a perfect view of the valley where David fought Goliath. Returning to the city, if conditions permit, we will visit the Temple Mount, with
commentary on the Temple Periods, and the variety of belief systems past and present that make this area so valuable.
Next we spend time at the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned.

Day 9 – Wednesday, Feb. 24: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb, Evening Flight to London
We start our day on the Mount of Olives to take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem and then continue on to the Garden of Gethsemane to walk among the ancient olive trees and be reminded of Jesus’ time of prayer and agony here in the garden. We walk a portion of the Via Dolorosa (way of the cross), stopping to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and also Dominus Flevit, where Jesus mourned for Jerusalem. We end our day at the Garden Tomb where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. Following an early dinner together as a group, either in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, we will transfer to the Tel Aviv Airport for a late flight to London.

Day 10 – Thursday, Feb. 25: Arrive London, Tower of London, Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle
We will arrive London in the very early morning and will transfer straight to our hotel to check in and get some sleep. No morning touring is planned, so we can sleep in then enjoy breakfast before beginning our afternoon tour of the Tower of London, including the Crown Jewels. After this we visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where the great Baptist
preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) held his great revival meetings. He preached to as many as 6,000 people every Sunday, with copies of his sermons printed and distributed worldwide. During his lifetime he preached to an estimated ten million people. It’s still a thriving congregation in the center of London. Enjoy purchasing dinner this evening at a restaurant of your choice.

Day 11 – Friday, Feb. 26: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Free Time
We begin our day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, a marvelous building designed by Sir Christopher Wren and recently renovated to its former splendor. We continue to magnificent Westminster Abbey where most British Kings and Queens since 1066 have been crowned and it’s the final resting place of many monarchs, heroes and poets. Although not open to the public now, we will learn about historic events in the Jerusalem Chamber. It was used by the 17 men who translated the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament and the last half of the New Testament. Between 1644 and 1647, the Westminster Assembly met here to
prepare the Westminster Confession of Faith. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore London at your own pace, do some shopping, and purchase dinner on your own.

Day 12 – Saturday, Feb. 27 – Return Home
We transfer to the London Airport today for our journey home.