We have just returned to Singapore from a three week trip to Israel! Cody had a work assignment in Tel Aviv so we decided to use some Christmas money and add on a week of vacation to see the Holy Land. Worth it!!! I've included our full itinerary (provided by Christian Tours to Israel) below and pictures below that. We are so glad that we got to go!!!
I know that we serve a God that is everywhere and it doesn't matter if you're in the darkest jungles of Africa or standing on the actual Mount of the Beatitudes- He is present, but it was truly a wonderful experience to get a visual picture of all of these places from the Bible. I'm a very visual person and it has really made a difference for me to read words like "Jerusalem" and "Sea of Galilee" and know what they look like. Mostly we did a lot of walking, a ton of listening, more than our fair share of Falafel eating, and had a wonderful time. We're in Singapore for a few weeks in a row and are blessed to have made fun friends that include us in activities when we're here! Thanks for checking up on us.
Love,
Christie & Cody
Sunday, Day 1: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Monday, Day 2: Caesarea / Megiddo / Haifa / Acre (Akko)
We will leave Tel Aviv and drive north along the Plain of Sharon, the old Mediterranean coastal road (Via Maris), which linked Egypt and Babylon to Caesarea. We will see the ancient Roman theatre, built by Herod and once; the capital of Judea. Here Paul (Shaul) embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). We will explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today, it draws major venue attractions, for concerts and festivals. We will walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city. We proceed inland to Megiddo, one of King Solomon's walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. We will drive to Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. From here, we will continue with our journey north along the coast and stop at the crusader city of Acre (Micah 1.10) to see the ancient fortress, with its underground passages and secret rooms. Here we will visit the prison where members of the Hagana and Irgun were held captive during Israel's fight for Independence. This is also where Leon Uris's famous novel “Exodus” was filmed. We will conclude our day with a drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee and to our kibbutz for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and explore the kibbutz and its ambiance.
Overnight in the Galilee.
Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias / Western Galilee / Banias
After breakfast, we will start our day with a boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). We will also see the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. We will continue to Tabgha to see the site of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes (John 6:1-14), with its 4th century mosaic floor. We proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached - "The Sermon On The Mount" (Matt. 5). We will drive north to the Golan Heights and visit Banias, one of the sources of the River Jordan and the site of ancient Caesaria Philipi, where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). We will enjoy a tour around the Golan Heights with its valleys, grazing land and snow capped mountains (winter). We will return back to our kibbutz for dinner and for the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Overnight in the Galilee.
Wednesday, Day 4: Nazareth / Beit Shean
After breakfast, we leave the upper Galilee area and drive southeast to Cana of Galilee. Here we will visit the site where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1). We will continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary (Miriam) and Joseph (Yosef) lived. We will also visit the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. We leave the Galilee area and proceed south towards the Jordan Valley to visit the city of Beit Shean. We will have time to wander the newly excavated city, one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel with its amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10). We will continue south along the lush Jordan Valley, where the dessert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2) towards the mountains of Judea. We will arrive Jerusalem and check in to our hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel. After dinner, suggested stroll around the city center of Jerusalem is recommended.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Thursday, Day 5: Jerusalem: The Old City
After breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to Mount of Olives for an awesome panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem. Here, we will also see the Golden Gates and the ancient Jewish cemetery. We will drive or stroll down to the bottom of the mountain to visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in many occasions and where Jesus was arrested. Here, we will also visit the Church of All Nations. We proceed by bus across the Kidron Valley, passing the tombs of Absolom, Zacharias, James and King Jehoshaphat to Mt. Zion. Here we will visit the site of David’s tomb and the Upper Room, where the Last Supper was held (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2). We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and head to the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the "Cardo", meaning the "heart" of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. Proceed through the broad stone stairway down to the holy Western Wall - the "Kotel", which is considered the most Holiest place for the Jews. Here we will have an opportunity to view the Temple Mount (entry to the mosque is not included). We begin at the passageways and retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross), while experiencing the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces (a chance to test our negotiating skills) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We will conclude our day with a visit to the Garden Tomb. It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected. We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday, Day 6: New City **Bethlehem
After breakfast, we will drive to Ein Kerem, named after the Virgin Mary, who used to visit John the Baptist’s parents summer house often. Ein Kerem is also the birthplace of John the Baptist. We will continue to Yad Vashem - the Israeli memorial for the Holocaust, where six million Jews perished in WWII. Walk along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors. We will continue to Israel Museum, to see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and the scale model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period. In the afternoon, we will leave Jerusalem and drive towards Bethlehem. We will arrive at Manger Square and enter into the Church of the Nativity. It is believed by many that this was the site of Jesus' birth place. We return to Jerusalem. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Saturday, Day 7: Massada and the Dead Sea area
After an early breakfast, we will drive towards the Dead Sea area. Our route will take us back down the main highway towards Jericho. We will then turn south and start driving along the shores of the Dead Sea, as we descend to the lowest point on the surface of the earth at 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. We will visit Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls and drive to Masada. We will continue south to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada and ascend by cable car to the ancient synagogue and to explore the ancient fortress. Here, was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. We will return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
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