Accessible Christian Heritage Trip – September 2024

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

• Meet your guide and start your special journey. - Meet your group at 9:00 AM at the hotel's lobby, gather together for an introduction and get to know your group members.

• Travel north along the shore to Caesarea National Park - Begin your journey of the Holy Land touring the ancient city port - Caesarea - Caesarea Maritima (“by the sea”), built by Herod the Great, which was the scene of significant events for Christians. Here were the headquarters of Pontius Pilate, Peter baptized the centurion Cornelius, considered the first gentile convert and the apostle Paul was imprisoned for two years and preached to the last of the Herodian kings, Agrippa II.

• Druze Home Hospitality and Authentic Meal - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy the feast you create. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Travel to your hotel and check into hotel - Recommended: Walk to shore of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)

• Dinner at the hotel - (meal included)

• Galilee

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• See the Jesus Boat - The Yigal Alon Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar is home to the magnificent display of the Galilee Boat, dating from the time of Jesus, discovered mired in the mud on the shore.

• Mount of Beatitudes - Mount of Beatitudes is in an area overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Some late traditions of Christianity place this mountain on the area in which Jesus picked his 12 apostles. Its octagonal walls commemorate the Eight Beatitudes, each graced with the first words of one of the eight verses.

• Lunch break on route - (meal not included)

• Take a ride on a golf cart through the Hula Valley - The Hula Valley is an important resting place for migrating birds and many species of rare fish and plants creating a wonderland of flora and fauna. Allows you an extra-close observation of birds and other animals in their natural habitat at Agamon Hula.

• Dinner at the hotel - (included)

• Galilee

Activities:

• Breakfast and check out from the hotel

• Begin your day at the ancient town of Magdala - The town was established in the Hellenistic Period and grew to a thriving fishing village by the time the Romans invaded the Galilee in 67 AD. Situated at the shores of the Sea of Galilee Magdala was an active city filled with fishermen, shopkeepers and townspeople. A decade ago archaeological discoveries indicate the presence of an observant Jewish community in Magdala, as is evidenced in its First Century Synagogue, one of seven in the world.

• Bio Bee Agri-Tech Tour - Bio Bee Sde Eliyahu is the pioneer of organic farming in Israel. While visiting the fields we not only learn about the benefits of organic farming but also about biological pest control. The Kibbutz established the first biological pest control company in Israel and is a world leader in the field of biological pest control and bumblebees for pollination.

• Lunch at the Kibbutz Eliyahu Dinning Room - (meal included)

• Drive through the Jordan Valley on the way to Jerusalem

• Check-in and dinner at the hotel - (meal included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique. - Since the 19th century, Jerusalem's Old City has traditionally been divided into four quarters; Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. Walk through narrow alleys, and meet people and places to get a better understanding of the complexity of a city that is holy to these three major religions

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre - The church is situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary and contains the last five Stations of the Cross, including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of this site so holy to Christendom. (please note that parts of the church are not accessible)

• Via Dolorosa - Enter the Old City and take the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief), traditionally accepted as the last route trodden by Jesus to get to The Holy Sepulcher. The Church contains the last five Stations of the Cross including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of the site so holy to Christendom. (Please note: some of the areas are not accessible)

• Lunch on your own in the Old City

• Western Wall - Stop at the Western Wall, a section of the retaining wall that encircled the Temple Court in ancient times and a remnant of the Temple compound built by Herod the Great. The Western Wall is the most revered holy site in Judaism. Take the time to appreciate its centrality for the Jewish people.

• Return to the hotel to rest

• Dinner at the hotel - (meal included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Drive to the Dead Sea region, the lowest place on earth

• Take a cable car up to Masada - Masada is a rugged natural fortress, of majestic beauty, in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is built as a palace complex, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, (reigned 37 – 4 B.C.). Became a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, and the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73 A.D. Ascend Masada by cable car and tour the site.

• Lunch and 'Swim' at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel - Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Have time to enjoy and relax on the beach and pool area at one of the hotels on the shore of the sea. Attempt flotation in a sea that is 33% salt and keeps you buoyant. Lunch at the hotel included.

• Return to Jerusalem.

• Dinner on own and free time for shopping - (meal not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast and check out of the hotel

• Tour of the museum at Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial to the Holocaust - Tour this memorial to the darkest moment in the world and Jewish history, its children’s memorial, and exquisite gardens. Yad Vashem is an unforgettable place of tribute and remembrance. You'll be guided by a member of the Yad Vashem staff.

• Free time and lunch at Machane Yehuda Market - After a meaningful morning focusing on our past, we will head to the present and modern day. In the heart of Jerusalem, at a bustling multi-ethnic market bursting with life, enjoy the hustle and bustle with all the rich fragrances, colors, and sounds this iconic Jerusalem market offers. Truly fun for all ages. (meal not included)

• Israel Museum - Visit the unique collections and expansive grounds of the Israel Museum, the country’s national museum. Linger over the renowned international and Israeli art, the world’s most complete Judaica collections and the charming Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. You can also visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts.

• Farewell group dinner at Cafe Shalva - Shalva is a Jerusalem based organization that provides services to children with special needs and their families. Graduates of Shalva work at the café, and the café’s profits go back to the center to support its programs.

• Group transfer - Proceed to Ben Gurion airport and depart home or continue for extension.

• Farewell - We hope hosting you again in our beautiful country!