Holy Land Experience 2023

Please note: Changes may occur due to traffic, weather and other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our professional best to provide a tour acceptable to the touring participants, but we cannot give refunds for missed sites.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - Arrival

Arrive in Israel, check into our hotel in Jerusalem

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 - East Jerusalem & Bethlehem

In the morning, view the Old City from the summit of the Mount of Olives. Visit Pater Noster Church and the cave associated with Jesus teaching his disciples. Walk the Palm Sunday Road and stop at the Church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, then to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Go to Mount Zion and visit King David’s Traditional Tomb and the Upper Room where Jesus had his last supper, then visit the House of Caiaphas. Beneath this building is the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned the night of His arrest, then to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, visit the Church of the Nativity, the site of the birthplace of Jesus, and the Shepherds’ Fields. 

Thursday, May 25, 2023 - Jerusalem Old City & Israel Museum

Enter the Old City and see the morning activities at the Western Wall. See the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock where Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice, and also the same mountain where Solomon built a glorious temple. Continue to St. Steven’s gate to visit St Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Then continue walking through the Old City streets to the Judgment Hall, where Pilate sentenced Jesus to the cross. Experience the Via Dolorosa (the stations of the cross) - the path to the Holy Sepulcher. 

After lunch, travel to the western part of the city to visit the Israel Museum where we see a second temple model of Jerusalem and to understand how the city looked during Jesus’ time. See the Shrine of the Book where part of the Dead Sea scrolls are on display. On the way back to the hotel, pass Israel Kinnesset parliament building.

Finish the day at the Garden Tomb - a beautiful spot to remember the death and resurrection of our Savior. 

Friday, May 26, 2023 - Free Day

This Day of Rest is reserved for worship or free time on your own in Jerusalem.

Saturday, May 27, 2023 - Dead Sea

Drive south all the way to Massada. Ride the cable car to the top and explore the ruins of that mighty stronghold which King Herod had built for himself. Visit Ein Gedi, a green oasis in the middle of the desert, where David hid from King Saul. See the sandy caves in the cliffs of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Opportunity for a float at the Dead Sea. 

Drive through Jericho, the city of palm trees.

Sunday, May 28, 2023 - Jordan Valley & Nazareth

Drive through the Jordan Valley toward Galilee. 

• Visit Qasr Al Yahoud, the site at the Jordan River where Jesus got baptized.

Visit Beit Shean, where the fertile land and abundance of water led the Jewish sages to say, “If the Garden of Eden is in the land of Israel, then its gate is Beth Shean.”

Continue to Nazareth and visit Nazareth Village, an open-air museum that reconstructs and reenacts village life in the Galilee in the time of Jesus. Enjoy a traditional biblical lunch. Then visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East, and identified as the home of Mary. Pass Cana where our Lord performed His first miracle.

Monday, May 29, 2023 - Sea of Galilee

See a 2000-year-old wooden Galilee boat at Ginosar and take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Visit Capernaum, the town of Jesus, and see an ancient synagogue and the house of Peter. Go up to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.

Explore the mosaics at Tabgha, where Jesus miraculously multiplied the loaves and fish to feed the crowds and visit the Primacy of Peter. 

Visit Magdala, the recently discovered excavations of ancient Synagogue and hometown of Mary Magdalene. 

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - Upper Galilee & The Golan Heights

Drive to the lush green northern part of the country to Caesarea Philippi, one of the sources of the Jordan River, and the place of Peter’s great confession. Visit Tel Dan excavations and Abraham’s Gate, then drive through the Golan Heights.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 - The Mediterranean Coast

Drive west toward the Mediterranean, visit Mt Arbel, standing 700 feet above the Sea of Galilee, where the Jewish rebels hid from Herod’s army. Pass Mt Tabor where Deborah gathered her forces against Sisera and the traditional place where Jesus transfiguration took place (Mount of Transfiguration). Drive through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the historical military fortress that controlled the highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. 

Drive to Caesarea (photo on right), an ancient port built by Herod the Great. Visit the ruins of the fortress, harbor, moat, and amphitheater used by the Crusaders. Then to Tel Aviv for our last night. 

Thursday, June 1, 2023 - Departure

Today we journey home, filled with many fond memories of a trip of a life.