BAS - Israel 2023

OCT 29 SUN Depart USA – Fly Tel Aviv

OCT 30 MON Arrive Tel Aviv Airport - You will be met by TUTKU
representative with a “BAS – TUTKU” sign. After collecting our luggage we will head to meet our Tour Guide Mr Ofer Drori thereafter drive to hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight. (D)

OCT 31 TUE Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Mt. Tabor – Tiberias
After breakfast drive to the ruins of Caesarea, a large city port built by Herod the Great to honor Roman Caesar Augustus. His city includeda theater, a hippodrome, and an aqueduct system stretching from the springs of Mt. Carmel to Caesarea. The book of Acts refers to Caesarea as the city Peter visited (Acts 10). Continue to Mt. Carmel where we visit the Carmelite Monastery of Muhraka to survey the site where God caused Elijah to defeat the priests of Ba’al and a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley. On to Megiddowhere archaeologists uncovered 20 civilizations built one upon another. At this site, King Solomon built his vast stables and, in 609 BC, good King Josiah died in battle. Drive to Mt. Tabor. Take a taxi to the top of the mountain and visit the Church of the Transfiguration. Enjoy an outstanding view of the Jezreel Valley where the battle of Deborah and the Canaanites took place (Judges 5). Continue on to the Sea of Galilee area for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

NOV 1 WED Hazor, Dan, Banias/Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights
Today travel north to visit Hazor, the largest Old Testament site in Israel. We will then proceed to Dan, on the northern border of the biblical kingdom of Israel. There we will walk to one of the headwaters of the Jordan River and visit the extensive excavations. A short drive will take us to Banias/Caesarea Philippi, the place where Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ (Matt 16:16). From there drive up on to the Golan Heights and view into Syria (if local conditions permit). Time permitting visit Katzrin where there is a well– preserved Synagogue and reconstructed houses. After Dinner we will have a Special Lecture by Prof. Motti Aviam. (B,D)

NOV 2 THU Archaeological dig
Today we will join an archaeological dig and meet a local archaeologist, after breakfast head North. Join Prof. Motti Aviam to tour an ongoing archaeological excavation. We shall have in depth explanations regarding the excavation site and will have the opportunity to learn from firsthand the progress in the archaeological field and findings in Biblical times ranging from Bronze and Iron ages to Persian Hellenistic and Roman times. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon. After dinner, a Special Lecture by a local scholar to summarize this exciting day. (B,D)

NOV 3 FRI Sea of Galilee, Jesus’ Ministries
Begin our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, visit the first century fishing boat that is now in a museum and continue on to the well–preserved, first centuryA.D. synagogue at Magdala and the excavations. We will continue on to visit the Mt. Of Beatitudes then Capernaum, Jesus’“home” for a good portion of his earthyministry. We will visit Corazim with its reconstructed synagogue. If time permits we will visit Bethsaida. Return to Tiberias for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

NOV 4 SAT Sepphoris, Nazareth Overlook, Jericho, Jordan River -
Jerusalem Visit Sepphoris, 3 miles north of Nazareth with its beautiful mosaic floors. Continue to visit the Mount of Precipice where we will have a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley. We continue on to visit the siteof Jezreel, where Naboth had his vineyard that was coveted by the Israelite King Ahab. We will then drive south down the Jordan Valley and visit Old Testament Jericho where the “walls came tumbling down.” End our day at the Jordan River near where the Israelites entered the land of Canaan and where John was Baptizingcontinue through the Judean hills to the City of Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight. (B.D)

NOV 5 SUN Mt. Of Olives, Gethsemane, Old City, Holy Sepulcher
We begin our day with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives. As we walk down the mount, we will stop at Dominus Flevit, the church that commemorates Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and the Garden of Gethsemane—the site of Jesus’ Passion. We will view of the Kidron Valley. Afterwards enter the Old City at the Lion’s Gate. We will visit St. Anne’s Church and Pools of Bethesda continuing on the Via Dolorosa to Umariyah Boys’ School for a view of Temple Mount and then to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. End our day at the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary. Dinner & overnight. (B,D)

NOV 6 MON Bethlehem, Mt Zion, Western Wall, Garden Tomb,
Albright Institute Start our day and drive to Bethlehem where we will visit the Church of the Nativity and have some time for shopping. Return to Jerusalem to Mt. Zion to visit the room of the last supper and King David tomb. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to view the holiest site for Judaism the Western (wailing) Wall. In the Afternoon visit the Albright Institute, The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, is an archaeological research institution located in East Jerusalem. It is the oldest American research centre for ancient Near Eastern studies in the Middle East. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

NOV 7 TUE City of David,Wohl Museum, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum
We start our day at the City of David where we will visit Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Siloam. Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through the tunnel. Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through the dry Canaanite Tunnel. Continue to the Wohl museum. Then drive to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Afterwards, continue on to visit the Israel Museum where we will see the model of Second Temple Jerusalem, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeological highlights of the Israel Museum. After dinner, lecture by Prof. Aren Maeir. (B,D)

NOV 8 WED Dead Sea, Masada, Qumran
Drive east from Jerusalem to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Thereafter drive to Masada,a natural fortresswith majestic ruins overlooking the Dead Sea. Take a cable car to the top of the plateau for a tour. Jewish zealots held the rock for several months in 73AD under siege by the 10th Roman legion. The Romans finally took the fortress by way of a massive attack ramp. The camps and other fortifications that encircle the mesa constitute the most completeRoman siege works to have survived to the present day. Then, drive back North – stop at Kalia Beach on the Dead Sea for a possible float in the water. Continue to Jerusalem Dinner and overnight. (B.D )

NOV 9 THU Departure - You will be transferred to Tel Aviv Ben
Gurion Airport for your flight back home. End.