Israel FAM Trip

Jan 1 Fri Depart from New York

Jan 2 Sat Arrive Tel Aviv Airport

Our representative will meet you at Tel Aviv Airport after the customs and baggage claim with a “FAM TRIP-TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel for diner and overnight. (D)

Jan 3 Sun Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana

Drive north to Caesarea to see the ruins of this large port city built by Herod the Great to honor Roman Caesar Augustus. After lunch drive to Mt. Carmel and the Carmelite Monastery of Muhraka, where God caused Elijah to defeat the priests of Ba’al. From Mt. Carmel see the magnificent panoramic view of the Jezreel valley. Descend to Megiddo to tour this important archaeological site where many important battles took place and the referent for Armageddon in Revelation 16:16. Drive to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and traditional Mount of Precipice— the traditional site where Christ was taken to thrown over the cliff. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight stopping at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine (if time permits). (B,D)

Jan 4 Mon Gischala, Bar’am Synagogue, Hazor, Dan, Caesarea Philippi

Today we travel north to visit Gischala, the home of Paul’s parents, and Hazor, the largest Old Testament site in Israel (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit Bar’am Synagogue. We will then proceed to Dan, 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 Caesarea Philippi, the place where Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ (Matt 16:16). Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Jan 5 Tue Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee, Galilee Boat, Chorazin,

Mount of Beatitudes, Magdala, Capernaum We begin our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. During the day we will visit Chorazin with a reconstructed synagogue and also the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5–7). We will visit the well–preserved first century A.D. synagogue at Magdala and the excavations. In addition, we will visit the first century fishing boat that is now in a museum as well as Capernaum, Jesus’ “home” for a good portion of his earthy ministry. If time permits we may visit Bethsaida and/or Kursi—where Jesus cast the demons into the swine. Overnight in Tiberias (B,D)

Jan 6 Wed Jordan River, Qumran, Masada, Jericho

We will depart early in the morning and drive south down the Jordan Valley, beginning with a visit to Qasr el-Yahud, the traditional site where John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. From there, we will continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Next, we proceed further south to Masada—the magnificent desert fortress built by Herod the Great overlooking the Dead Sea, where Jewish rebels held out against the Romans until A.D. 72/73. If time permits, we may also visit Jericho.We will conclude our day by driving up to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Jan 7 Thu Bethlehem, Herodion, Mount of Olives, Pool of

Bethesda, Church of the Holy Sepulcher We first drive to the Herodion, the fortress King Herod built south of Jerusalem. We then visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity built over the traditional cave where Jesus was born. Returning to Jerusalem, we will stop for an overlook on the Mount of Olives. We then descend the Mount visiting the church of Dominus Flevit (commemorating Jesus weeping over Jerusalem) and proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane. After a stop at the Church of All Nations we will enter the old city through the Lions’ Gate. We stop at the Pool of Bethesda to see where Jesus’ healing of the lame man took place. We will follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Passing through the Damascus Gate, we walk to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Jan 8 Fri Walking Tour of Jerusalem

We begin our walking tour on the top of the Temple Mount, the site of the Solomonic and Heriodian Temples and now the famous Dome of the Rock. While in the Old City we will visit the Zion Gate, the Cenacle, traditional site of the Pentecost event in Acts 2 as well as the tomb of David. We will then continue into the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and visit the Wohl Museum where there are palatial houses from the New Testament Era (home of Caiaphas the High Priest?). After lunch in the Old City we will visit the archaeological excavations in the Davidson center, including the steps that led up into the Temple Mount. A visit to Old Testament Jerusalem, including Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam will conclude our day. If time permits, visit the Israel Museum (Model, Shrine of the Book, Archaeology section) Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. (B,D)

Jan 9 Sat Departure

Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for flight back to New York. End of services.

• International flights from New York to Tel Aviv, based on Turkish Airlines Economy Class. FAM trip group flights depart from NEWYORK. For all other departure city requests, please ask for the specific flight rate at an extra cost.
• 1 Night at 4 star Leonado Gordon Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv or similar
• 3 Nights at 4 star Maagan Eden Holiday Village in Tiberias or similar
• 3 Nights at 4 star Grand Court Hotel in Jerusalem or similar
• Daily open buffet breakfasts at the hotels
• 7 Dinners at the Hotels
• Entry fees to the sites and museums as per the itinerary
• One transfer for Arrival & departure
• Transportation by deluxe AC motor coach as per itinerary in Israel
• Boat Tour at Sea of Galilee
• English-speaking licensed tour guide during all tours & transfers
• Personal headsets
• Service charges and local taxes

• Lunches and drinks
• Tips to tour guides and drivers
• All personal expenses, Travel and Health Insurances, any other item not mentioned above.