The Fifth Gospel the Origins of Christianity in the Land of Israel

JUN 25 SUN Depart ATLANTA - Fly Tel Aviv

JUN 26 MON Arrive Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by TUTKU representative with a “SPRING HILL COLLEGE– TUTKU” sign. After collecting our luggage we will head to meet our Tour Guide thereafter drive to the Hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight. (D)

JUN 27 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 included a 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 Megiddo where 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 4-5). Continue on to the Sea of Galilee area for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

JUN 28 WED Hazor, Dan, Banias/Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights
Today travel north to visit Hazor, the largest Old Testament site in Israel (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). 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 (Mark 8:29; Matt 16:16; Luke 9:20). 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. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B,D)

JUN 29 THU 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 century A.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 earthy ministry. We will visit Corazim with its reconstructed synagogue. If time permits we will visit Bethsaida. Return to Tiberias for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

JUN 30 FRI 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 site of 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 Baptizing continue through the Judean hills to the City of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

JULY 1 SAT 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 fortress with 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 complete Roman 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)

JULY 2 SUN Mt. Of Olives, Gethsemane, Old City, Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb
We begin our day with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives. As we walk down the mount, 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 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)

JULY 3 MON Bethlehem, Herodium, Mt Zion, Western Wall
Start our day and drive to Bethlehem where we will visit the Church of the Nativity and have some time for shopping. Drive to the Herodium, the palace/fortress where Herod the Great was eventually buried and then 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. Dinner & overnight (B,D)

JULY 4 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. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

JULY 5 WED Departure - You will be transferred to Tel Aviv
Ben Gurion Airport for your flight back home. End of our services.

• Roundtrip international air from Atlanta
• 1 Night Metropolitan Hotel TLV or similar
• 3 Nights in Ginnosar Hotel Sea of Galilee or similar (in Deluxe rooms)
• 5 nights at the Grand Court Jerusalem or similar
• Daily breakfasts
• 9 Dinners at the hotels
• Airport assistance – arrival and departure
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• St Peter’s fish lunch
• English Speaking, bible-oriented tour guide during all touring days and transfers
• Entry fees to the sites and museums
• Service charges and local taxes
• Personal Headsets

• All personal expenses
• Travel Health Insurance
• Lunches and drinks
• Tips to guide and driver (suggested $90 per person for guide and driver)