Transatlantic Flight • Israel

Airline flights to Israel, departing Monday and flying overnight to Tel Aviv. A group flight will be arranged my MMET, but participants may also arranger their own flights.

Tel Aviv

Arrival in Israel at the Ben Gurion International Airport. After passing through passport and immigration, those on the group flight will travel by arranged tour bus to Herod’s Hotel on the Tel Aviv beach front. Those coming on self-arranged flights may catch a taxi outside the airport’s main entrance for transport to Herod’s Hotel. We’ll stay one night at Herod’s in Tel Aviv, including dinner. An after dinner walk along the beach with Jeff is optional, as far south as Joppa, the site of the Apostle Peter’s revelation in Simon’s seashore house.

Israel: Caesarea • Galilee • Megiddo 

After breakfast and checkout from Herod’s Hotel, our group will board our touring bus (with luggage) for a day long trip through the Galilee. Our first stop will be at the coastal site of Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital of Judea, where both Peter and Paul taught. Driving north past Haifa, the next stop will be Muhraqa on Mount Carmel, the site of the Prophet Elijah’s contest with the priest of Baal. After lunch at a traditional Druze restaurant, we’ll descend into the Jezreel Valley to visit the ancient fortress city of Megiddo, a site famous in the Old Testament, fortified by Solomon, and also known as Armageddon! From there we’ll make the late afternoon drive across the valley, passing ancient Jezreel, to arrive at Magdala on the western sore of the Sea of Galilee. There we’ll check into the lakeshore Magdala Hotel, where we’ll lodge for three nights as we explore the north of the Land of Israel. After dinner at the Hotel, we’ll visit a nearby market where participants can shop for personal needs and lunch or snack items for the days we’ll be touring the Galilee.

Mount Tabor • Nazarath 

After breakfast we’ll board our bus for a drive from the Sea of Galilee west to Mount Tabor, to visit the handsome basilica at the traditional site of Jesus’ Transfiguration and the peak’s amazing view of the entire Lower Galilee. From there we’ll proceed further west to Nazarath, to visit the Church of the Annunciation and the sites associated with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as the Boy Messiah grew to manhood. Lunch will be on your own along the main street of Nazareth, lined with various Arab felafel, shawarma, and pizza shops. Driving back east to the Sea of Galilee in the afternoon, we’ll stop at Mount Arbel and climb to its clifftop view of the entire lake, also known in Hebrew as the Kinneret. Before returning to the Magdala Hotel for dinner we’ll also stop at the Valley of the Doves, for a meaningful walk along the very trail Jesus would have taken. After dinner, we’ll visit Magdala’s Catholic chapel, built to remember and honor the significant women of the Four New Testament Gospels.

Beit Shean • Nazareth 

After breakfast we’ll ride our motorcoach northward through Israel’s panhandle, north of the Sea of Galilee, to visit the Old Testament citadel of Hazor, conquered by Joshua and fortified by Solomon. Continuing north to the border of Lebanon, we’ll spend the rest of the morning at Dan, an amazing Old Testament site visited by Abraham – we’ll see the ancient gate he would have passed through. Dan was where Jeroboam built a temple and high place – Israel was led astray by the golden calf he enshrined there. On this day a take-along lunch will expedite seeing all we possible can, and Dan has picnic tables. Then it’s on to Caesarea Philippi, the New Testament region where Jesus took his apostles for retreat, and where Peter bore the witness “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” We’ll also visit Nimrod’s Castle to hike a portion of Mount Hermon, the likely site of Jesus’ Transfiguration! Late afternoon will find us on the Golan Heights, famous for modern warfare and also the location of Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus, which we’ll see from atop the heights of Mount Bental. Then it’s back to the Sea of Galilee and the Magdala Hotel for supper and a Friday night Sabbath evening in its ancient synagogue, considering the life and ministry of Jesus.

Sea of Galilee • Mount of Beatitudes • Caesarea Philippi  

Today we retrace the steps of Jesus in His ministry along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. First we’ll visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus called and ordained his Twelve Apostles, organized His New Testament Church, and gave His masterful Sermon on the Mount. The feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 also occurred at this lakeshore mountain, and we’ll descend to Tabgha on the shoreline to recall the miracles of the loaves and fishes, and also to visit the site where Jesus prepared a broiled fish breakfast for his fishermen Apostles weeks after His crucifixion – the famous “Feed my sheep” episode. Our luncheon on this day, covered by the price of the tour, will be a splendid spread at the Magdala Hotel, with broil St. Peter’s Fish (tilapia) on the buffet. Then we’ll return east to the lakeshore city of Capernaum, where excavated and restored ruins include a magnificent synagogue and the remains of Simon Peter’s house, both places where Jesus performed miracles. Our final shoreline location will be Ginnosar, New Testament Gennesaret, where we’ll see the preserved remains of a fishing boat from Jesus’ day, and then board a large boat of our own for an hour-long sail on the Sea of Galilee. Returning to the Magdala Hotel for supper and one last night’s lodging, this day walking and sailing in the footsteps of the Savior Himself will be day you will never forget!

Beth Shean • Jericho • Jerusalem 

After a last Galilean breakfast and checkout from the Magdala Hotel, we’re back on the road – headed south toward Jerusalem! If needed, we’ll stop by the Valley of the Doves (just in case we missed it earlier) and then drive through the modern city of Tiberius, in the same lakeshore position where it was located in Jesus’ day. Our route will be southward along the western bank of the Jordan River. We’ll visit two places on the river today – two different possibilities for the location of Jesus’ baptism (it’s not a solved issue!), and also spend an hour at the remarkable archaeological park of the ancient Roman-period city known as Beth Shean and Scythopolis – a local of the New Testament Decapolis, and the site near the final battle of King Saul at Mount Gilboa in the Old Testament. The plan is also to visit the archaeological park at world-famous Jericho, where Joshua’s army witnessed the city’s ancient wall fall down. Jesus also visited Jericho, which we’ll recall at the city’s “Zaccheus Tree.” Our last drive for the day will be to ascend up the old “Jericho Road” to Jerusalem, where we’ll have our first glimpses of the Holy City before we arrive at the Olive Tree Hotel, where we’ll spend the next eight or nine nights. You’re going to love Jerusalem!

Old City Jerusalem • Temple Mount 

The first thing we’ll do today, after breakfast, is walk the short distance from the Olive Tree Hotel to the Old City of Jerusalem. We’ll enter through the Damascus Gate, and wander down the old Valley Street (el-Wad Street) to the Western Wall of the ancient Temple Mount. There we’ll ascend up on to the Temple Mount itself, also known in Arabic as the Haram al Sharif, for a visit to the actual site where the ancient Temples of Solmon and Herod stood. We’ll admire the Islamic shrine known as the Dome of the Rock, walking around it to get a sense of how the ancient Temples stood exactly where the Dome now sits, and considering that this site is where Jesus taught whenever He came to Jerusalem. After that we’ll descend to visit the Western Wall, to view the Jewish people worshipping and celebrating there, and also to explore ancient remains of Jerusalem in the Kotel Tunnels beneath. Proceeding to the south end of the Temple Mount, we’ll visit the Davidson Archaeological Park, to see more of the remains of ancient Jerusalem from Old and New Testament times, including the monumental stairway where Jesus entered and exited the House of the Lord. After a lunch break in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter, we’ll make our way a bit further south to the City of David National Park, where the oldest remains of Jerusalem have been found from some four thousand years ago. The park includes Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam, which we’ll also explore. It will be a long, but exciting day, all of it on foot in the Holy City, and you’ll be ready for dinner and a restful evening at the Olive Tree Hotel after this Jerusalem adventure that you’ll never forget!

Mount of Olives • BYU Jerusalem Center

We start out this day with an early visit to the south end of the Mount of Olives and the splendid view of Jerusalem from the Seven Arches vista. If open early, we’ll visit the BYU Jerusalem Center, for its amazing view of Jerusalem as well (if not open, we’ll take in that view on Saturday at Church meetings). Then it’s back into the Old City, via the old Sheep Market and Lions Gate, to visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a man immobile for 38 years. Beginning at the Church of the Flagellation we’ll walk to famous Via Dolorosa – the “Way of Sorrow” – tracing the traditional path of Jesus “Passion” along the 14 Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After a lunch break in the Old City, we’ll move to the Jewish Quarter for visits to archaeological remains from both Old and New Testament times, including Hezekiah’s Wall, the Burnt House, and the Wohl Museum of mansions from the time of Jesus. A visit to the Hurva Synagogue will provide another stunning overlook of the Old City, its Temple Mount, and the Mount of Olives. Exiting the Old City via Damascus Gate, we’ll make our way up Saladin Street, the Arab sector’s “main street” in Jerusalem, to arrive at our hotel for supper. .

City of David • Pool of Siloam • Bethlehem

Another early start will take us via motorcoach tour bus to the fringe of the Judean Wilderness, south of Jerusalem, where we’ll visit the spectacular country estate of King Herod called the Herodion. From its high, conical fortress we’ll be able to see Lehi’s Trail from Jerusalem through the wilderness to the east, and remember the events of Jesus’ birth as we gaze at Bethlehem to the west. From there we’ll motor into the city of Bethlehem itself, for our visit to the Church of the Nativity, the likely site of the grotto cave where Joseph and Mary were staying when Jesus was born and laid in a manger made of stone. There will be time for a little shopping at Manger Square, and a visit to the Milk Grotto, also connected to the story of the Nativity and the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. Lunch today will be a real feast – a traditional Arab mixed grill or Makluba, as we dine at the famous Shepherd’s Tent Restaurant (like the Magdala Hotel lunch last week, this lunch will be covered by the price of the tour). In the afternoon we’ll visit Bethlehem’s most famous Christmas shop and olive wood factory, and then stop at the traditional Roman Catholic Terra Sancta shepherds’ field. Our last hour of the day will be the beloved Mormon Shepherds’ Field, with its impressive view at the town of Bethlehem perched atop the hills of Judea – here we always pause for a testimony meeting and to sing the songs of Christmas, no matter what time of year we arrive. We’ll arrive back in Jerusalem and the Olive Tree Hotel in time for supper and free evening time to enjoy the hotel or take an evening walk into modern Jerusalem.

Jerusalem 

Time again to get out of Jerusalem for the day! After breakfast we’ll travel on our comfortable bus westward out of Jerusalem, passing by Motza, the famous New Testament Emmaus where the Resurrected Jesus revealed Himself to Luke and Cleopas. Down the deep valley highway we’ll drive, turning south into Judah’s hilly “Shfela” region. There we’ll visit four Old Testament sites – Beth Shemesh, Lachish, Mareshah, and Azekah, as well as the famous Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. Other Old Testament stories of from Joshua to Samson come to life at these sites, and insights into the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests of Judah make the history real. If time allows we will even visit Philistine Gath to explore the route of the Bible’s real raiders of the lost ark! This is a long and rugged day, but one you’ll never forget, as it enhances in real time your Old Testament “Come Follow Me” study this year. Then it’s back on the bus, and back up to Jerusalem for supper and a leisurely evening.

Footsteps of Jesus 

Today will be our tenth day in Israel, and high time to start our journey’s focus on the places and events of the Savior’s Atoning Week. In the order that presents itself as most practical (in Jerusalem’s traffic) our Friday visits will include the Upper Room of Jesus’ Last Passover Supper, and also Gethsemane (both the grotto cave and the garden), where He began His infinite and eternal Atonement. We’ll also stop at the place Jesus was held and possibly tried, preserved in the Church at St. Peter Galicantu – the place of the crowing rooster. We’ll fit time for a lunch break, and even a little Old City shopping, where it can best be done, but the main goal for our afternoon is our walk out of the northern gate of old Jerusalem to Golgotha, “the place of the skull,” where Jesus was crucified between the thieves and finished the work of His marvelous Atonement. Just nearby is a pleasant garden and ancient tomb – the famous Garden Tomb, which we’ll visit and examine, taking a meaningful hour to sit in the shade of its trees and consider the miraculous wonder of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. No matter how many times one visits this place, it never becomes old, and the Spirit of the Lord is never lacking for those who have committed to “always remember Him.” After supper, back at the Olive Tree Hotel, an optional evening walk to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount offers the opportunity to welcome in the weekly Sabbath with Jewish worshipers who gather each Friday evening.

BYU Jerusalem Center 

This morning we will attend Church meetings at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Prior to the start of their meetings, we’ll spend some time on the broad and beautiful balcony of the Center’s Upper Auditorium, where we’ll enjoy its splendid vista of the Temple Mount and the Old City of Jerusalem. A walk through its Biblical Garden is a must, with its replicas of ancient stone olive crushers and presses, which are used to press olive oil each autumn by BYU students during the annual olive harvest. After Church, we’ll motor back to our hotel, via Saladin Street (in case anyone would like to drop off there for lunch). Around 2 PM we’ll drive with our tour bus a short distance east of Jerusalem, down into the Wilderness of Judea, to visit the traditional Inn of the Good Samaritan, and visit a couple of other sites in the desert that may actually have been involved in that story of the assault on the road to Jericho. The afternoon will be capped of by an overlook of the Wadi Qelt, the desert valley where the ancient road ran, and we’ll remember time in the wilderness spent by both Jesus and His prophets. Then it’s back to the hotel for supper, and the chance for a Saturday evening out on the town in West Jerusalem, as the Jewish Sabbath comes to a close.

Qumran

Early this morning, for our last day on the road in Israel, we transport down to the Dead Sea in our comfortable, air-conditioned motor coach. There we will visit the world-famous site called Qumran, a national park in Israel’s Judean Wilderness where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Then it’s southward, along the western shore of the Dead Sea to the equally world-famous Herodian period fortress called Masada! After our cable-car ascent, and a tour of Herod’s desert outpost, we’ll have time for lunch before heading back north along the Dead Sea shoreline to the wilderness oasis called Ein Gedi. Along the way, we’ll be traversing a portion of Lehi’s Trail, which we’ll discuss once we arrive at Ein Gedi’s national park and walk up it’s desert canyon along the side of a “river of water” – just like in the Valley of Lemuel. There’s so much to learn about all our scriptures in the Land of Israel – the Old Testament, the New Testament, and also the Book of Mormon! To end the day we’ll stop at the Qalya Beach resort at the Dead Sea’s north end for a float in that saltiest of all lakes on the planet. Showers and changing rooms are available, of course, since we’ll wind up wet and salty after our fun. And with that we’ll board the bus in the late afternoon and journey once more time back up to Jerusalem for the evening.

Jerusalem • Garden Tomb • Flights Home

Our last day in Israel will be open for participants to use as each would like. A free day allows return visits to favorite sites in Jerusalem, such as the Garden Tomb or the Old City, and also for shopping in either the Arab or Jewish centers of the Capital. We’ll have our hotel rooms and meals available to us all day and also overnight on Monday night, which will accommodate people’s needs for packing time, final leisure time, and to arrange for departure to the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv in time to arrive three hours before flights depart. The group flight will depart in the evening on a tour bus for the overnight flight back to the United States (schedule to be finalized later). Our two weeks in Israel will have been the adventure of a lifetime, and a scriptural and spiritual feast for the ages! Thank you for joining us as we have explored the paths of the prophets, and as we have walked where Jesus walked!

Flights Home

Returning home, we will take with us treasured memories of wonderful experiences in the Holy Land!