A young Christian tour of the Holy Land can be an exciting,fun and educational way to deepen your faith and learn more about the history and culture of the region.
A young Christian tour of the Holy Land can be an exciting,fun and educational way to deepen your faith and learn more about the history and culture of the region.
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport, meeting and assistance by Holyland Gateway tours representative.
Drive to Jaffa (Jonah 1,3). Here St. Peter worked the Miracle of raising Tabitha to life and here he had the vision in which God invited him to gather also the Gentiles to the bosom of the church. Tour Tel Aviv’s White City to see the preservation of buildings of Bauhaus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) including the Independence Hall where Ben Gurion declared the Independence of Israel in 1948.
Time permitting we will visit Sarona Market –it’s Tel Aviv’s latest culinary center, rivalling the new wave of food markets which have popped up around the world, such as La Boqueria in Barcelona, Chelsea Market in New York City, and Borough Market in London. A sharp contrast to Tel Aviv’s traditional food markets, such as the Carmel or Levinsky Markets, the Sarona Market is all about ‘culinary excellence’ and houses around 100 businesses, from local producers of spices, cheeses, meats, and other goods, to imported delicacies and specialities from around the world. The Sarona Market also hosts around 40 eateries, with some of Israel’s most popular chefs having opened new concepts in the market, alongside internationally renowned chains, such as Fauchon Paris, who have opened their first Israeli outlets here.
OPTIONAL: IF STAYING OVERNIGHT IN NIGHT TEL AVIV – EVENING OUTING TO JAFFA FLEA MARKET
You’ll enjoy taking a guided tour through stone-paved alleyways of ancient Jaffa (biblical Joppa), a port city that has been inhabited since about 7,500 BC. In fact, it is oldest port to have been continuously inhabited in the world! It is believed Jaffa was “born” right after the Noadic flood. Noah’s son, Japheth, built a settlement here and named it – “From these (the descendants of Japheth) the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands…” (Gen.10:5) Dinner and overnight Netanya or Tel Aviv
Drive via the coastal highway to Caesarea, the ancient Roman Theater, the Crusader city and the Aqueduct serve as a back-drop to the Book of Acts; Cornelius was the first gentile to become a Christian and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years here, before he sailed to Rome. Drive to Haifa (Mt. Carmel) visit Stella Maris Church. Drive to Haifa and visit the Bahai Shrine and the beautiful Gardens.
Driving upto the Galilee, we stop at the Hula Valley’s best-known attraction is Agmon HaHula. Hula Vallley.
This recently developed site came about as a result of the floods in the area in the 1990s – and Agmon HaHula subsequently became the second home for thousands of migrating birds that pass through this part of the world in the autumn and spring, as well as the home of many native birds. It has become a very popular sight for bird-watchers from Israel and abroad to admire the storks, cormorants and white-tailed eagles that fly overhead; the now annual Hula Valley Bird Festivalis fast becoming a must-see during the autumn months for keen bird-watchers.Agamon HaHula has walking paths, observation points, and telescopes for observing the thousands of birds that inhabit the site. Visitors can also go on guided tours that offer explanations about the birds that inhabit the Hula Valley. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view some of the world’s rarest bird species, including some that are only found in the Middle East
Drive across the Galilee Mountains via Cana, the scene of Jesus’ first miracle of changing water into wine, and home of Nathanael. Stop for a breathtaking overview of the Sea of Galilee and the scenes of Jesus’ Galilee ministry that you will be visiting over the next few days from the Arbel Cliff.
Dinner and Overnight in the Sea of Galilee area in a Kibbutz Guesthouse
This morning we enjoy a Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a replica wooden Jesus boat.
On to Capernaum, where the Lord made it his second home after Nazareth. Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus Preached his Sermon on the Mountain. We then continue to Tabgha, the biblical place, where 5000 men where fed by Jesus. Later, we drive further North to the Golan and visit Caesarea Phillipi (Banias) in the Golan Heights and for a view of the Lebanese border..
We will enjoy a Self driving ranger the Golan (for those with license)
Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight
This morning we’ll leave the sea of Galillee.
During Spring, Summer & Autumn we can begin the day with a Kayak wet river experiences and attraction center.
Kayak on the River Jordan
Drive along the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean and then passing Jericho, the world’s oldest city. Just beside the wall of Jericho, to the east, is the fountain of Eliseus. It was here the spring’s bitter waters were turned sweet by the prophet’s handful of salt (21 Kings 2: 19). From here the Mt. of Temptation can be seen.
We then “Go Up” to Jerusalem and stop for your first moving view of the Holy City from Mt. Scopus and we say “Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem (Psalm 122:2)on to Jerusalem. Drive to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
We welcome the day with one of the most magnificent views of Ancient Jerusalem seen from the top of the Mt. of Olives.
We then take the Palm Sunday walk down the Mt. of Olives in the footsteps of Jesus stopping at the Dominus Flevit Church (The Lord Wept) marking the site of Jesus Weeping over the city.
At the Garden of Gethsemane, at the base of the mountain, we will visit the Church of all Nations. Enter the Dung Gate for a walking tour in the Old City.
Follow the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On through the Christian Quarter to the Jaffa Gate. We stop at the Tower of David for a visit of the Kishle
End the day with a visit of The Time Elevator
The Time Elevator Jerusalem is a journey through the rich 3,000 year history of Jerusalem. Star of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Chaim Topol plays the lead character who amid crashing ceilings, splashing water, and other special effects, leads us on an unforgettable journey moving through Jerusalem’s historic turning points; beginning with the City of David and ending in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Combining film, motion platforms, and special effects, this journey brings Jerusalem’s most dramatic moments to unforgettable life through an original screenplay written in conjunction with leading historians and archeologists. Audiences will witness Prophet Jeremiah’s confrontation with King Zedekiah and relive the destruction of the First and Second Temples. They will be led through the Roman Conquest, the birth of Christianity, the emergence of Islam with its centuries of long rule over the Holy Land and the drama of the establishment then back to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.
Or Alternatively visit the new site Friends of Zion (FOZ)-recommended
The Friends of Zion (FOZ) Museum was opened in 2015 in the heart of Jerusalem with the help of thousands of supporters of Israel from all over the world. It presents a technologically advanced, interactive experience that tells the story of the dream of restoration of the Jewish people to their historic homeland and the brave non-Jews who assisted them in realization of that dream.The Friends of Zion serves as a platform for fighting BDS and Anti-Semitism internationally. The Museum is a non-profit organization operating in Jerusalem and supported by friends from all over the world.
tart the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial, with its astounding new historical museum, Hall of Remembrance, Children’s Memorial and other moving sites.Possible Holocaust survivor testimony (if available – additional cost)
Continue to the Israel Museum, home of the most important archeological discovery of the 20th century housing the Dead Sea Scrolls We will also visit the impressive Model of Jerusalem during 69 CE which sets the stage before entering the special Shrine of the book which contains the Dead Sea Scrolls. We then stop briefly at the square opposite the (Knesset)Parliament to view Israel’s legislature and see the magnificent bronze Menorah(Candelabra) with its carvings depiciting the biblical history of Israel and Zechariah’s immortal words “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit”…(4:6)
From there we will continue to Bethlehem
Bethlehem is, after all, the birthplace of Jesus and forms the backdrop to the Nativity.
See some of the main Christian Holy Land sites – you will pass by Rachel’s Tomb, then when you arrive in Bethlehem at Manger Square have a walking tour of the Church of the Nativity (where Jesus is said to have been born) and the surrounding Churches and Chapels, as well as the Milk Grotto before you view the Shepherds’ Fields on the way back to Jerusalem.
Please note that you will be taken to a souvenir shop as part of the tour where you can (but are in no manner required to) purchase souvenirs and locally produced goods.
Return to your hotel in Jerusalem for overnight.
Early morning departure from Jerusalem and travel via the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea.
We start off with our visit to Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found and John the Baptist spent some time with the community here.
Enjoy a healthful and relaxing dip on the Dead Sea, the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth where swimming is like floating. We will stop at an organized beach.
We then continue to Massada and ascend the mount with Cable car, the scene of the epic stand by Jewish Rebels at the end of the great revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum and visitors center reveals the secret of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.
We descend the mountain from the Western portion of the Mountain which was carvedin the times of the Byzantime Monks.
We head towards Kfar Hanokdim for a Bedouin Hospitality, Camel Ride. Optional: Overnight in comfortable Tents .(Only Sunday-Thursday)
In the Kana`im valley which is in the Judean desert, between the city of Arad and ancient Masada, lies Kfar Hanokdim. It is a green oasis shaded by palm trees and crowned with biblically inspired gardens.
Merely walking into Kfar Hanokdim reveals a picturesque scene.
Optional Jeep tour of the Judean desert
Explore the incredible landscape of the Judean desert with a fully guided jeep tour. Drive over hills and into valleys, discover awesome hidden monasteries built into the rocks, and swim in beautiful natural springs. This unique tour will take you to unforgettable parts of the country, and is sure to be the highlight of your travels.
OPTIONAL: POSSIBILITY TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP FROM THE DEAD SEA TO EILAT VIA RAMON CRATERS – ADDITIONAL 3-5 DAYS.
Depart the Dead Sea – via Ramon Craters where we will enjoy an unforgetable jeep tour in the Ramon Craters .
Continue to Eilat the beautiful South Riviera of Israel where we will enjoy the Sun And Fun.
The tour to the Timna park is four hour afternoon jeep tour covers the ancient sites of the Timna Valley and the scenic desert canyons of the Southern Negev and Arava Valley.
The picturesque Timna Valley (park) is a UNESCO site of historical importance. It’s copper mines are amongst the earliest in the world and date back 6,000 years. Sites within the Timna Valley (park) include Solomon’s Pillars, the Egyptian Temple, the Mushroom and ancient rock inscriptions. We see the dramatic scenery and fascinating sites while learning about the remarkable people who survived these stark conditions to produce copper for the Egyptian elite.
We leave the Timna park and ride south taking in the spectacular desert scenery. We tour the Nimra and the Statues valley. We see the sunset as it drowns the desert sands in color with it’s last light. The tour is in open 4×4 jeeps with soft tops and the number of participants is limited to preserve the quality of the tour.
A fascinating desert tour, steeped in history of the Timna park, with some of Israel’s finest desert scenery.
Underwater Observatory Marine Park
There is no other place like it in the world!
Eilat is blessed with the most amazing and unique coral reef in the world, with an underwater marine observatory situated in the heart of the reef. The park offers its visitors a rare opportunity to enter the natural and abundant marine kingdom of the Red Sea – an unforgettable experience for both young and old.
The park has a spectacular display (over 800 species) of fish, coral, sharks, mollusks, stingrays, turtles, and many other animals from the Gulf of Eilat. and, the most unforgettable place of all – the Underwater Marine Observatory, the only one of its kind in the world! The observatory is a tower situated in the middle of the sea, without any fences or cages, offering a rare view of the Red Sea, with its bright colors, tones, and the marine life in the Gulf of Eilat. The tower is comprised of two display halls. These halls are submerged at a depth of 12 meters under the sea, offering visitors a natural view of the coral reef’s spectacular beauty through huge plate glass windows.
A unique children’s adventure park with pools where the children can pet and feed the “Koi” fish.
Feeding – Visitors are invited to attend the various animal feeding displays.
Oceanarium – Screening of the movie “A Journey into the World of Sharks”, a multi-sensory experience in a huge futuristic simulator. The simulator is equipped with hydraulic seats that move in coordination with the images projected on the HD screen.
The Amazon Hut – A fascinating display of animals directly from the Amazon river; a massive anaconda snake, piranha fish, crocodiles, predators, and many other species.
In the evenings enjoy the Ice Mall and the Red Sea Mall – where you can shop and enjoy tax free shops , walk along the promenade and see the Bazar shops .
Last day – Departure transfer to Ben Gurion airport via Eilat airport or Bus transfer.agnificent and unique coral reef of its kind in the world and lying in the very heart water
Holyland Gateway Tours is a tour company in Israel specializing in various types of tours, striving for a high-quality, personalized experience for clients.