Day 1: Arrival at Rome
Arrive at Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport and transfer to our hotel in the eternal city. Overnight in Rome.
Day 2: Rome, Coliseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain
Today we explore the ancient city of Rome. We start at the Coliseum, the impressive theater and walk through the Roman Forum, once the power center of the empire. Continue to the Trajan Forum and the other impressive Roman ruins in the city. On to visit the Trevi Fountain, where we will have the opportunity to throw a coin into the water in order to return to the city. We will see the famous squares such as Navona and Popolo and drive through the Via Venetto. Overnight in Rome.
Day 3: Vatican, St. Peter Square, St. Peter Basilica, Vatican Museums
This morning we visit the Vatican – the center of the Catholic faith. We start at Saint Peter square, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. We enter the basilica and marvel at the huge altar and the numerous works of art, including the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo. On to the Vatican Museums where we see one of the most extensive art collections in the world. We see the magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel. Overnight in Rome.
Day 4: Fly to the Holy Land, Caesarea, Galilee
In the morning we are transferred to the airport and fly to the Holy Land. Upon landing in Tel Aviv, we are met by our guide and bus. We drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, an ancient city built by Herod the Great, a major administrative center of the Romans, and the residence of Governor Pontius Pilate who judged Jesus. Then on to the Galilee, where we will stay overnight.
Day 5: Boat Ride, Sea of Galilee, Tabgha, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes
Start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, to experience the unique feeling associated with this sacred place. Visit Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the fish and loaves of bread. On to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the sermon on the mountain. Our next stop is Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived and preached. Here we see the synagogue and the house of Peter. Overnight in the Galilee.
Day 6: Cana, Nazareth
In the morning we drive to Cana to see the church where the first miracle happened. It was here that Jesus converted the water into wine at the village wedding. On to Nazareth, boyhood home of Christ where we visit the Church of The Annunciation and The Church of St. Joseph. Overnight in The Galilee.
Day 7: Mount Tabor, Jordan River, Jordan Valley
We start the day with a climb to Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration. After exploring the church we continue to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Here we can experience baptismal in the holy waters of the Jordan. Drive through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Old City, Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall
We start the day on top of The Mount of Olives with the magnificent view of the entire city. From here we see the entire vista of the holy city including the Temple Mount and the old city. We will enter the Old City via the Jaffa Gate and walk the narrow streets of the ancient bazaars to the Church of The Holy Sepulcher. This is where the Christ is buried and where His way of sorrows ended. Walk through the Via Dolorosa, the “way of the cross” where we see the stations along which Christ suffered. Vist the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. This wall is all that remained from the huge temple compound that King Herod built. Today it is the holiest site for the Jewish faith. Ascend to Mount Zion where we visit the Room of The Last Supper. It was here that Jesus had his Passover meal. On to the Tomb of King David. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9: Judaean Desert, Massada, Qumran, Dead Sea
Drive through the Judaean Desert to the Dead Sea. Visit Massada, the mountaintop summer palace built by King Herod. This palace was turned into a military fortress and used by the Jewish Zealots in their fight against the Romans. At the end they chose death by suicide rather than life as Roman slaves. We will have the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea and experience the unique feeling of floating upon the water. Continue to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We explore the ancient site and understand the story of the Essenes. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.
Day 10: Israel Museum, Shrine of The Book, Model of Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Today, we explore the new city of Jerusalem. Start at the Israel Museum where we see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Here we see the scrolls and understand their history and significance. Visit the model of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of Jesus and the first temple. In the afternoon we visit Bethlehem and explore The Church of The Nativity and The Milk Grotto. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11: Departure to U.S.
Transfer to the airport and fly back to the United States.
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