2007 ITINERARY
(photos from other tours)

Led by: John and Patrice Fischer
Guide: Kenneth Garon

THURSDAY - JUNE 7

Arrive Ben Gurion Airport: 1:30 PM

Introduction to Jerusalem, Israel and the trip. We review 2nd Temple Jerusalem at the Holyland Hotel model. Later, we approach Jerusalem from the South much like the ancient pilgrams on their aliyah to the city, viewing the city from the Talpiot/Haas Promenade. We hear the role of the Hill of Evil Counsel in modern Jewish history.

Transfer to Kings Hotel
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

We begin the day at the Valley of the Destroyed Communities at Yad Vashem, continuing to the Museum and the Children’s Memorial. The afternoon will involve a walking tour of suburbs reflecting the history of Jerusalem: Yemin Moshe, Rehavia, Midrachov, the German Colony, neighborhoods preparing for Shabbat. When we visit Miriamne's Tomb--which accurately captures the setting of Yeshua's grave--we will get a fresh and special perspective of Yeshua's resurrection. Later, we will welcome Shabbat at the Wall.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Breakfast
Departure time: 9:30 AM

Shabbat in Jerusalem with an optional visit to the Citadel Museum, an excellent and informative experience, open from 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. After havdalah, we get to witness Jerusalem come alive after Shabbat at the Ben Yehuda Mall.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

SUNDAY, JUNE 10

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

Depart for the Galil via Jericho and later past Mt. Tabor (the Mount of Transfiguration and site of other biblical events). We explore the impressive excavations at Bet Shean and then visit the ancient synagogue at Bet Alpha. Afterward we swim at the national park at Sachne and then visit Gideon’s Spring, ending the day at Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

Lunch on own
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Tiberias

MONDAY, JUNE 11

Breakfast
Departure time: 7:30 AM

We begin the day by sailing the Sea of Galilee, docking at Kibbutz of Ginnosaur, home of the "Jesus boat". We drive to the Upper Galilee. We visit Capernaum and continue past the Mount of Beatitudes and Hazor to the Golan Heights. Next we're off to the beautiful, historic Banias. We then travel to Safed -- the city of mystics -- and explore its ancient synagogues and shop on its quaint streets. We will learn the Tel Chai story as we drive back to the hotel.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Mercure Hotel

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 12

Breakfast
Departure time: 7:30 AM

We begin the day with a tree planting ceremony in the Golani National Forest. Afterward, we travel to the important archaeological dig in Tziporri, one of the most significant and breath-taking cities in the Galil. Then we stop at the historic and prophetic Megiddo. We continue to Herod's amazing port city of Caesarea, then, on to Tel Aviv. We enjoy night life in Tel Aviv.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

Breakfast
Departure time: 9:30 AM

We visit Independence Hall and then the Diaspora Museum. In the afternoon we visit the historic and artistic Jaffa, and then we enjoy the beach and the Mediterranean.

Lunch on own at museum
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Basle Hotel, Tel Aviv

THURSDAY, JUNE 14

Breakfast
Departure time: 7:30 AM

We travel south to the Negev. After a stop at Beer Sheva at Abraham's Well, we leave for Mamshit camel ranch with its amazingly large and beautiful Bedouin tent where the Bedouins host the guests in accordance with all the ceremonies of their traditions (as they were in Abraham's time), accompanied by traditional music. A traditional Bedouin feast of platters of lamb, rice and other delicacies will be served. For the brave, there will be a camel ride in the compound. Afterward we travel to the Sde Boker hut and tomb of Ben Gurion and afterward visit Mitzpe Ramon Observatory and the unique "Grand Canyon" of Israel. Then we're off to Arad for a wonderful desert experience.

Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

We begin the day as we explore Masada (the stronghold of Herod the Great and the Zealots) including a discussion on the relevance of the site today. Then we're off to swim in the Dead Sea at the beautiful Ein Gedi Spa. Next we go to Qumran, the site of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We return to Jerusalem for Shabbat dinner.

Lunch on own at Spa
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

Breakfast
Departure time: 9:30 AM

On the Sabbath we will relax with an optional visit to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book -- from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

We travel to Ne'ot Kedumim to view and learn the historical role of the biblical flora and fauna there. At Mini-Israel we get to walk through all of Israel in an authentic miniaturized format. After a stop at Revadim, the site of ancient Ekron, we return to Jerusalem.

Lunch on own at Mini-Israel
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

MONDAY, JUNE 18

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

We start the day at the Tomb of David--the site of Yeshua's Last Passover and the location of a 1st Century Messianic Synagogue. We visit First and Second Temple sites such as Hezekiah’s broad wall, the ancient cardo, and then Burnt House and the remains of the destruction of Jerusalem found there. Next we tour the Jewish Quarter's historic synagogues and afterward look into the future with a glimpse of the "Third Temple" at the Temple Institute.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20

Breakfast
Departure time: 8:00 AM

We start the day at the Southern Wall excavations and then we’re off to the Herodian mansions and the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the impressive and significant Rabbi's Tunnel as we explore the centrality of Jerusalem to the three great monotheisms. We will see the historic sites housed by the Sisters of Zion Convent (Struthion Pool, Lithostratos, and Praetorium), St. Ann's Church (pool of Bethesda) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We close the day with a rooftop view of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

THURSDAY, JUNE 21

Breakfast
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

We begin the day with a tour of the amazing City of David site. We continue our morning at Hezekiah’s tunnel and the newly excavated Pool of Siloam, an important First and Second Temple location. The afternoon is free for shopping.

Lunch on own
Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Kings Hotel

FRIDAY, JUNE 22 (Departure)

Depart for airport

NOTE: In addition to the daily teaching by the guide and Drs. Fischer and Fischer at the tour sites, there are nightly seminar sessions with both professors.