This aft ernoon we meet our Christian Tours' tour director and are transferred to the Charlott e airport for our overnight trans- Atlantic flight to Israel.

Upon arrival to Tel Aviv, we clear customs and meet our guide. We board our coach and as time allows we will drive to the port of Jaff a/ Tel Aviv. We overnight in the coastal area. (D)

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea. We'll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Batt lefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. While in Nazareth we shall also visit Nazareth Village, a replica of how the area would have looked in the time of Jesus with people in the dress of the times. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee. (B, D)

Following breakfast, we begin our day by heading North to Dan, where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice and then to Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter's Confession and pagan worship. We pass the possible site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and the Mount of the Beatitudes. We then visit the ancient Fisherman Boat followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. In Capernaum we view the excavations of the sea-side village and Peter's home, followed by a visit to Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and well preserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel. (B, D)

We begin our day with the opportunity to be baptized at the Jordan River Baptismal site. Upon departing the area of Tiberias we head south for Ein Harod. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Aft er defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey” and Israel's intricate irrigation development. We pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) is the Israeli side of Bethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem for a 5 night stay. (B, D)

We start our day on the Mount of Olives for a sightseeing tour of the city. We descend the traditional Palm Sunday Road to the Kidron Valley. We stop in the Garden of Gethsemane. We then ascend, as Jesus did, to the traditional site of the Temple Mount and view the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Next we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. Aft er lunch, we proceed to the Upper Room on Mt. Zion, where we remember the Last Supper. Our next visit will be to St. Peter in Gallicantu, possibly the site of Caiaphas' house, where Jesus was tried and kept overnight. We will end our day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, where we will hold a communion service. (B, D)

We depart from Jerusalem and head for the area of the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth) and begin our day with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We return to Jerusalem late today. (B, D)

Walking along part of the Via Dolorosa, we will be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann's Church. This afternoon we visit the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard, have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers. After a hilltop view of Bethlehem, we drive to one of the possible sites of the Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visit the manger. We return to Jerusalem for evening. (B, D)

This morning we start quite early, walking the Via Dolorosa - the Way of the Cross - to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We next travel to the Shrine of the Book, containing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and survey an amazing outdoor model of Jerusalem as the city may have looked in 66 AD. Our coach continues to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. Our final stop on our pilgrimage is at Ein Kerem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist. Late today we return to our hotel. (B, D)

Today we cross the border into Jordan. This morning we travel to Jerash, one of the best preserved and most complete provincial Roman cities. Jerash, Gerasa of Roman Times, was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities dating from the 1st century BC situated in Jordan, Syria and Israel. Known as the Pompeii of the East for its extraordinary state of preservation, the ruins indicate human occupations at this location for more than 2,500 years. From here, we continue on to our lodging for the evening in Petra. (B, D)

Today we visit the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites - the descendants of Esau. Begin the tour with a walk through the “Siq,” an immense crack in the Nabatean sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved and built structures. Departing Petra, we travel northward on the King's Highway where to the west we view the hills bordering the Dead Sea. This is the area of the hilltop palace/fortress of Machaerus, where John the Baptist was beheaded. We overnight in Amman this evening. (B, D)

Today we visit Mukawir, a fortress set on a high hill near the Dead Sea, it is the site of one of Herod's palaces, and has the tradition of being where Salome danced and John the Baptist was beheaded. From the top of this mountain it is possible to see Herod's two other mountain-top palaces, Herodium near Bethlehem and Alexandrium near Jericho. Next we vis visit Madaba, a city known for its mosaics. The most popular and noteworthy discovery is the ancient and most complete Mosaic Map of Jordan and the Holy Land which dates back to the 6th century located in the Orthodox Church of St. George. Notice important points of interest marked out on the map with relation to historical events and stories recorded in the Bible. Our last visit is to Mount Nebo where you will climb to the top. Here, you will see the place where Moses was said to have died. Enjoy the panoramic views over the Holy Land and see mosaics of different animals and figures with a visit inside the church of Mount Nebo. Late today we cross the Allenby border and overnight in Israel. (B, D)

This morning we transfer to Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight home.