John F. Kennedy Airport / New York – Leave from JFK Airport for an exciting visit to Israel with its historic sites holy to three religions. (Please see the note at the end of the itinerary for JFK departure instructions.
Ben Gurion Airport / Jerusalem – When you arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by a TAL Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Relax, have a good meal, and prepare for a day full of lots of sightseeing tomorrow. You will spend your first night in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: Mount Zion, The Old City and Bethlehem – Your tour starts in Mount Zion, where you will visit the tomb of King David, which is located in the lower level of what still remains of the former Hagia Zion, a Byzantine church. From there you will go to the upper level and witness for yourself the room where the Last Supper, also known as Cenacle, was held. This is not only the site of the Cenacle but also the location where the Apostles stayed in Jerusalem.
From there you will proceed to the Walled City of Jerusalem. All .35 square miles make up the city limits of what at one time constituted all of Jerusalem. Within that Old City tour sights such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and walk along the Western Wall. Your tour will continue on to Mount Scopus and then to the Mount of Olives for an opportunity to walk through the newly restored Jewish Quarter.
From there you will continue onto Bethlehem (subject to availability) with a stop at Rachel’s Tomb. Afterwards, you will see the Church of the Nativity.
You will again spend the night in Jerusalem.
Acre / Haifa / Tel Aviv – After Breakfast drive west to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications as Paul did (Acts 21:7). Continue for a sightseeing tour of Haifa, including the Bahai Shrine, Persian Garden and Mount Carmel, associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha (Kings 1 2, 15:24, 25) for a panoramic view of the city. Proceed southwards to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theater and the Crusader fortress. Caesarea was the home of the first gentile convert, Cornelius who was baptized by Peter (Acts 10). Continue to Tel Aviv-Jaffa, where Jonah embarked for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3-17) for a short city tour and to hotel for overnight.
Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport – This morning we check in for our homebound flight from Ben Gurion Airport, rejoicing and putting our trust in the Lord, remembering the words from Psalms 125:1: “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed but abideth forever”.