2023 Holy Land Tour
Dates: February 18-26, 2023
Travel: Non-stop — Dallas (DFW) and Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion)
Capacity: 20 people
Hosts: Michael & Sherry Loftin
Stay: 9 nights 4- and 5-star hotel accommodations. Rates are based on the following hotels or similar.
Tour: 9 days sightseeing with bus and English speaking guide as per your custom-built itinerary.
Passport: A valid passport is required to leave the USA and must be obtained in person by each tour member. It should be valid for a minimum of six months after your return date or you will be denied boarding.
COVID Vaccination and Testing:
• All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• COVID test required before US departure and again upon arrival in Israel.
• Antigen test required in Israel upon departure back to the US.
Daily Intinerary
Day 1 – Our Journey Begins
Meeting at USA Airport; we board our plane, which soon takes off and heads towards Israel.
Day 2 – Welcome to Israel!
Arrive at the Tel-Aviv airport. Bruchim Habaim and welcome to the Land of the Bible. We are now transferred by deluxe coach to The Shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 3 – Heading up to The Galilee
We begin this morning with a visit to Jaffa, we will see the site of Simon The Tanner’s home, mentioned in the Book of Acts. Next, we drive up the coastal shores and visit Caesarea. We will visit the Roman amphitheater where Paul stood trial and see where Peter began his ministry. It was here that the Gentiles first received the Holy Spirit. We proceed to drive north and visit Mt. Carmel, where Elijah called down fire from heaven and defeated the false prophets of Baal. Our next stop will be at Megiddo, the site of Armageddon, we proceed to drive through the Jezreel Valley and make our way to Mt. Precipice at Nazareth. Our coach now takes us to the Sea of Galilee. We’ll base three nights here as our base.
Day 4 – Explore The Galilee
Begin the day with a beautiful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, we proceed to view an ancient boat used at the time of Jesus. Our travels now take us to Mt. of Beatitudes, we walk downhill towards the site of where Jesus fed the multitudes. Next, we head to Capernaum to visit Simon Peter’s home and learn of the life of Jesus. At Tabgha, we spend time where Jesus fed the multitudes by blessing the very little the young boy had to offer. Our next stop will be at Kursi National Park, from here, we drive around the complete Sea of Galilee and make our way back to the hotel.
Day 5 – The Golan Gems
Our travels today take us up to the Syrian Border. We visit Um-el-Kanatir and visit an ancient synagogue. We proceed now to Tel-Dan, where we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks, and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith and recognized the Jesus is more than a prophet, He is The Christ (Matthew 16). We continue now to Mt. Bental and ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel.
Day 6 – Up to Zion!
We begin this morning with a time of personal devotion at Mt. Arbel, we continue now to the Jordan River baptismal site, where we will have a morning baptismal service for those who wish to be immersed. Then on to one of the famous cities of the Decapolis, Bet Shean, a master piece of archeological rediscovery into what a pagan Roman city looked like in the Mediterranean world at the time of Jesus Christ. Next, we travel through the wilderness in the Judea desert and finally we ascend to Jerusalem, we enjoy a visit to Bethlehem, where the word became flesh and our savior was born. Visit the church of Nativity and Shepherds fields. We proceed now to welcome the Shabbat at the Western Wall. This evening, we enjoy a delicious dinner and a night of rest in the greatest city on earth: Jerusalem, capital of Israel!
Day 7 – Jerusalem, City of Our Great King!
This morning we begin at Mt. Of Olives, taking in the breathtaking view of Mount Moriah (Gen 22:2) and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-42). The Mount of Olives is where Jesus will return and the Temple Mount is where the 3rd Temple will be rebuilt prior to His appearing. After enjoying the view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, we visit the Church of All Nations and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane with a grand view of the Eastern Gate and the Kidron Valley. Here, we read the Scriptures of Jesus’ prayer and take time for personal reflection where we literally walk where Jesus walked. We proceed to visit Bethesda and Antonia Fortress. Following a visit to the Lithostrotos, we walk through the final stops of the Via Dolorosa. We finish this day at the Church of The Holy Sepulcher.
Day 8 – Jerusalem, Jewish Heart
We begin this day by paying respect to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, this is a place both of great sadness and an experience of the spirit of hope and triumph, for those who trust in Messiah. After a short time of prayer, we proceed to the Israel Museum to get an orientation of the city as it was in the days of Jesus by observing a model city (50 to 1 scale) of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Christ. Here, we also study the Dead Sea scrolls at the Shrine of The Book. We proceed to have a unique opportunity to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem at a local Prayer Tower. We finish this day strolling through Mahane Yehuda, a local Jewish Market.
Day 9 – Jerusalem, Old City
We put on our walking shoes and begin on Mt. Zion, we visit the room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Matt. 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 The Pentecost), also known as the site of the Upper Room, and the traditional site of the Tomb of King David. We walk through the Jewish Quarter and make our way to Ir David (City of David), at the Gihon Spring, we learn of how David over-took the city from the Jebusites and how the original city of Jerusalem was established. Following a visit to the Pool of Siloam, we make our way to the Southern Wall excavations. Parts of the stairs leading to the Temple Mount as well as some of the purification pools can be viewed. This is the general area where Jesus would have driven out the money changers. The southeastern pinnacle is said to be where Jesus was tempted to throw Himself down when tempted by the Enemy. Next, we make our way to the Western Wall, the last retaining wall of The Second Jew-ish Temple. We continue to walk now through the Kotel Tunnel. This afternoon, we enjoy a few hours to stroll and shop on our own.
Day 10 – Dead Sea
Today after breakfast, we head to the lowest place on earth, The Dead Sea, and visit Ein Gedi where David fled from Saul. Continuing south through the wilderness of Judea, we will ascend by cable car to Masada, here, is the world’s oldest operating Jewish synagogue. We visit the remains of Herod’s Palace, the Apartments, Baths, Storehouses, and Cisterns. It was here the Jewish Zealots made their last stand against the Roman Legions from 70-73 AD. Descend from Masada with a stunning view of the Dead Sea. Prior to returning to Jerusalem, we enjoy an optional float and swim in the Dead Sea.
Day 11 – Shalom!
We enjoy a relaxing morning, we then visit the Temple Institute, here, we learn of the prepara-tions being made for the Third Jewish Temple. Next, we visit the house of Chiapas. We proceed now to Gordons Calvary, Golgotha and The Garden of Tomb, we have Holy Communion and celebrate together the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. It is finished. Following a sunset farewell dinner overlooking the Judean hills, we are transferred as a group to the Ben Gurion International Tel Aviv airport to board the flight!
Day 12 – Arrive Home
We carry in our hearts a fresh expectancy to read the Bible as never before, we cherish the sweet memories made and we begin to make plans for our next trip to The Holy Land!
* Due to COVID-19, itinerary subject to change.