Our spiritual adventure begins with an overnight, transatlantic flight to our long-awaited destination - Israel!

We arrive in Israel and drive north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea for a well-deserved rest.

Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Megiddo, Mount Arbel

We begin our journey at Caesarea, where Peter proclaimed the good news to the Roman centurion, Cornelius. We will explore key parts of this biblically significant city. A short ride from there will bring us to the place of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Leaving Mount Carmel we will travel to Megiddo — biblical Armageddon — for an awe-inspiring view of the Jezreel Valley. Our day ends with a breathtaking panorama of the Sea of Galilee atop Mount Arbel before arriving at our hotel in Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee

Following in the footsteps of Jesus and the disciples, we will visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus, and walk the streets that witnessed so many of His miracles before boarding a boat for a time of worship on the Sea of Galilee. On the hillside of Galilee we will find the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ delivered one of His most powerful teachings. Crossing the Jordan River to the other side, we will stop at Kursi, the site where the demons entered the swine after being cast out of the demoniac. Our day will conclude at the Jordan River, where you will have the opportunity to be baptized in the same river in which John baptized Jesus.

Dan, Caesarea Philippi

Our journey continues following the route of the old International Highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia on our way to Dan. A beautiful nature preserve provides a refreshing backdrop as we visit the northernmost city of ancient Israel and see the spot where wicked King Jeroboam set up a golden calf. After a short ride we will come to the New Testament city of Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mount Hermon, where Peter made his great confession, "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Driving up to the Golan Heights, we will focus on modern Israel's struggles with Syria and Lebanon and discover why this region is so strategic.

Bet She'an, Dead Sea

This morning we journey past Mt. Tabor, where Deborah and Barak led the forces of Israel to victory, before arriving at the Spring of Harod, where Gideon chose his 300 men. We continue down the Jezreel Valley to the ancient city of Bet She'an, where we will walk through the remarkable restoration of the Roman ruins that sit in the shadow of the hill where the Philistines once displayed the bodies of King Saul and his son, Jonathan. We then proceed down the Jordan Valley past Old Testament Jericho, the ancient Canaanite city where the "walls came tumbling down." Our journey then takes us to the lowest point on the face of the earth, the Dead Sea. We will have the opportunity to swim in these unique waters and relax at our hotel.

Masada, En Gedi, Qumran, Jerusalem

We begin our day by focusing on the wilderness areas traversed by the young shepherd, David. We will depart early for Masada and ride a cable car up to the summit for a tour of the magnificent ruins of Herod's lavish palace and fortress, where Jewish zealots made their final stand in their revolt against Rome. We will then drive to the oasis of En Gedi to relive one of David's historic encounters with King Saul. Qumran is our next stop to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, giving us the oldest copy of biblical passages. Later this afternoon, we will journey up to the magnificent city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem

In Jerusalem we will experience and visit a multitude of biblical and historic sites of both the Old Testament and New Testament:

• A panoramic vista of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives with an opportunity to walk down this historic hillside to visit Dominus Flevit, the traditional spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night He was betrayed
• The Southern Temple Steps and Temple Mount, significant sites of the Temple destroyed in A.D. 70
• The Western (Wailing) Wall and Rabbinical Tunnel that runs under the Old City and along the Western wall that dates back to the time of Christ
• The original City of David, which includes Warren's Shaft and Hezekiah's Tunnel, the water tunnel through which David's forces climbed to capture the city of Jerusalem
• The Herodium, the fortress that became Herod's burial place and overlooks Bethlehem
• Pool of Bethesda and Pools of Siloam, where Jesus healed and the Pharisees passed judgment against the Son of God
• Yad Vashem, Israel's unforgettable memorial to the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust
• The Model of Herodian Jerusalem, which provides an excellent picture of the city as it would have looked in the time of Christ
• The Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book to see highlights of biblical archaeology
• The Jewish Quarter, Hezekiah's City Wall, and the Cardo
• The traditional Upper Room, where Jesus met with His disciples over the Passover meal
• St. Peter Gallicantu, the traditional site of Caiaphas' House
• The Via Dolorosa, "The Way of the Cross," stopping at Antonio's Fortress, and on to the site where Jesus laid down his life for mankind
• A life-changing tour of Gordon's Calvary and the Garden Tomb

We will end our final day in Jerusalem by holding a memorable communion service at the Garden Tomb before enjoying our farewell meal at the American Colony. This historic place was originally founded by Horatio Spafford, who wrote these unforgettable words that have brought solace to so many in grief, "It is Well with My Soul." The original document is still on display in the lobby.

We return to the United States with heart-changing memories of our time together in the land of Israel.