The program is filled with visits and events that are not published or mentioned in the itinerary and will be provided to vetted participants only.
Jerusalem Weekend with Sara Carter
If you make your own flight arrangements, please make sure your flight arrives no later than early afternoon on Friday May 24 and your flight out of Israel should be late morning or afternoon on Monday June 3rd.
Depart on an overnight flight to Israel. For those who wish to come earlier, please inquire about our special hotel rates in Tel Aviv.
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to your hotel on the beach in Tel Aviv. Check into your hotel. Dinner will be served at 7:00pm in the main dining room.
Breakfast and Dinner at your hotel. Day at leisure to enjoy the Tel Aviv beach. take a walk to Old Jaffa, Join in the Falk Dancing on the promenade right below your hotel. Dancing begins around 7:00 PM.
After breakfast, we will have our orientation meeting with a layout of the tour by our tour host, Ron Wexler, Team Israel, as well as our guides and staff. We will start our touring program making our way to one of the communities in Shomron (Samaria). Here we will be briefed on the border separation fence between the West Bank and Israel. We continue north along the coastal road to the beautiful Carmel Mountains overlooking the Jezreel Valley known as the Valley of Armageddon. We will take a beautiful view from the top of Mount Precipice in Nazareth, also known as Mount of Precipitation or Mount of Leap of the Lord. It is believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus. Drive to the Sea of Galilee and check into your hotel.
Breakfast at our hotel. This morning we will visit biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee. We will then drive to the northern border of Israel in the town of Metula to view the local border security fence. Interesting part of this most guarded fence is that a number of years ago it was called "The Good Fence" It is here that Christian Lebanese and members of the South Lebanon Christian Militia had free access to Israel during Lebanon civil war years. This good fence was able to sustain, supply and allow these Christians access to medical centers in the region
Next we will drive up to the Golan Heights, where we will visit Caesarea Philippi, Merom Golan and Emek Ha'bachah the Valley of Tears. This place was also the site of the most heroic fight between the IDF and the Syrian army during the Yom Kippur war. Time permit, we will view the newly redone film Oz 77 about the Yom Kippur War and discuss (at the actual site of the battlefield bordering the current front line) the security issues that persist over 50 years since that war.
Our presentation here will shed light on another border barrier system that provides 100% security to the region. This place is the Kuneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria where Israel managed to assist many wounded on the Syrian side. This border crossing was fought for and changed hands a number of times between the Assad army and the Syrian rebels. We will end our Golan visit in Har Ben Tal, an Israeli IDF bunker overlooking the entire valley below and the Syrian city of Kuneitra.
We make our way back to Tiberias, stopping for a view of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley from the Mount of Beatitudes. Return to our hotel for dinner followed by a panel discussion: "Israel - Western society's last line of defense"
After breakfast we will once again head north but this time we will make our way to the border kibbutz, Misgav Am. Here we will meet the northern command civilian liaison for an up to date account of the southern border with Lebanon which is held by Hezbollah militia. Driving across the scenic northern border road west we will towards Rosh Hanikra on the Mediterranean. This interesting place is situated at the most northern seashore border with Lebanon, here we will view the border and see the UN observers and the IDF checkpoint.
Time permit, we will visit Acre of the crusaders.
Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we will be at the Jordan River for a baptismal or baptismal reaffirmation - an incredible experience. On to the Gideon's Spring at En Harod. From here we will leave the Galilee heading south along the Jordan Valley along the border line with Kingdom of Jordan. We will drive to Mizpeh Jericho the and the Dead Sea Lookout observation balcony. The views of the Dead Sea and surrounding Jordan Valley and Jericho, the world’s most ancient city is truly breathtaking. Drive up to Jerusalem, stopping on the Mount Scopus. Here you will have your first glimpse of the Golden City of “Yerushaliyim”.. Check into our hotel, dinner and overnight.
Check into our hotel, dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we will make our way to visit the Temple Mount, the site of al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock with an onsite comprehensive presentation! Trace some of the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa before walking to the reconstructed Jewish Quarter. Walk through the Cardo, the original Roman street and see the remains of the massive wall built by King Hezekiah. Making our way down the Kotel Steps we arrive back to the Western Wall Plaza and 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 western side. Departing through the Dung Gate we will meet our motor coach and make our way to the Mt of Olives. What a superb panoramic view of The Temple Mount, Al Aqsa, the Dome of the Rock and the entire walled city. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (“place of the skull”) and the Garden Tomb Evening program at hotel
After an early breakfast we will make our way to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Driving along the coastline we make our way to Masada. This was the last pocket of insurrection in the Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire where 960 men, women and children defied the might of Rome and fought for three years after the destruction of Jerusalem. We will visit King Herod's Palace, the Synagogue, and a very sophisticated water and irrigation system that is 2000 years old. On top of the rock we will hear a presentation by Ron Wexler - Never Again
Later in the day a special treat awaits us as we go bathing in the "heavy water" of the Dead Sea.
After a fun time at the Dead Sea we will return to our hotel in Jerusalem.
This evening we will participate in a most unique, spiritual filled service at the Western Wall as locals and tourists receive the Shabbat Prayers, songs and dance.
Return to the hotel for "Shabbat Dinner".
A special Jerusalem program with Sara Carter, Tom Trento, Ron Wexler and other experts (more information to follow with registered participants).
This morning begin with a special visit to Mt Herzl (Israel’s Arlington Cemetery) to visit the National Hall for Israel’s Fallen. Built to express Israel’s respect, appreciation and commitment to honoring the fallen soldiers. The walls of the hall wrap around a tall torch-like structure covered by the names of the fallen, bringing together their personal stories and tying them to the history of the State of Israel.
From here we will walk up to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust. Here, we view the many moving exhibitions, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.
This afternoon a special visit to Latrun. In recent years this place became our "must visit" place when in Israel - this is the official Israel Defense Force Commemoration Center and armament display. Latrun is the fortress that was strategically built on Israel's main crossroads and throughout history protected the City of Jerusalem.
The program here will include laying a wreath at the Wall of Fallen.
We return back to Jerusalem for free time before our final dinner together this evening.
Note: Those participants that have flights leaving this evening will depart hotel after dinner (we hope your flights are made for late morning or afternoon of June 3).
Return home.