ESCORTED PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Round trip flights Albany-Tel Aviv. Call for rates from other cities.

• Airline fuel surcharges

• 8 nights First Class accommodations

• 1 night Tel Aviv

• 2 nights Galilee (Nazareth or Tiberias)

• 5 nights Jerusalem

• All transfers

• 16 meals: 8 breakfasts, 8 dinners

• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motorcoach

• Services of an English-speaking tour escort/manager

• Services of local guides in all major cities

• Entrance fees per itinerary

• Donations to local churches

• Restaurant tips

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

• Baptism on Jordan River (optional)

• Jesus' childhood home, Nazareth

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jersualem

• Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

• Excursion to the Dead Sea

• Wine, mineral water & coffee with all included dinners

• Soft drink & coffee with all included lunches

NOT INCLUDED: airport taxes, fees and September 11th Security Fee, and tips to guides, driver, and tour escort/manager (call for terms and conditions).

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1, Tuesday
Depart Albany to Tel Aviv. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Wednesday
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner (D): TEL AVIV

DAY 3, Thursday
After breakfast, drive to the ancient Phoenician city of Jaffa, where St. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead. In Caesarea, the capital of ancient Judea, see the Roman Amphitheater, Crusader City, Byzantine street, the aqueduct, and Herod's Port. Continue along the coast to Haifa, the ancient city of Akko, Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, and Nazareth, Jesus' childhood home (B, D): GALILEE

DAY 4, Friday
If you have dreamed of walking in the footsteps of Jesus, then today becomes that reality. Today's tour begins with views of the ancient fishing vessels and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The tour continues to Tabgha to visit the ancient site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, as well as the Church of the Multiplication. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount of the Gospel of Matthew. The tour continues to visit the town of Capernaum, the ancient center of Jesus' preaching. While there, visit the ruins of the Ancient Synagogue where Jesus taught, the house of the apostles, and the excavations in progress (B, D): GALILEE

DAY 5, Saturday
Depart Galilee and begin the day with a visit to the River Jordan to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus. Afterwards, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, which marks the traditional Roman Catholic site of the Annunciation. Standing as the largest of its kind in the Middle East, as maintained by the Franciscan Order, the basilica enshrines the sunken grotto of the Annunciation and the actual remains of the 1st century maiden home of Mary. Remnants of the Church of St. Joseph's Carpentry is situated within the complex as well. Via Beit She'an, continue to Jerusalem with the balance of the afternoon at leisure (B, D): JERUSALEM

DAY 6, Sunday
Enjoy a fascinating tour of Jerusalem's Old City, walking the Via Dolorosa. Along the walk, enjoy views of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Proceed via the Arab Quarter to visit the Western Wall, a most sacred site and premier place of pilgrimage. Just inside St. Stephen's Gate, you will see St. Anne's Church, one of the best preserved crusader buildings in the Holyland. Continue to the Praetorium, site of the public trial of Jesus and His condemnation. From here, visit the Garden Tomb, believed by some to mark the site of Jesus' burial (B, D): JERUSALEM

DAY 7, Monday
Attend Sunday Mass, and afterwards, visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six- million victims of the Holocaust. Driving past the Knesset (Parliament), continue to the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. The tour continues past the Monastery of the Cross, ascending the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem and the Old City below. From here, the tour continues to the Garden of Gethsemane, and on to the Kidron Valley to view the House of Caiaphas. On the eastern slope of Mt. Zion, behold the tomb of David and the Room of the Last Supper. Afterwards, continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the most revered religious sites in Christianity, as it marks the birthplace of Jesus (B, D): JERUSALEM

DAY 8, Tuesday
This morning, enjoy a relaxing drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to visit the Caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue to the fortress of Massada to visit the synagogue, bath house, and Herod's Palace (B, D): JERUSALEM

DAY 9, Wednesday
Today, view the Southern Walls Excavations on the Temple Mount, continuing to visit Jericho, the oldest city in the world, and the Mount of Temptations. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure (B, D): JERUSALEM

DAY 10, Thursday
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home (B).

Click on image above for a larger map

DATES & RATES

2008
Sep 16	$2629
Oct 14	$2599
Nov 11	$2299

All Departures Guaranteed!
Rates are per person for double occupancy. Single and triple occupancy rates available on request.
Additional departures for groups of 20 or more available on request. Please inquire.