CALVARY BELAIR
VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND
Led by Pastor Keith Hartlaub
April 6-17, 2025
DAY 1 – Saturday, April 6 – DEPARTURE – Depart the US. Overnight: Flight to Ben Gurion Airport.
DAY 2 – Sunday, April 7 – ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL – Arrive safely at Ben Gurion International Airport. Welcome by our representative, assistance with arrival formalities, and after claiming luggage depart the airport and drive to Joppa (present-day Jaffa) from which Jonah departed before being swallowed by the whale. Our main point of interest, however, is the House of Simon the Tanner, on whose roof Peter had his vision that led to the baptism of Cornelius as well as St. Peter's Church. Transfer to your hotel, check in and after a welcome dinner hopefully get a good night's sleep after your long day of travel.
Dinner & Overnight: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
DAY 3 – Monday, April 8 – CAESAREA- MEGIDDO-NAZARETH – After breakfast and check out depart Tel Aviv and drive along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea where we'll explore the ruins of the Roman and Crusader cities; built by Herod the Great, Caesarea is where Paul was imprisoned and tried and where Cornelius was converted to Christianity. We'll go on to Megiddo and visit Tel Megiddo to see the remains of King Solomon’s Stables, an altar from the time of Abraham, and the magnificent water tunnel. Stop for a falafel lunch. Then we'll continue to Nazareth, stopping on Mt. Precipice to look out over the city where Jesus spent most of His childhood. End the day at Nazareth village, where Biblical scenes are brought to life. We'll finish the day at our hotel by the Sea Galilee. Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee.
DAY 4 – Tuesday, April 9 – SEA OF GALILEE–THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY – After breakfast drive to the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and visit Capernaum, where Jesus began His Ministry, and walk through the ruins of an ancient synagogue. Continue to the Heptagon Church at Tabgha and view the beautiful mosaic floor which depicts the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish that took place here. Then stop for a delicious St. Peter’s Fish lunch on the shores of the Lake. Afterwards we'll visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount followed by a viewing of the ancient Jesus Boat exhibited at the Yigal Alon Museum at Nof Ginosar. We'll continue to Magdala, the new archaeological site of the Village of Mary Magdalene. End the day sailing across the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat much like the one used by Jesus and the disciples. Return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee.
DAY 5 – Wednesday, April 10 – NORTHERN GALILEE – After breakfast we’ll have a full day to tour Israel's lovely northern region and dedicate our day to following in the footsteps of Jesus. We'll begin by driving north through the Golan Heights and visit the Valley of Tears. Next we'll visit Caesarea Philippi, the Banias, one of the contributory streams of the Jordan River and where Jesus declared Himself to St. Peter. We'll then continue to Tel Dan where the tribe of Dan disobeyed God's order and created a golden calf. Stop for a light lunch before driving through the beautiful Golan Heights and then end the day at the Yardenit Baptismal site, for a baptism in the Jordan River. Afterwards we’ll return to the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee.
DAY 6 – Thursday, April 11 – THE JORDAN VALLEY – After enjoying our rich Israeli breakfast we'll check out and ascend to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley. Stop at Gideon Spring and take a dive into ancient history and explore the fascinating events that took place at these waters. Continue to Beit Shean, the largest archaeological site uncovered in Israel where we'll explore the ancient Roman city with its reconstructed amphitheater, buildings and streets. We'll then drive south along the Jordan Valley Rift, passing by the ancient city of Jericho. Stop for lunch and then time permitting, stop at Tel Shiloh where the Tabernacles stood for 4,000 years. We'll then enter the city of Jerusalem and stop atop of the Mount Scopus for a magnificent view of the Old City, pray and do a devotional as well as play "Jerusalem" song as we get into the city. End the day at Haas Promenade to see this magnificent Holy City spread out before you. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY 7 – Friday, April 12 – THE HOLY CITY OF JERUSALEM – Breakfast at the hotel and then drive via the Valley of the shadow of Death to the most ancient part of the city, the City of David, where we'll walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel and the newly discovered tunnel, from the Pool of Siloam all the way to the Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center and Southern Steps. We'll visit the Western Wall and take a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels (Drainage tunnel to the Temple Mount at Robinson's Arch). We’ll then continue via the Jewish Quarter to Mount Zion and visit the Upper Room (Matthew 26), the traditional site of Jesus’ last Passover meal, or the Lord’s Supper. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
DAY 8 – Saturday, April 13 – DEAD SEA AREA – After breakfast we'll head towards the Dead Sea Basin. Our first stop will be at Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. we'll visit Ein Gedi, the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea and the area allotted to the Tribe of Judah and famous during the reign of King Solomon; this was also one of David's main places of refuge as he fled from the wrath of King Saul and where he wrote many of the Psalms. Explore Masada, site of the Zealots' last stand against the Romans; Masada was originally built as a magnificent fortress and palace for Herod the Great and you'll be able to view the bathhouse, storage rooms, mosaics and the Byzantine Church. Those able can descend via stairways and see Herod’s Hanging Palace. Stop at a nice hotel for lunch and to experience a float in the Dead Sea or to take advantage of the hotel's spa facilities! On our way back to Jerusalem stop for a short Camel Ride. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
"All these came as allies unto the vale of Siddim--the same is the Salt Sea" Genesis 14:3
DAY 9 – Sunday, April 14 – THE MAGNIFICENT CITY - After breakfast we'll proceed to Mt. of Olives where we'll walk down the traditional Palm Sunday path to the Church of the Ascension and then to Church of Dominus Flevit and to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations to spend some time in the private prayer garden. Then we'll visit the Israel Museum and visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved and exhibited as well as the Model of Ancient Jerusalem. End the day at Yad Vashem, Israel's main Holocaust Memorial. Time permitting, stop at Herod's Family Grave. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
DAY 10 – Monday, April 15 – VIA DELOROSA- GARDEN TOMB – After breakfast we'll visit the Temple Mount, where we can view the golden Dome of the Rock. Visit St. Anne's Church and then walk via the Lions’ Gate, and visit the Pools of Bethesda. We’ll then continue to the Tower of Antonia, the Praetorium and Pilate’s Judgement Hall; here our Lord was tried by Pilate, beaten by the Roman Cohort and took up His Cross for Calvary. The Ecce Homo begins the traditional Via Dolorosa leading up to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Catholic site of Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection). We'll then continue via Damascus Gate to the Garden Tomb, where we will have time for prayer and to take communion. We will end the tour with farewell dinner and Transfer to the Airport to fly home. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
DAY 11 – Tuesday, April 16 – BACK HOME – On board El Al flight 027 To Newark. Overnight: En Route
"The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers" Psalms 104:18
