DAY 1 Departure from Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ or New York JFK. Meals will be served on board. DAY 2 Arrival Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport over the Mediterranean coastline, visible from both sides of the plane. Shalom, you are in Israel and will be assisted with Immigration and Customs by EpicTOURS and their ground associates. Transfer by deluxe coach toward Jaffa, Caesarea and Mt. Carmel. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to view the stately, ancient ruins of Caesarea. Visit the Roman amphitheater where Paul stood trial. Cornelius, the first Gentile of the Church-age was saved as he met Peter here. Continue to Haifa to see Elijah’s Cave and enjoy the view from Mt. Carmel. Continue toward Nazareth, and Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. A breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee returns us to the land where Jesus walked. Dinner and overnight on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. DAY 3 After a sumptuous Israeli breakfast buffet on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Drive to Beit She’an to visit one of the best preserved Roman Amphitheaters in Israel. Extensive excavations have uncovered eighteen layers of civilization. Ancient Beit She’an is where King Saul’s body was nailed to the wall. Drive to the Valley of Jezreel, the prophetic future site of Armageddon. The archaeological site of Megiddo is one of Solomon’s chariot cities where twenty civilizations can be observed stacked up in the ruins. A breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee returns us to the land where Jesus walked. Dinner and overnight on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. DAY 4 (Optional Mountain Bike Tour.) After another great Israeli breakfast buffet, step aboard the boat for a calm cruise on the sea and an incredible worship service. Disembark at Ginosar to visit Capernaum; we visit the home of the Apostle Peter where Jesus healed his mother-in-law. A few footsteps away, we visit the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the fishes and loaves. Lunch time provides an opportunity to enjoy St. Peter’s fish. A short bus ride takes us to the Mount of Beatitudes where we hear the words of Jesus on the mount where he first spoke them. Complete the day at the Jordan River Baptismal site where many will choose to be baptized. (Optional robe and towel rental: $15.00.) Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 5 Leaving the Galilee we continue south toward Jericho, observing the city of Jericho from the coach. Travel along the site of Qumran and view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a shepherd boy. Continue south toward Masada through the wilderness of Judea where you will ascend by cable car to the fortress built by King Herod the Great. See 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. Continue north toward Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. After leaving the lowest point on earth (1360 feet below sea level), again passing Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, we ascend to Jerusalem, the City of God. Relax at the hotel with a spectacular Israeli buffet dinner and try to absorb your first night in Jerusalem. DAY 6 The first day in Jerusalem begins with a drive to the Mount of Olives where the New Testament comes alive. A breathtaking view of Jerusalem from the Garden of Gethsemane places the Biblical events in perspective. 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. After lunch, arrive at Mount Zion. Visit the room of the Last Supper, the site of the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David and the House of Caiaphas. If time permits, proceed to the Knesset (the Israeli House of Parliament) and to the Shrine of the Book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the Holy Land Model to view Jerusalem as it was in the time of Christ. Return to the hotel for dinner. DAY 7 Today, visit to the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. A Communion service is available for our group as we overlook the Tomb. Proceed to the Holy City. The walls enclose many of the Holy sites. Walking through the Dung Gate, we approach the Temple area on Mount Moriah. Visit the Western Wall, and then up to the Dome of the Rock enclosing the Rock of Sacrifice. Exit the Temple Mount at the Eastern Gate and walk through the colorful bazaars in Old Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Saint Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, the Lithostrotos and Pilate’s Judgment Hall. Continue through the old city to meet the coach for a drive to Bethlehem, visit the Shepherd's Fields, the Church of the Nativity, and fields of Boaz and Ruth. After shopping in Bethlehem, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 8 After breakfast, begin the tour of old Jerusalem with a visit to the Temple Institute where preparations are being made for the Third Temple. Garments and instruments can be seen and the lecture is informative. Continue through the Jewish Quarter of the city to see Nehemiah’s Wall that was fortified by the Jews during the First Temple period (586 B.C). (For Israel only passengers, evening return to the coach for transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport. The airport at Tel Aviv has an array of restaurants and shops while you wait for departure shortly after midnight.) Jordan Extension passengers board the bus to cross the border into the country of Jordan. DAY 9 After clearing security, at Ben Gurion International Airport, we will board the flight to USA. NOTE: Sequence of sites visited may be adjusted to accommodate local opening and/or closing time limitations as well as flight changes as dictated by the airlines (arrival/departure). Epic Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary or omit sites based on schedule requirements or local conditions.

DAY 1

Departure from Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ or New York JFK. Meals will be served on board.

DAY 2

Arrival Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport over the Mediterranean coastline, visible from both sides of the plane. Shalom, you are in Israel and will be assisted with Immigration and Customs by EpicTOURS and their ground associates. Transfer by deluxe coach toward Jaffa, Caesarea and Mt. Carmel. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to view the stately, ancient ruins of Caesarea. Visit the Roman amphitheater where Paul stood trial. Cornelius, the first Gentile of the Church-age was saved as he met Peter here. Continue to Haifa to see Elijah’s Cave and enjoy the view from Mt. Carmel. Continue toward Nazareth, and Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. A breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee returns us to the land where Jesus walked. Dinner and overnight on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 3

After a sumptuous Israeli breakfast buffet on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Drive to Beit She’an to visit one of the best preserved Roman Amphitheaters in Israel. Extensive excavations have uncovered eighteen layers of civilization. Ancient Beit She’an is where King Saul’s body was nailed to the wall. Drive to the Valley of Jezreel, the prophetic future site of Armageddon. The archaeological site of Megiddo is one of Solomon’s chariot cities where twenty civilizations can be observed stacked up in the ruins. A breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee returns us to the land where Jesus walked. Dinner and overnight on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 4

(Optional Mountain Bike Tour.) After another great Israeli breakfast buffet, step aboard the boat for a calm cruise on the sea and an incredible worship service. Disembark at Ginosar to visit Capernaum; we visit the home of the Apostle Peter where Jesus healed his mother-in-law. A few footsteps away, we visit the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the fishes and loaves. Lunch time provides an opportunity to enjoy St. Peter’s fish. A short bus ride takes us to the Mount of Beatitudes where we hear the words of Jesus on the mount where he first spoke them. Complete the day at the Jordan River Baptismal site where many will choose to be baptized. (Optional robe and towel rental: $15.00.) Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5

Leaving the Galilee we continue south toward Jericho, observing the city of Jericho from the coach. Travel along the site of Qumran and view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a shepherd boy. Continue south toward Masada through the wilderness of Judea where you will ascend by cable car to the fortress built by King Herod the Great. See 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. Continue north toward Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. After leaving the lowest point on earth (1360 feet below sea level), again passing Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, we ascend to Jerusalem, the City of God. Relax at the hotel with a spectacular Israeli buffet dinner and try to absorb your first night in Jerusalem.

DAY 6

The first day in Jerusalem begins with a drive to the Mount of Olives where the New Testament comes alive. A breathtaking view of Jerusalem from the Garden of Gethsemane places the Biblical events in perspective. 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. After lunch, arrive at Mount Zion. Visit the room of the Last Supper, the site of the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David and the House of Caiaphas. If time permits, proceed to the Knesset (the Israeli House of Parliament) and to the Shrine of the Book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the Holy Land Model to view Jerusalem as it was in the time of Christ. Return to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 7

Today, visit to the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. A Communion service is available for our group as we overlook the Tomb. Proceed to the Holy City. The walls enclose many of the Holy sites. Walking through the Dung Gate, we approach the Temple area on Mount Moriah. Visit the Western Wall, and then up to the Dome of the Rock enclosing the Rock of Sacrifice. Exit the Temple Mount at the Eastern Gate and walk through the colorful bazaars in Old Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Saint Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, the Lithostrotos and Pilate’s Judgment Hall. Continue through the old city to meet the coach for a drive to Bethlehem, visit the Shepherd's Fields, the Church of the Nativity, and fields of Boaz and Ruth. After shopping in Bethlehem, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8

After breakfast, begin the tour of old Jerusalem with a visit to the Temple Institute where preparations are being made for the Third Temple. Garments and instruments can be seen and the lecture is informative. Continue through the Jewish Quarter of the city to see Nehemiah’s Wall that was fortified by the Jews during the First Temple period (586 B.C). (For Israel only passengers, evening return to the coach for transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport. The airport at Tel Aviv has an array of restaurants and shops while you wait for departure shortly after midnight.) Jordan Extension passengers board the bus to cross the border into the country of Jordan.

DAY 9

After clearing security, at Ben Gurion International Airport, we will board the flight to USA.

NOTE: Sequence of sites visited may be adjusted to accommodate local opening and/or closing time limitations as well as flight changes as dictated by the airlines (arrival/departure). Epic Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary or omit sites based on schedule requirements or local conditions.