The Ronaldson Family Pilgrim Tour

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

• Touchdown at Ben Gurion International AirportIsrael's only international gateway. After clearing passport control a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to welcome you. He will facilitate luggage identification and handling; then escort you through customs and to your awaiting vehicle.

• Drive to TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities, the capital of the Galilee, which is located on the shores of Lake KinneretSea of Galilee (Sea of Galilee). This is where much of the ministry of Jesus occurred, as he recruited four of his apostles from the shores of Lake Galilee: Simon and his brother Andrew, and the brothers John and James. The Sermon on the Mount was given on a hill overlooking the lake. Many of his miracles were also recorded to occur here: his walking on water, calming a storm, feeding five thousand people, and many others. The famous Tiberias Hot Springsrenowned spa resort in the north, known throughout the ages for its curative powers, is located in this scenic lakeside resort.

• Drive through Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. A stopover at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus proclaimed his Sermon on the Mount.

• On to Capernaum and the remains of the large white limestone synagogue with its beautifully carved columns and stones. This was a thriving town during the Second Temple period. It was destroyed by an earthquake and was never rebuilt.

• Take a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples concluding a wonderful day.

• Arrive at the Sheraton Moriah Hotel, TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities. Check-in and freshen up before dinner at Deck’s Restaurant.

Overnight: Sheraton Moriah Hotel, TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

• After breakfast, we drive to Tabghathe traditional location for the calling of the disciples to visit the traditional site of the Multiplication Miracle of Loaves and Fishes and on to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, wherein lies the Rock of Mensa Christi.

• The next stop is at one of the sources of the River Jordan at Banias, the site of Caesarea Philippi where the Apostle confessed his faith, and a stop at a baptismal site on the banks of the River Jordan, followed by Bethsaida, situated in Jordan National ParkThe Cochav Hayarden National Park bordering Lake KinneretSea of Galilee.

• Drive through the "Plain of Armageddon" to the town of Nazareth, the city of Jesus' boyhood, to visit the wonderful Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well and the Church of St. Gabriel.

• Visit the Blessed Cave, view Mary and Joseph's house.

• Then to exquisite Cana, the scene of the wedding feast, where Jesus turned the water into wine.

• At Nazareth Village, you can experience first-hand the Biblical period, surrounded by costumed guides, in order to get an authentic feel for Jesus' period.

• Back to TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities, to rest at the famous Hot Springs, known throughout the ages for its curative powers, is located in this scenic lakeside resort.

• Enjoy a quiet dinner at Pagodaone of the most beautiful restaurants in Israel, TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities’s Chinese Thai restaurant.

Overnight: Sheraton Moriah Hotel, TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

• After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and drive to visit MegiddoLocation knows for its historical weight. This important site dates back to the times of the Canaanites. During excavation, remnants of once lovely palaces dating back to the Israelite Kings were discovered. In this “city of chariots”, you will have a unique opportunity to go down the famous Canaanite shaft to the water tunnel that dates back to the year 4000 BCE.

• Driving on to the oriental city of Akko (Acre), where the Christian Crusaders built their most important port. We visit the Templers "Knights Halls" under the oriental market with its colors and scents of the East.

• Proceed to the ancient city of Caesarea, built by HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple the Great and once the seat of Roman rule.

• Visit the Caesarea Harbor Project where a fascinating cinematic exhibition will take you on an enchanted voyage through the history of Caesarea.

• Along the route, you will be exposed to the various civilizations which ruled the city, including the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders.

• Drive to Mukhraka, the Place of Sacrifice and the site of the contest between the prophet Elijah and 450 false prophets of Baal, to see which god was greater. The contest, won by Elijah, brought about a revival of the peoples’ faith in God. From this vantage point, the beauty of the Lower Galilee and the Jezreel ValleyKnown, in Hebrew, as "The Valley of God's saving" can be seen.

• We visit the inspiring Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, and view the beautiful Baha’i gardens.

• Drive to JaffaAn ancient port city near Tel Aviv (Yaffe), one of the oldest biblical cities in the world and an important seaport since antiquity. It was from there that JonahProphet of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel embarked for TarshishWhere Jonah fled and was swallowed by a great whale.

• Stop at the Gate of Hope Monument, which is located on a high plateau and provides a spectacular view of the Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center coastline and beyond. On to view the White City of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center, whose outstanding architecture blends the various trends of the Modern Movement and town planning in the early part of the 20th century.

• Enjoy a Welcome dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

Day 4, Wednesday, February 7th

• After breakfast, we will drive to Shiloh an assembly place for the people of Israel containing a sanctuary. Start the day by visiting the ancient sites in Shiloh an assembly place for the people of Israel containing a sanctuary and the ShomronSamaria - the heart of Biblical Israel, where tradition says that the ancient Holy Ark rested and where Eli the High PriestThe Main Priest, trained the Young Prophet Samuel and Samuel the Prophetan important leader of ancient Israel. lived.

• Drive via the Elah ValleyWhere David killed Goliath, where the famous battle took place in which David slew Goliath.

• Travel to the ancient remains of Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel – one of the oldest settled sites in the country. This is where, in biblical times, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the city walls by the Philistines. Today Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel is a modern development town.

• Drive along IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s security fence. We will drive through one of the settlements on this “seam line”. See the hi-tech security fence facilities and how they are able to track the activity along and around the fence area.

• On to visit Modiinthe "City of the Future", a perfect observation point to view the surrounding countryside.

• Back to Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center, to spend the rest of the day in this joyful city, reveling in the Bauhaus architecture and the lively atmosphere, cafes and boutiques.

Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

• After breakfast, check-out of the hotel.

• Ascend to JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Upon your first view of the eternal Holy City, stop at Mount ScopusOffering beautiful vistas of Jerusalem for a moment’s reflection led by your group leader.

• We shall start our pilgrimage in JerusalemThe capital of Israel with a Drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives. From the top of the Mount there is a magnificent view over all of ancient and modern JerusalemThe capital of Israel, the center of the biblical world. We visit the shrines on the Mount and walk on down the "Palm Sunday Road" visiting the Chapel of Dominus Flevit en route to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of all Nations. We visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was scourged. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned.

• Check into the Park Plaza HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure around the beautiful ancient city, along the German Colony's beautiful side cafes and boutiques, and return to enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Park Plaza HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast, we will start the day by visiting the Garden Tomb, an ancient Jewish sepulcher.

• Next we shall enter within the old Walled city of JerusalemThe capital of Israel and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. We visit the Pools of Bethesda and walk on along the Via Dolorosa, following the 14 Stations of the Cross from Pilate's Judgement Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

• On our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple MountThe Location of the Temple at Jerusalem, giant stones, water supply and Roman street. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders.

• We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church.

• Enjoy a visit to the Davidson CenterThe Jerusalem Archaeological Park – the newly opened visitor’s center, located at the JerusalemThe capital of Israel Archaeological Park.

• WELCOME SHABBAT AT THE KotelHoliest place on Earth (WESTERN WALL)

• As the sun sets, enter JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World. Look around you and notice how people from all corners of the world enter through the various Gates with one purpose in mind – to welcome the Shabbat at the holiest place on earth for JudaismThe religion of the Jewish people.

• After welcoming the Shabbat, enjoy a traditional Shabbat dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Park PlazaWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Early morning departure to the Dead Sea area as we travel south through the Judean Wilderness.

• Arrive at MasadaAncient Fort on the shores of the Dead Sea. Ascend the cliff-top fortress by cable car. Explore the ancient remains of fortifications, King HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple’s palaces, storerooms and baths. Descend by cable car. It is also possible to descend on foot via the old Roman RampWall erected by the Romans in 72 CE or Snake Path.

• Take in the beauty of the natural Ein Gedi WaterfallJust north of Masada, a desert oasis of hiking trails, waterfalls and lush greenery. Experience a small slice of heaven as you hike along a waterfall oasis, whose beauty exudes vibrant colorful hues.

• Continue along the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and a rich source of minerals for export. Let the buoyant waters support you as you relax on your back and think of nothing else but the sea and the salt all around you.

• Take a very cool, short hike in the Flour Caves, a wondrous desert formation.

• Then to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found. Stop at Jericho the world's oldest city. Close by, view the Mt. of Temptation where Jesus was tempted, and finally to Bethany, the site of Lazarus tomb and the House of Mary and Martha.

• Enjoy dinner at the very lovely Taverna Restaurant in the fascinating Abu-Tur neighborhood of JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

Overnight: Park PlazaWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the new Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem, the memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust. Walk through the Museum, the Children’s Hall, and the Memorial Hall and view the recently constructed Memorial to the Deportees.

• Continue the visit by descending to the Valley of the Communities2.5-acre monument at Yed Vashem – a man-made valley shaped in the form of the European Map, and built in remembrance of over 5,000 European Jewish communities that suffered under the Nazis.

• Continue to the new Hadassah Medical CenterA world-class university medical institution. Enter the Synagogue view the brilliantly-hued, Chagall-designed stained glass windows, symbolizing the blessing which Jacob our forefather bestowed upon his sons.

• We ascend to Mt. Zion where we shall stop to see the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu which is built over the Palace of Caiaphas.

• Next we shall drive through the New City, passing the KnessetIsrael's Parliament Building (IsraelNation of the Jewish People's Parliament building), and on into the hill country to a "city of Juda" which today is called Ein KaremA picturesque village located approximately 5 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Here we shall visit the Church of the Visitation, which by tradition is built over the house of Zacharias, where the Virgin Mary came to visit. Here John the BaptistForerunner to Jesus, later executed by Herod the Great. was born.

• We drive to Bethlehem, the royal City of David, the place of the birth of Jesus in the Grotto of the Nativity. We visit also the Shepherd's Field. Finally we drive past Rachel's Tomb.

• Drive to Abu Gosh, a large Arab village, where you will enjoy an authentic Middle Eastern dinner at the Caravan Restaurant.

• Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

Overnight: Park Plaza HotelWonderful Hotel at the Heart of Jerusalem, JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

 After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and visit the Israel Museum. View the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in The Shrine of the BookHome to the Dead Sea Scrolls, a specially built structure that is an architectural masterpiece.

 On to Beit ShemeshAncient Canaanite City that Precedes the Modern Israeli City (House of the Sun), in the area where the City of Tzorah was located and where Samson fell in love with Delilah. This is also the place where the Jews redeemed the Holy Ark of Covenant, which had been captured by the Philistines. Today, Beit ShemeshAncient Canaanite City that Precedes the Modern Israeli City is one of the largest development areas around JerusalemThe capital of Israel, with hundreds of apartment buildings in construction.

 We will have the opportunity to view the beautiful wonders of nature, when we pay a visit to the Stalactite and StalagmiteLearn more about stalagmite while you Tour Israel! Caves situated near Beit ShemeshAncient Canaanite City that Precedes the Modern Israeli City. These caves were discovered by pure accident.

 Continue to Kibbutz Yad Mordechaia kibbutz founded in 1943, named after Mordechai Annilewicz. Visit the museum dedicated to the period from the Warsaw Ghetto uprising until the War of Independence.

 On to Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center Harbor where you will find a kaleidoscope of art and cultures. Enjoy the upbeat tempo of lively music, nightlife and restaurants peppered with a variety of unusual cuisines.

 Enjoy a tasty farewell fish dinner at the harbor.

 Transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel Airport where a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will assist you before your flight back home.

NEXT YEAR IN JerusalemThe capital of Israel!