OVERVIEW
It has been said that what began in the mountains of Judea, flourished in the hills and plains of Galilee, culminated in Jerusalem, and reached deep into the heart of the Christian believer, takes on a new dynamic as you journey the lands of the Bible. In this living classroom, with the geography, archaeology, history and cultural settings as tools, the land of Israel can truly be thought of as the gospel you walk through.
It is our hope and prayer that in joining Michael and Fiona on this trip to some of the lands of the Bible, a little colour might be added to your understanding of scripture. Although a relatively short adventure, what is learned together and the impact this will have might take the rest of our lives to unpack.
Come join us in the land of Israel, the gospel you walk through.
Michael Tucker
Michael has a passion to understand how the Biblical narrative would have been understood by the first listeners in their culture, and therefore better understand how God's infallible word can be worked out in the lives of 21st century listeners, in a vastly different culture, a half a world away.
His extensive experience as a secondary school teacher and deputy principal in a Christian School, and as a lay preacher in his home church and by invitation in churches around Victoria, fuels a passion to share the knowledge gained through numerous trips to Israel and continual online study through the Israel Bible Centre.
Fiona Kuehne
Having had multiple previous trips to Israel, Fiona provides guests with security & reassurance prior to and during the journey.
With a background in organisational skills, nursing and a genuine love for people, you are in good hands.
ITINERARY
If you are taking the airfare and tour package, you will depart from Melbourne in the evening with Emirates (TBC) and fly via Dubai to Amman.
Included Meals: None
On arrival in Amman you will be met by our Jordan team who will assist you with immigration & visa formalities. We will board our coach and travel to Mt Nebo, where like Moses, we will see the Promised Land for the very first time!
Continue to Madaba to see the mosaic maps of Jerusalem that were key in developing scholarly knowledge about the physical layout of Jerusalem after its destruction and rebuilding in 70 AD. Travel along the Kings Highway to Petra.
Check in to our hotel for a 2 night stay and enjoy dinner. After dinner travel to the Petra site for the Petra at Night spectacular, seeing the siq and Treasury by candlelight.
Hotel: Petra Canyon Hotel, Petra
Continue to Madaba to see the mosaic maps of Jerusalem that were key in developing scholarly knowledge about the physical layout of Jerusalem after its destruction and rebuilding in 70 AD. Travel along the Kings Highway to Petra.
Check in to our hotel for a 2 night stay and enjoy dinner. After dinner travel to the Petra site for the Petra at Night spectacular, seeing the siq and Treasury by candlelight.
Hotel: Petra Canyon Hotel, Petra
Included Meals:
B
L
D
After breakfast this morning we explore the magnificent site of the Nabatean kingdom at Petra, remembering that this area was Edomite country.
Walking through the narrow Siq we see the so-called Treasury, and explore other parts of the complex.
Spend as little or as long at Petra as you like.
Hotel: Petra Canyon, Petra
Walking through the narrow Siq we see the so-called Treasury, and explore other parts of the complex.
Spend as little or as long at Petra as you like.
Hotel: Petra Canyon, Petra
Included Meals:
B
D
After breakfast we check out of our Petra hotel. Farewell our Jordanian guide and driver and walk across “no mans land” into Israel! You will be met by your Israeli guide and driver and you will travel to Timna National Park to see an excellent replica of the Model of the Tabernacle.
Continue north to the Dead Sea and check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Daniel Hotel, Dead Sea
Continue north to the Dead Sea and check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Daniel Hotel, Dead Sea
Included Meals:
B
D
Enjoy a float in the Dead Sea before check out and breakfast. We then travel to the Herodian fortress of Masada. Travel by cable car up to the top and enjoy a guided walk around the site.
We then re board the coach and travel North to Ein Gedi Nature reserve – which has a wonderful oasis and waterfall; This is the area where David hid from King Saul (1Sam 24).
Continue north to Qumran to see where the Jewish Essenes, a monastic community lived and worshipped. They were also committed to study & worship, and were the authors of the Dead Sea scrolls that you will see later in the tour. Our final stop before reaching Jerusalem is the Judean wilderness at Wadi Qelt- an amazing place to be at sunset.
We then arrive into Jerusalem and check in to our hotel for a 6 night stay.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
We then re board the coach and travel North to Ein Gedi Nature reserve – which has a wonderful oasis and waterfall; This is the area where David hid from King Saul (1Sam 24).
Continue north to Qumran to see where the Jewish Essenes, a monastic community lived and worshipped. They were also committed to study & worship, and were the authors of the Dead Sea scrolls that you will see later in the tour. Our final stop before reaching Jerusalem is the Judean wilderness at Wadi Qelt- an amazing place to be at sunset.
We then arrive into Jerusalem and check in to our hotel for a 6 night stay.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
Today we walk from the Mt. of Olives, from which Jesus ascended in to heaven, to the possible sites for Jesus’ death and burial. On the way down the Mt. of Olives, we visit the Paternoster Church, Dominus Flevit (commemorating Jesus weeping over Jerusalem) and the Garden of Gethsemane. Entering the old city we walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Our final visit is to the less likely, but more atmospheric, Garden Tomb. Tonight, we will welcome in Shabbat at a Jewish family’s home.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning we travel to Bethlehem to see the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Fields. Continue to Herodian where King Herod’s mausoleum and palace was built. We then visit the Valley of Elah, site of the famous battle between David and Goliath, and view the fascinating Sidonian caves at Beit Guvrin. We then visit Hebron to see the Cave of the Patriarchs: the burial site of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning we attend a church service then we will explore parts of the old city of Jerusalem, starting with the Temple Mount area (conditions permitting). In exploring the Jewish Quarter, we will see the Broad Wall dating from the time of Hezekiah and the Cardo or ancient shopping street. After looking at the excavations on the Southern Wall of the temple area, including steps to the temple which Jesus and the disciples must have used, we enter a tunnel going along the Western wall of the old temple. Our final visit will be to the Tower of David/Citadel museum.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning we will visit the restored and re-opened Israel Museum with an impressive collection of artefacts from the biblical eras. Within the grounds of the Museum is the model of 1st century Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book, which exhibits the Qumran scrolls. After visiting the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem) we gain an overview of the old city by walking around the ramparts of the walls.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
Today we will visit the City of David, walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel and explore the recently discovered Pool of Siloam, to which Jesus sent the blind man to wash and be healed. The rest of the day is free to re-visit some sights or do some shopping before we enjoy our last night in this wonderful city. (Should you wish to walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel please wear appropriate clothing i.e., pants that can be rolled up to the knees & old shoes or reef shoes as they will get wet. A small torch is also recommended).
The remainder of the day is free for you to shop and enjoy the city.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
The remainder of the day is free for you to shop and enjoy the city.
Hotel: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
Today we farewell Jerusalem and travel north in the Galilee. Our first stop will be at Nazareth where we visit the church of the Annunciation, and are guided through a reconstructed 1st century village that shows what life was life in the first century. We then visit Sepphoris (Zippori) which was the ancient capital of Galilee, before continuing to Megiddo with its many pre-biblical and biblical archaeological layers. We then continue to Tiberias and check into our lakeside hotel.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Included Meals:
B
D
Today we will have the opportunity to visit a number of sites linked with the ministry of Jesus in the Galilee region. Take a boat on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, Jesus’ ministry base in the Galilee. We see an early synagogue and the house of Peter’s mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed. We move to the lake shore at the church commemorating Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fish, as well as the Church of the Primacy of Peter.
We head up the Mount of the Beatitudes where we shall spend some time in worship before travelling to Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene and a first century synagogue that was discovered in 2009! Some time during the day we will also enjoy a traditional St Peter’s fish lunch. Our last visit is to view a recently discovered fishing boat from Jesus’ time.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
We head up the Mount of the Beatitudes where we shall spend some time in worship before travelling to Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene and a first century synagogue that was discovered in 2009! Some time during the day we will also enjoy a traditional St Peter’s fish lunch. Our last visit is to view a recently discovered fishing boat from Jesus’ time.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Included Meals:
B
L
D
This morning we will drive through the fertile Bashan area on the way to visit the Jewish site of Qatsrin. On the way to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah, we see the snow-covered peak of Mt. Hermon. We look over the territories of Lebanon and Syria and explore the Old Testament city and cultic site at Dan, where Jeroboam I set up a golden calf. On our way back to Galilee we stop at Qatsrin to visit the Olea Essence, an artisan business selling olive oil products. We end our day overlooking the lake from the spectacular Mount Arbel.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Included Meals:
B
D
Travel today to the well-restored city of Caesarea Maritima, with its aqueduct, harbour and Roman remains. It is here that the Spirit fell on Cornelius, and was the first Gentile to become Christian. The amazing harbour that Herod built to open up trade with Rome, was used by Paul and others to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Weather permitting you could even take a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. We then travel to Gideon’s Spring (Judges 7:1,4,6) where Gideon and his troops camped before their battled with the Midianites, and where he reduced his army to only 300 men based on how they drank from the Spring (1 Sam 29:1). Return to Tiberias for our final night in the Galilee.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Included Meals:
B
D
Check out of our hotel in Galilee and travel to the ancient Roman city of Beat Shean. We then continue to the area known as Samaria, which includes Shiloh, Bethel and Jacob’s Well. Continue to Ancient Shiloh where the Ark was kept in the tabernacle.
Our day ends with travel to Tel Aviv for our last night. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Herods Hotel, Tel Aviv
Our day ends with travel to Tel Aviv for our last night. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Herods Hotel, Tel Aviv
Included Meals:
B
D
Our tour ends after breakfast. Usually, the flights home depart in the evening so you have the day free to explore Tel Aviv. Check out will be around 11am but the hotel can store your bags. This is a great opportunity to wander down to Jaffa/Joppa and walk through the old town – see if you can find Simon the Tanners house!
Return to the hotel for the scheduled transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your flight home.
Return to the hotel for the scheduled transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your flight home.
Included Meals:
B
Included Meals: None
Highlights
- Petra, one of the 7 Wonders of the World
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Masada Fortress
- Old City of Jerusalem
- Bethlehem & Nazareth
- Sea of Galilee
- Tel Aviv
Map
Destinations
TOUR INCLUDES
Travel with
like-minded people
Christian
Tour Leaders
Option of land
only package
Option of upgrading
to single room
Meals
Sights and entry
fees listed
OUR PRICING
Pricing
| Category | Description | Twin PP | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Only | $8,265.00 | $11,515.00 | |
| Tour & Airfare package | Estimated Pricing (should be finalised in early Dec 2023) | TBC | TBC |
Inclusions
Exclusions
