Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: The Holy Land

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December, 2013

I recently returned from a trip to Israel where I “walked in the footsteps of Jesus.” It was one of the most inspirational journeys of my life and as I preﾭpare for celebrating Christmas this year there is new meaning to the story of the Shepherds in the Field outside of Bethlehem and the birth of our Savior in the Stable. I invite you to join me for R&J Tours first journey to the “Holy Land.” This will not be just a tour for you, it will be a spiritual journey. You will walk where Jesus walked, see where Jesus taught and many of the stories that are familiar from scripture will come to life and have added meaning for you after this trip. We will have devotional times together, share communion and there will be a time for you to reaffirm your baptism or be baptized in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized if you choose. I’m excited to be leading this trip and I know that when you return just in time for the Christmas Season, you will sing with new enthusiasm the Carols of Christmas!

Many want to travel to the Holy Land, but have some apprehension because of security. My experience was one of feeling perfectly safe at all times. Our expert driver and tour guide made this a great experience and their knowledge of the area, scripture, and history was outstanding and enhanced the tour tremendously!

When you sign up for this “Holy Land” tour, I will be in touch with you to see if you wish to receive some information about the sites we will visit and even some devotional materials to help prepare you for your journey.

I can sing, “I walked today where Jesus walked….” Come and travel with me on this special tour and we will sing it together!

Perry Wieland  – R&J Tours’ Tour Director

Day 1–Depart the United States

Tour members meet for our flight to Israel.  After dinner is served, sit back and relax, enjoying the on-board entertainment as you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime, walking where Jesus walked.

Included Meals: Dinner on Flight

Day 2 – Flight to Hotel in Natanya, Israel

In Tel Aviv, we meet our agent who assists us through customs and security.  We transfer to a motorcoach for a short drive to our hotel in Tel Aviv area; we are filled with excitement as we prepare for the upcoming adventures.  We arrive in time for our welcome dinner and overnight.

Included Meals: Breakfast on Flight, Dinner

Hotel: Ramada Suites, Natanya

Day 3 – Natanya to Tiberias

Today we depart for Galilee, visiting the following Biblical sites: Caesarea where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10), Megiddo, and Mt. Carmel where Elijah prayed and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18).  Time permitting, we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break.  We continue to Nazareth (Luke 1& 2) and visit the Church of the Annunciation where tradition holds that the Annunciation took place.  From here we continue to the Mt.of Precipice, the traditional site of the cliff that an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus off of after his bold proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:16-30) and then on to Cana (John 2).  While in Cana, Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding reception, those who would like to will have the opportunity to renew their marriage vows.  We’ll arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Emily Boutique, Tiberias (2 nights)

Day 4  -Sea of Galilee and Northern Sites

After breakfast, we will enjoy a sail on the Sea of Galilee during sunrise in a replica wooden Jesus period boat.  We will then visit the Jesus Boat Museum, where we will have an opportunity to view a recently excavated boat that dates back to the time of Jesus.  Next, we trave lnorth to the Golan Heights and view the area from a special lookout.  We drive to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the good confession of Christ as “the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16).  We then will travel a short distance by bus to Tel Dan National Park. We will have a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where we will see the gate of Jeroboam. Dinner and overnight will be in Tiberias.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 5 – Tiberias to Jerusalem

Nothing compares to watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from our hotel. Following breakfast, we begin our sightseeing with a visit to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and a short devotional study. From here we make our way to Capernaum (Jesus’ base for His early ministry.) Afterwards, we begin our journey south towards Jerusalem. We will make stops along the way at Beit Shean, one of the best preserved Decapolis Roman cities. In Beit Shean, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12) after they were defeated by the Philistines. We will also visit Belvoir National Park where we will view Belvoir Crusader Castle, which is the best preserved Crusader fortress in Israel. Afterward, we will continue on to Jerusalem for dinner and a restful night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Dan Boutique Hotel, Jerusalem (4 nights) 

Day 6 – Jerusalem

We begin the day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove where we will have time for worship and prayer, and then to the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa, which includes St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is the traditional site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial. At the end of this exciting day, we make our way back to the hotel for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7 – Jerusalem

After breakfast, we drive to the incredible archaeological find, the City of David. Once we finish viewing the excavation site, we have a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel, be sure to bring a flashlight and good water shoes with you, as you will get wet walking through the tunnel (or a walk through the shaft for those that wish not to get wet). We then will make our way to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35 acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25). On this site now stands El-Aksa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). A short walk takes us to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area, The Southern Steps. We will then travel to the Shrine of the Book and Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. We will also be fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Afterwards, we will have some free time to explore the Old City of Jerusalem and then head back to the hotel. After dinner, we return to the Western Wall to visit the Rabbis’ Tunnel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 8 – Jerusalem and Bethlehem

After breakfast and spending time talking about all of the exciting experiences we have had so far, we will visit the Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum. We will then board the bus and travel to Ancient Shilo. The site of ancient Shiloh, which was mentioned in the Book of Joshua and Judges, is a city in the Ephraim hill-country and served as the religious capital of Israel for 300 years before Jerusalem. Back on board the bus, we journey to Bethlehem. We will visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field and spend time worshiping our Savior in the city where He was born. There also will be some free time to stop and shop at an olive wood shop. Late in the afternoon, we will visit the Garden Tomb with an optional communion service, a very special time of reflecting upon the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 – Jerusalem to Dead Sea

After breakfast, we say good-bye to Jerusalem and begin our drive to the wilderness. The road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea region is a decent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Our first stop will be at the new baptismal site Qasr El—Yahud Baptismal Site, the newly excavated site where tradition believes Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Here if you choose, you will have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. We then will continue on to Masada, where we ride a cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. High atop the hill we survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. Then we drive to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then, a short drive takes us to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. Afterwards, we make our way to check-in to our hotel on the Dead Sea (the lowest physical spot on earth) and have dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Daniel Dead Sea Hotel and Spa 

Day 10 – Dead Sea to Jaffa and Tel Aviv

After breakfast and before we check-out, we can enjoy a swim/float in the Dead Sea or just spend time on the shore admiring the beautiful contrast of colors. Then we will travel to the Elah Valley and the brook where David slew Goliath. From here we continue our drive to Jaffa for a special Farewell Dinner at the “Old Men and the Sea” Restaurant. Finally, we transfer to Ben Gurion airport for our late night flight back to the U.S.A.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 11 – Flight to Minneapolis/St Paul

We arrive back in U.S.A. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.

Included Meals: Breakfast on Flight

Other Notes: To truly experience the tour and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.