Culver Academies Israel - Holyland 2024

Depart ORD on our way to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport where Ami Travel representatives greet us and give us an introduction about the forthcoming trip. Travel North via the Lower Galilee valleys to our hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight stay.

Tour the Sea of Galilee region. Visit the newly excavated Magdala. Visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the Multitudes, the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. Explore Capernaum and Simon Peter's house. We shall take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a lunch of St. Peter’s Fish. Join the Candlelight procession at the Basilica of the Annunciation. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Ascend to the top of Mt. Tabor - site of the Transfiguration. Continue through the Valley of Armageddon to Mt. Carmel- where the Prophet Elijah confronted the pagan priests ( 1st Kings 18). Visit Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned and Cornelius baptized, see the Roman Theater, the aqueduct and the Crusader ruins. Continue to Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation and to the Synagogue where Jesus stood to proclaim and preach the stirring words of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-27). Visit "the brow of the hill" known as "Mt. Precipice". Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Drive to Cana – site of the first miracle. In Sephorris -" Marvel of the Galilee" - recently excavated - explore and enjoy some of the most exquisite mosaic floors and "carpets" - a neighboring town to Nazareth and the traditional home of the Virgin's parents. Continue north to ascend the Golan Heights and to Caesarea Philippi where St. Peter made his confession of Jesus as the Messiah and the "Son of the living God". Dinner and overnight in Galilee.

Depart Galilee via the Jordan Valley to visit the Jordan River. Journey to the lowest point on Earth - the Dead Sea area. Continue to Masada, site of the Jewish zealots’ last stand against the Romans. See the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Enjoy a floating experience in the Dead Sea. Visit Jericho to view Zacheus’s Tree, Elisha’s spring, and the Mount of Temptation. Ascend the Holy city Jerusalem for dinner and overnight stay

Begin our journey in nearby Bethlehem where we shall visit the Shepherds' Fields.. Visit the ancient Church of Nativity. and Manger Square and. Return to Jerusalem to explore Mt. Zion: David's Tomb, the Room of the Last Supper, and the Dormition Abbey - site of the Assumption of the Virgin. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Ascend to the top of Mt of Olives - visit the chapel of Ascension Walk the Palm Sunday road from the top of Mt of Olives to view Jerusalem as Jesus did - to the Garden of Gethsemane. Walk Inside the Old City of Jerusalem. Walk the Stations of the Cross; visit the various quarters and the underground excavations. See the Temple ruins and the Western Wall amidst the buildings of old Jerusalem. End the day with a prayer service at the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Explore Ein Karem - sites of the birthplace of St John the Baptist and of the Visitation. Continue to Jafa where St Peter revived Tabitha and had the Vision on the rooftop at the house of Simon the Tanner. We shall have our farewell dinner at the port of this picturesque city and make our way to the airport for our overnight flight.

Morning arrival back to the USA.