WAITLIST ONLY – The Archaeology and Biblical Truths of Israel 2023 | Frank Turek & Eli Shukron

We have airfare for the group if you wish to use it. We depart from the Newark, NJ airport today on United Airlines at 3:55PM. Please be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure if you are connecting from another flight and are checking your luggage.

The main group arrives in Tel Aviv on United #84, scheduled to arrive at 9:20AM. If you arranged your own air, please be at the “international arrivals” hall at the Tel Aviv airport before our flight arrives, or at our hotel for dinner at 6:30PM. You will be met by our greeter with a sign saying “Living Passages” at the Tel Aviv airport. Please try to wear your shirts so you can identify each other. On our way to our beautiful hotel, we stop at the Biblically rich town of Jaffa (or Joppa). It started with Joshua and the Conquest, who was instructed to give the land to the Danites. Then Joppa was taken and used by both David and Solomon. The story of Jonah was here. In Jesus’ day, it is the site of the miracles of Tabitha, Dorcas, and of Peter and the gospel to the Gentiles with Cornelius. You may want to grab a falafel or bite from one of the seaside quaint restaurants. Next, drive 30 minutes to our luxury hotel, Ritz Carlton Herzliya located on the Mediterranean. Rest today, enjoy a walk around the beautiful marina and waterfront, or take advantage of their spa facilities. Welcome dinner at 6:30PM.

Begin our day with a unique visit to the Old City of Akko (Acre) – a World Heritage Site of many important ancient peoples. Next, drive the ridge of Mount Carmel – where Elijah called fire down. Return to the Mediterranean Sea, with lunch at the promenade of Caesarea Maritima. Walk together under the ancient aqueduct with teaching by Frank at the remains of Herod’s Palace. We will stand at the place where the Apostle Paul was most likely imprisoned before his final journey to Rome. Lastly, sit in its magnificent theatre. Head inland, and our next stop is the Jezreel Valley. We will visit Megiddo – rebuilt militarily by King Solomon. It is here where both King Josiah and King Ahaziah died. Strategically, we will learn of its prophetic importance. We will drive up to the “Precipice” or viewpoint near Nazareth over Armageddon. This viewpoint is where the people of Nazareth sought to throw Jesus from the cliff. Return to our beautiful hotel on the Mediterranean for dinner.

Galilee! The first stop is Capernaum, which more than any other place is known as the City of Jesus. Walk the beach, step on the stones, and sit in the synagogue. HE was here. Afterward, we have a lovely teaching of Jesus from the Mount of Beatitudes. Fish lunch on the Sea of Galilee and then visit the black stone remnants of the synagogue Jesus spoke of – Chorazin. We stop for a coffee at the ancient Jesus Boat and board our lovely late afternoon cruise on the Sea of Galilee. End the day with a view from Mount Arbel before returning to our seaside hotel.

Depart the Ritz Carlton this morning as we drive to Shiloh -one of the newest archaeological jewels of Biblical times. Today Eli joins us for the rest of the tour time. You will have a tour of the new site and will receive an explanation of where the Tabernacle sat for 369 years. Next is another unique Biblical stop – Samaria. From here we will have a view of the mounts of Blessings and Curses of Deuteronomy – Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. Lunch at a lovely winery. Our last visit of the day is unique to most tours – ancient Bethel (House of God). Finally, our destination: “Oh Jerusalem! How much I loved you!” We enter Jerusalem – our home for the next 4 nights. Check into the boutique 5+ hotel Mamilla. It is located across from Jaffa Gate – one of the most important gates to the Old City. 

Your morning is a highlight. Visiting the City of David with Eli Shukron! Eli will lead you into the underside to see the real history of today’s Jerusalem to show you where King David resided, where the Tabernacle first came into Jerusalem, where the important opening at Hezekiah’s Tunnel is, where the precious waters of the Pool of Siloam is, Pilgrims Road to the ancient walls, Gihon Spring, Temple Tunnels and so much more! We will travel to the historic Archaeological Park where we will sit on the Southern Steps. The very steps that Jesus walked into Jerusalem. Today will be a very full day of learning and exposure to the accuracy of The Word through archaeology. Dinner together.

Eli and Frank will take us this morning up to the prophetically important Temple Mount. We will survey and walk around the areas of importance – including the Western Wall. We will stand next to Al Aqsa Mosque and the much-photographed Dome of the Rock which is built over the site of Abraham’s miracle with Isaac. Next, Antonia Fortress, and come down into the Pool of Bethesda.

After this, there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. – John 5:1-2

Worship together at St. Anne’s and walk out of the Old City. Take a short drive to the precious town of Bethlehem. We will have a fabulous lunch in a Bedouin tent overlooking the shepherd’s fields of Our Lord’s birth. After lunch drive up the Mount Herodium – where Herod created his magnificent tomb. Return to the hotel for a rest. Dinner together this evening is overlooking the Old City walls from the historic Notre Dame roof restaurant.

First, we have a magnificent view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and then a private visit to a hidden hillside of the Garden of Gethsemane. A short drive this morning to the Israeli Museum. After teaching at the impressive model of Jerusalem, you will have time to enter the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit called the Shrine of the Book. Take time to grab a sandwich at one of their restaurants. Enter back into the gates of Jerusalem to the Christian Quarter for a walk down the lively stone pathways and onto the traditional Via Dolorosa – time to pop your head into the busy Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Finish our day with communion and worship at the Garden Tomb. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Say goodbye to the group departing for Saudi tomorrow. You can also depart the hotel on your own tomorrow if you are not continuing to Saudi Arabia with the group.

Israel only participants will have breakfast at the hotel and depart for the Tel Aviv airport at 7:00AM. You will be departing on United #85 at 11:30AM, arriving Newark at 4:45PM, same day.

Please request a brochure in order to access the full day-to-day itinerary and tour details for the Red Sea & Saudi Arabia Extension.