THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY TOUR
Led by Pastor Keith Hartlaub
September 2-11, 2026
DAY 1 – Wednesday, September 2 – DEPARTURE – Depart the USA from Newark International Airport on El Al flight 28 at 1:30 p.m. Overnight: En Board
DAY 2 – Thursday, September 3 - ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL & ON THE WAY ALONG THE COAST AND WESTERN GALILEE - Arrive safely at Ben Gurion International Airport at 6:55 a.m. Welcome by our representative and 3assistance with arrival formalities. If the arrival is early enough, upon claiming your luggage meet your guide and driver and begin the drive north along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea and explore the ruins of the Roman and Crusader cities; built by Herod the Great, Caesarea is where Paul was imprisoned and tried and where Cornelius was converted to Christianity. From there continue to Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah the Prophet’s dramatic contest against the false prophets of Baal. Afterwards drive to Megiddo and visit Tel Megiddo to see the remains of King Solomon’s Stables, an altar from the time of Abraham, and the magnificent water tunnel. After lunch on own en route we'll continue to Nazareth, stopping on Mt. Precipice to look out over the city where Jesus spent most of His childhood. Drive to the Sea of Galilee and visit Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalena where you'll see some amazing ruins of two ancient synagogues attesting to the existence of the city during the time of Jesus. We'll finish the day at our hotel by the Sea Galilee. Enjoy your welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee
DAY 3 – Friday, September 4 – TOURING THE GALILEE – After breakfast we'll drive to the Upper Galilee and start with a visit to Tel Dan where the tribe of Dan disobeyed God's order and created the Golden Calf. We'll continue to the Golan Heights to Caesarea Philippi, the Banias, one of the contributory streams of the Jordan River and where Jesus declared Himself to St. Peter. Following lunch on own we'll stop at Oz 77 near the Valley of Tears, site of a major tank battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War and learn how the Syrian Army tried to penetrate the Israeli frontline, discussing Israel's challenges on her northern borders. Return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee
DAY 4 – Saturday, September 5 – THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY - After breakfast start the day at the Yardenit Baptismal site, for a baptism in the Jordan River. Then return to the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit the Yigal Alon Museum to view the "Jesus Boat", discovered in 1986 when the waters of the Lake receded due to a drought. Continue to the Heptagon Church at Tabgha and view the beautiful mosaic floor which depicts the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish that took place here followed by a stop at Capernaum, where Jesus began His Ministry, and walk through the ruins of an ancient synagogue. Next enjoy a delicious St. Peter’s Fish lunch before visiting the basalt synagogue at Korazim to see where Jesus taught, and view the "Seat of Moses," as well as the natural amphitheater. We'll then visit Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, James and John (Mark 8:22-26). We'll discuss the Decapolis and visit Kursi where Jesus cast the demons out of a possessed man into a herd of swine. Finish the day's touring by sailing across the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat much like the one used by Jesus and the disciples.
Return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Sea of Galilee
DAY 5 – Sunday, September 6 - BEIT SHEAN – JORDAN VALLEY – DEAD SEA - After enjoying our rich Israeli breakfast we'll check out and depart the Sea of Galilee, driving south to Beit Shean, the largest archaeological site uncovered in Israel where we'll explore the ancient Roman city with its reconstructed amphitheater, buildings and streets. Drive south along the Jordan Valley Rift, with Jordan to our east and the Mountains of Samaia to our west, past the oasis of Old Testament Jericho where Joshua led the Hebrews in the siege of the city, and down to the Dead Sea Basin. We'll also view and discuss the location of ancient Gilgal, Irael's largest all-Jewish city in hi9story. After lunch on own we'll visit Qumran, where a young Bedouin boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls and our guide will share discoveries relating to the Essene Sect who inhabited the caves here. We'll drive south along the Dead Sea to our hotel and after checking in enjoy an afternoon of rest and relaxation to take a float in the Dead Sea or perhaps enjoy the hotel spa!
Dinner & Overnight: Dead Sea
DAY 6 – Monday, September 7 – WILDERNESS OF JUDEA - MASADA - JERUSALEM - After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Masada to ascend by cable car and ride to the top of what is the most important mountain in Israel's history. Learn the incredible story of the Jewish freedom fighters who held out against the Roman Legionnaires in 73 A.D; Masada was originally built as a magnificent fortress and palace for Herod the Great and you'll be able to view the bathhouse, storage rooms, mosaics and the Byzantine Church. The story of the struggle, the excavations and the view from the top of the mountain is one of the unforgettable highlights of our tour. After descending have lunch on own and then proceed to Ein Gedi (the Goat's Rocks), the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea and the area allotted to the Tribe of Judah and famous during the reign of King Solomon; this was also one of David's main places of refuge as he fled from the wrath of King Saul and where he wrote many of the Psalms. Depart the Dead Sea Basin for Jerusalem, passing by the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Enter the City of Gold from the East and stop atop of the Mount of Olives for a magnificent view of the Old City and the Kidron Valley. Check into the hotel.
Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem
DAY 7 – Tuesday, September 8 – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM – Following breakfast we'll return to the Mt. of Olives and allow some time for teaching. Walk down the traditional Palm Sunday Path to the Dominus Flavit Church (where Jesus cried over Jerusalem). Then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations and spend some time in the private Prayer Garden. We'll then visit the House of Caiaphas, where Peter denied Jesus three times prior to the crowing of the cock and the site of Jesus' early trials. View the Valley of the Cheesemaker, the Valley of Hinnom, the Field of Blood – where Judas took his life – Gehennah and the Ophel, King David's capital city. Walk through the Jewish Quarter, stopping at the Cardo, Byzantine Jerusalem's main business thoroughfare and Hezekiah's Broad Wall from the 1st Temple Period. After lunch on own visit the City of David, the city's most ancient section and walk through the wet Siloam Tunnel, also known as Hezekiah's Tunnel, from the pool all the way to the Southern Wall Excavations and the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount where you will walk on the original steps that lead up from the Kidron Valley to the main entrance of the Temple, standing on the spot where Jesus overthrew the tables of the money changers. Stop at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, and take a tour of the amazing Western Wall or Rabbinical Tunnels beneath the Western Wall. In the evening enjoy The Night Spectacular, the moving sound & light show at the Tower of David. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
DAY 8 – Wednesday, September 9 – THE LAYERS OF JERUSALEM – After breakfast return to the Old City and, contingent on security, visit the Temple Mount and view the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and the Dome of the Spirits. After some free time to wander in the Arab bazaar and enjoy lunch on own we'll depart the Old City and drive by the Knesset, Israel's Parliament and continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved and presented, and the model of 2nd Temple Jerusalem. Proceed to the village of Ein Kerem, birthplace of John the Baptist and spend some time enjoying this picturesque village and its many artist galleries; view Mary's Well and marvel at the beautiful view of the golden domes of the Russian Orthodox Church. Return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem.
DAY 9 – Thursday, September 10 – YAD VASHEM – GARDEN TOMB – DEPARTURE – Following breakfast check out of the hotel and visit Yad Vashem, Israel's main Holocaust Memorial and Museum. After lunch on own proceed to the Garden Tomb where you'll have time for prayer and to take communion. Then depart Jerusalem and drive west to Tel Aviv, the "city that never sleeps" and drive by the Bima Theater and historic Rothschild Boulevard with its many examples of Bauhaus architecture. Continue to Jaffa (modern-day Joppa) and stop atop of the Jaffa Overlook. Then visit the House of Simon the Tanner on whose roof Peter had his vision that led to the baptism of Cornelius. You'll have the chance to wander through the alleyways of Old Jaffa, perhaps visiting some of the many art galleries and antique stores in the famous flea market. After a festive farewell dinner transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and check in for your return flight to the USA, El Al flight 27, departing at 00:30 a.m. on September 11.
DAY 10 – Friday, September 11 – ARRIVAL HOME – Arrival at 5:15 a.m. at Newark International Airport.
