Jerusalem, Masada, Bethlehem & Jericho, 3 Days

Today we start with a panoramic view across Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus. Then we drive past the Garden of Gethsemane; Church of All Nations and Kidron Valley to reach the Old City. Walking through the Jewish Quarter we see the Byzantine Cardo and the iconic Western Wall. Then we trace Jesus’ steps along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulche. Following lunch in the Old City and a walk through the bazaar we visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum. Overnight stay: Jerusalem.

We travel south below sea level to the Biblical city of Jericho near the Dead Sea. We stop at Zachaeus’ sycamore tree (Luke 19:1-10) and learn of the Battle of Jericho. As we leave Jericho we pass Mt. Temptation then continue to Qasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus. After that, the tour proceeds to Bethlehem arriving at Manger Square. We tour the underground tombs and shrines of the Church of St. Catherine and see where Jesus was born in the Holy Grotto of the Church of Nativity.  Overnight stay: Jerusalem.

Heading south through the Judean Hills and past the Inn of the Good Samaritan we travel below sea level to the lowest point on Earth. We take a cable car to the summit of Masada, a plateau where King Herod built a palace-fortress over 2,055 years ago. After touring Masada we drive through the desert past the Ein Gedi oasis and Qumran to one of the best Dead Sea beaches. Here you can spend time relaxing and floating in the water.