Holy Land: Jesus in the Galilee 2012

For those returning to the Holy Land, why not spend an extended amount of time in the Galilee area visiting unique sites not on the classic tour? By taking the Jesus in the Galilee journey, you'll visit places like Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, the Golan Heights, Mt. Arbel, the Mount of Precipice and many more! And you'll still be able to visit the Holy City of Jerusalem, along with Nazareth, Bethlehem and the Old City!

Here is some itinerary unique to Jesus in the Galilee:

1. Day 3 - Mt. Arbel, Nazareth, Mount of Precipice, Nazareth Village, Sepphoris

   Travel to Mount Arbel and walk along its peak for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee and the area in which Jesus ministered, with extended views of Mt. Hermon in the north and Mt. Tabor in the south. It is a magnificent photo opportunity. Visit Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus (Matthew 2: 23) and the Mount of Precipice where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger they “led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29). Explore the Nazareth Village, a living presentation of the life, times, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Visit Sepphoris, the cosmopolitan Roman capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias. It is heralded as the traditional birthplace of Mary.

2. Day 4 - Hazor, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights

   Explore Hazor, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Israel. The 3000 year old city was the inspiration for The Source, James Michener’s epic history of the region. Here, Joshua fought against Jabin (Josh. 11: 1-11). Hazor was later fortified by Solomon. At nearby Tel Dan, see the mud brick arch constructed in pre-Israelite (Canaanites) times and where The House of David fragment-from the First Temple Period-was discovered. Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and where nearby Peter made his great confession to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16: 16). Continue on to Mount Hermon, probably the site of the Lord’s Transfiguration (Matt. 17: 1-9). Travel on through the strategic tableland known as the Golan Heights.

3. Day 5 - Nof Ginnosar, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Kursi, Bethsaida, Chorazim

   Watch the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee where fishermen work the waters with nets much as in the time of Jesus. Ride across the waters to explore Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4:13, 23). Visit the peaceful Mount of Beatitudes which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. On this hill, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Not far away is Bethsaida where Jesus chose five of his disciples (Matt. 4: 18-21; John 1: 39-51). Visit Chorazim, the town cursed by Jesus because He did mighty works there and they “repented not” (Matt. 11: 21). On the far shore of the sea is Kursi where Jesus cast out evil spirits from a demon-possessed man and cast them into a group of swine which ran violently down a steep hill and drowned in the sea (Mark 5: 1-13). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you will learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed.