Acre (Akko)

Ancient Phoenician and Crusader port, Crusader capital after the fall of Jerusalem (1187 - 1291)

Ashkelon

Originally a Philistine city-state, associated with Samson, Roman and Crusader remains.

Avdat

Ruins of first and second century B.C. Nabatean city in Negev Desert, with later Roman and Byzantine additions. Fabulous rock pools.

Beersheba

Capital of the Negev Desert; here Abraham pitched his tent (Gen. 21:27,31).

Belvoir

Last Crusader stronghold in the land of Israel. Magnificent view of the Jordan Valley from this hilltop fortress.

Bethlehem

The birthplace of Jesus and David. Visit the Church of the Nativity, Sheperds' Fields, and Rachel's Tomb.

Caesarea

Marithimas, originally a Phoenician port. rebuilt by Herod in honor of Caesar Augustus (22-10 B.C.). Capital of the Romans. Magnificent Roman theater, plus later Byzantine and Crusader remains.

Caesarea Philippi

Here Peter made his confession of faith.

Cana

Traditional site of Jesus' first miracle, visit Franciscan and Greek churches.

Capernaum

Site of miracles on Sea of Galilee shore. Excavations of St. Peter's house as well as fourth to fifth century synagogue.

En Gedi

Dead Sea desert oasis where "David hid from the wrath of Saul."

Haifa

Israel's major port city on the slopes of Mount Carmel

Hazor

Major archaeological "tel" (mound). Remains of Hyksos, Canaanite, and Israelite city.

Heftz-Bah

Kibbutz whose grounds contain magnificent mosaic floor from a 6th century A.D. synagogue (Bet-Alfa).

Herodion

One of Herod's mountain top retreats in the Judean Desert; archaeological remains.

Jericho

Ruins of the oldest city in the world.

Jerusalem Area

En Kerem: Birthplace of John the Baptist

HolyLand Model: Scale stone model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus

J.F. Kennedy Memorial: Juderan hills memorial to the assassinated American president

Shrine of the Book: Part of the Israel Museum, containing the Dead Sea Scrolls

Yad Vashem: Museum and Memorial to the Holocaust

Citadel Museum

Bible Lands History Museum

Jerusalem (OLD)

Garden of Gethsemane

Garden Tomb: Believed by some to be the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

Mount of Olives Traditional

Mount Zion: Burial place of King David and traditional site of the Last Supper

Jerusalem (Old City)

Via Dolorosa: The Way of the Cross

Antonia Fortress

Church of the Holy Sepulcher: Traditional site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

St. Stephen's Gate

Western Wailing Wall and the Tunnel

Temple Mount: Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosques

Cardo and the Herodian Quarter

2,000 year old steps, most probably used by Jesus to climb to the Temple Mount

Kibbutz

Israel's unique cooperative living communities. Many kibbutzim have comfortable guesthouses enabling visitors to glimpse kibbutz life. Religious kibbutzim do not permit checkout of the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday)

Mar Saba

Byzantine monastery in the Judean Desert - MEN ONLY

Masada

Originally a Herodian palace overlooking the Dead Sea. Last stronghold of Jewish revolt against Rome. Archaeological site and hilltop palace attainable by cable car.

Megiddo (Armageddon)

Archaeological excavations of King Ahab's stables

Mount of Beatitudes

Site of the Sermon on the Mount. Franciscan church, hospice, and gardens

Mt. Tabor

Site of Sisera's defeat and a traditional site of Jesus' transfiguration

Nazareth

Church of the Annunciation, Church of St. Joseph, and Mary's Well

Qumran

Archaeological remains of 2,000 year old Essene community on shores of Dead Sea. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered near here.

Red Sea

Israel's southern ocean. Red Sea port of Elat, underwater observatory.

Safed

Center of Jewish mysticism in the Middle Ages

Solomon's Pools

Reservoirs built in Herodian period to supply water to Jerusalem

Taghba

Traditional site of miracle of the loaves and fishes. Byzantine mosaic floor.

Tel Aviv - Yafo (Jaffa)

Israel's major city on the Mediterranean. First known record of Jaffa/Joppa is 1468 B.C. Home of Simon the Tanner, where Peter stayed (Acts 9:36-42). Old Town reconstructed into art and entertainment center. In Tel Aviv, shopping, museums, etc.

Tiberias

One of four "Holy Cities of Israel" founded in honor of Tiberius Caesar; early center of Talmudic writing. Crusader and Byzantine remains.