Today we depart for our overnight flight to Israel.

Upon arrival in Ben Gurion airport and after clearing customs you will be greeted by your Perillo Tours representatve and transfer by private air-conditioned motor coach to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leasuire to help you adjust to your new time zone. Dinner is included with overnight accommodations at your hotel. (D.)

After breakfast drive to Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Sea. The showcase Roman port built by Herod the Great, figured centrally in both Jewish and Christian history. Caesarea was the home of the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8-9). Continue to Sepphoris, the ancient capital of Galilee, the traditional birthplace of Mary; Joanna, the wife of Cuza, might have lived here. Visit the restored theatre, the “Mona Lisa of Galilee” mosaic, the Nile House, the Cardo and the sixth-century synagogue that tells a story of redemption and reveals an unusual representation of Sarah. We then take a short drive to Nazareth – most of the monuments in Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up, are devoted to Mary and this is where the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) took place. Visit the Nazareth Village and learn about the daily life of women in Jesus’ day.  Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel by the Sea of Galilee. (B.D.)

Start the day with boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Stop and ponder with time for prayer & reflection. Visit the Jesus boat museum in Genosar that displays a recently excavated 1st century fishing boat. Continue to Tabgha, where the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 occurred. Then visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the sermon on the Mount for a time of prayer & reflection in the stunning grounds and church. Visit the ancient town of Capernaum where Jesus preached in the synagogue and visited the home of Simon Peter. Also visit Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene and spend some time reflecting on the women discovered so far. Enjoy a stunning view over the Sea of Galilee from Mt Arbel before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B.)

After breakfast drive to Jericho known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Jericho also claims the record for the lowest city in the world at over 800 feet (250 meters) below sea level. It was here that Rahab the prostitute hid the two Hebrew spies (Joshua 2 & 6). Continue south to Masada National Park ­– Herod’s magnificent fortress, with its palaces, bathhouses and ramparts was also the last stand of the Jews against the Romans. The Masada Museum reflects daily life, highlighting among its exhibit’s women at their many daily tasks. End the day with a dip in the Dead Sea and spa treatment at the hotel Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel by the Dead Sea (B.D.)

Drive to Be'er-Sheba – the city that Abraham founded (Gen. 21:31) when he moved here with Sarah. The landmark well outside the gate is a backdrop for the many stories about women’s encounters at the well, including Rebecca (Gen. 24:13-26), Rachel (Gen. 29:9-12), the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-29) and others. We will visit a Bedouin women’s craft center in Rahat - learn how crafts going back to the days of the Patriarchs and the Matriarchs. Continue for dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel in Jerusalem. (B.D.) 

After breakfast drive to Mount of Olives for a spectacular overview of the city of Jerusalem. Walk down Palm Sunday Road with stops at Pater Noster, one of the first churches to be founded on the Mount of Olives by Queen Helene, the mother of King Constantine. Continue to the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene – this beautiful 19th century church in its tranquil garden setting is the burial site of Princess Alice of Battenberg, Queen Elizabeth’s mother-in-law.  Enjoy a time of prayer and reflection at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nation .Enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the recently excavated and restored Cardo, the Roman road. See the Jewish Wailing Wall and continue to the Christian quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre. (B.D.)

Today we start at the City of David where we recall the story of David and Bathsheba and the role she played in Solomon’s life. We then visit the impressive Davidson Centre located under the Southern steps of the temple. Afterwards drive to Machne Yehuda Market and find a unique mixture of the old and the new, a lively and colorful marketplace.  (B.D.)

Drive to Ein Karem, the hometown of Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Visit at the Visitation Church. Continue to the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem – many displays relating to women, including jewelry, figurines, a bust of “Sarah the Matriarch,” a model of Esther’s palace in Shushan, a Byzantine woman’s decorated sarcophagus and more. On to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity, Shepherd’s Fields and the Field of Boaz, remembering Naomi and Ruth. Dinner at a local restaurant before proceeding to the airport for your flight home. (B.D.)