Travelink, a Virtuoso member, has a unique focus and experience in Holy Land Christian focused tours. We focus your experiences on the moments that bring to life the holy scriptures and provide our guests a window into Christianity's past, present, and future. With experience guiding groups as large as 400 people through Israel, we'll ensure your entire group will marvel at the main sites without missing the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path treasures.
A trip to the Holy Land is a journey many wait their entire lives to experience. We look forward to helping you and your group claim the moments and memories you've all been anticipating.
In the morning, we would visit Caesarea-by-the-Sea (pictured) including the area of Paul and his trial before Felix. The story of Cornelius is told with time for Scripture reading and prayer in the amphitheater, followed by inland travel through Wadi Ara and the Jezreel to Sepphoris - the only major city in Galilee’s interior when Jesus was a boy. Today it is rich in ruins, especially mosaics, among them the one called the Madonna of the Galilee.
Traveling further toward Nazareth, we head to the Jezreel Valley and stop at Megiddo (Har Megiddo in Hebrew) which gave its name to Armageddon. We will have lunch and a tour at Nazareth Village recreating Nazareth as it might have been in Jesus’ day. We always hope to spend time getting acquainted with Jesus’ hometown, visiting its spring, also known as Mary’s well.
We enjoy a walk through the present-day bazaar (over the site of the ancient village) to the Church of the Annunciation, continue driving through the Jezreel Valley and up the Lower Galilee Hills to Nazareth, and head to Mt. Precipice for an overview of the Jezreel Valley, Mt. Tabor and Nazareth City itself. We then drive to Tiberias passing by Cana where Jesus performed his first sign (John 2).
Our tours typically start on the Mt. of Olives (pictured) with the Old City tilted toward us. After an orientation, we descend the traditional Palm Sunday road to Dominus Flevit (“The Lord weeps”), remembering Jesus’ entry (Luke 19). We continue down to Gethsemane (Matthew 26) with a visit to the garden and the church to enjoy some quiet time.
A drive to the church grounds called Peter in Gallicantu will afford us the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers believe, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. We drive south to the region of Bethlehem passing by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of the city.
Continuing southeast, we visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2,000 years. Passing the monastery of Hortus Conclusus (“the sealed garden”) in Artas, we drive to one of the possible sites for the Shepherds’ Fields. Proceeding into Bethlehem itself, we walk through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visit the manger.
That evening often have a special treat - walking through underground tunnels to see the remnants of the Temple Mount of Jesus’ day, including hewn stones weighing over 400 tons!
We begin with a drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), continuing to Tabgha where Christians have long remembered the first feeding of the multitude (Mark 6) and nearby, the breakfast of John 21.We enter the Church of Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St. Peter's Primacy. We continue to Capernaum (pictured) where Franciscan archaeologists believe they have uncovered the house of Peter (Mark 1 and 2).
We drive the northern end of the Sea of Galilee heading east and we stop at Beth Saida, which is the fishing village of the Gospels. This village was the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). Here, as well as Capernaum and Chorazin, Jesus performed most of his miracles, healed a blind man, and cursed all three towns for their failure to repent. In Luke’s account, the feeding of the 5,000 occurred in Beth Saida.
We continue driving around the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee heading south to Ein Gev where we can stop for a St. Peter's Fish lunch. After lunch we drive further south and stop at Kursi in the "Gergesa" of Matthew’s Gospel where the evangelist locates the miracle of the swine.
We then see the unearthed ruins of the City of Magdala including admission, ending our day at the moderBaptal site of the Yardenit before heading back for a Sunset Cruise on the Sea of Galilee.
TRAVELINK INC. is an outstanding travel agency with a professional staff that helps plan, as well as execute the plans. They helped me plan several overseas conferences and tours. In each situation they found the perfect safe venue for my constituency. They were very professional working with our international people in helping them with transportation and other logistics. Their expertise in travel to Israel made our special celebration experience a tour that none of our international people will ever forget.
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For over 10 years my staff and I worked with Bill Haire and the Travelink team on national and international mission projects on 4 different continents. The expertise, professionalism, and investment in our projects set Travelink apart from other travel agencies I have used. Their ability to solve difficult travel situations, develop contingency plans and have access to their world-wide local contacts served us very well. Partnering with Travelink allowed my staff and I to focus our energies on our mission teams and our daily assignments, a true return on our investment. I can strongly recommend the Travelink team to serve as partners in virtually every aspect of your travel needs.
- Timothy J, Studstill, DMA, Director, Music of Music and Worship, Retired, Texas Baptists (Baptist General Convention of Texas)
I have traveled throughout the world for nearly 50 years. Travelink American Express has been my travel partner for the past nine years and I could ask for no better partner for both domestic and international travel. International travel has included Israel, China, and even North Korea. Bill Haire and the Travelink Team have helped me plan and host four Holy Land Tours and my guests could have not been more pleased. Each trip has been a very well planned high quality adventure at a very reasonable cost. The finest detail is considered both in the planning stateside and in our destination countries, with every passenger given personal attention. Throughout each tour, the Travelink team remained available, meaning I always felt secure at every level. I fully intend to continue traveling with Travelink and highly recommend this outstanding company.
- Bill Coen
Note: Every effort will be made to visit all sites mentioned in our itineraries, but due to the possibility of changes beyond our control, sightseeing is always dependent on sites being open and available.
Day 1 | Fri, Sep 16 Depart ATLANTA
Day 2 | Sat, Sep 17 Arrival TEL AVIV / NETANYA
On arrival in Tel Aviv, you will clear customs and passport control and then meet your guide and driver who will be with you until departure. Continuing south we take a scenic route to Joppa, as it was called in the Bible; it is now known as Jaffa. Joppa was the home of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a Christian lady known for her goodness and generosity. It was also at Joppa, while in the home of Simon the Tanner, that Peter had the vision that showed him that the Gospel was to go out to the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Acts. 10: 9-16; 36-43). Transfer to hotel in Netanya for dinner and overnight. Hotel check-in is 2. hours after Shabbat ends.
OVERNIGHT NETANYA (D)
Day 3 | Sun, Sep 18 CAESAREA / MEGIDDO / NAZARETH
This morning we visit Caesarea-by-the-Sea including the area of Paul and his trial before Felix. The story of Cornelius will be told with time for Scripture reading and prayer in the amphitheater. Travel inland through Wadi Ara and the Jezreel to Sepphoris. Sepphoris was the only major city in Galilee’s interior when Jesus was a boy. Today it is rich in ruins, especially mosaics, among them the one called the Madonna of the Galilee. We travel further towards Nazareth and head to the Jezreel Valley and stop at Megiddo — Har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. We will have lunch and a tour at Nazareth Village recreating Nazareth as it might have been in Jesus’ day. This afternoon we get acquainted with Jesus’ hometown, visiting its spring, also known as Mary’s well. We will then walk through the present-day bazaar (over the site of the ancient village) to the Church of the Annunciation. Continue driving through the Jezreel Valley and up the Lower Galilee Hills to Nazareth and head to Mt. Precipice for an overview of the Jezreel Valley, Mt. Tabor and Nazareth City itself. We drive to Tiberias passing by Cana where Jesus performed his first sign (John 2). We continue to the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
OVERNIGHT TIBERIAS (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Mon, Sep 19 TIBERIAS: The Sea of Galilee and Upper Galilee
“Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.” (Matt 5: 1)
We begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. In the midst of the Sea, the motors will be turned off for a worship service with scripture reading and singing of hymns. We drive along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where we visit the synagogue and the place where early Christians remembered Peter’s house. We continue to Tabgha (short for Heptapagon, “seven springs”) to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Ascending the Mt. of Beatitudes, we listen to Jesus’ teachings. On an ancient trade route, we pass Hazor and then go on to Dan. Here we take a nature walk and visit the High Place where Jeroboam, son of Nebat, set up a golden calf. We continue to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Our route then takes us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus. We end the day at the baptismal site at the River Jordan. Return to hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
OVERNIGHT TIBERIAS (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Tues, Sep 20 TIBERIAS / JERUSALEM: Jericho, Qumran, Masada, and Dead Sea
After an early breakfast this morning, we travel south through the Jordan Valley to Jericho. At Jericho we visit the tell of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. We continue south to Qumran and view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea Scrolls. Continue south to Masada where we take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73AD). Later we make a brief stop to wade in the Dead Sea. Drive up to Jerusalem passing by the Good Samaritan Inn. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Wed, Sep 21 JERUSALEM / RETURN DEPARTURE: Model City, Shrine of the Book
Our day will begin going to Vashemhj Hadassah Ein Karem hospital whose synagogue houses the famed Chagall Windows: 12 abstract stained glass windows representing the 12 Tribes of Israel. In order to visualize Old Jerusalem at the peak of its power, we then see an outdoor scale model of the ancient city at the Israel Museum. The gold-trimmed Second Temple and its vast courtyard dominate the Model of Ancient Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Our last stop will be at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding such events in the future. Established in 1953, Yad Vashem is on the western slope of Mount Herzl, also known as the Mount of Remembrance.
OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Thu, Sep 22 JERUSALEM: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, and Bethlehem
Today we will start on the Mt. of Olives with the Old City tilted toward us. After an orientation, we descend the traditional Palm Sunday road to Dominus Flevit (“The Lord weeps”), remembering Jesus’ entry (Luke 19). We continue down to Gethsemane (Matthew 26) with a visit to the garden and the church where we will have some quiet time. We then drive to the church grounds called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers believe, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. We drive south to the region of Bethlehem passing by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of the city. We continue southeast and visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Passing the monastery of Hortus Conclusus (“the sealed garden”) in Artas, we drive to one of the possible sites for the Shepherds’ Fields. We proceed into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visit the manger. Return to Jerusalem to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
This evening we have a special treat, walking through underground tunnels to see the remnants of the Temple Mount of Jesus’ day, including hewn stones weighing over 400 tons! Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
OVERNIGHT JERUSALEM (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Fri, Sep 23 JERUSALEM: Old City, Via Dolorosa, and Garden Tomb
We transfer to Dung Gate where just inside we examine the ruins near the south side of the Temple complex, which includes steps where we may be certain that Jesus taught and He and his disciples walked. We then walk up to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. We view the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. Just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church, which has remarkable acoustics and has been perfectly preserved from the Crusader period. We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) back as far as the Holy Sepulcher. From there we walk through the Arab Souks, past the Armenian Quarter and exit the Old City through the Mt Zion Gate to visit the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb on the grounds of Mt. Zion. From there we take the coach to the Garden Tomb where we end our tour with a special visit and the possibility of having a private communion on its grounds. Return to hotel and enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
(B,L,D)
Day 9 | Fri, Sep 24 Depart ISRAEL / Arrive ATLANTA
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Q: When is the best time to visit Israel?
A: We suggest avoiding travel to Israel November through March as that is the rainy season when it can be cold, including the possibility of snow. We also will consider avoiding other specific dates as the Jewish holidays cause many places to close (it may be difficult to find accommodations).
Predicting Israel’s weather is difficult due to her many climate zones. For instance, May is the beginning of summer; however, though it may be warm in the south, in the higher elevations like Jerusalem, evenings can still be cool. April is very pretty in Israel, but evenings can still be cool and it can rain. We'll help you choose the right dates for your group’s travel plans.
Q: Will our group feel safe in Israel?
A: Absolutely! The most common thing for a first time tourist to Israel to remark upon return is how safe they felt. The reason is that Israelis are more vigilant than most other peoples. There is ample security in most public places in Israel and our national security policies have helped us to minimize the threat of terrorist attacks. Also, you will be touring with experienced tour guides who will never take you anywhere that is risky or considered unsafe. We are always taking stock of the climate in the region and will adjust our itineraries accordingly. Israel has comparatively low levels of crime. Israeli cities are as safe, in many cases safer, than most North American and European cities.
Q: Do we need any specific immunizations prior to travelling to Israel?
A: We recommend having your COVID-19 vaccine prior to travel, but no other immunizations are required. Israel is a developed country with a level of health and hygiene equal to that of the United States. Visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival.
Q: What currency is used in Israel?
A:The equivalent of the dollar is called the New Shekel (NIS). One (1) New Shekel equals 100 agorot, Israel’s equivalent to pennies. We included gratuities in our pricing so you don't have to hassle with cash along the tour. Most businesses in Israel accept all major credit cards, and there are ATMs located in convenient locations.
These Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between Travelink, Incorporated (hereafter known as “Travelink,” “we,” or “our”) and all tour passengers, and they apply to the published tour in the Holy Land Tour brochure. No alterations to these Terms and Conditions may be made by any Travelink employee, authorized representative or agent, unless in writing by an officer of Travelink. All decisions and matters subject to Travelink’s discretion shall be made by an authorized officer of Travelink.
Air/land tours are subject to supplemental price increases that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Post-purchase price increases may be applied due to additional costs imposed by a supplier or government. You may be charged additional sums by Travelink to offset increased fees, fuel surcharges, taxes, fluctuations in foreign exchange markets or any combination thereof. Your electronic agreement and acceptance of these Terms and Conditions indicates consent to any post-purchase price increases and authorizes Travelink to collect such additional amounts.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Jet economy class round-trip from Gateway City applicable on IATAN and ARC carriers, based on the Apex Airfare. Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs if noted at time of registration, but not later than six (6) months prior to departure, whichever is earlier.
GROUP E-TICKETS: E-tickets are non-refundable and changeable with a fee plus any fare difference and normally expire one year from issue date unless carrier fare rules state otherwise.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL: United States (U.S.) Federal law forbids the carriage of hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your luggage or on your person. A violation can result in five years’ imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, and radioactive materials. Examples: paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, tear gases, oxygen bottles and radiopharmaceuticals. There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your luggage and certain smoking materials carried on your person.
LAND TRANSPORTATION: By private motor coach.