Depart from Miami Airport to an awaiting journey in the Land of Israel.
WELCOME TO ISRAEL! Arrival to Tel Aviv, Meet and assist By Your Preferred Tours Representatives. "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Ps. 118:26) from Ben Gurion Airport. In Tel Aviv, where witness to greatness will soon unfold. An afternoon to recoup, meet fellow travelers and get ready to start a passionate journey in Israel while retracing the steps of Jesus
A fresh morning, energized to get started, after breakfast, we drive to Tel Aviv and the adjacent Jaffa (Act: 9:36, 10:5, 11:5, 11:13) visiting the local basilica built on the location of Simon the Tanner’s house where the impure animals vision took place. Driving on Mt. Tabor, the Mount of the Transfiguration (Matth. 17:1-8), wonderful panoramic view. We will continue to Nazareth to visit the basilica of the Annunciation and the nearby Church of St. Joseph with the traditional Home of the Holy Family. Visit Mary's Well. Next we drive through the beautiful landscape of Lower Galilee, the home of many Jesus' disciples. Visit to Mt. Precipice where the wrathful inhabitants of Nazareth wanted to cast Jesus down headlong. Cana. Visit the wedding Church.
How amazing will it be to see the renown Sea of Galilee, well after breakfast, be amazed, as we will start this day with a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. Although this sounds usual, but this one is poise to feel special. Then we will drive around the western shores to visit the pilgrim shrines of the NW shores. Visit to the Mt. of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount. Continue to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loves and Fishes and the nearby Chapel of the Primacy. This is followed by a visit to the ruins of the ancient town of Capernaum which in Jesus' days was a flourishing border town, also known as "his own city" (Matth. 4:13). We will see the ancient synagogue and the "House of Peter". Drive to the Golan Heights to visit a former Syrian fortification.
Another great day on tour with our knowledgeable local guide, we start our Tour with a drive to the Yardenit Baptism Site located on the banks of the Jordan River. We continue our drive to Jericho the most ancient city in the world, we drive on, stopping in the shade of sycamore tree of the kind which Zacchaeus climbed in order to see Jesus (Lk. 19:1-10). Ascend to The Qarantal monastery (by cable car). Drive to pass Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found (no entrance). Then towards the shores of the Dead Sea. Enjoy the opportunity to swim at the unique water of Dead Sea, do you have your bathing suite? Indulge!! .
This morning will drive to Bethlehem, this renowned city, where the birth of Jesus took place, for most visiting it’s an emotional journey, as this birth of Jesus means so much to them. Bethlehem. Visit the Basilica of the Nativity where there will be the opportunity to kneel at the birthplace of Christ in the Grotto of the Nativity. Before living Bethlehem we shall visit the Fields of the Shepherds where the Angel of the Lord proclaimed the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the World. Drive to Ein Karem, a charming city on the hill, home to many vineyards where John Baptist was born, Church of St. John the Baptist and Church of the Visitation.
Our Tour continues this morning, due to be another eventful day in Jerusalem. Right about this time in the Tour, history starts to sink in, most traveler are amazed to have seen the bible manifesting live in Israel. Start this eventful day visiting Yad Vashem, the holocaust museum. Drive to the Garden Tomb. We drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, which is built over the ruins of the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest before whom Jesus was brought for trial (Mark 14: 53-65). We drive to the top of the Mount of Olives from which Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection. From the Mount there is a magnificent view over all ancient and modern Jerusalem, the center of the biblical world. We visit the holy shrines on the Mount and walk on down the "Palm Sunday Road" visiting the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus wept) en route to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of all Nations where Christ prayed.
This morning we will concluding our tour with an awaited visit to Israel Museum, Discovered around the year 1946 the Dead Sea Scrolls have dominated the world and particularly the Christian world. Their existence have further cemented Judaism, see the Dead Sea Scrolls, a model of first century Jerusalem. We shall enter within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and walk in the footsteps of our Lord as he bore the burden of our sins to the Cross at Golgotha. We visit the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the man who had been crippled for 38 years (Joh. 5:1-9) and walk on following the 14 stations of the Cross from Pilate's Judgment Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We shall visit the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). We will have Festive Ceremony with Your Preferred Tours.
Free day- A time to enjoy, reflect on the journey of your time in Israel. or to explore freely on your own - Be ready for your flight back home
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home
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"Jinni Mathurin, the organizer is on point in everything. I would definitely give her 10 stars if I could."
"It was a very pleasant moment that I’d experienced with the YPT group. Everything was very well planned and the leaders were very nice and ready to respond to every need that we had. They’d carefully chosen the informative and pleasant sites that made everyone happy and very satisfied."
"A superb journey that will memorable for several reasons including sound organizing, choices of the best places to say and awesome places to visit, gatherings to worship, unwind and build friendship, as well as a comprehensive approach to meet our expectations. I will recommend Gems of South Europe to all my relatives and friends. Bravo!"
"I absolutely enjoying my vacation."
"At first I was very nervous about the trip since I was one of the youngest (21) joining the trip, but I must say that the leaders Jennie and Nicole did an amazing job making everyone feel included and making sure there were plenty excursions that the entire group can enjoy. With this group you will feel beautifully included ,travel to amazing places while getting to build a safe and inclusive community with people that are looking to do the same!"
"Knowing knew places with YPT"
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"Wonderful experience, unforgettable trip. Thank you YPT"
"It is a well organized tours, very very professional. The organizers Jinnie and Nicole are very caring persons . They make people feel welcome, they participate in everything we do. You feel like your travel in family. Their outstanding commitment to the success, the top 5 stars hotels, the super restaurants we are eating , and some late get together open to all males this organisation very different from a lot of other companies where you are just a number and not part of a great family where every one in the tours becomes friend with each other before they leave. Thank you ladies, great job, I will be back again."
"Another wow moment swith your pref.erred tours in Greece 2023"
"I appreciate all your efforts in putting it all together for us to make it fun,it was a therapy for me.The trip was well organized,my sister and l,we were pleased with the guide,the hotels ,and the foods that were served .Many thanks for organizing such a wonderful trip to Israel,I am looking to go for more trips with you,and l will recommend to some friends to travel with you,l want also to thank you for your patience.Both of you did a wonderful job."
"First time traveling with a group out of the states. Definitely will not be my last with 'your preferred tour' I genuinely cannot wait for my next experience."
"Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I had a wonderful time. Sister Nicole and Jenni are the Best of the Best."
"I enjoyed my trip to Israel with Preferred tours! The guides were excellent, the trip was fun, and I met a lot of new people. Seeing where Jesus was as well as others in the Bible was eye opening and has changed the way I read the Bible."
"I had a blast!!"
"The Jerusalem trip was one of the best spiritual experience for me and my spouse; tracing the steps of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Jinny and Nicole are great leaders; they make a wonderful team. Their communication skills, professionalism, and patience are impeccable. They are always ready to answer questions with a smile. The spiritual leaders (pastor David), Hotels selection, the food, tour guide, drivers etc were excellent. I am getting to travel with them again. Thank you preferred tour for chosen such a great team to help with our traveling experience."
"Great communication between the host and the group. Everything on the itinerary was fulfilled. Exceed my expectations. Definently my preferred tour."
"I went on the “Retracing Jesus’s steps” tour in Israel late Jan/early February 2023 and had a blast! The excursions were well thought out and organized to satisfy a group of 70+ pilgrims from the USA. Lots could go wrong with such a large group but we experienced minimal issues. The local tour guides were A+ ( Gavriel was my local group tour guide and Khalil was our driver). Gavriel was super knowledgeable, patient and kind. He went above and beyond answering all of our questions (spiritual, cultural and political) ensuring we had a great experience and kept us safe at all times. There is not a cultural site that I didn’t like. We really walked the paths Jesus walked while on earth in Israel which was a humbling experience for me. The stories from the Bible came alive, making you feel special. The accommodations were comfortable, and it was a big plus that the tour operators (Jinnie and Nicole) included daily breakfasts and dinners as part of the package. Out of pocket expenses were for lunch and your own shopping. They did their best to ensure everyone had a good experience from airports to shuttles to hotels to excursions with time planned for shopping. You could join all the activities or stay in your hotel if you didn’t want to. The cost of the tour was very competitive and more affordable than other organized tours I was considering before deciding to go on this tour. One suggestion for change is to possibly stay more nights at 1 or 2 centrally located hotels for the duration of the tour to limit packing and moving if possible. This tour is appropriate for all age groups as long as you’re mobile to walk the grounds comfortably. Everyone was nice and helpful to one another. I highly recommend this tour."
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