In the Footsteps of Christ Tour with Turkey │ 13 Day Christian Israel & Istanbul Tour Package

Travel with us on journey of a lifetime on the Footsteps of Christ Holy Land Tour to Israel and beyond to Istanbul offering the most complete itinerary focusing on the life and times of Jesus and continuing to Istanbul connecting Asia and Europe with amazing 3,000 years of history. Our professional guides are government certified- whom know the Bible and Christian sites and teachings.

Departure on your way to Israel the Land of the Bible.

Welcome to the land of Israel for your Holy Land tour. On arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, our airport representatives will meet and assist you. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv – Israel’s largest and modern city and nearby Jaffa. Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight rest from your flight. Your hotel is located conveniently close to the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and close to Tel Aviv lively city center with shopping, family attractions, and the popular promendade sidewalk with outdoor stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. Time permitting, visit the artistic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek.
Overnight Tel Aviv– including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Transfer from Ben Gurion International Airport to your hotel in Tel Aviv.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

In the morning visit to Old Jaffa, walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world and where cedars from Lebanon arrived to build Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 2:16). See St. Peter’s Church and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv shoreline from Jaffa Hilltop. Peter came to Jaffa (Joppa) from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-43). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. St. Peter’s Church marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the Great Sheet (Acts 10:9-16). Depart Tel Aviv driving north along the coastal plain to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 9:30 Acts 10:24-48) which was the center of early Christians, and capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct. This is where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25-26). We’ll stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets (1 Kings 18:16-24). We continue and enjoy a breath taking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee region. Continue to Megiddo (Joshua 12:21, 1 Kings 9:15, 2 Kings 23:29 & Revelation 16:16), the site of Armageddon (Revelation 16) where it is prophesied the gathering of the armies for the battle of the end of times will take place. See the remains from Solomon’s days, view the valley where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought (Revelation 16:14-16). Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue along the Jezerel Valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1:26, Luke 4:16, Luke 4:29 & Matthew 2:23). We’ll take a beautiful view from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It’s believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus (Luke 4:29 Luke 4:30), continue to the Church of the Annunciation if time permits, and we’ll drive to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first public miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast (John 2:1 John 2:11), and the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee to the town of Tiberias. The hotels situated right on town’s center and the shores of the Sea of Galilee make it possible to walk along the shores of the lake and explore the town of Tiberias.
Overnight Sea of Galilee– including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

We begin this day with a special visit to Magdala (Matthew 15:39) a unique Holy Land site, known as the home of Mary Magdalene. Here we’ll explore a first century Jewish city where Jesus’ healed the afflicted, and the oldest excavated synagogue in the Galilee from the time of Jesus’ ministry where surely he taught. After we board a wooden boat and sail on as the disciples did 2,000 years ago on the Sea of Galilee where the Lord calmed the storm (Luke 8:22-25), and where he made one of the most dramatic miracles, walking on water (Mark 6:47-52). It was along the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus appeared for a third time after being raised from the dead, and asked his disciples to throw their net to the right side of the boat and caught many fish, and where the Lord made the disciples breakfast (John 21). We’ll dock at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” the remains of a 2,000 years old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. We will drive to the beautiful Golan Heights. Visit Banias– ancient Ceasarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13 and Mark 8:27) where Jesus said “On this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). Continue to the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee, returning to the Sea of Galilee and visit the baptismal site of Yardenit on the Jordan River, where believers celebrate and some take the opportunity to submerge themselves in the same waters where the Holy Spirit descended like a dove from heaven, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17).
Overnight Sea of Galilee– including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Special St. Peter fish lunch in the Galilee.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

Today we visit early Jesus Ministry around the Sea of Galilee, visiting Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7, Matthew 8) where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, see the famous Church of the Beatitudes chapel, constructed between 1936 and 1938 by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi and enjoy the view. Visit Tabgha– the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matthew 13, Mark 33, Mark 45, & John 21), Church of Multiplication with its 4th Century Mosaic floor, Capernaum (Matthew 4:13, Matthew 13:54, Matthew 17:24, Luke 7, Mark 1:2, John 4:46 John 4:54) where is believed to have been Jesus’ home and the center of his ministry, here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered, and where he preformed many miracles, and it’s in Capernaum where Peter’s mother-in-law lived and was healed (Luke 4:38-40). Drive through the Valley of Beit She’an to the ancient city of Beit She’an (Mark 5:20, Mark 7:31), view the archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (2 Samuel 21:12-14), continue through the Jordan Valley past the city of Jericho and arrive to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Check in at the Daniel Dead Sea Hotel located at the shores of the Dead Sea, and receive in room special spa gift products, Dead Sea rich minerals mud and Dead Sea salt pack courtesy of Daniel Dead Sea Hotel for our guest. Enjoy optional spa treatments and a massage, swim and float on the salty water of the Dead Sea or take a dip in the hotel pool.
Overnight Dead Sea- including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Special Dead Sea spa gift products; mineral mud and salt pack courtesy of Daniel Dead Sea Hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

Today on your Holy Land tour visit the 1500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the first century Synagogue, King Herod’s Bathhouse and other sites atop of Masada. Descend and continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23), it was here that David composed several of his Psalms. Next visit to Qumran where a cache of ancient biblical texts, the Dead Sea Scroll’s were discovered in 1947. Continue to the Golden City of Jerusalem and proceed to a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and take time for prayer. Continue to the hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the Old City Jerusalem.
Overnight Jerusalem- including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

From the top of Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended into heaven (acts 1) we will have a view across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 43). We pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “The Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City (Luke 19:41-44). Through Palm Sunday Road proceed down to the Gethsemane (Mark 14:32, John 18:1 & Matthew 26:36) where you will see 2,000 year old Olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane the place that Jesus prays (Luke 22:39) and his disciples customarily visited, which allowed Judas to find him on that fateful night of his arrest (Luke 22:47-52). It’s in Gethsemane where an angel from heaven appears to strenghen Jesus (Luke 22:43) and where he found his disciples sleeping and awakes them and tells them to get up and pray (Luke 22:46). Then to the Western Wall– The holiest site in Judaism and one of the original walls that retained the Temple. We will visit the Western Wall Tunnels running along the base of the Western Wall which lead us through the Second Temple era and reveal the amazing construction of the Temple Mount water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Continue to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the famous miracle of healing of the paralytic (John 5). We will walk the Stations of the Cross– the Via Dolorosa including Station 2 Judgment Hall of Pilate (John 18:33), located at the Church of the Flagellation and Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross, all the way to the final Station 14 inside Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matthew 27, Matthew 33:57, Matthew 28:10). In the afternoon you will enjoy time to shop the colorful bazaars (markets). We’ll join the prayer at the Western Wall and after return to the Hotel for Shabbat Dinner.
Overnight Jerusalem– including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

We begin the day going to Mount Zion, visit the Upper room (Luke 22), Lord’s Supper, visit King David Tomb, and walk through the Jewish Quarter. Drive through the New City and pass the Knesset (Israel Parliament) and continue to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80), the one to announce the coming of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). Visit the Church of the Visitation which commemorates the visit made by Mary the mother of Jesus’, to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56), then continue to Bethlehem where Joseph traveled there (Luke 2:1-7) with Mary whom was pregnant, and where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1-5), and visit the Church of the Nativity. Proceed to see the Shepherd’s Field where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-20). In the afternoon visit The Garden Tomb, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15, Luke 24:6-7, Mark 16:5-7) with a time for prayer. Enjoy a evening farewell dinner at the hotel.
Overnight Jerusalem- including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Dinner at your hotel.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem prior to your flight to Istanbul, Turkey if time permits. Later in the day transfer to Ben Gurion airport according to your flight schedule. After Breakfast, and by 12 noon, check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy your free day in Jerusalem. Passengers that booked 4 Stars First class hotels in Jerusalem, the Grand Court hotel is within walking distance to the Old City. Passengers that booked 5 stars Deluxe hotels in Jerusalem, the Leonardo Plaza hotel is within walking distance from the Old City and the center of West Jerusalem. You can visit again the Holy sites and the colorful bazaars, visit Yad Vashem Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, The Davidson Center at the Western Wall, Ben Yehuda street with shopping stores, restaurant and coffee shops, Mahaneh Yehuda market, with authentic Jerusalem Restaurants, and food markets. Explore on your own the newly renovated Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book.
Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours Prior to flight departure.

Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival in Istanbul Ataturk Airport you’ll be welcomed by our representative, briefed on your itinerary, and escorted to your hotel for a welcome briefing about your journey. Overnight in Istanbul.

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Transfer from your Jerusalem hotel to the Ben Gurion International Airport for your departure flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
•  Transfer from Ataturk International Airport to your hotel in Istanbul.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

Transfers. The drive from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion International Airport or Sdeh Dov Domestic Airport in Tel Aviv is about 50 to 60 minutes. International flights require that you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. PLEASE NOTE: NO EXTRA TRANSFER CHARGES ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ANY TIME AND ANY DAY.

After breakfast at the hotel, start a guided tour at Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans between the end of the 15th and the first half of the 19th centuries, with its treasures, terraces overlooking the Marmara Sea, the Bosporus and the Golden Horn, from there visit the Blue Mosque, recognizable from its six minarets, built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I and decorated inside with 21,043 tiles from Iznik in a dominant blue color. Continue to St. Sophia, an ancient Byzantine Church; Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires. A former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul. Complete your touring day with the Grand Bazaar, and end your day wıth an overnight stay in Istanbul.
Overnight Istanbul – including Breakfast.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

After breakfast, visit the Spice Market the famous colorful covered market in Istanbul, after take a boat cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia with magnificent sights to behold.
Overnight Istanbul – including Breakfast.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Your selection of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations.

Ataturk International Airport
After breakfast transfer to the Ataturk international airport for your flight back to North America or other international travel destinations.

Included:

•  Breakfast at your hotel.
•  Professional certified licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions per day itinerary.
•  Transfer from your hotel to the Ataturk International Airport for your international flight home or to your next destination.

Transfers. International flights require that you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. PLEASE NOTE: NO EXTRA TRANSFER CHARGES ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ANY TIME AND ANY DAY.

Arrive this morning and start planing your next memorable trip to the Holy Land with IsraelAlive..