Turkey + Israel 2025 Departure: Miami

Breakfast and departure to the ancient city of Pergamum, a cultural, commercial, and medicinal center of the past. Visit the famous Asclepion, a building dedicated to the God of medicine. At the end of the visit, we will continue our journey to Izmir and proceed to Kusadasi. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/xkukudi-doubletree-kusadasi/ or similar.

Breakfast and departure for a full-day tour of the island of Patmos. Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. The island is known as the place where the apostle John was exiled, as stated in the book of Revelation. Return and transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/xkukudi-doubletree-kusadasi/ or similar.

Breakfast and departure to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 inhabitants and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, Library, Odeon, Theater, etc. We will also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, considered the last home of Jesus' mother. Visit an “outlet” store for leather goods where we can see the famous leather fabrics of the Aegean region. Continue to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools formed over the centuries by the passage of waters loaded with calcareous salts from thermal springs. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.pamthermal.com/ or similar. Breakfast and departure to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 inhabitants and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, Library, Odeon, Theater, etc. We will also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, considered the last home of Jesus' mother. Visit an “outlet” store for leather goods where we can see the famous leather fabrics of the Aegean region. Continue to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools formed over the centuries by the passage of waters loaded with calcareous salts from thermal springs. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.pamthermal.com/ or similar. Breakfast and departure to Konya to visit the museum of the ancient Monastery of the Whirling Dervishes, founded by Mevlana in the 13th century. Continue to the ancient region of Cappadocia; a fascinating region of lunar landscapes, formed over centuries on the thick and soft layer of lava sculpted by nearby volcanoes. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/kayseri/asrhi/hoteldetail or similar.

Breakfast and departure for Konya to visit the museum of the ancient Monastery of the Dervishes, dancers founded by Mevlana in the 13th century. Continue to the ancient region of Cappadocia; a fascinating region of lunar landscapes, formed over centuries on the thick, soft layer of lava carved out by nearby volcanoes. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation and rest. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/kayseri/asrhi/hoteldetail or similar.

Breakfast and full-day excursion in the Cappadocia region, located between three cities of Turkey: Kirsehir, Nigde, and Kayseri. We will visit the Goreme Valley, an incredible Byzantine monastic complex consisting of rock-carved churches with beautiful frescoes, the troglodyte villages of Uchisar-natural fortress; Ortahisar- the fairy chimneys of Urgup; Pasabag – with its duplicated and triplicated chimneys, Avanos, a village of ceramists. Then a visit to the underground city built as a repository for grains, dormitories, and ventilation wells. This place was used as a refuge by Christians of the time. At the end of the day, we will finish the visit at a carpet cooperative where you can see how artisans weave Turkish carpets. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. (This day could be used for an early morning balloon ride over the Cappadocia region, optional not included). https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/kayseri/asrhi/hoteldetail or similar.

Breakfast and departure to the airport, flight to Istanbul. Panoramic city tour in Istanbul. Then, time dedicated to discoveries and shopping at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With hundreds of small craft shops selling everything from handmade rugs, gold, watches, silver, leather clothing, accessories, sweets, and even Turkish coffee, plus a myriad of other products, a bustling environment and a great place to show off your bargaining skills. Transfer to the airport, departure procedures, boarding to Tel Aviv in Israel. Welcome to the Land of the Bible, reception by our team in Israel, and transfer to the hotel, accommodation, dinner, and rest. https://www.grandhotels-israel.com/david-dead-sea-hotel or similar.

After breakfast, bathe in the famous waters of the Dead Sea, which has the highest salt concentration in the world and where nobody sinks. Departure for lunch (not included) and stop to get to know Ein Gedi, where David took refuge from King Saul. Visit the archaeological site of Qumran, where the Essenes lived, and with whom John the Baptist lived. There, the oldest known copies of all the books of the Old Testament were found. We proceed to Jericho, currently within the territory of the Palestinian Authority, where we will visit Elisha's spring, the ruins of the walls from Joshua's time, and the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was taken during his trial. Continue towards Tiberias, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where we will stay at the hotel. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, accommodation, and rest. https://www.leshemhotels.co.il/ramada-nazareth-hotel or similar.

Breakfast and early departure towards Banias, the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, at the foot of Mount Hermon, where Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection, and also the stage for Peter's confession. There, we will know the springs of the Jordan River. Ascend to the Golan Heights, from where you can see Syria and spot the plain where the Apostle Paul converted. Return to the Sea of Galilee region and continue to Tabgha, the scene of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish, and visit Capernaum, where Jesus lived and established his ministry. For lunch, the famous "St. Peter's fish" caught in the Sea of Galilee, and then, proceed to the port of Ginosar, where we will see a boat from the time of Jesus excavated from the bottom of the Sea of Galilee, and embark on a typical wooden boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Return to the hotel, dinner, and rest. https://www.leshemhotels.co.il/ramada-nazareth-hotel or similar.

Breakfast and departure towards the village of Cana, the scene of Jesus' first miracle. Continue to the Village of Nazareth, a village that reproduces the way of life in Jesus' times. We will proceed towards Megiddo, where you can see ruins from King Solomon's time, where Ahab with Jezebel and other kings of Israel resided. Climb Mount Carmel, where the prophet Elijah invoked the presence of God and defeated the prophets of Baal and from where we have another beautiful panoramic view of the Armageddon Valley on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Continue the journey to the ruins of Caesarea Maritima, a city built by King Herod and which served as the capital of the Judea province in Jesus' time. There lived the governor Pontius Pilate. Continue the journey towards Tel Aviv. Quick passage through Jope, visit the excavations of an Egyptian fort from the time of Pharaoh Ramses II, and proceed to the gates of Jerusalem, where we will make a triumphant entry on Mount Scopus. Arrival at the hotel, dinner, and rest. https://www.danhotels.com/JerusalemHotels/DanJerusalemHotel/ or similar.

Breakfast and early departure towards Mount Zion, where we will visit the Cenacle, the site of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples and of Pentecost. Passage through King Hezekiah's aqueduct, to the Pool of Siloam, where, among other things, Jesus healed a man born blind. Continue to Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives, where Jesus wept and was arrested by the Romans. There we can take some time to pray in the garden next door. Climb to the top of the Mount of Olives, from where we have a sensational view of the Old City and the Temple Mount Esplanade. Later, we proceed towards Bethlehem, currently within the territory of the Palestinian Authority, where we have lunch and visit the Church of the Nativity, the oldest Christian church in the world, which was built over the cave where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Next, we go to the Shepherd's Field, where the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds the birth of the Savior. Then, we will visit the local trade to learn about the famous olive wood craftsmanship typical of the region, and the 14-karat gold jewelry sold there tax-free. Return to the hotel, dinner, and rest. At night, the possibility of a walk (optional) through Jerusalem on foot with the guide. https://www.danhotels.com/JerusalemHotels/DanJerusalemHotel/ or similar.

Breakfast and early departure towards the Wailing Wall, the last remnant of what was once the Temple of Jerusalem in Jesus' time. Ascend to the Temple Mount and continue towards the Davidson Park, where we will learn about archaeological excavations of the temple in Jesus' time. We will follow to the Pool of Bethesda, the scene of one of Jesus' most significant miracles, healing the paralytic on the Sabbath. After lunch, visit to Bethany and Herodion. Return to the hotel, dinner, and rest. https://www.danhotels.com/JerusalemHotels/DanJerusalemHotel/ or similar.

Breakfast and early departure towards the ruins of what was, in its time, the Antonia Fortress, the scene of Jesus' imprisonment and trial. Continue through the Via Dolorosa to the Damascus Gate, which is the only original from Jesus' time, and continue towards the Garden Tomb, outside the walls of the Old City, where we will visit Golgotha, the famous skull-shaped hill where criminals were crucified in Jesus' time. Then we will visit the tomb that belonged to the aristocrat Joseph of Arimathea, which was given to Jesus at his crucifixion. Time for reflections and celebration of the Holy Communion, closing meeting with the presentation of pilgrimage certificates to the Holy Land signed by the Minister of Tourism of Israel and the Mayor of Jerusalem. Then, we will visit the house of Caiaphas and end the day passing by Emmaus. Transfers to the hotel, departure procedures, and boarding with final destination Miami and technical stopover in Istanbul. (In-flight Meal Service Provided).

Arrival, entry procedures into the country, and end of our services.