Pilgrimage

Day 1 – Roman context, birth and early life: Caesarea, Nazareth, Mt Arbel, Megiddo, Zippori

Day 2 – Teaching and healing: Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Betsaida, Susita, Jordan River

Day 3 – Northern Sites, discipleship and first century politics (and some modern): Golon Heights, Gamla, Caesarea Philipi, Katzrin, Druze villages

Day 4 – The turn toward Jerusalem: Bet Shean, Susita, Qumran, Dead Sea

Day 5 – Desert God: En Gedi, Masada, Jericho Road

Day 6 – Birth story and first century Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Mt of Olives, Old City

Day 7 – Crucifixion: Via Dolorosa, Old City Quarters, New City, Jaffa Gate (and others)

Day 8 – Birth of the Church: Western Wall, David’s City, Pool of Bethesda, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Southern Stairs.

My itineraries often change depending on weather, group interest, number of days, and daylight. What follows are typical sites I often visit. (Other in-depth itineraries can include areas of Israel for more of an Old Testament focus.)

I consider my tours to be Spiritual Pilgrimages at their center. In addition to wrestling with the history of faith and your personal story, we also spend time each day talking about and visiting modern Israel and Palestine, trying to understand the conflict and experiencing the place as a living reality, not just a tourist attraction. Though no tour is politically neutral, I try to allow a few perspectives on the conflict to be heard during the tour. Please consider this a 101 introduction to the modern realities, out of which you will emerge with many more questions.

Airfare*, busing, all meals, driver and guide tips, entrance fees, bottled water, and four-star hotels (unless otherwise stated). What’s not included are trip insurance, alcohol, and other travel arrangements if not traveling with a group.

*You may purchase your own airfare and pay for the ground only cost

For the last ten years I have tried to book trips from late Fall to early Spring. There are far fewer crowds than during the summer and the weather is mild. Please be prepared for temperatures from 45-85 degrees, for rain or sun. We are outside every day, all day, so layers are best. Occasionally, I still do Summer tours, in that case 90+ degrees every day with full sun.

I include a detailed packing list once you’ve signed up. However, the basics are causal hiking clothes, good hiking or walking shoes, a small daypack for Bible and journal, rain gear and umbrella, personal meds, camera/phone, a two prong adapter for charging, some spending money, and an open mind. If you have mild food allergies, most of these can be worked around. For severe food allergies, it is sometimes best to bring food you know you can eat.

Biblical Reading preparation

The four gospels (this is the most important)

Genesis 12-22

Exodus 19-20

Leviticus 16

Numbers 20

Psalms 1, 23, 120-134

Acts 2

2 Kings 18-20

1 Samuel 17, 24

Jeremiah 7

Hebrew 7-12

A few books

Kent Dobson, NIV First Century Study Bible, This study Bible has lots of relevant information and was born out of my own years as a student, teacher and tour guide.

John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan Reed, Excavating Jesus, A scholarly treatment of the relevant archeological discoveries from Jesus’ time period

James Michener, The Source, Historical fiction about a single archeological site in Israel based on actual discoveries

NT Wright, Simply Jesus, Sound scholarship yet accessible on the life of Jesus from a Christian point of view

David Flusser, Jesus, An important contribution to our understanding of the Jewish Jesus written by a Jewish scholar from the Hebrew University

Please plan on 4-6 miles of walking each day on uneven ground. We occasionally have optional harder hikes. Staying active before the trip can make a huge difference. If you have physical concerns, please let me know, and we can discuss your options.

My tours are very interactive. Expect long days outside with teaching, conversation, some time to explore sites, and occasional times for solitude and reflection. We begin early with buffet style breakfast and are off the first site by 7:30am. We eat lunch in the field or at a café (included in the price). Dinners are back at the hotel, buffet style. The food is excellent, fresh and Middle Eastern.

I do most of the teaching, especially as it relates to the life of Jesus. However, I always travel with a professional guide who will offer his own perspective as we travel around the country. I typically work with a Jewish guide who is a close friend, but occasionally I use a Palestinian guide.

The evenings are free for you to explore the area or gather at the hotel bar for conversation about the day. I try to build in a few shopping opportunities near the end of the tour. We always visit a shop in Bethlehem, as well as giving you free time in the old city of Jerusalem to wander the bizarre. Check with me on the best places to buy gifts and souvenirs.