Our 8-Day Israel Trip

Fishing on a boat in the Sea of Galilee by casting a net

If you are a believer in Christ, a travel to Israel is a must and unforgettable whether you do it with your church family or just by yourself. In this post, I will provide our trip itinerary, highlights of the trip, and a few helpful tips.

We traveled mainly by car which I would recommended because tours were rushed and we did not have time to truly dwell in the areas we visited. We did take two 1-day tours but used a rented car for the remaining days. Driving was not too different than the U.S except for being more crowded and issues finding parking spaces. To find directions and parking, use Waze–a GPS app founded by Israelis. Tours are good though if you want to get through a lot of locations and sites and learn some history.

To pay for things, we mainly used credit card that didn’t have any transaction fees (PenFed and Citicard). Israel currency is in ‘nis’ which is .28 cents of a U.S. dollar.

Day 1: LAX –> Tel Aviv, Israel

We spent our first day swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Some believe the Mediterranean Sea was where Jonah was swallowed by the big fish, which is why in Old Jaffa, Israel, there is a fish statue.

“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” – Jonah 1:17

Old Jaffa

Day 2: Mt. Carmel

We went to Muhraka Monastery on Mount Carmel which is where they have a beautiful breath-taking view of all of Israel and arrows saying where important sites are located. Mount Carmel was where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to call on their god to burn sacrifice, and where God demonstrated He is the one true God.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” [1 Kings 18:38]

Mt Carmel Monastery, View of Meggido Valley

Day 3: Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, and Tiberias Tour

Nazareth
- Church of Annunciation – some believe this is where Mary was told by the angel that she would conceive Jesus.
- Church of St Joseph (right next to Church of Annunciation) – some believe around here is where Joseph’s carpentry shop was (Jesus’ father)
village of Kafer Kana (wedding) – only drove past this one
Sea of Galilee INCLUDED BAPTISM in JORDAN RIVER
- Church of Multiplication and explore Caperneaum (ruins of synagogues where Jesus taught)
- Church of St. Peter’s House (where Jesus stayed)
- Yardenit baptismal site (place to get baptized in the Jordan River)
- enjoy view of Mt Tabor aka Mt of Transfiguration (drove by this one)

Definitely a highlight during the tour was getting baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit. It’s amazing to know that Jesus baptized in this same river thousands of years ago. They provide the white gowns and towels for $5 I believe. They have changing stations too. Just remember to where something dark underneath because it will be see through once you dip in the water.

“16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [Matthew 3: 16-17]

We also ate at St. Peter’s Fish located next to the Sea of Galilee. Very touristy spot, but it was really good to experience eating fish where Jesus was.

Mt Tabor (Mt of Transfiguration)

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." [Matthew 17:1-3]

Galilee Activities

Day 4: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Tour

We want on a different tour with the following itinerary:

Jerusalem Tour (doesn’t include garden tomb)

Mt of Olives
Mt Zion for King David’s Tomb
Old Jerusalem
- Room of last supper, dormition abbey, walk thru Armenian and Jewish Quarters to Cardo (Roman Road), Jewish Western Wall, the Kotel, go thru Christian Quarter, walk thru Via Dolorosa, visit Church of Holy Sepulchre
Bethlehem **bring passport**
- Church of Nativity, basilica of Nativity, grotto of Nativity – some believe this is where Jesus was born or at least around this area.

The most memorable part was walking through Via Dolorosa–the road of suffering. The song rings so true when you walk through the same road Jesus walked as he carried the cross for our sins. There were 14 stations I believe, but we were only able to walk through half of them. However, even walking half of it was definitely a long walk, and gives you a picture of how much Jesus suffered and the depth of His love for us.

“16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. [Mark15:16-20]

What was also interesting was that Bethlehem had more regulations and borders to enter the area. We had to change buses to one with a tour guide that was not Jewish. It seemed there was more Muslim influence in this city. The grotto is the star picture you see below where you can light a candle and place in a stand adjacent to it. The church of nativity was the most crowded of all to see the location where Jesus was born. It seemed like it was undergoing some construction as well. Bethlehem in general was also less modern compared to Jerusalem with some old style buildings.

There is also a controversy where Jesus’ burial and resurrection was located: Church of Holy Sepulchre vs. the Garden Tomb. Either way, while Garden tomb was not part of our tour, we visited the place another day and both sites are great to visit.

Tip: Bring a pencil and paper so you can write your prayers and stick it in between the western wall crevices.

Walking through Old Jerusalem Tomb of David below the Upper Room

Inside Church of the Nativity. The Grotto marks the location of His birth.

Day 5: Dead Sea

We rented a hotel next to the Dead Sea, but it was intensely hot. It was like breathing hot air all the time. In the swimming area of the dead sea, it smelled so bad and the water had a yellowish tint to it, like sulfur. This may be related to the destruction Sodom and Gomorrah: “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:24-26). The water was so salty that if you even had one drop of the water in your eye, your eyes would burn and you could not swim without washing the water out. Otherwise, the experience of floating without any effort needed was very intriguing.

Tip: sometimes there are camels next to gas stations along the way meant for tourists to try camel-back riding for a price. The gas station also serves fresh squeeze orange juice.

Day 6: Qumran and Garden Tomb (Alternate Burial Site)

Caves of Qumran – I recommend getting a tour if you want to hike to one of the caves where the scrolls were discovered. We hiked to the nearest cave like cavities, following path marker arrows thinking there may be a cave that at one time contained some scrolls, but it was not there. However, at the end of the path, looking eastward towards the Dead Sea, some of the caves could be seen. These caves are inaccessible due to erosion.

On the way back to our hotel in Tel Aviv, we stopped by the Garden Tomb. We did not buy a tour guide, but we listened in on the other tours and learned that way. Educational and meaningful. You can also see Golgotha skull hill, the second possible site of Jesus’ crucifixion.

"Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid." [John 19:41]

From the shaded cavities on the left, look back towards the Dead Sea to see some caves where scrolls were found. If you can't see them due to the terrain, take pictures and compare the pictures with published pictures to find them.

Day 7: Sea of Galilee**definitely the most memorable personally

We got to swim in the Sea of Galilee and ride a boat where Jesus did the same and walked on water. How cool is that? Interestingly, I can’t swim, but I can swim in the Sea of Galilee. Something about the fresh water and the buoyancy makes it so easy to swim.

There’s also a museum for the “Jesus Boat” nearby where so many boat renting companies advertise. We came when it was closing time so we were panicking. Fortunately, I found this company online that gave us a boat ride even after-hours. He even threw the net to the right side, but too bad we did not catch any fish.

"And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." [John 21:6]

Day 8: Old Jaffa

The last day was the Sabbath day so we attended a church that celebrates on Saturday. Apparently they did not have grape juice and gave all the adults and children real wine for communion. That was a memorable time for me as I have never had alcohol in my life–and probably won’t drink that ever again bleghh. We also explored Old Jaffa and visited the House of Simon the Tanner. You could not go in. It seemed like people were living here since I heard voices–and doors closing. On a side note, unlike the U.S., there are so many friendly cats that are able to survive and are fed by the communities. They were actually much skinnier than cats in the U.S.

"He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." [Acts 10:6]

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience as a believer! It really brought the Bible to life and left an imprint on all of our hearts. In summary, the church of Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb, Old Jerusalem (walking the Via Dolorosa), getting baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit Baptismal Site, Sea of Gallilee (riding and boat and swimming in it at Ginosar Beach), Dead Sea, Mt. of Olives, and Mt. of Transfiguration were definitely highlights to the trip and I would recommend everyone to visit these sites.

I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions or inquiries, you can contact us at llapministries@gmail.com

God Bless,

Live Long and Prosper Ministries

Written by Hannah Nguyen