You were made for a purpose. Israel is the place where Jesus first revealed that purpose.
Standing where Jesus stood, with an open Bible, will give you a fresh vision of his plan for your influence at home.
Here's a suggestion for a 12 day, 10 night Israel retreat. Explore this plan, bring your ideas, and personalize your experience in the Promised Land. This group tour package with group airfare begins at $5,495, depending on departure city, time of year, and hotel selection. Hotels included in this itinerary are suggested. There are many options to choose from.
Travel hosts, Philip’s House will introduce you to Israeli believers, Jews, and Arabs. Your licensed tour guide will give you time for personal reflection at Bible sites.
Israel's largest travel company, Sar-El Tours, partners with Philip’s House to provide the safest and best in travel, accommodation, and professional tour guides. Sar-El has kept 1.25 million international travelers safe over 31 years.
Discover the Philip’s House difference. We offer retreats into Israel. More than education, Philip's House retreats are about ENCOUNTER.
ACTIVE: Explore the paths Jesus walked. Scan the mountains on the horizon that his eyes saw.
REFLECTIVE: You will have time to reflect on a passage written about the spot where you stand.
RELATIONAL: Israelis you meet will cause Bible personalities to spring to life in your imagination.
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
You will pass through Israel’s immigration, gather your luggage, and be greeted by a Philip’s House representative. Look for the smiling face holding the Philip’s House sign!
Enjoy your first night at David's Harp Galilee Resort across the street from Capernaum, the Hometown of Jesus.
Get up at dawn for an optional hike along a natural trail on the waterfront of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and the site where Jesus called Peter to follow him.
Stand at the threshold of a synagogue where Jesus taught at the Magdala village, home of Mary Magdalene.
Experience a boat from the days of Jesus at the Ginasaur Boat Museum.
Explore the Sea of Galilee with a boat cruise on the water where Jesus walked.
Walk through Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus. See the synagogue where he worshipped and the ruins of the house of Peter's mother-in-law where the disabled man was lowered through the roof.
Take in the sunset at David's Harp Galilee Resort on the Sea of Galilee.
Hike the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus drew from the local scenery to illustrate the Sermon on the Mount.
Journey an hour north to Caesarea Philippi and touch the red bedrock where Peter stood, see the literal Gates of Hell, and the spiritual significance of announcing on this spot the church--the "called out ones."
Take in the 4,000-year-old Gates of Dan, where Abraham took his 318 servants to defeat physical and spiritual forces and how his story connects with Jesus' story.
From Mount Bental take in breath-taking views of Mount Hermon, where Jesus was transfigured, where Moses stood in the Promised Land, and the mountain where Elijah the prophet gave counsel to the Messiah about the cross.
David’s Harp Galilee Resort welcomes you back for another evening of rest and relaxation.
Your trip to Jerusalem is called an "aliyah" or ascent upward because Jerusalem is 2,474 feet above Sea Level. The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were written to be sung on your way up.
Tour Old Nazareth with Pastor Saleem Salash. This congregation of Arab-Israelis is called Home of Jesus the King Church. They are committed to blessing Israel and serving the Jewish community.
See Tel Shiloh or Ancient Shiloh Israel’s religious heart before Jerusalem. The Tabernacle stood here for 369 years.
See the Dead Sea scrolls at the Shrine of the Book and watch your imagination come alive with the Model of Jesus’ Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.
Tonight you will be staying at the Dan Panorama Hotel. From here you may walk to the Jaffa Gate or to the Mamilla Mall for upscale shopping in an open-air environment.
Ascend to the Temple Mount, a massive platform constructed by Kind Herod, where once the Temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel stood.
Pray at the Western Wall and touch the stones that made the disciples marvel.
Experience the history of Jerusalem at the Davidson Center and sit on the Southern Steps where Jesus taught.
Enter into the Jerusalem that Abraham and David knew in the excavations of the City of David. For the adventurous: choose to walk Hezekiah's Tunnel. Bring a flashlight, shoes and clothes that can get wet. The water will come up to your knees. This is the water course chiseled out during the days of Senacharib's threat to Jerusalem. For those who want to keep dry, take the Canaanite era tunnel.
The Dan Panorama Hotel will be waiting for you at the end of your day.
Visit the Garden Tomb and its realistic depiction of a first-century grave and experience communion.
Take in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives Rehavam Overlook, then follow the triumphal route of Jesus down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Walk the Palm Sunday route down to the Garden of Gethsemane, among ancient olive trees.
Enter Jerusalem through the Lion's Gate. Visit the Crusader-era St. Anne's Church, known for its extraordinary acoustics, near the Pool of Bethesda. Walk the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took on the way to His crucifixion, with stops at significant stations along the way. Step into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built around the Golgotha Hill.
Step into the Upper Room where Jesus hosted the first communion and visit the Tomb of David on the lower floor. Under the Upper Room is the “Lower Room” where tradition holds that King David is buried.
Visit Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, the oldest Christian Church in the world, step into the lowest basement and see the cave where Jesus was laid in the manger.
Step into one of the massive limestone caves where shepherds secured their flocks and heard angels on the hillsides around Bethlehem. It's the perfect setting to sing, "Silent Night."
Visit the Olive Wood Shop in Bethlehem with handcrafted items made from local olive wood in the town where Jesus was born.
Insert yourself into the story of modern Israel at the Friends of Zion Museum. Some report that this is one of the most powerful places they have visited in the land.
Stop at the Valley of Elah where David won a victory over Goliath and pray for the people of Israel.
Visit the Nova Festival site and, to pay our respects to those affected by the October 7, 2023 attack.
See the Burnt Car Memorial, where hundreds of cars were left unclaimed by those murdered in the terror attack.
Drive to the seaside city of Ashdod to join the Beit Hallel Congregation for their Shabbat Service.
Enjoy shabbat dinner in the city of Ashdod .
The Dan Panorama Hotel will be waiting for you with open arms.
Today follow Jesus into the desert.
See the desert monastery of Qumran, located near the Dead Sea. Here, the Dead Sea Scrolls were prepared and later discovered. John the Baptist was familiar with this place.
Scale Masada with the Romans if you are up to the challenge or ride the gondola to the top of Masada, the desert fortress of King Herod.
Take in your first view of the Dead Sea at Kalia Beach. Have a float in the Dead Sea if you want something fun!
Your accommodations at the Dan Panorama Hotel will be waiting for you.
Today, you are free to explore the city of Jerusalem.
Freedom to explore makes travel unforgettable.
You will have a map, and recommendations of shops, restaurants, museums, and sites.
Spend the day shopping or meditating!
Your convenient accommodation is at the Dan Panorama Hotel.
You need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your departure time for immigration processing.
You now have friends in Israel. You've left a part of yourself in the Holy Land. You want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and go back one day soon.
HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED in your Israel retreat package:
Payment plan option. You can set up convenient monthly payments by with an auto debit from your bank account or credit card.
Group Air Travel from your location to Tel Aviv. Traveling together as a group gives great rates on airfares.
3 Hotel Nights in Galilee in a double occupancy hotel room. A private room is available at an extra cost.
7 Hotel Nights in Jerusalem. The hotel mentioned in the itinerary is for illustration purposes. You will be able to choose the hotel you want.
A professional licensed tour guide who is a believer in Jesus.
Breakfast & dinner is included. Lunch is paid by you. Expect about 15-$20 for lunch.
Safe Shelter Every floor of your accommodation features a shelter room should an emergency arise.
Tips All the tips for your tour guide, driver, and hotel staff are covered in your booking, a $16 per day value.
Jesus Adventures--Hike the paths Jesus walked.
Time to Reflect--Visit Bible sites with time to reflect on passages written about events at locations you where you will stand.
Meet Israeli Believers--See more than rocks of archaeology. Meet living stones--Jewish and Arab believers in Yeshua.
New Israeli Friends--Meet Jews and Israeli-Arabs. Some are secular, some religious, and a few are believers in Jesus.
HERE'S WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED in your Israel retreat price.
Travel Insurance is essential to protect your investment. Philip’s House offers a broker with access to multiple insurance companies with this link https://www.squaremouth.com/23118
Lunch To keep your daily touring plan flexible, lunch is at your own cost. Plan about $15-$20 per day. US currency is accepted at most locations where you will eat.
Personal Items Here is a link to detailed information about what to pack and what to expect on your tour. https://www.philipshouse.com/questions