Overview
This Israel Tour was designed by Dr. Taylor Halverson, and will be led by Master Teacher & Scripture Scholar Sam Smith, Ph.D. Taylor and Sam have been friends and teachers for nearly 3 decades!
Immerse yourself in the world of Jesus Christ and the New Testament together with the vibrant sites and sounds of the living cultures of the Holy Land today.
Come Experience the Best Tours!
Our prices are the best as we include far more than other tour groups, that nickel and dime you along the way, which really adds up!
In your tour price we have covered many things not included in other tour groups: Tips for guides, Tips for drivers, Tips for hotel chefs and food prep, Tips for hotel staff, Tips at restaurants (that are included in the itinerary), Water on the bus, Special meal experiences, Immersive experiences at various locations, Towels for your Dead Sea experience, Excursions (listed in the itinerary), Meals throughout the tour, and other Surprise and Delight Experiences.
You simply show up and enjoy the experience without having stress and worry about affording add-ons or having to scrummage around for several extra dollars to buy water, give a tip, or to have a special experience.
More importantly, we have the best guides who are master teachers, who are experts in the scripture, they know the peoples and lands that we’ll be travelling through, and they are socially a ton of fun to be around.
Get the best!
[Note: This is a very active tour. You’ll need to be comfortable and capable of walking 3-5 miles in a day, climbing up and down stairs and hills unassisted, and walking on uneven surfaces.]
If you are looking to add Jordan and/or Egypt as extensions to your Israel tour, you can find that info via the “Book Now” button.
Tour Guide
Sam Smith
Samuel Smith is a natural teacher. As a native of Ontario, Canada, growing up near the cradle of the Restoration, Sam enjoyed giving tours of the Restoration sites to YSA groups. In his college...
View ProfileItinerary
November 20 - Fly to Israel
Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport
November 21 - Flights Arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel
Schedule your flights to arrive in Tel Aviv this afternoon or evening. Transfers to hotel in Tel Aviv.
Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
45 minutes
Estimated walking length:
1 mile
November 22 - Caesarea Maritima; Megiddo; St. Peter's Fish Lunch; Capernaum; Sea of Galilee
Why was Caesarea Maritima built and by whom? And why did important New Testament events happen there? What is the symbol of the Jezreel Valley? What is the symbol of Megiddo? Why were the Jezreel Valley and Megiddo so strategically and vitally important for thousands of years? What do we learn about Jesus and his message and miracles from his ministry home base of Capernaum? What do we feel and experience when we are at the Sea of Galilee?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
2 hours 45 minutes
Estimated walking length:
3 miles
November 23 - Tel Dan; Caesarea Philippi; Druze Lunch; Qatzrin; Mount of Beatitudes
How does Qatzrin help us better imagine the life and times of Jesus? Why did Jesus take his disciples to Caesarea Philippi to specifically ask them “Whom do men say that I am?”? Why is Tel Dan so important for understanding Old Testament history? What connection does that site have to Abraham, King David, the fall of the northern 10 tribes of Israel, and Jesus? What is the covenantal significance of the Sermon on the Mount? Why does Matthew place it in his Gospel where he does? Why is Mount Arbel significant for understanding Jewish history as well as Jesus’s great commission?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
2 hours 15 minutes
Estimated walking length:
3 miles
November 24 - Nazareth; Qasr al Yahud (River Jordan baptism site); Jericho; Jerusalem
What understanding unfolds about the life and times of Jesus unfolds as you visit the Nazareth Biblical village? Why is Nazareth significant for Jesus and for understanding his ministry? Where did Jesus choose to get baptized and why? Why is Jericho important to civilization, the Israelite conquest of the Holy Land, and the ministry of Jesus? What is significant about the Mount of Transfiguration? Why is Mount Carmel important to Biblical history and teaching?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
3 hours 45 minutes
Estimated walking length:
2 miles
November 25 - Bethlehem; City of David; Hezekiah’s Tunnel; Pool of Siloam; Mount of Olives; Garden of Gethsemane; Olive Wood shopping
What is the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, and of Shepherd’s field? Why is the city of David located where it is? Why did Hezekiah build his tunnel? What is the significance of the Pool of Siloam? Why did Jesus choose the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer? Why is Jerusalem called the city of peace?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
1 hour 45 minutes
Estimated walking length:
2 miles
November 26 - Dome of the Rock; Western Wall; Temple Steps; Via Dolorosa; Church of the Holy Sepulcher; Hezekiah’s Broad Wall
What is the symbolism and significance of the Dome of the Rock? Why is it where it is? Why is the Western Wall so significant to Jews? What is the Via Dolorosa and why do pilgrims walk this route in the Old City of Jerusalem? What is the significance of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
No shorts or bare shoulders at Dome of the Rock
Estimated drive time:
30 minutes
Estimated walking length:
5 miles
November 27 - Masada; Qumran; Dead Sea; Wadi Qelt
Who built Masada and why? What is Qumran and how is it related to the Dead Sea Scrolls? Why are the Dead Sea Scrolls such a significant discovery? What do we learn about the Judean Wilderness, Jesus’s temptations, and the Good Samaritan story at Wadi Qelt?
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included!
Note on clothing:
Shorts ok today
Estimated drive time:
3 hours
Estimated walking length:
3 miles
November 28 - BYU Jerusalem Church (if available); Last Supper; St. Peter in Gallicantu; Garden Tomb; late night flights home
What did Jesus do during his last supper, and when on trial with the Jewish authorities and why? What can we experience at the Garden Tomb? How will you be different now that you have experienced the Holy Land?
Breakfast & Lunch included!
Note on clothing:
After church shorts ok
Estimated drive time:
1 hour 30 minutes
Estimated walking length:
2 miles
November 29 - Arrive home with incredible memories!
What's Included
Included
- World class tour guides
- 4 or 5 star hotels
- Transfers to and from the airport (If arriving and departing with the group)
- Entrance fees
- Whisper headsets
- Tips for local drivers
- Tips for local guides
- Luxury tour coach bus
- Digital learning materials
- Digital itineraries
- Water on the bus
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary
What's Not Included
- Incidentals
- Personal items
- International flights
- Electronic Travel Authorization for Israel. Required for entry. About $7. Apply here. https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/apply-for-an-eta-il-1/
“Pack your bags, get your air tickets, and we'll take care of everything else!”
Pricing & Booking
$3,650
Per Person Plus Add-ons
Based on Double Occupancy
$950 Single Supplement
Extensions
You Can Add Any of These Extensions to Your Israel Tour with Sam Smith Via the Book Now Link
3 Day Egypt Splendors
Great Pyramids; Grand Egyptian Museum; Islamic Cairo
$1,795 pp dbl occp
7 Day Egypt Ultimate Egypt
Great Pyramids; Grand Egyptian Museum; Islamic Cairo; Luxury Nile Cruise; Aswan; Karnak; Luxor; Valley of the Kings.
$3,695 pp dbl occp
3 Day Jordan
Jordan: Aqaba; Petra; Wadi Rum
$1,795 pp dbl occp
3 Day Jordan + 3 Day Egypt
Jordan: Aqaba; Petra; Wadi Rum
Egypt: Great Pyramids; Grand Egyptian Museum; Islamic or Christian Cairo.
$3,590 pp dbl occp
3 Day Jordan + 7 Day Egypt
Jordan: Petra; Wadi Rum; Aqaba
Egypt: Great Pyramids; Luxury Nile Cruise; Aswan; Karnak; Luxor; Valley of the Kings.
$5,290 pp dbl occp