DAY 5:  Beit Shean / Jordan Valley / Jericho / Qumran /  Dead Sea 

          We drive to the city of Beit Shean - one of the earliest and most important cities in Israel from the time of the Canaanites.  It was here the Philistines impaled King Saul's body to the city wall - we view its magnificent excavations.  We continue through the Jordan Valley passing by Jericho, from where we view the Mount of Temptation. Then on to the Dead Sea, lowest spot on earth and Qumran, center of the Essenes.  Visit the ancient caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue south along the shores of the Dead Sea, the saltiest sea in the world. Time permitting we will hike up to Ein Gedi, David's hideout from Saul. Those who wish to do so may swim (float) in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and enjoy the spa and other facilities at our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

DAY 6:  Massada / Hills of Jerusalem / Mt of Olives / Palm Sunday Road / Garden of Gethsemane
 This morning we drive to the mighty fortress Massada, last stronghold and stand of the zealots against Rome, on the edge of the barren Negev Desert.  Massada is a symbol of courage and perseverance for the Jewish People, where 960 Jewish defenders organized their last resistance to the Roman conquerors and took their own lives rather than surrender into slavery.  After lunch we ascend the hills to Jerusalem, and to the Mt of Olives for an introduction to Jerusalem and an outstanding breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate; see Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit. Walk down Palm Sunday Road and visit the Garden of Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 7: Old City of Jerusalem / Pool of Bethesda / Praetorium / Fortres of Antonia / View of Temple Mount / Via Dolorosa / Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Enter the Old City through St Stephen's Gate; Visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured an invalid man; continue to the Praetorium, site of the public trial of Christ, and his condemnation, and view its ancient remains in the Fortress of Antonia, seat of the Roman Procurator; proceed to the Temple Mount to view the Mosque of Omar.  Continue through the picturesque market streets past the Citadel of David, to the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Jerusalem.

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