Israel Retreat
April 2027

Fly to Israel. Depart Seattle (SEA) on your international flight to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Flights are booked through Philip's House. (Airlines, flights, times, hotels, and sites are subject to change without notice.)

Before you go. All international travelers from visa-exempt countries must obtain a valid ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before departing for Israel. A small fee may apply — visit the State of Israel visa website.

Arrive — Ben Gurion. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Pass through immigration, gather your luggage, and be greeted by a Philip's House representative — look for the smiling face holding the Philip's House sign!

Netanya — David's Harp Hotel. Transfer to Netanya and rest on the Mediterranean Sea at David's Harp Hotel — near where Jonah set sail on his ill-fated adventure and where Peter saw the vision that changed history (Acts 10).

Overnight. David's Harp Hotel, Netanya — on the Mediterranean Sea, where your journey begins.

Caesarea Maritima. Explore the dramatic seaside ruins of Caesarea Maritima — home of Cornelius, the house of Philip, and the prison of Paul.

Mount Carmel. Ascend Mount Carmel (Muhraka), where Elijah called down fire from heaven, with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean and the Valley of Armageddon.

Nazareth Village. Step into first-century life at the Nazareth 1st-Century Village and walk the hometown streets of Jesus.

Overnight. Ramot Hotel, Sea of Galilee — perched above the lake, across from the hometown of Jesus.

Capernaum. Walk through Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus, and see the synagogue where He worshipped and the ruins of Peter's house.

Galilee Boat Worship. Cruise the Sea of Galilee on a private boat — worship on the water where Jesus walked.

Mount of Beatitudes. Read the Sermon on the Mount aloud on the green hillside where Jesus taught the crowds.

Primacy of Peter. Enter the church at Tabgha where the risen Jesus restored Peter beside the shore.

Baptism at Yardenit. Step into the Jordan River to experience baptism at the Yardenit baptismal site.

Overnight. Ramot Hotel, Sea of Galilee.

Mount Arbel. Climb Mount Arbel for sweeping panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus often climbed to pray. (For those less adventurous, take the bus to the top.)

Magdala. Visit first-century Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, where a synagogue from the time of Jesus was uncovered in 2009.

Lunch — St. Peter's Fish. Enjoy St. Peter's Fish on the shore of the lake. (Lunch is at your own cost.)

Susita (Hippos). Hike up to the Decapolis city of Susita (Hippos), overlooking the Sea of Galilee from the eastern heights.

Overnight. Ramot Hotel, Sea of Galilee.

Caesarea Philippi. Journey to Caesarea Philippi and touch the red bedrock where Peter confessed Christ and Jesus announced His church — the “called out ones.”

Banias Falls. Hike the rushing rapids of Banias Falls (Nachal Snir), fed by the headwaters of the Jordan at the foot of Mount Hermon.

Kibbutz Visit. Visit a northern-border kibbutz to meet local Israelis and see life on the frontier of the land.

Overnight. Ramot Hotel, Sea of Galilee.

Tel Shiloh. Stand at Tel Shiloh, Israel's religious heart before Jerusalem, where the Tabernacle stood for 369 years and Hannah prayed for Samuel.

Bethel. Visit Bethel, where Jacob dreamed of the ladder reaching to heaven and God renewed His covenant promise.

Nebi Samwil. Take in sweeping views from Nebi Samwil, the traditional tomb of Samuel, on the approach to the Holy City.

Overnight — Dan Jerusalem Hotel. On the slopes of Mount Scopus, with sweeping views of Jerusalem and the Judean Hills.

Garden Tomb. Take communion at the Garden Tomb beside its realistic first-century grave, and experience the resurrection as never before.

Mount of Olives. Look out over the Old City from the Mount of Olives, then follow the triumphal route down the slope toward Gethsemane.

Garden of Gethsemane. Step into the ancient olive groves where Jesus prayed before His arrest, and pray in a private garden: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Lion's Gate & Pools of Bethesda. Enter through the Lion's Gate to St. Anne's Church, known for its extraordinary acoustics, and the ruins of the Pools of Bethesda.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Step into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built around the hill of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised.

Overnight. Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Temple Mount. Ascend the Temple Mount, the massive platform built by Herod where the Temples once stood and Jesus taught.

Jewish Quarter & the Cardo. Walk the Jewish Quarter and the ancient Cardo, the Roman-era main street of Jerusalem.

Western Wall. Pray at the Western Wall — a wall Jesus saw, where Jews and Christians pray side by side today.

Southern Steps. Sit on the Southern Steps at the Davidson Center, where Jesus taught and pilgrims ascended to the Temple.

Overnight. Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

City of David. Enter the Jerusalem of Abraham and David in the excavations of the City of David.

Hezekiah's Tunnel. For the adventurous, wade through Hezekiah's water tunnel (bring a flashlight and clothes that can get wet); a dry Canaanite tunnel is available for those who prefer to stay dry.

Pool of Siloam. Reach the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus sent the blind man to wash and receive his sight.

Upper Room. Stand in the Upper Room, where Jesus hosted the first communion and the Spirit fell at Pentecost.

House of Caiaphas. Visit St. Peter in Gallicantu on the house of Caiaphas, where Jesus was held and Peter denied Him.

Overnight. Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Qumran. See Qumran near the Dead Sea, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were prepared and later discovered.

En Gedi. Refresh at the desert oasis of En Gedi, where David hid from Saul and was moved to write his psalms.

Dead Sea Swim. Float in the buoyant, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea — the lowest place on earth.

Overnight. Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Yad Vashem. Reflect on God's plan for Israel at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem's World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

Shabbat with Beit Hallel. Drive to Ashdod to join the Beit Hallel congregation for their Shabbat service with Pastor Israel Pochtar, followed by a celebration dinner — your last meal in the Land.

Airport Transfer. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your overnight departure. You now have friends in Israel — and a part of yourself left in the Land.

Arrive Home. Your overnight flight departs just after midnight and — thanks to the time zones — you arrive home the same day. You now have friends in Israel, a part of yourself left in the Land, and a new prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. Leave friends in Israel — and go home to greater influence.