Israel Retreat
May 2027

Depart from your USA departure airport to connect with an international flight to Israel. (Airlines, flights, times, hotels, and sites are subject to change without notice.)

Flights are booked through Philip's House. Please contact flights@philipshouse.com.

Before you board your flight to Israel, you may be met by an airline official for a security check. You will be asked questions. The goal of this interview is to determine if you are a safe person to fly. Be grateful that these questions keep Israel travel safe.

Note that all international travelers from visa-exempt countries to Israel must have a valid ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before departing for Israel. A small fee may apply. Visit the State of Israel visa website here https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/

Welcome to the Promised Land. You have arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

When you arrive in Israel, you may hear the passengers around you applaud the pilot for bringing them safely to the homeland.

When you exit the aircraft, you will eventually come to a long series of moving walkways. At the end of those moving walkways, you will see scanning machines on the left and right side of the hallway. Step in line, insert your passport, look into the camera, and a little blue and white ticket will be spit out from the machine. Keep this little piece of paper very secure — it is your entry pass into Israel, and you will need it throughout your trip.

Once you have collected your bags and exited customs, a Philip's House representative will be standing ready to welcome you to Israel. Keep an eye out for someone with a Philip's House shirt holding a sign that says Philip's House.

You will spend the night at David's Harp Netanya overlooking the Mediterranean.

Explore Caesarea Maritima, the home of Cornelius, the house of Philip, and the prison of Paul.

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

Tour the old city of Nazareth with Pastor Saleem Shalosh. See the home of Mary's mother, the carpenter shop and ritual bath of Joseph, and the synagogue described in Luke 4. Step into Elbabour Spice shop to enjoy fresh hummus, pita, and unforgettable aromas.

Reflect over the Sea of Galilee across the road from the Hometown of Jesus at David's Harp Hotel, Capernaum.

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.

Explore the Sea of Galilee with a boat cruise on the water where Jesus walked.

Visit the church overlooking the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus drew from the local scenery to illustrate the Sermon on the Mount. Take quality time to read out loud portions of the Sermon on the Mount and let Jesus' words speak anew.

Step into the gardens of the Primacy of Peter, where Peter first encountered Jesus.

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

Return to your beautiful David's Harp Hotel, Capernaum.

Journey 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."

Hike the rapids of Banias Falls, which inspired King David to write Psalm 42, and later, Jesus would walk on his way up to Mount Hermon, the place of the Transfiguration.

Visit a kibbutz community on Israel's north border and build relationships with local Israelis. Hear from a local tour guide about life in Israel's north.

Return to your beautiful David's Harp Hotel for evening reflection and dinner.

Climb up Mount Arbel where Jesus often climbed and prayed. For those less adventurous, take the bus and welcome the group at the top.

In 2009, during a hotel construction, workers discovered the remains of a first-century synagogue and the ancient city of Magdala, home of Mary Magdelene. The retreat site features a church with a massive picture window overlooking the lake and an unforgettable painting of the woman touching the fringe (tzitzit) of Jesus' prayer shawl (tallit). Father Eamon Kelly will be your tour guide.

Stop at a local restaurant and try St. Peter's Fish, the same species of fish familiar to the disciples.

Return to your beautiful David's Harp Hotel for evening reflection and dinner.

Today drive south to Jerusalem.

Stop along the route at Tel Shiloh or Ancient Shiloh, Israel's religious heart before Jerusalem. The Tabernacle stood here for 369 years. With engaging technology, you can almost see Samuel and David walking by and smell the incense burning on the altar.

Visit the biblical site of Bethel, the "House of God" where Abraham built an altar, Jacob dreamed of the heavenly ladder with ascending and descending angels, and God renewed His covenant promises, and explore the ancient ruins and panoramic hill country views.

Step into the just-opened Pentecost Room, painted by Chilean artist Daniel Cariola. The walls and ceiling of this spacious room are covered with the images of 119 first-century characters experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy a stunning view of Jerusalem and fine dining at the Notre Dame Restaurant near the New Gate.

Check into your Jerusalem hotel.

Visit the Garden Tomb and its realistic depiction of a first-century grave and experience communion as never before.

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.

Step into the olive groves of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest and surrendered to the Father's will. Spend quality prayer time in the private garden near the Garden of Gethsemane.

Enter Jerusalem through the Lion's Gate, the spot where tradition teaches that Stephen was stoned.

St. Anne's Church in Jerusalem is a stunning 12th-century Crusader church famed for its acoustics, located beside the biblical Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic (John 5:1-9).

Step onto the Lithostrotos — the fateful stone pavement in the heart of Jerusalem, Gabbatha — where Pilate's verdict set the Savior on His path to Calvary.

Step into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built around the Golgotha Hill where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Today, seven church denominations oversee the building, showing its significance to believers.

Return to spend the night at your Jerusalem hotel.

Ascend to the Temple Mount, a massive platform constructed by King Herod, where once the Temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel stood. On the Foundation Stone, Abraham offered Isaac, David stopped the plague with his intercession, Solomon prayed at the dedication and fire fell, the Babylonians and Romans demolished, and Jesus taught. One day, he will return through the Eastern Gate.

Walk through the Jewish Quarter and see the Golden Menorah prepared for the Third Temple. See the Cardo Romano, a marketplace Jesus would have used.

Take the Great Stone Tunnel Tour.

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.

Enjoy some time off and stroll the city of Jerusalem by yourself.

Return to rest and restore at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

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.

Ein Gedi, a beautiful desert oasis near the Dead Sea, is where King David hid from Saul, the ibex deer helped him to write Psalm 42, while he hid in the cave under the waterfall.

Take in your first view of the Dead Sea and take a swim and try to sink if you want something fun!

Return for dinner and a night's rest at your Jerusalem hotel.

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.

Ponder God's plan for Israel at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

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.

Cap off your journey with a Celebration Dinner in a local restaurant. Ponder with your traveling team how you will answer your friends at home who will ask, "How was your trip to Israel?" How will you stir their curiosity to ask for more?

After dinner, you will travel by motor coach to Ben Gurion Airport and home.

Your flight departs just after midnight.

You now have social media friends in Israel. A part of yourself is left in the Holy Land. You want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and go back one day soon.

Leave friends in Israel and go home to greater influence.

Thanks to the time zone, you will arrive home on the same day!