im-going-to-jerusalem

What Will I See on a Holy Land Tour? A Day-by-Day Look at Our Feb 2027 Trip

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 16:26:09 GMT

The short answer: On our 10-day Holy Land tour, February 2–11, 2027, you'll see Joppa, Caesarea and Mount Carmel, then the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum, the Jordan River, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Masada and Qumran. After that come Jerusalem and Bethlehem, ending at the Garden Tomb with communion. The tour is $4,995 per person (double occupancy) and is operated by Templeton Tours.

Friend, I still get choked up thinking about these places. People often ask me, "Stephen, what will we actually do each day?" So let me walk you through it. This follows our sample itinerary . A few sites or the order may shift a little for group needs, but this is the heart of the trip.

What happens on Days 1 and 2?

We fly into Tel Aviv, then travel the Mediterranean coast to Joppa, Caesarea and Mount Carmel before settling by the Sea of Galilee.

We land in Tel Aviv in the evening, clear customs, and ride our coach to the hotel for a late dinner and a good night's rest. The next morning we go to Joppa and stand near the home of Simon the Tanner, where Peter had the vision that opened the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). We'll also see the port Jonah sailed from when he ran from God.

In Caesarea we explore Herod the Great's palace, the amphitheater, the old port and the aqueduct. This is where Peter shared Jesus with Cornelius. Then we drive north to Mount Carmel, where Elijah faced the prophets of Baal, and look out over the Jezreel Valley. That night we sleep in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

What will we see around the Sea of Galilee on Day 3?

Day 3 is spent where Jesus did most of His ministry: the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Magdala, a boat ride on the sea, and a baptism renewal in the Jordan River.

We start on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. In Capernaum, the village Jesus made His home, we'll see the synagogue and the remains of Peter's house. At Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, there's a first-century synagogue that was discovered in 2009. Then we cross the Sea of Galilee by boat and visit the Jesus Boat Museum. We end the day by the Jordan River, where you can renew your baptism if you'd like.

Where do we go on Day 4?

We head south through the Jordan Valley to Beit She'an, Bethabara, and Jericho, and end the day floating in the Dead Sea.

Beit She'an was a Decapolis city destroyed by an earthquake, and its ruins are huge. We follow the Jordan Valley to Bethabara, the site of Jesus' baptism by John. In Jericho, where Joshua led Israel to victory, we visit the tel where 23 civilizations have been found. Then we take a swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. We stay near the Dead Sea that night.

What are the desert sites on Day 5?

Day 5 takes us to Masada, Ein Gedi and Qumran, then up through the Valley of the Shadow of Death into Jerusalem.

We ride the cable car up Masada, Herod's mountain fortress and the place of the Jews' last stand against Rome. At Ein Gedi, the oasis where David hid from Saul, we'll think about Ezekiel 47 and the living water. At Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, we see how carefully God has kept His Word. Then we climb to Jerusalem through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I wrote about that place in my Psalm 23 reflection .

What will we see in Jerusalem and Bethlehem on Day 6?

Day 6 covers the Temple Mount, the Pool of Bethesda, the Mount of Olives, the Model City, and Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Fields.

We begin at the Temple Mount. We can't go inside the Dome of the Rock or Al-Aqsa Mosque, but we'll see them and learn their history. (My post on the Dome of the Rock's biblical significance tells more.) We visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 38 years, and the Church of St. Anne. From the Mount of Olives we look across at the city and stop at the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, and Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. The Model City shows Jerusalem in Jesus' day. In the afternoon we go to Bethlehem.

Where does Day 7 take us?

Day 7 is about the places of Jesus' teaching: the Western Wall, the Southern Wall excavations, the Upper Room, the Jewish Quarter, and Yad Vashem.

We pray at the Western Wall, then walk on a first-century street that Jesus Himself walked, at the Southern Wall excavations. We visit the Upper Room, the traditional site of the Last Supper, and the House of Caiaphas. We continue to the Jewish Quarter and the Cardo. After lunch we go to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. It is a sobering, holy time.

What happens on Days 8 and 9?

These days follow Jesus' last hours: Gethsemane, the Pool of Siloam, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and communion at the Garden Tomb.

We pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night He was betrayed. We visit the Pool of Siloam, where He healed a blind man, then walk the Via Dolorosa through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We end at the Garden Tomb and take communion together. Friend, the tomb is empty. You'll feel that deep in your heart.

What happens on Day 10?

Day 10 gives you a free morning for prayer or shopping in the Old City or on Ben Yehuda Street before we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for the flight home.

What's included in the price?

The $4,995 per person price (double occupancy) covers nearly everything: round-trip airfare from Charlotte (CLT), 8 nights in quality hotels, three meals a day, entrance fees and taxes, tips, a deluxe air-conditioned coach, licensed Israeli guides, a listening headset, and a backpack and tour book.

A $300 deposit holds your spot. You can read the full list on our Upcoming Tours page and learn why people travel with us .

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Feb 2027 Holy Land tour?

It's 10 days and 9 nights, February 2–11, 2027, leaving from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

How much does the tour cost?

It's $4,995 per person, double occupancy, with a $300 per person deposit to hold your place.

Will I be baptized in the Jordan River?

If you want to, yes. On Day 3 there's a baptism service where you can renew your baptism in the Jordan River.

Is the itinerary fixed?

It's a sample itinerary. The site notes that specific sites and their order may vary slightly based on group logistics and season.

Who runs the tour?

I host and travel with the group, and the tour is operated by Templeton Tours, a Christian tour company based in Boone, NC. We're joined by licensed Israeli guides.

Will You Walk These Roads With Me?

Seats are limited for our February 2–11, 2027 Holy Land tour, and I'd be honored to have you with us.

Register your interest: Fill out our tour inquiry form
Text or call me: 828-263-4435
Email me: stephen@templetontours.com
See full tour details: Upcoming Tours

I'm praying for you, and I hope to see you in Jerusalem. — Pastor Stephen Broome

Dome of the Rock Biblical Significance: A Guide

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:50:21 GMT

What is the Dome of the Rock’s Biblical significance?

The Dome of the Rock's Biblical significance lies in its location on Mount Moriah, where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where the Jewish Temples once stood. For Christians, it represents the physical center of salvation history, marking the site of divine presence and the sacrificial foundation of faith.

Why is the location of the Dome of the Rock so important?

To understand why this specific piece of land in Jerusalem is the most contested and revered real estate on Earth, we have to look back thousands of years. Long before the golden dome became a fixture of the city skyline, this was a rugged limestone ridge known as Mount Moriah. It is here that we find the intersection of heaven and earth. For those of us walking these paths on a Holy Land tour , standing near this site is a profound moment of connection to the very roots of our faith.

The importance begins in Genesis with Abraham. God commanded him to take his son, Isaac, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Just as Abraham raised the knife, God provided a ram in the thicket. This moment established Mount Moriah as a place of substitutionary sacrifice—a foreshadowing of what God would later do through His own Son, Jesus. When you stand on the Temple Mount today, you are standing on the ground where the concept of redemption was physically demonstrated to the patriarchs.

Beyond Abraham, this location became the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which King David purchased to build an altar to the Lord. David’s son, Solomon, eventually built the First Temple on this very spot. It wasn't just a building; it was the dwelling place of the Shekhinah glory of God. For centuries, this rock face was the heartbeat of the Israelite relationship with the Father. Even today, the spiritual weight of that history is palpable, even if the physical structures have changed.

Tracing the History of the First and Second Temples

The history of this site is marked by cycles of glory and destruction. Solomon’s Temple, finished around 957 BC, was a marvel of the ancient world. It stood for nearly 400 years until the Babylonians destroyed it in 586 BC. For the Jewish people, the loss of the Temple was the loss of their primary means of connecting with God. However, the story didn't end there. After the exile, a second, humbler temple was built, which King Herod the Great later expanded into the magnificent structure that Jesus would have known and visited.

When we discuss The Experience of visiting the Temple Mount, we are talking about walking the same stones that Jesus walked. This was where He was presented as a baby, where He sat among the teachers at age twelve, and where He later cleared the courts of the moneychangers. The Second Temple was the backdrop for much of the Gospel narrative. However, Jesus also prophesied its destruction, a prophecy that came to pass in 70 AD when the Roman legions under Titus leveled the city.

For nearly 600 years after the Roman destruction, the site lay in varying states of ruin or was occupied by pagan temples. It wasn't until the 7th century, following the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, that the Dome of the Rock was constructed. It was built not as a mosque, but as a shrine to protect the rock—the very rock many believe was the location of the Holy of Holies. Today, the building serves as a powerful symbol of Islamic presence, yet for the Christian pilgrim, its foundation remains inextricably linked to the biblical narrative of the Temples.

Can Christians go inside the Dome of the Rock?

One of the most common questions from folks preparing for our trips is, "Can we go inside the building?" It’s a natural desire; we want to see the rock itself and witness the interior of such an iconic structure. Unfortunately, the short answer is no. Since the early 2000s, non-Muslims have generally been prohibited from entering the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Access is strictly controlled by the Islamic Waqf, the administrative body that manages the site.

While we cannot step inside, the exterior view is still breathtaking. The intricate blue tile work, the Arabic calligraphy, and the massive golden dome are sights you’ll never forget. More importantly, being on the plaza allows us to grasp the scale of the ancient Temple complex. You can look across to the Mount of Olives and imagine the vista as it appeared in the first century. Even without entering the shrine, the proximity to such history is life-changing. We focus our time on the Mount observing the architecture and reflecting on the biblical events that occurred right under our feet.

Navigating Temple Mount Security: Why no Bibles?

Visiting the Temple Mount is a unique experience, but it comes with a set of very specific and sometimes jarring rules. To enter the grounds, everyone must pass through a security checkpoint located near the Western Wall. The security personnel are looking for more than just physical threats; they are enforcing a "status quo" agreement that governs religious expression on the Mount. This is where many Christians feel a sense of irony and even a bit of sadness.

Currently, visitors are not allowed to bring Bibles, crosses, or any identifiable religious items onto the Temple Mount. You cannot openly pray or hold a group Bible study while standing on the plaza. If you are seen carrying a Bible or even moving your lips in what looks like prayer, security guards may intervene. It is a stark reminder of the complex political and religious tensions that define modern Jerusalem. Here we are, standing on the site of the ancient Temple, yet we cannot openly read the Word of God that chronicles its history.

Despite these restrictions, we don't let the rules dampen the spiritual impact. We prepare our hearts beforehand. We read the scriptures before we pass through security, and we carry the truth of God's Word in our hearts. As we walk the grounds, we maintain a posture of silent reflection. It's a powerful exercise in internalizing your faith. You don't need a physical book to remember that you are standing on the very ground where the Gospel was preached. We explain more about these nuances in our section on Why Travel With Us , as having an experienced guide makes this process much smoother.

The Connection to Abraham and the Story of Redemption

The irony of the security rules is balanced by the overwhelming truth of what the site represents. The "Rock" inside the Dome is traditionally identified as the foundation stone of the world. For us, its greatest meaning is tied back to that moment with Abraham. The story of redemption is woven into the very geology of this place. When we see the Dome, we aren't just looking at a building; we are looking at a monument to a location where God proved He would provide a sacrifice.

Consider the parallels:

Abraham offered his "only son" on Mount Moriah.
God offered His only Son, Jesus, just a short distance away on the same ridge (Golgotha).
The ram provided for Abraham was a temporary substitute; Christ was the eternal one.
The Temple sacrifices pointed to the finality of the Cross.
The presence of God once dwelt here, but now dwells within us through the Holy Spirit.

God’s friend, Abraham, discovered Yahweh as Provider on this Mount Moriah. And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”

Genesis 22:14

Before Solomon built the magnificent house for Jehovah to dwell, David purchased this priceless piece of property from Araunah in order to offer sacrifices and plead for God’s mercy saying, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

Here, our Father gave His spotless Lamb, the Son of God, to pay a debt He did not owe at a price I could not afford.

On this mountain, He was provided.

As my Dad used to say, “Here, there, or in the air,” iamgoingtojerusalem .com

Stephen D Broome

tiktw

Waiting...

Is The Holy Land Safe For Tourists Right Now?

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:12:03 GMT

A Clear-Eyed Look At The Current Reality

Small Things Matter

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:47:34 GMT

The smallest letter. The spark of every life.

yod/yud

The smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the 10th letter, the first initial in His name, Yahweh, represents the divine spark at the beginning of creation. The burst of light at conception, the spark of life, is the gift that comes down from the powerful hand of the Father of Lights.

On average, two hundred thousand divine sparks are extinguished every day. The workmanship of God, designed by His own hand, signed with His initial, created with infinite possibilities, eliminated and discarded.

Yahweh, deliver 200,000 babies from the evil one today.

tiktw

Valley of the Shadow of Death | Psalm 23 Reflection

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:21:53 GMT

Yahweh is near in the darkest places.

Along the route between Jericho and Jerusalem, overlooking the St. George Monastery, known as the Valley of the Shadow of Death, one of the most comforting pictures in Scripture comes to life.

Geographically located where the sun cannot be seen, David reflected…

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. (Ps 23:4b)

Yahweh leads us on the path in the Valley of the Shadow of Death…for His name’s sake. His glory is at stake. He leads for His own good.

We need not fear because He is with us.

He is never more present and engaged than when darkness hovers over us.

Yahweh is near the brokenhearted; He rescues those crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18).

In the shadows, His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Ps 119:105).

During the darkest days of uncertainty, frustration and pain we can be most assured…

Yah is near.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23:1-6