Monday Departure.
Upon arrival to airport meet our representative and transfer to hotel in Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Start the day at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls, then a visit to the beautifully renovated model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the Second Temple. Enjoy Ein Karem; a picturesque village in the south western outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions, since this is where according to tradition John the Baptist was born. Visit Yad Vashem the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953, located at the foot of Mt. Hertzl. Visit Bethlehem - the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem where you will see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing both the traditional site of Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. To the southwest, just outside the Old City, is Mount Zion, with the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem - the holy city for each of the world’s three great religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam, from atop the Mount of Olives. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus. In the heart of a neighbourhood in downtown Jerusalem, visit Mahane Yehuda to experience the flavours, aromas, colours and the traders' interaction with the crowds, at the largest open market in Israel. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Leave Jerusalem and drive north passing by Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Travel through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean and visit the excavations of this beautifully preserved Roman City. Drive up to the Golan Heights to enjoy an Israeli wine country experience, enjoying a tour, wine tasting and understanding of the wine production process. Travel through the Golan, with its Druze villages, former Syrian fortifications and panoramic views of Mount Hermon and into Syria. Descend to the Hula Valley and drive to Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee – regarded as one of the four Holy cities in Judaism, where the Jewish Talmud - the primary source of Jewish religious law - was compiled, with tombs of Rabbis scattered across the city. Overnight in Tiberias.
Along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, proceed to Capernaum, to visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue, the Mount of Beatitudes, traditional site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and Tabgha, the traditional site of the ‘miracle of the loaves and the fish’. Optional sailing on a boat across the Sea of Galilee to experience the tranquillity and scenery little changed during the past 2000 years (subject to conditions and extra fee if available). On to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Christian holy sites. Return to Tiberias for overnight.
After breakfast drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre (Akko) for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, ascending Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city, including the Baha’i Shrine, Persian Garden, and Haifa Bay. Proceed along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader fortress at what is known as the “masterpiece of Herod the Great”. End the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day at leisure in Tel Aviv, or an optional tour to Masada & the Dead Sea (not included in the package price – subject to fee). Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
• Transfers on arrival and departure (from/to Ben Gurion Airport).
• 7 nights accommodation on Half Board basis, except first night on Bed & Breakfast.
• 5 touring days as per itinerary, with English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to the sites visited as per itinerary.
International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Assistance at Ben Gurion Airport upon arrival
Optional tour on Sunday (on Regular tour) - Massada and Dead Sea, rates available on request.
Hotels Used
Jerusalem
Plan A - (Superior) Dan Panorama / Cassia / Vert
Plan B - (First Class) Grand Court / Ramada
Plan C - (Tourist Class) Prima Park / Shalom
Tiberias
Plan A - (Superior) Caesar / Leonardo Plaza
Plan B - (First Class) Lake House / Royal Plaza / Leonardo
Plan C - (Tourist Class) Prima Galil
Tel Aviv
Plan A - (Superior) Dan Panorama / Crowne Plaza Beach
Plan B - (First Class) Metropolitan / Grand Beach
Plan C - (Tourist Class) Sea Net / Leonardo Beach
Please note that the sequence of the tour and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances at the company’s or the guide’s discretion.
Monday Departure.