Discover the most sacred places and monuments of Israeli culture. With this nine-day tour you will get to visit some of the country’s most interesting sites, such as Old and New city of Jerusalem, centre of Jewish mysticism Kabbalah or Golan Heights. You will get to the lowest point of the earth – Dead Sea and fly across the country to cross the Jordan border to visit Petra, the extraordinary Rose City carved in the stone.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Jerusalem: One of the holiest places in the world, the religious centre for three religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and both Israel and Palestine have claimed Jerusalem as a capital city.
Nazareth: Located in Israel’s Galilee region, not only has over a dozen important Christian sites, but as Israel’s largest Arab city, has some fascinating cultural sites and experiences to discover.
Golan Heights: Hilly area which surrounds the upper Jordan River valley on the west, area of Syrian and Israeli conflict which became under Israeli military occupation after 1967. The area’s name is from the biblical city of refuge Golan in Bashan.
Petra: The “Rose City”, due to the colour of the stone, is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Its emblematic buildings are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage since 1985.
Day 1: ARRIVAL TEL AVIV
Upon arriving at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, meet your tour representative, who will be waiting for you after passport control holding a sign with your name on it. Our representative will guide you to pick up your luggage and then escort you through customs to meet your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relax in the hotel and freshen up after your flight or head out into the vibrant city of Tel Aviv to wander on its historic streets, colourful back alleys and most famous landmarks.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 2: TEL AVIV – BEER SHEBA – MASADA – DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM (315km–4.5hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide at around 8 am and set off from Tel Aviv, driving south to Masada, Israel´s foremost archaeological park. Ascend via cable-car for a thorough visit that gives insight into the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod’s palaces, the synagogue, bathhouse and cisterns, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. Descend to the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea, to experience the mineral-rich black mud and to float in its salty waters. Passing by the oasis of Ein Gedi, proceed through the Judean Desert to Jerusalem for check in at about 6 pm.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 3: JERUSALEM: EIN KAREM AND BETHLEHEM
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, after which you will meet your guide at 8 am and visit the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, which contains 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. Then visit Yad Vashem, the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953, located at the foot of Mt. Hertzl. Enjoy Ein Karem, a picturesque village in the southwestern outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions, since this is where according to tradition John the Baptist was born. Then travel to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, commemorated at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. Return to your hotel in Jerusalem at about 6 pm.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 4: JERUSALEM: OLD CITY AND MOUNT ZION
Today after breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up at around 8 am. We will 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 along 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. From atop the Mount of Olives, enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem, a holy city for the world’s three Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. 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. Get back to the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 5: JERUSALEM – BEIT SHEAN – NAZARETH – SAFED – TIBERIAS (270km – 4hrs)
Start the day with an energising breakfast before leaving Jerusalem at about 8 am and driving north passing by Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Travel through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit She’an, and visit the excavations of this beautifully preserved Roman city. Drive up to the Golan Heights, passing through the Druze villages. Visit a former Syrian fortification on the heights. Pass by Banias, the source of the Jordan River, and then enjoy an Israeli wine country experience, with vineyards surrounded by breathtaking views. Become acquainted with a collection of fine and rare wines during the tour and enjoy a wine tasting while learning about the wine production process. 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.
Day 6: GALILEE: GOLAN HEIGHTS AND AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE
In the morning, after breakfast drive along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee and proceed to Capernaum, to visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue, the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and Tabgha, the traditional site of the ‘miracle of the loaves and the fish’. You will have the option to climb aboard a sailing boat and soar on the calm waters of the Sea of Galilee, to experience the tranquility and beautiful scenery that hasn’t changed much in 2,000 years (subject to weather conditions and fee). Next, on to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Christian holy sites. Return to Tiberias at around 6 pm.
Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 7: TIBERIAS – ACRE – HAIFA – CAESAREA – TEL AVIV – EILAT (125km – 2hrs; flight – 45min)
After breakfast be ready for a pick up at 8 am. Drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre for a visit of the old Crusader stronghold and mediaeval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, ascending Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city, and visit the Baha'i Shrine, the Persian Garden and the Haifa bay. Proceed along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader fortress known as the ‘masterpiece of Herod the Great’. Continue to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for a short flight to Ramon Airport in Eilat and transfer to the Red Sea resort in Eilat.
Overnight in Eilat
Day 8: EILAT – PETRA - EILAT– TEL AVIV (280km – 4.15hrs, flight – 45min)
After breakfast, leave Eilat at about 8 am, cross Israeli border into Jordan at the Arava border. Drive to Petra through the scenic Jordanian desert, passing by the Wadi Rum area. Enter the Rose City of Petra through the Siq, a narrow passage through the mountains that has inspired people for centuries. Up to the Treasury which suddenly appears at the end of the gorge, leaving visitors breath taken by its' size, colour and beauty. Continue into the heart of this ancient city carved into the mountains, passing hundreds of tombs and monuments and a spectacular Amphitheatre, which once held 3,000 spectators. Exit the city and stop for a sit-down lunch in Wadi Musa - the new town of Petra, followed by a visit to Moses Spring before leaving. Drive to Aqaba for a short city tour, before returning to the Arava border and back to Ramon Airport in Eilat for the return flight to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for check in.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 9: DEPARTURE TEL AVIV
After breakfast, prepare for your departure and transfer to Ben Gurion Airport in time for your onward or return flight.
Comfortable and light clothing is best suited to travel in the warm months and warm clothing in the colder months in Israel. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
