Discover amazing Israel over eight history-rich days. Beginning in Jerusalem and ending in Tel Aviv, walk in the steps of Jesus and the disciples and visit the spots of famous happenings in the Bible. This tour will allow you to take a step back in time and observe some of the most impressive archaeological and religious sites of Israel while enjoying the beautiful scenery and culture of this ancient land.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Jerusalem: Israel’s capital city is a city of tradition, religion and history, but also of modern culture and heritage.
Beit She’an: One of the oldest cities in Israel, with over 20 layers of human civilisation are tucked away inside its large ancient mound.
Nazareth: Located in Israel’s Galilee region, Nazareth has over a dozen important Christian sites, but it is also Israel’s largest Arab city.
Galilee: One of the most beautiful regions of Israel, Galilee, is characterised by its beautiful landscape, amazing natural formations, historic sites, and charming villages.
Acre: The Old City of Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents the tumultuous history of Israel possibly better than any other city in the country.
Haifa: Haifa is Israel’s third largest city, beautifully set on the slopes of Mount Carmel facing the Mediterranean Sea, often nicknamed ‘Israel’s San Francisco’.
Caesarea: The ancient Herodian port city of Caesarea features amazing harbour ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences.
Tel Aviv: This city that never sleeps combines sandy Mediterranean beaches with top-notch nightclubs, a buzzing cultural and culinary scene, fascinating architecture, and an international mindset.
Day 1: ARRIVAL JERUSALEM
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem with the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax, getting ready for a memorable tour or explore the beautiful city of Jerusalem on your own.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 2: JERUSALEM: NEW CITY TOUR
After breakfast start the day at the Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls, then a visit 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 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 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. Return to your hotel and enjoy dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 3: JERUSALEM: OLD CITY TOUR
Today after breakfast at the hotel, 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.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 4: JERUSALEM – BEIT SHE’AN – GOLAN HEIGHTS – TIBERIAS (270 Kms – 4 hrs)
Leave Jerusalem after breakfast and drive 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 to enjoy an Israeli wine country experience, enjoying wine tasting and understanding 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.
Day 5: GALILEE: AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE & NAZARETH
In the morning, drive along the shores 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’. 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 fee). Next, drive to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Christian holy sites before returning to Tiberias.
Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 6: TIBERIAS – ACRE – HAIFA – CAESAREA – TEL AVIV (185km – 3 hrs)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and drive west to the coastal city of Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, for a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city, including the Baha'i Shrine, Persian Garden, Mount Carmel and Haifa Bay. Next, proceed southwards to Caesarea to visit the ancient port, including the Roman Theatre and the Hippodrome. Continue to Tel Aviv-Jaffa for a short city tour and then to your hotel for check-in. End your day with a delectable dinner.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 7: TEL AVIV
Enjoy a rich breakfast at your hotel. Then, spend your day exploring beautiful Tel Aviv on your own, or select an optional tour to Masada and the Dead Sea.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 8: DEPART TEL AVIV
Have breakfast at the hotel and, at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Breakfast included.
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 sparse clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings or at the Western Wall. Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat can be very useful during your stay.
