SAMPLE ITINERARY - can be modified
- Day 1 - arrival transfer to Tel Aviv
- Day 2 - at Leisure
- Day 3 - Biblical Highlights of the North Tour
- Day 4 - Dead Sea/ Massada Tour ending in Jerusalem
- Day 5 - Jerusalem of Gold Tour
- Day 6 - 8 - at leisure or optional Eilat tour, hotel choice: Tiberias, Jerusalem or Tel Aviv
TOUR #1 - JERUSALEM OF GOLD
Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Stop at Mount Zion to visit King David's tomb, the Room of Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the recently excavated and restored Cardo, the Roman road. See the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Kotel, and continue to the Christian quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the church of Holy Sepulchre. Proceed to the new city and visit Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust.
On Saturdays and Jewish holidays, instead of Yad Vashem, drive to Ein Kerem, southwest of Jerusalem, traditionally known as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Stroll in the narrow lanes of the picturesque neighborhood, stopping by Mary's Spring and continue to visit the remarkable Church of Saint John the Baptist.
NOTE : Modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites .
TOUR #2- DEAD SEA & MASADA
Depart from Tel Aviv via the Judean hills to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Roadside view of Qumeran caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found (visit not included). Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. There you will learn about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters. Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by king Herod, where the zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea, and enjoy the unique opportunity to swim and float in the Dead Sea. Cover yourself with the mineral rich mud that many believe has therapeutic effects.
NOTE: Comfortable walking shoes, head covering, sun screen , bathing suit and towel are recommended.
TOUR #3 - BIBLICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NORTH
Depart Tel Aviv via the coastal road and the landscape of the lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Continue, via Kana, to Tiberias, the lovely resort town. Drive along the Kineret lake to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught ; Continue to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves located at the foot of the Golan heights; Proceed to Yardenit, the famous baptismal site where the Jordan river leaves the sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea.
NOTE: Modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites.
TOUR #4 - 3 DAY EILAT [OPTIONAL - NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE]
Day 1: Timna/Eilat - Travel south through the Negev desert; Visit Timna and see the copper mines and King Solomon’s pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations. Continue to Eilat and stop to visit the underwater observatory, one of the largest seaquariums in the world, built into a coral reef. Overnight in Eilat.
Day 2: Optional day trip Petra (proper visa arrangements must be made) - Travel through desert highways, your ultimate destination being the astonishing rose-red city of Petra, built by the Nabateans. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback-riding. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman theatre, Roman Street, Qassier El- Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate the visitors. After the visit, time for lunch in a nice restaurant. After lunch drive back to border. On the way, a short visit to Aqaba with the possibility to stop and take a walk around. Transfer to the border at around18:00 p.m and crossing back to Eilat. Overnight in Eilat.
Day 3: Mitzpe Ramon/Sde Boker /Tel-Aviv - DepartEilat via Mitzpe Ramon; stop to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder. Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion's hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. Stop for a camel riding experience and a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent; learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch. Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel's air-force museum to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Continue to Tel Aviv. Overnight in Tel Aviv.