Grand Holyland Tour

11 Days, 10 Nights
Sunday Arrival

Day 1 – Sunday
Tel Aviv
Your adventure begins when you arrive at Ben Gurion. After checking in to your hotel, relax and unwind.

Day 2 – Monday
Caesarea • Muhraka • Megiddo • Acre
This morning we’ll depart Tel-Aviv, drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once and visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct. From Caesarea we’ll head to Muhraka, enjoying spectacular views of the Jezreel Valley and the lower Galilee along the way. At Megiddo, thought to be the site of Armageddon, you’ll visit the archaeological excavations, including the beautifully-preserved water supply system. In Acre you’ll visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt, walk through the Old City, recognized by UNESCO as world heritage site, the local market and harbor. Tonight we’ll sleep at Kibbutz Lavi. (B, D)

Day 3 – Tuesday
Tiberias • Capernaum • Banias
After a short tour of Tiberias we’ll enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and visit the Yigal Alon Centre where the “Jesus Boat”, an intact 1st century fishing craft, is displayed. At Capernaum we’ll visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue and at Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes, visit the Church of Multiplication with its beautiful 4th century mosaic floor. We’ll drive next to the Mount of Beatitudes, the site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, the Springs at Banias and tour the Golan Heights before returning to Kibbutz Lavi for the night. (B, D)

Day 4 – Wednesday
Cana • Nazareth • Beit Shean
This morning we’ll drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle, the turning of water into wine, and continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation, Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. You’ll visit Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan river and the Roman city of Beit Shean’s newly excavated amphitheatre. We’ll make our way to Jerusalem along the beautiful Jordan Valley. (B, D)

Day 5 – Thursday
Jerusalem: Old City
This morning we’ll drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city, visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb and the Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Entering the Old City you’ll walk through the Cardo, the ancient Roman road, visit the Jewish and Christian quarters, view the Temple Mount and walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre. From the Old City we’ll drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance. Tonight we’ll stay in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 6 – Friday
Jerusalem: New City and Bethlehem
This morning’s drive will take you to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation and Yad Vashem, moving memorial to victims of the Holocaust. We’ll visit Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the fascinating model of Jerusalem as it looked during the Second Temple period. From Jerusalem we’ll drive to *Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus, visiting Shepherds’ Field, Manger Square and the remarkable Church of the Nativity. We’ll return to Jerusalem for the night. (B, D)

Day 7 – Saturday
Qumran • Masada • Dead Sea
Today we’ll drive through the Judean hills to the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, and continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. You’ll ascend Masada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, inspired not only by the walls, cisterns and Palace, but by unforgettable views of the Roman camps and desert below. Continuing to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, you’ll have the opportunity to float in the dense water and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects. We’ll return to Jerusalem for the night. (B, D)

Day 8 – Sunday
Eliat • Timna
Traveling south through the stunning Negev desert, we’ll stop at Timna, a large geologic and archaeological park, marveling at the copper mines and multi-colored rock formations, among them the outstanding Solomon’s Pillars. Continuing to Eilat, you’ll visit the Underwater Observatory marine park and enjoy the opportunity for a close-up look at the rich life of the Gulf of Eilat. We’ll stay overnight in Eilat. (B, D)

Day 9 – Monday
Day at leisure in Eilat or optional Day tour to Petra with additional charge
After border formalities, we’ll drive straight to Petra, the astonishing rose-red city built by the Nabateans. Petra was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback ride to the entrance of the Siq, a walk of about 1.2 km that will bring you to the monuments Petra is famous for: the treasury, royal tombs, the court, the Roman theatre, Qasser el-Bint and many others. After the visit, we’ll have time for a nice lunch before driving back to border. On the way, we’ll pay a visit to Aqaba and have a chance explore. We should return to the border around 18:00 and cross back to Eilat for the night. (B, D)

Day 10 – Tuesday
Ramon Crater • Sde Boker • Bedouin lunch
This morning we’ll depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon and gaze into the crater, a true geological wonder. In Sde Boker we’ll see Ben Gurion’s Hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin Valley. A highlight for today is a camel ride and visit to an authentic Bedouin camp where you’ll experience Bedouin hospitality and a delicious traditional lunch. At Hatzerim we’ll visit Israel’s Airforce Museum to view the planes and equipment and hear the history of this storied fighting force. We’ll continue on to Tel-Aviv for the night.
(B, L, D)

Day 11 – Wednesday
Tel Aviv
Bid farewell to Israel as your journey comes to a close and you head back to Ben Gurion airport for departure. (B)

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Tour Includes:

Professional Tour Director
8 Days of Sightseeing
10 night’s hotel accommodation
Entrance fees to the sites visited as per program
All hotels taxes and service charges
 

Tour Highlights:

Visit Muhraka, and the archaeological excavations of Armageddon
Visit the underground Crusader City and crypt, walk through the Old City
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Visit Capernaum, Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes, visit the Church of Multiplication
Visit Mount of Beatitudes, the Springs at Banias and tour the Golan Heights
See Cana to visit the Wedding Church
Visit the Church of the Annunciation, Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well
Visit Beit Shean’s newly excavated amphitheatre
Tour Mount of Olives, Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb and the Room of Last Supper on Mount Zion
Explore the incredible Western Wall, the Temple area, Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Visit the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance
Visit Ein Karem to see the Church of Visitation and Yad Vashem
Visit the Israel Museum and the Qumran Caves
Float in the dense water and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud of the Dead Sea
 

 

Meals:

Daily Israeli Buffet Breakfast
1 Lunch, 9 Dinners
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner