Fascinating Israel
Day 1 ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAELWelcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 TEL AVIV. EXCURSION TO VALLEY OF ELAH–LATRUN–JAFFAGiant Victories LATRUN AREA See the site of David’s victory over Goliath and visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks.
JAFFA Take a walking tour of the ancient port. (B)
82mi/ 132km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient port of Jaffa, where biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and St. Peter took place. The Israeli city traces its roots to 1800 BC, with mythological tales of Andromeda and Perseus. Today Jaffa features picturesque alleys, art galleries, unique boutiques, ancient buildings, and wonderful landmarks.
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Day 3 TEL AVIV–CAESAREA–ACRE–HAIFACrusaders & Legendary Leaders CAESAREA Visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress.
ACRE Visit the Underground Crusader City.
HAIFA Explore the Baha’i Shrine. (B,D)
62mi/ 100km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Born Sayyed ?Alí Mu?ammad Shírází, “The Báb” was the founder of Bábism, and endures as the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was executed in 1850 along with thousands of his followers by the Persian government which opposed this new movement. The magnificent shrine and ethereal gardens of Baha’i stand as a testament to the revered religious leader where his remains are laid to rest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty.
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Day 4 HAIFA. EXCURSION TO THE SEA OF GALILEE, MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM & KIBBUTZFaithful Sites & Service MOUNT OF BEATITUDES Explore the site where Jesus delivered his iconic Sermon on the Mount.
CAPERNAUM Visit the site where Jesus recruited his first followers.
JORDAN RIVER Visit a baptismal site.
SEA OF GALILEE See Lake Tiberias before a [LF] scenic cruise. Hear a [LF] lecture on Kibbutz life. (B,D)
107mi/ 173km
LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Cruise on the historic waters of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) with panoramic views of the area. Later hear about the traditions of the Kibbutz. Hebrew for ‘gathering,’ Kibbutz life dates back thousands of years with quiet and collaborative communities of volunteers from around the world who work to enhance industry or agriculture in a peaceful and harmonious setting.
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Day 5 HAIFA–NAZARETH–CANA–BET SHE’AN–JERUSALEMMiraculous Sites & Ancient Wonders NAZARETH Visit the Church of the Annunciation.
CANA Visit the site of Jesus’ first recorded miracle.
BET SHE’AN Explore the ancient city including the Roman and Byzantine relics.
Stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. (B,D)
147 mi / 235 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WONDERS Bet She’an is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of this region and well worth some time to wander around. Ongoing excavations at this UNESCO World Heritage site reveal time-worn colonnade-style streets, bathhouses, and an auditorium with perfect acoustics.
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Day 6 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA & THE DEAD SEAUplifting Waters & Wonders JERUSALEM Take a scenic drive through the Judean wilderness en route to the Dead Sea.
MASADA Take a cable-car ride to visit the cliff-top fortress.
DEAD SEA [LF] Float in the saltwater of the Dead Sea and receive a salt scrub gift. Return to Jerusalem. (B)
64 mi / 103 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL WONDERS Feel weightless as you float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea. This legendary salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley is fed by the Jordan River, with its salty surface lying 430.5m below sea level – the lowest land-based shores on Earth.
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Day 7 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO YAD VASHEM–THE ISRAEL MUSEUM–BETHLEHEMMoving History JERUSALEM Visit Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum.
BETHLEHEM Take an orientation tour and visit the Church of Nativity. (B,D)
6 mi / 10 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
IN MEMORIUM Yad Vashem (the World Holocaust Remembrance Center) takes its name from the biblical verse, ?And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a yad vashem)” – (Isaiah, 56; 5). Here, roughly one million visitors come to remember the millions who were persecuted during WWII. Housing a remarkable collection of historic and personal artifacts, stories, and memorials to the Jewish people who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime, Yad Vashem leaves a deeply profound impression of remembrance and conviction in the souls of all who visit.
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Day 8 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITYHistory & Mystery JERUSALEM Take a guided walking tour of the Old City includes the Garden Tomb, Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Follow the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop at the Western Wall. Walk to Mount Zion and visit the Upper Room where Jesus and his disciples had the last supper. Visit the tomb of King David. Farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS
Jerusalem is totally unique; there is no place like it. A city of tradition, religion, and history, but also increasingly of modern culture and heritage. Take in all this while you wander around the maze of streets listening to the story that made it so special even astronaut Neil Armstrong when visiting said, “I am more excited stepping on these stones than stepping on the moon.”
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Day 9 JERUSALEMSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Tel Aviv). (B)
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Tel Aviv
Stretched along the beautiful beach of the Mediterranean, Tel-Aviv is Israel's largest city and biggest commercial center. It is a busy metropolis, which inspires visitors with an atmosphere of excitement and fun. With its seafront skyscrapers and exclusive hotels, Tel-Aviv presents a lively combination of entertainment venues, shopping malls, exotic markets, nonstop active nightlife, gorgeous golden beaches, and wonderful restaurants. It is also the country's greatest cultural center, a home for a variety of museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls. By contrast, the ancient port city of Jaffa, has a medieval appearance. This special blend of Mediterranean ambience, seaside resort and modern facade is what makes the city so uniquely appealing.
Haifa
Holy Land to three of the world's major religions, Israel has a great emotional and spiritual effect on its visitors through its magnificent religious shrines and tenacity of a nation that, against all odds, made the desert bloom. As a center of shipping, banking, foreign commerce and wholesale trading, Haifa boasts institutions for higher education and for scientific research, a theater, a concert hall, museums and places of culture and entertainment. The residential areas and major hotels are situated along the ridge of Mount Carmel, about 900 feet above sea level. Clandestine Immigration & Navy Museum features the ship which ran the British blockade during the Mandatory period. Mane Katz Museum is dedicated to the world-renowned Jewish artist of the same name who left his home, paintings and other works of art to the city. Gan Ha-Pesalim, a lovely garden overlooking the bay, is home to over 20 bronze sculptures by Ursula Malbin. Elija’s Cave, known as the center of the prophet’s activities, is holy to Jews, Christians, Moslems and Druze.
Excursions
Jewish Highlights - Galilee & Golan Heights - One Day - Haifa Port
Jewish Highlights - Galilee & Golan Heights - One Day - Haifa Port
Highlights:
Depart Haifa driving to Tzipori (Sepphoris), the Talmudic town where the Mishna was signed; see the beautiful mosaics. Continue to Capernaum; see the ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 4th century. Then, ascend the strategic Golan Heights for a greater understanding of the fierce battles that took place during the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Stop at a former Israeli army bunker used as an outpost. Continue to a Golan winery for some wine tasting (time & schedule permitting). On your return to Haifa Port, view the golden-domed Bahai Shrine and the colorful Persian Gardens atop Mt. Carmel.
Tour Duration: One Day
Tour can operate: Morning – full day tour
Wheelchair Accessible: yes, itinerary may be adjusted
Physical Activity Level: moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off - passenger terminal
Not Included:
Jewish Highlights - Jerusalem - One Day - Haifa Port
Jewish Highlights - Jerusalem - One Day - Haifa Port
Highlights:
Depart Haifa and drive to Jerusalem. Begin the day with a magnificent view of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. Enter the Old City from the Jaffa Gate to the newly restored Jewish Quarter. Walk along the Cardo, the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Visit the Herodian Mansions, a com- pletely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago. On to the Western Wall, the only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Visit the Davidson Center; you’ll see a fantastic com- puter imaging presentation of the Temple Mount some 2000 years ago. Return to the port in Haifa. (Modest Clothing)
Tour Duration: One Day
Tour can operate: Morning – full day tour
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, itinerary may be adjusted
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off - passenger terminal
Not Included:
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee
Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel. Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
- Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
- Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
- Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
- Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
- Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
- Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
- Visit the ancient synaguge at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
Destination Visited
- Mount Carmel
- Nazareth
- The Sea of Galilee
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea
Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel. Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
- Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
- Explore historical sites of Caesarea and Akko
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
- Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
- Visit the ancient Phoenician and Crusader seaport of Akko, including the underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
Destinations Visited
- Mount Carmel
- Caesarea
- Akko
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv
Overview
- Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
- Visit the archeological sites in Caesarea
- Explore Tel Aviv and visit the Biblical city of Jaffa
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
- Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
- Visit a variety of neighborhoods in Tel Aviv - the Bauhaus area, the Neve Tzedek area and Rabin Squar
- Visit the ancient port of Jaffa, with its cobblestone paths, flea market and artists galleries
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
Destinations Visited
- Mount Carmel
- Caesarea
- Tel Aviv & Jaffa
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed
1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed
Overview
- Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
- Explore historical city of Akko
- Visit the spiritual city of Safed
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit the ancient seaport of Akko
- Discover the underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle
- Explore Safed, the birthplace of “Kabbalah” - Jewish mysticism
- Visit the ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries
- Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
Destinations Visited
2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem
2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel. Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
- Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
- Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
- Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus
- Walk the Jewish Quarter of the Old City
- Explore the Holy sites of the Christian Quarter
- Experience the grace and sophistication of New Jerusalem
- Visit to Bethlehem
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
- Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
- Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
- Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
- Visit the ancient synagogue at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee
- Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Old & New Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives
- Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony
- Visit the ancient synagogues and stroll through the Cardo - the reconstructed main street of Byzantine Jerusalem
- View the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock & the Al Aqsa Mosque
- Touch the Western Wall - Judaism’s holiest site
- Walk the final Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Visit the Room of the Last Supper, in which, according to the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples.
- Visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus
One (1) night accommodation per requested hotel.
Two (2) days of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
Destinations Visited
- Mount Carmel
- Nazareth
- The Sea of Galilee
- Jerusalem Old City
- The Western Wall
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Bethlehem
*Bethlehem is under Palestinian Authority, and change of vehicle will be required at the border post. The tour will be guided by a Palestinian guide.
Jerusalem
Situated high in the Judean Hills, Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel, is one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, presenting a unique combination of ancient history, spiritual sanctity and colorful cultures.
Established 3000 years ago by King David, Jerusalem is a fascinating city of many contrasts and diversities. It is a city where old and new, holy and secular, pure nature and beautiful architecture mix into magical harmony of smells, sounds and sights. Sacred to the world's three main religions, Jerusalem is a captivating city, whose visitors are left touched and inspired by the shining glow of its religious shrines, picturesque scenery and magnificent golden limestone. It is home to the Israeli parliament, the President's Residence and the government offices. A visit to Jerusalem, known as the "City of Gold" is an unforgettable experience.
