Holyland Tour

Day 1: SUNDAY – Jerusalem

Upon arrival to airport meet our representative and transfer to hotel in Jerusalem for an overnight.

Day 2: MONDAY – Dead Sea – Qumran – Masada

Through remarkable scenery of the Dead Sea we’ll continue to Masada which is situated right on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert. The site has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Ascend by cable car to the fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans.  Visit the excavations, King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. En route to the Dead Sea, you’ll see the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Nearly 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the earth’s surface. Bring your swimsuit as if weather permits it’s possible to “float” on the salty , mineral rich, water. Return to Jerusalem for an overnight.

Day 3: TUESDAY – Jerusalem – sightseeing of the new city

Start the day with a panoramic view of Jerusalem from the top of Mt. of Olives. On to the Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Agony. Continue to Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with 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. Continue to Yad Vashem (the memorial to the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust). Afternoon visit to the picturesque village of Ein Karem , the birth place of John the Baptist. Return to Hotel.

Day 4: WEDNESDAY – Jerusalem – Old City – Bethlehem*

Walk through one of the Gates to the walled Old City: the renewed Jewish Quarter; the Western Wall, the Temple area; the colourful bazaars; Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Drive to Mt’ Zion and visit the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Afternoon continue to Bethlehem* to visit the Church of the Nativity and a view of the shepherds fields. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.

Day 5: THURSDAY – Beit Shean – Nazareth – Galilee

Leave Jerusalem, and drive north via Jericho*, the oldest city in the world. Then via the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean. Visit the excavations of this beautiful Roman City. Proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation & Mary’s Well. On to Safed, city of the Kabala, for a walk through the mystic alleys and the artists’ colony. Drive to Kibbutz Hotel for overnight.

Day 6: FRIDAY – Golan Heights – and around the Sea of Galilee

Drive to the Golan Heights. See the former Syrian fortifications, and the Druze villages. Via Banias, source of theJordan River , drive to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to Capernaum. Visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue and Peter’s House.   Visit Tabgha , where the miracle of the Fish & Bread took place and Mt Beatitude. After a short tour of Tiberias the old center of Jewish learning.  Return to the Kibbutz hotel for overnight.

Day 7: SATURDAY – Acre – Haifa – Tel Aviv

After Breakfast drive west to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa for a sightseeing tour, including the Bahai Shrine, Persian Garden and Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city. Proceed southwards to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader fortress. Continue to Tel Aviv- Jaffa for a short city tour and to hotel for overnight.

Day 8: SUNDAY

After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure.

Sequence of visits are subject to change