Highlights Plus Eilat & Petra & St. Catherine’s Monastery
10 Days, 9 Nights – Sunday Arrival
Day 1 – Sunday
TEL AVIV
Your adventure begins when you arrive at Ben Gurion airport where you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 2 – Monday
TEL AVIV • BEER SHEBA • MASADA • DEAD SEA
This morning we’ll set off from Tel Aviv, driving south, passing the ancient ports of Ashdod and Ashkelon for Beersheba and a short visit of this capital of the Negev. Through the desert, via ancient Arad we’ll arrive at Masada, an incredible mountain-top fortress built by King Herod in 30 BCE. Later, it became the last stronghold for a group of Jewish zealots whose tragic story has become a symbol of perseverance, faith and ambition. The inspiring palace remains are accessed by cable car and offer an incredible view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. Continuing past Qumran, find-spot of the Dead Sea Scrolls, we’ll come to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where you’ll have the opportunity to float in the dense water and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects. Through the Judean desert and the oasis of Ein Gedi, we’ll return to Jerusalem for the night. (B)
Day 3 – Tuesday
JERUSALEM
We’ll start the day at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, home to the oldest scriptures extant, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a fascinating model of Herodian Jerusalem which portrays the city as it was during the time of the Second Temple. We’ll visit Ein Karem, a picturesque village on the outskirts of Jerusalem held to be the birthplace of John the Baptist and site of the Visitation before taking in Yad Vashem, the nation’s memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. 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)
* Site under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction
Day 4 – Wednesday
JERUSALEM
This morning we’ll enter the Old City; you’ll walk the ancient Roman road to view the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of the Crucifixion and Tomb of the Resurrection. From the Old City 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, the Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion and the Garden of Gethsemane, were Jesus prayed with the disciples before his walk to the cross. Back in the heart of the new city, you’ll visit bustling Mahane Yehuda and experience the dazzling colours, aromas and sounds of Israel’s most famous open market. Tonight we’ll stay in Jerusalem. (B)
Day 5 – Thursday
BEIT SHEAN • NAZARETH • SAFED
Travel back in time as you pass the desert oasis of Jericho, the oldest city in the world, on your way to another ancient city, Beit She’an. Here you will visit impressive ruins that include a Roman theatre and bathhouse before making your way to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his youth. Make a stop at the Church of the Annunciation, the site of Joseph and Mary’s home, and Mary’s Well before heading to Safed for a spiritual experience like no other. The city is a centre of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, and you will have plenty of time to explore the picturesque streets filled with ancient synagogues and artists’ studios. Spend the night at a kibbutz hotel in the Galilee. (B)
Day 6 – Friday
GOLAN HEIGHTS • SEA OF GALILEE
Today you’ll make your way to the Golan Heights to visit Druze villages and old Syrian bunkers. Passing Banias, you will see that Israel is not all desert, as the lush green surroundings mark the source of the Jordan River. Enjoy an Israeli wine country experience, with vineyards surrounded by breathtaking views. Get acquainted with the collection of fine and rare wines, and gain an understanding of wine making process with some wine tasting too. Continue down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where Jesus began his teachings and you can sit within the ruins of the ancient synagogue as well as visit the octagonal church built over Peter’s house. Next, go to Tabgha, the site of the Loaves and Fishes miracle and Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount.” You’ll tour Tiberias, a centre of Jewish learning and have the option of sailing in a boat across the Sea of Galilee to experience tranquil scenery little changed during the past 2000 years (subject to conditions and fee). We’ll return to the kibbutz for the night. (B)
Day 7 – Saturday
ACRE • HAIFA • CAESARIA • EILAT
The day begins with a series of contrasts in Acre, where East meets West and new and old come together in beautiful harmony. Visit the medieval stronghold built by the Knights Templar before continuing to Haifa, home to the Baha’i Shrine and Gardens. Get a spectacular view of the city and Haifa Bay from Mount Carmel and then check out Caesarea, the Roman capital, “Herod’s Masterpiece by the Sea”, and the largest port in the Mediterranean. Here you will see the Roman Theatre, the aqueducts, and the Crusader City. From the coast we’ll continue to Tel Aviv’s domestic airport and board our short flight to Ramon Airport and transfer to Eilat, the Red Sea resort, and our hotel for the night. (B)
Day 8 – Sunday
EILAT • PETRA • EILAT
After breakfast leave Eilat and cross into Jordan at the Arava border. Drive to Petra through the scenic Jordanian desert, passing by the Wadi Rum area. Enter the Rose City of Petra through the Siq, a narrow passage through the mountains that has inspired people for centuries. suddenly appears at the end of the gorge the rock – cut “Treasury” leaving visitors breath taken by its’ size, color and beauty. Continue into the heart of this ancient city carved into the mountains, passing hundreds of tombs and monuments and a spectacular Amphitheatre, which once held 3,000 spectators. After leaving this ancient city, we will stop for a sit down lunch in Wadi Musa – the new town of Petra. Then pay a visit to Moses spring. A short city tour in Aqaba will mark the end of our time in Jorden before returning to the Arava border and back to your hotel in Eilat. (B, L)
Day 9 – Monday
EILAT • ST. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY • TEL AVIV
Moses travelled for 40 years with the Children of Israel through this astounding desert, receiving the Ten Com-mandments on the way. Nearly 2000 years later, a monastery was built around the Chapel of the Burning Bush at the foot of Mount Sinai and today still houses the art and icons which were protected from Islamic fury by a letter from the prophet Mohammed.
After Breakfast, we will Cross into the Sinai Desert just south of Eilat at Taba border and pass by Pharaoh’s Is-land before driving through some of the most amazing desert scenery, Bedouin tents and villages. We will arrive at the Monastery of Santa Katarina where you will see the monastery, the Burning Bush Chapel and the well of Jethro at the foot of Mount Sinai. Begin the trip back to Taba/Eilat stopping on the beach at Nuweiba for lunch (included). Cross the border back into Eilat and drive to Ramon Airport for return flight to Ben Gurion Airport, and transfer from the Airport to your hotel in Tel Aviv. (B, L)
After Breakfast, we will Cross into the Sinai Desert just south of Eilat at Taba border and pass by Pharaoh’s Is-land before driving through some of the most amazing desert scenery, Bedouin tents and villages. We will arrive at the Monastery of Santa Katarina where you will see the monastery, the Burning Bush Chapel and the well of Jethro at the foot of Mount Sinai. Begin the trip back to Taba/Eilat stopping on the beach at Nuweiba for lunch (included). Cross the border back into Eilat and drive to Ramon Airport for return flight to Ben Gurion Airport, and transfer from the Airport to your hotel in Tel Aviv. (B, L)
Day 10 – Monday
DEPARTURE
Today you will bid farewell to Israel and transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your departing flight. (B)
*Site under the Palestinian Authority jurisdiction, our visit is subject to the situation
Tour Highlights
Visit the Jewish Zealots with a cable car
Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of all Nations and the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book
Visit Yad Vashem and Ein Kerem disctrict
Experience the Mahane Yehuda market
Explore the incredible Western Wall, the Temple area, Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Visit the Church of Nativity
Visit a synagogue and the artist colony in Safed, city of the Kabala
Explore Golan Heights, visit Druze villages.
Visit the ruins at Capernaum, and the ancient synagogue, the house of Peter and Tabgha
View the Bahai Shrine and its famous Persian Gardens, Mount Carmel
Visit Wadi Musa and the Spring of Moses
Enjoy a tour of Aqaba
Visit the Santa Katarina Monastery where you can visit the Burning Bush Chapel.
Tour Includes
Professional Tour Director
Assistance at the airport upon arrival
Airport transfer
8 Days of Sightseeing
9 night’s hotel accommodation
Entrance fees to the sites visited as per program
All hotels taxes and service charges
Return flights from Tel Aviv to Eilat
Transfers from Ramon Airport to hotel on Saturday evening and border to Ramon Airport on Sunday evening
Meals
Daily Israeli Buffet Breakfast, 2 Lunches
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Tour Excludes
Visa and border fee into Jordan ($130 to be paid on day of tour)
Border fee into Egypt ($70 to be paid on day of tour)
Gratuities to Guide and driver
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