Itinerary

DAYS 1 – 3

Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel in the heart of Tel Aviv. Your encounter with this vibrant city starts at the Itzhak Rubin Memorial and the renovated Neve Tzedek Quarter. In Old Jaffa, the world’s oldest port, walk the winding cobblestone streets that lead to the heart of a charming artists’ colony. Hunt for amazing bargains on small ornamental articles and fine, authentic antiques at the colorful Jaffa Flea Market.

Dan Tel Aviv Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 4

Drive along the Mediterranean shores via Herzlia’s plush residential area to the port city of Caesarea. Explore the fascinating ruins of this ancient Roman city and Crusader stronghold. History continues to unfold in Acre as we visit Al Jazzar Mosque, the complex of the order of Saint John and subterranean Crusader City, and the colorful bazaar. Historical giants such Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Francis of Assisi and Marco Polo (who sailed on his journey to the Orient from Acre), visited this ancient seaport city. Ascend Mount Carmel for a breathtaking view of the city and its bustling port. The prominent, gleaming golden dome and quiet impressive gardens of the Bahai Shrine are a marvel, as is the quiet contemplation you will experience at Stella Maris Convent.

Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel, Haifa

DAY 5

In Safed, visit the old Synagogue, historic city and artistic colony. Continue to Banias Nature Reserve where the ancient Greeks build Paneas: a shrine to nature-loving semi-god Pan. Stop at the Golan Heights Winery for a tasting before contiuning to Tiberias. Our overnight will be at the Scots Hotel which is uniquely situated in the centre of Tiberias with direct frontage on to the Sea of Galilee.

Scots Hotel, Tiberias

DAY 6

Ride a boat across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Kibbutz Ginosar for a visit highlighting Israel’s unique form of communal living. The former home of one of Israel’s great statesmen, Yigal Allon, the kibbutz has a museum devoted to Allon’s life and the history of the Galilee region. It also houses the “Jesus boat,” a 2,000-year-old boat excavated from the Kinneret in 1985 that was probably used at the time of Jesus. Continue to Capernaum where the remains of the famous 2nd-century synagogue beckon. High up on the Mount of the Beatitudes, imagine hearing the Sermon on the Mount, one of Christ’s sermons given on a mountain near Capernaum on the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Travel to Tabgha to recall the New Testament Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes.

Scots Hotel, Tiberias

DAY 7

Site of one of the Christian religion’s most profound miracles, the picturesque Christian town of Nazareth is as historical as it is special. Stand in the footsteps of holy men and women when you visit the Church of the Annunciation and Joseph’s Workshop. The winding mountain roads and the Jordan Valley take us to Bet She’an, or House of Rest and Quiet, Israel’s equivalent of Pompeii, to survey the extraordinary excavations of this ancient Roman city. We arrive in Jerusalem, a 3,000-year-old city that is also a thriving metropolis. This ancient place is like no other city on earth. It is holy to the world’s three major monotheistic religions and was fought over for three millennia by a variety of peoples and nations because of its historical, cultural and religious significances. Visit the Mount of Olives and marvel at the Church of Ascension and the Garden of Gethsemane.

The King David, Jerusalem

DAY 8

As we explore the Dome of the Rock, notice its finely inscribed quotations from the Koran. Known in Arabic as Qubbat As-Sakhrah, this is not a mosque for public worship but rather a mashhad, a shrine for pilgrims. Designed by Byzantine architects, the Dome of the Rock was the greatest monumental building in early Islamic history. The dome’s supporting structure, made of lead, was originally covered in pure gold. The sacred foundation stone is encircled by arches from different churches in Jerusalem, which were destroyed during the Persian occupation of the city. Experience the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, the holiest shrine in the world for Jews. The wall is the only remaining structure of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. King Solomon’s glorious temple once stood inside the courtyard. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times until only part of the western wall remained. The wall is just outside of the Temple Mount and is considered to be Judaism’s holiest site. There’s time to walk through the exotic Arab bazaar visit the Church of St. Anne and experience Way of the Cross. On to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man at the waters; Flagellation Church; the Stations of the Cross, where you can walk in the footsteps of Jesus as told in the New Testament of the Holy Bible; Calvary; and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Shrine of the Book and the Yad Vashem, a memorial dedicated to martyrs and heroes of the Holocaust.

The King David, Jerusalem

DAY 9

At the top of an isolated rock on the edge of the Judean Desert sits Masada. Isolated from its surroundings by deep gorges on all sides, this was the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots in their war against the Romans in 73 A.D. Ascend by cable car and take in the views. Driving to Quram, we discover the caves where the intriguing Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Take a dip in the salty and mineral buoyant waters of the Dead Sea or just relax on the shores. Actually a large inland lake, the Dead Sea was given its name by Christian monks who noticed that nothing lived in it. That is because it is the saltiest water anywhere in the world, almost six times as salty as ocean water. As far back as King Solomon, Queen Cleopatra and Herod the Great, people have visited the area to enjoy the sea’s therapeutic properties.

The King David, Jerusalem

DAY 10

You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

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