From church mosaics to historical mosques, temple walls to alluring beaches, Israel is a classic destination brimming with religious significance, historic importance, and contemporary vitality. Float across the Dead Sea as the water cradles you. The Baha’i Gardens blossom with date palms and carnations. Antique fortresses shimmer with gold stones. Roman ruins rise out of the coastal plains. Your custom tailored tour embraces the past and immerses you in the present, highlighting the gorgeous...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Jerusalem – A Classic View of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city holy to three of the world’s major religions. Ancient cobblestone streets meander between historic buildings, winding up the hillsides and glittering with golden hues at most hours of the day. Whether interested in the tales of Crusaders or Maccabees, sparkling jewelry or colorful spices, the city maintains a deep connection to its past while looking towards the future. Your flight lands at Ben Gurion International Airport, where your private transfer meets you you’re your arrival. You make your way south along the roadway winding between the cresting hillsides for your first view of the glistening rooftops of Jerusalem.
You can see the golden dome of Haram Al-Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. Pilgrims from around the world make their way to the sanctuary known to the monotheists of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as the rock upon which Abraham, the father of the three faiths, offered his son. Solomon erected the first temple on the mount and Muhammad ascended to heaven. The wide plaza overlooking the Old City embodies the majesty of the city, emanating its connection to those living and visiting Jerusalem, along with those around the world eager to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque, the oldest mosque in the world, established in the early 8th century.
What's Included:
Day 2
Jerusalem – City of Antiquity
Day 3
Jerusalem – Contrast from Old to New
Day 4
Tel Aviv – Lowland Sea to Highland Fortress
Day 5
Tel Aviv – On the Shores of Tel Aviv
Day 6
Galilee – A Touch of the Past
Day 7
Galilee – Sampling Beyond the Golan
Day 8
Tel Aviv – On the Road to Nazareth
Day 9
Tel Aviv – Remembering the Classics
Trip Highlights
- Traverse Old Jerusalem to discover the Temple Mount, Western Wall, and Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Wander along the walkways of Mount Zion to find the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper
- Witness the exciting colors and distinctive style of the Marc Chagall original stained glass windows at the Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem
- View the well-preserved ancient text of the captivating Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Museum
- Float in the Dead Sea and enjoy the healing properties of the mineral-rich soil spread over your skin
- Walk along the cobblestone streets of Jaffa to explore one of the oldest ports of the Mediterranean Sea, adorned with ancient architecture and great views
- Visit the former capital of Judea at Caesarea, along the coastal plain, to find ancient temples, churches, and elements of the Roman Empire
- Relish a private wine tasting on a celebrated vineyard in view of the Golan Heights
- Delight in a visit to one of the largest Arab cities in Israel at Nazareth to see the historic remains and contemporary renovations of the Church of the Annunciation
Detailed Description
Gold sand beaches shimmer in the sunlight, imitating the gilded hues of Jerusalem underneath the passing daylight. Your 9-day tour encompasses the splendors of the seaside and the brilliant history embodied in the Holy Land. From desert cliffs to mountaintop fortresses, you will uncover the classic wonders of antiquity and the enchanting textures of the landscape. Your journey begins in Tel Aviv with your arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Your private transfer greets you upon your arrival and escorts you south to Jerusalem. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the Holy City and its remarkable connection to three of the world’s major religions.
The next morning, your guide meets you in the hotel after breakfast, eager to escort you through the Old City. Visit Mount Zion to see King David’s tomb and the room of the Last Supper. Walk along the historic main street of Jerusalem and visit the Jewish Quarter to reach the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Step inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the Mount of Olives before visiting Bethlehem to see Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Nativity to end a fulfilling day. Then, you have another full day tour beginning at the Hadassah Medical Center to witness the vibrant Chagall stained glass windows. Explore Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum before passing the Knesset. At the Givat Ram Hebrew University campus, you view a menorah engraved with biblical emblems.
You leave Jerusalem and head north to Tel Aviv, stopping first at the Dead Sea to float in the briny water. Visit the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Masada Fortress to tour the ancient grounds before arriving in the seaside city. The day is yours to enjoy Israel’s second largest city at your leisure. Visit one of the oldest ports in the world at Jaffa or discover the life of the marketplace in the Yemenite Quarter. You could also wander along the 19th-century streets of the Neve Tzedek neighborhood.
Venture to the stunning landscape of Galilee by first visiting the ancient Roman city of Caesarea on the coastal plains. Proceed to Megiddo to view archaeological excavations and wander along the Druze village of Daliyat al Karmel. Enjoy a panoramic view of Haifa Bay at the Baha’i Gardens. The next day your guide leads you on an encompassing exploration of Safed, the birthplace of Kabbalah, before continuing to the Golan Heights. Visit the towns of Quneitra and Katzrin before enjoying a wine tasting at a celebrated vineyard.
Relish a full day tour once more on your final day in Israel, beginning with the towns of Tiberias and Capernaum. Visit the Church of St. Peter and traverse the streets of Nazareth to view the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to Beit She’an, Israel’s largest archaeological park from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Before returning to Tel Aviv, you stop at Beit Alpha to find a mosaic floor decorating a Byzantine era synagogue. On the final day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$11,500 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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