Best of Israel

Visit Israel

Day 1

Journey begins in the sacred city of Jerusalem

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you’ll be met and transferred through a land regarded by many as the holiest, to the sacred city of Jerusalem.

Dependent on arrival time you will have an opportunity to explore before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an introduction to your Israeli journey. L’chaim!

Day 2

A Day to Explore the Dead Sea and Masada

Journey across the rocky Judean Desert to the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found accidentally by a Bedouin boy in 1947.

Visit the striking clifftop fortress of Masada, where a Roman siege ended in the tragic mass suicide of over 900 Zealots. Their sacrifice remains as a symbol of Israel's pledge to remain free. Stroll through the excavations of Herod's palatial retreat, before returning to the lowest point on earth to float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea (time permitting). This evening, we share a traditional meal at our hotel.

Day 3

The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem Dive Into Culture

Tread in the footsteps of prophets, crusaders and kings, admiring the Old City of Jerusalem from the sacred vantage point of the Mount of Olives.

Stroll through the Jewish Quarter where you’ll Dive Into Culture at the Wailing Wall and watch faithful Jews cede their prayers to the crevices of its ancient rocks. See the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount and follow the path taken by Christ past the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, arriving at the 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians gather to commemorate at the traditional site of His Resurrection. Later this afternoon, travel to Bethlehem where the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus officially begins. Visit the Church of Nativity, built on the site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus, and the Manger Square before returning to Jerusalem.

Day 4

Onwards to Lower Galilee

This morning, continue your compelling discovery of Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem to commemorate the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust during World War II.

See the Dead Sea Scrolls at Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book, the Knesset, and the Givat Ram Campus of the Hebrew University, before travelling through the farmlands of the Jordan Valley. In Nazareth, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the sacred Catholic Shrine of the Church of Annunciation, whose cupola overlooks the cave in which Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary to share the blessing that she would conceive and give birth to the Son of God. Celebrate a strong sense of community at your overnight stop, where you'll dine this evening.

Day 5

Admire Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes and Safed

Begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and visit the Jesus Boat, an ancient fishing vessel dating to the 1st century AD.

Continue to the ruins of the old synagogue at Capernaum, said to have been built on the home of St. Peter. Then visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Next, venture to one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities and the birthplace of the Kabbalah movement, Safed. Proceed to Lower Galilee where you’ll enjoy dinner.

Day 6

On to Acre, Haifa, Caesarea and Tel Aviv

Continue to the almost-intact 12th-century underground city of Acre to admire its medieval Crusader buildings, before enjoying views of the Baha'i Shrine and the beautiful Persian Hanging Gardens of Haifa, created as a memorial to the founders of the Bahá'í Faith.

Imagine seafaring traders plying their wares in the ancient port city of Caesarea where we visit the Roman Amphitheatre, then travel to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, our home for the next two nights.

Day 7

Discover Coastal Tel Aviv Connect with Locals

Visit Rabin Square this morning.

Here you’ll learn about the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who has become a symbol of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Continue to Newe Zedek, the first neighbourhood of Tel Aviv and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Rothchild Boulevard. Next, stroll through the ancient ruins of Old Jaffa and explore the biblical stories and ancient mythology of the Old Port. The robust aroma of coffee makes an appearance next at an exclusive Be My Guest experience in Ajami neighbourhood, where you’ll Connect With Locals over lunch and learn about the personal story of a Christian girl growing up in a Jewish, Muslim and Christian area.

Day 8

Farewell Tel Aviv

Our epic journey through the sacred lands of Israel has come to an end.

All that's left to say is a fond farewell to fellow pilgrims as you prepare for your journey home.

Dining Summary

7 Breakfast (B)

3 Dinner (D)

1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Tel Aviv: In Jaffa, meet the Hiffawi family for a Be My Guest lunch and taste the coffee they have been making for generations. You'll also learn their story of living as Christians in a multi-religious society.

Dive Into Culture

Jerusalem: Visit the Western Wall, otherwise known as the Wailing Wall, renowned as one of the holiest places for the Jewish faith.

Iconic Experience

Masada National Park: Ascend to the ancient fortress of Masada by cable car where Jewish Zealots held out for three years against Herod's armies before sacrificing themselves.

Jerusalem: Explore Jerusalem's Old Town on foot during a guided tour. Stroll through the Garden of Gethsemene and visit the city's Jewish Quarter. See the Temple Mount and learn of the importance that the Dome of the Rock holds for both Jews and Muslims. 

Nazareth: Spend the day discovering the sacred Nazareth Church.

Jerusalem: Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Jerusalem: At the Israel Museum, wander to the Shrine of the Book wing housing the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Sea of Galilee: Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, then view the ancient Galilee Boat and hear the story of its excavation.

Acre: Spend the day discovering the medieval Crusader buildings in Acre. 

Caesarea: Explore the Roman and Crusader ruins of Caesarea, formerly one of the splendid cities in Palestine.

Tel Aviv: Explore with your Local Specialist and see the Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and browse around the Carmel Market.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Jerusalem with a Local Specialist

Visit the Fortress of Masada and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth, Jesus Boat at the Sea of Galilee, the old Synagogue and the Mount of Beatitudes near Capernaum, the ancient Synagogue and artists' colony at Safed, the underground Crusader City of Acre and the Roman Amphitheatre at Caesarea

View the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and the Baha'i Shrine from the summit of Mount Carmel in Haifa

Scenic Cruise boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

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