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DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Israel
Depart for Israel
DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv; transfer to your hotel in this vibrant city, known as Israel's "playground on the sea." Balance of the day is at leisure to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Tel Aviv
DAY 3, Tuesday - City Tour of Tel Aviv
Start with a visit to Jaffa (Joppa), the ancient port city linked with biblical stories of Solomon, Jonah and St. Peter. Tour the ancient ruins and walk to the beautifully reconstructed Artists' Quarter. From atop the hill, stop to admire breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast and Tel Aviv. Continue to trendy Neve Tzedek (Tel Aviv's "Soho"), the first neighborhood constructed outside of Jaffa and to HaTachana, a renovated Ottoman train station converted to a vibrant entertainment complex. Balance of the day is at leisure, or join the optional Panoramic Night Tour of Tel Aviv. Get acquainted with this vibrant and cosmopolitan city on this panoramic tour that begins on bustling Ibn Gvirol Street and travels to Yitzhak Rabin Square with its memorial to the late Israeli Prime Minister. Continue past the Mann Auditorium and Habima, Israel's national theater to tree-lined Rothschild Avenue known for its distinctive Bauhaus architecture dating back to the 1930s. Conclude the tour with dinner at a popular Tel Aviv restaurant
Optional: Panoramic Night Tour of Tel Aviv with Dinner
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Wednesday - Caesarea, Nazareth, Northern Israel
Begin the day with a drive north along the crystal-blue waters of the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea; see the astounding Roman, Byzantine and Crusader ruins and the 2000-year-old theater. At the Visitor's Center, view the informative multi-media presentation before departing for Nazareth. Drive through the rolling Galilean hills to the sacred town where, according to tradition, Jesus spent his childhood and youth; visit the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Thursday - Day in the Galilee Region
On your day at leisure in the Galilee Region, mix the serene quiet of the pristine Sea of Galilee, the largest freshwater lake in Israel, with nature, history, and religion. Don't miss the optional full day tour to Upper Galilee & Golan Heights with lunch to understand more about the area. Afterward, return to the hotel for dinner
Optional: Full Day Upper Galilee & Golan Heights with lunch
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Friday - Yardenit, Beit She'an, Jerusalem
Depart from your hotel in Tiberias and stop for a tour of a local diamond factory and showroom. After travel to the Jordan River, considered one of the world's most sacred rivers. Visit the popular baptismal site of Yardenit. Head south via the Jordan Valley and reach the impressive archaeological site of Beit She'an, an ancient city dating back to King Saul; see the remains of an ancient Roman city and the ongoing excavations. Before getting to Jerusalem, a stop just outside the city provides a scenic panoramic view. Continue to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Saturday - Day in Jerusalem
Begin your walking tour of Jerusalem* at the walled Old City with its four distinct sections; the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian Quarters. Follow the steps along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites in the Christian world. Pass through the narrow alleys and souks to visit the Western Wall; continue to Mt. Zion; see the Room of the Last Supper and the traditional Tomb of King David. The remainder of the day is on your own. Stroll through the lanes of the Old City, visit the exotic bazaars or, participate in the optional afternoon Jerusalem Old City tour that begins at the Zion Gate. Visit the Cardo, a colonnaded Roman shopping street during the Byzantine period, the Jewish Quarter's four Sephardic Synagogues and the Burnt House, set ablaze by the Romans. Then, on to the Davidson Center in the archaeological Park with its exhibits and presentations. Tonight's very special optional evening includes dinner at a popular restaurant, attendance at the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David
*Due to local events, holidays and site openings, the order of sightseeing may be changed. Details to be provided locally by Tour Manager.
Optional: Half Day Jerusalem Old City - Jewish Quarter (PM)
Optional: Illuminated Jerusalem, Restaurant Dinner and Sound & Light Show (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Sunday - Day in Jerusalem
Visit the contrasting New City on the optional Jerusalem New City tour. Drive via the Supreme Court building and the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, to the Israel Museum. Here, view the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and the miniature model of Jerusalem during Second Temple period. Then, on to Yad Vashem, Memorial to the Holocaust, on the Mount of Remembrance. The optional afternoon tour to Bethlehem includes a visit to the Church of the Nativity, commemorating the birthplace of Christ. A stop for local olive wood handicrafts is included
Optional: Half Day Jerusalem New City (AM)
Optional: Half Day Bethlehem (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Monday - Day in Jerusalem
A full day to discover this fascinating city on your own. In Jerusalem, one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, there are endless opportunities to explore. A walk through the city's colorful neighborhoods reveals a diverse blend of traditional and modern cultures. Or, join the fascinating optional full day tour to Masada and the Dead Sea that begins with a drive along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the top of these heroic heights; listen to the brave tale of the Zealots who chose to perish rather than live under Roman rule. Visit the archaeological sites including the remains of Herod's Palace, a synagogue, bath houses, dwellings, and workshops. After a visit to the Museum of Masada at the base, drive to the Dead Sea for a swim in the salty and buoyant waters before returning to Jerusalem. This evening, enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant
Optional: Full Day Masada & Dead Sea
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Tuesday - Sde Boker, Mitzpe Ramon, the Resort City of Eilat
Journey south through the stark Negev Desert to pass by Sde Boker, the final home and resting place of David Ben Gurion, Israel's founder and first Prime Minister. Make a visit to his grave. Then, to Mitzpe Ramon, with its lunar-like landscape and an imposing crater that dates back 220 million years. Stop at the Visitor's Center for an overview of this extraordinary geological phenomenon. At the end of the day, arrive in Eilat, Israel's southernmost city at the northern tip of the Red Sea, surrounded by stunning cliff and desert scenery. After a stop at a shop selling locally extracted Eilat stone products, continue to your hotel in Eilat and spend time at leisure. Tonight, treat yourself to dinner at one of the trendy local restaurants, take part in the vibrant night scene, and enjoy the friendly, welcoming atmosphere
Overnight: Eilat
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Wednesday - Day in Eilat
The day in Eilat is yours to independently discover the city on your own. Or, participate in the optional tour to the spectacular "rose-red" city of Petra in Jordan. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this amazing city carved completely out of stone. Considered one of Jordan's greatest national treasures, the ancient city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour of Petra begins with a short walk through the narrow gorge known as the "Siq", in the shadow of massive red and pink rock walls that leads to the astonishing Treasury monument. After lunch and visits to the soaring temples, palaces and theater in this expansive city return to Eilat
Optional: Full Day Petra with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Eilat
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Thursday - Day in Eilat
Spend the morning enjoying Eilat's completely transparent turquoise waters. Diving and snorkeling is so easy, as the underwater life can be seen clearly, including corals, rare species of fish and more. An optional morning excursion is offered to nearby King Soloman's Mines with its towering sandstone columns and historical Timna Park; copper ore has been mined here since the kingdom of biblical King Solomon. View the distinctive rock formations and the ancient ruins dotted throughout the valley, uniquely formed by man and nature. View the exciting multimedia presentation, "Mines of Time", where the pharaohs, kings, queens and quarriers, who knew this region millennia ago comes alive. A large section of the valley, containing ancient remnants of copper mining and ancient worship, is encompassed in this large recreational park. Return to Eilat for the rest of the day at leisure
Optional: King Solomon's Mines & Timna Park
Overnight: Eilat
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Friday - Drive to Tel Aviv
It's back to Tel Aviv today, traversing the Arava Highway, climbing 1,200 feet to the desert cities of Dimona and Beer Sheva, capital of the Negev. Arrive at Tel Aviv in the afternoon. On this last day in Tel Aviv, there's still opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of this modern cosmopolitan city. In Jaffa, search the boutiques for hand-wrought silver jewelry, woven articles, or colorful woven gifts. Savor a tasty falafel at the Carmel Market, or visit some of the museums sites that made this city so unique. An evening stroll along the "tayelet" (promenade) is the perfect way to say Shalom to Israel. Stop for dinner at a seaside restaurant, or just relax at a nearby café
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Saturday - Depart Israel
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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