Compare Israel Escape by Globus vs Israel Discovery - Small Group, 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,059 | $ 4,595 |
| Price Per Day | $ 257 | $ 511 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Begin your Israel Escape in Tel Aviv and enjoy a welcome dinner together with your Tour Director and traveling companions. In Jaffa walk around the beautifully restored port—starting point for medieval pilgrimages to Jerusalem. Continue your guided tour of Israel through the Holy Land to Caesarea, and journey to Nazareth in Galilee to visit the Church of the Annunciation. Stop in Cana—site of Jesus’ wedding miracle turning water into wine—on your way to historical Haifa. A wealth of fascinating visits await you: the Baha’i Shrine; the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum—all sites where the story of Jesus unfolded, the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath, the Valley of Ayalon to hear the story of Samson and Delilah, and a serene cruise on the Sea of Galilee. You’ll also visit the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem.Stay four nights in Jerusalem to discover this symbolic city. Embark on a moving excursion to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Visit the Israel Museum containing the Shrine of the Book, and the Dead Sea Scrolls—the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world. Visit the Old City, the Garden Tomb, and take in the view from the Mount of Olives. See the Garden of Gethsemane, follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the site of the crucifixion. View the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock mosque, and visit the Western Wall, the most holy shrine in the Jewish religion. Also visit the fortress of Masada—a historic site for Jewish faith. The experience of floating in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea enriches the wonderful memories already collected during your inspirational Israel Escape! | See some of the world's most sacred sites during this 9-day guided tour of Israel. Travel to Tel Aviv, where you’ll see the Habima National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel Market. Walk through the ancient coastal city of Caesarea and the ruins of a once-raucous Roman amphitheater. Drive seaside roads to Tiberias and break challah during traditional multi-course dinner celebrating Shabbat, a day of rest. See Mount Beatitude, where Jesus is said to have preached the Sermon on the Mount — then journey to the Jordan Valley, where you can float in the buoyant waters of the salty Dead Sea. Traverse the cobbled alleyways of Jerusalem to the city’s most sacred monument, the Wailing Wall, and visit a Holocaust memorial honoring those who died in World War II. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Welcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner. (Dinner)
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Day 2: TEL AVIV–JAFFA–CAESAREA–NAZARETH–CANA–HAIFA
Miraculous Sites & Ancient Wonders JAFFA Take a walking tour of the ancient port.CAESAREA Visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Crusader fortress. NAZARETH Visit the Church of the Annunciation.CANA Visit the site of Jesus’ first recorded miracle. (Breakfast,Dinner) 124 mi/200 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient port of Jaffa, where biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and St. Peter took place. The Israeli city traces its roots to 1800 BC, with mythological tales of Andromeda and Perseus. Today Jaffa features picturesque alleys, art galleries, unique boutiques, ancient buildings, and wonderful landmarks.
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Day 3: HAIFA. EXCURSION TO THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES–CAPERNAUM–SEA OF GALILEE
Holy Water & Wondrous Miracles HAIFA Visit the Baha’i Shrine. MOUNT OF BEATITUDES Explore the site where Jesus delivered his iconic Sermon on the Mount.CAPERNAUM Visit the site where Jesus recruited his followers.RIVER JORDAN Visit a baptismal site.SEA OF GALILEE Take pictures of Lake Tiberias from the panoramic point before embarking on a [LF] scenic cruise. (Breakfast,Dinner) 66 mi/107 km
LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE The Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) is the background to many biblical events and miracles, it is where Jesus walked on water. Take a cruise on the historic waters of the lowest freshwater lake in the world, just over 200 meters below sea-level, and enjoy the panoramic views.
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Day 4: HAIFA–VALLEY OF ELAH–LATRUN–BETHLEHEM–JERUSALEM
Giant Victories LATRUN AREA Take pictures at the site of David’s victory over Goliath, and visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks. BETHLEHEM Take an orientation tour and visit the Church of Nativity. (Breakfast) 140 mi/ 225 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SITE The Emperor Constantine and his mother St Helena commissioned the first Church of the Nativity in the 4th Century, it was built over a grotto widely recognized to be the birthplace of Jesus. In the following centuries the church was rebuilt and renovated. Today the guardianship of the Church is shared by three Church Authorities – Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic.
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Day 5: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE ISRAEL MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM, AND MOUNT ZION
Moving History JERUSALEM Visit the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem Memorial. Guided walking tour of Mount Zion, visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTIN MEMORIUM Yad Vashem (the World Holocaust Remembrance Center) takes its name from the biblical verse, ″And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a yad vashem)” – (Isaiah, 56; 5). Here, roughly one million visitors come to remember the millions who were persecuted during WWII. Housing a remarkable collection of historic and personal artifacts, stories, and memorials to the Jewish people who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime, Yad Vashem leaves a deeply profound impression of remembrance and conviction in the souls of all who visit.
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Day 6: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITY
Prayerful Places JERUSALEM Guided walking tour of the Old City includes Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop at the Western Wall. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTICONIC FOOTSTEPSJerusalem is totally unique; there is no place like it. A city of tradition, religion, and history, but also increasingly of modern culture and heritage. Take in all this while you wander around the maze of streets listening to the story that made it so special even astronaut Neil Armstrong when visiting said, “I am more excited stepping on these stones than stepping on the moon.”
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Day 7: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA AND THE DEAD SEA
Uplifting Waters & Unforgettable Wonders MASADA Take a cable-car ride to visit the cliff-top fortress . DEAD SEA Experience the buoyancy of floating on the waters of the Dead Sea. Farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast,Dinner) 64 mi/103 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Feel weightless as you float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea. This legendary salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley is fed by the Jordan River, with its salty surface lying 430.5m below sea level – the lowest land-based shores on Earth.
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Day 8: JERUSALEM
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Tel Aviv.) (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Welcome to Tel Aviv
You will be met at Ben Gurion Airport and driven to your hotel in Tel Aviv.At 19:30 meet your travel companions for a Welcome Reception and a short introduction to your Israeli adventures.
Day 2: Exploring Vibrant Tel Aviv Relaxed Start
Morning sightseeing showcases the highlights of this vibrant city, including the Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel Market. Venture along the seashore to the ancient city of Jaffa to see the famous clock tower and the old harbour. Visit the artists' quarter with its galleries, boutiques and picturesque narrow lanes. Walk along the seaside promenade at sunset for spectacular views, as local musicians and street artists take to the stage. Meet a local artist at their gallery for an insight into their work and inspiration.
Day 3: Caesarea to Galilee
Travel from Tel Aviv, along the coastal road to Caesarea, to visit the archeological park. The ancient city built by King Herod was once a major port and hub of activity in the Judea province.Explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheatre. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbour area and a Crusader crypt. In Nazareth, visit one of Christianity’s most sacred places, the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to Mary.Soon, ochre villages and seaside towns are replaced by green hills, rich crops and colourful groves, as you approach Tiberias, your home for the night.The day concludes with a brief introduction to life on a Kibbutz.This evening, break traditional challah bread with your travel companions over a cheerful Shabbat dinner.
Day 4: Hula Valley Relaxed Start
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and meet a ranger for a tour of the Agmom Hahula natural reserve. This nature reserve is home to endangered plant species native of the Hula Valley, and also hosts a bird park on one of the most important migration routes in the world.
Day 5: To the Dead Sea
Explore Galilee with Insight Choice. Choose to cruise the serene waters of lake Kinneret for glorious views of the Golan Heights. Alternatively, find out more about the remains of a 1st century fishing boat that was found embedded at the bottom of the lake.Visit Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have entered the synagogue to teach, before heading to the Mount of Beatitudes, where he preached the Sermon on the Mount.Journey through ever-changing landscapes along the Jordan Valley, past ancient Jericho, to take a dip in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea.
Day 6: Masada and the Holy City of Jerusalem
Take a cable car ride up to the fortress of Masada, where Jewish zealots held out for three years against King Herod's armies.Travel through the Judean Hills to Mount Scopus for breathtaking views of Jerusalem.Visit King David's Tomb on Mount Zion, and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City and follow the winding cobbled alleyways to the magnificent Wailing Wall, the most sacred monument in Judaism.
Day 7: Exploring Jerusalem
Today is dedicated to exploring the multiple facets of Jerusalem.Visit Yad Vashem, a memorial for those who perished in the Holocaust. Continue to the Israel Museum and retrace the history of the city. Visit the Shrine of the Book, home to ancient Dead Sea scrolls, and look out for the most ancient one, the Isaiah scroll, dating from the third century B.C.
Day 8: Optional Bethlehem Experience Relaxed Start
Enjoy a relaxed morning or alternatively choose to meet your Local Expert at the West Bank border and continue to the holy city of Bethlehem. The Optional Experience includes visiting the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam. In the afternoon, visit the Garden of Gethsemene and walk through the Old City to see the Temple Mount, one of Islam’s holiest sites. Continue along the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Pool of Bethesda, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At night, toast your adventures over a hearty Celebration Dinner with wine.
Day 9: Depart Jerusalem
Your journey comes to an end with transfers to Ben Gurion Airport.
