Holy Land Itineraries

Tour of the Holy Land in 9 Days

Most tours to the Holy Land are a little longer than a week, giving a good combination of sight seeing and free time. These tours cover Israel extensively, so you get to see numerous sights.

Day 1, Tel Aviv: On the first day, you arrive to Tel Aviv, a bustling, seaside city on the Mediterranean. Spend the evening exploring this culturally and history rich city, and getting settled in. Welcome dinners/meetings often occur on the first day of your tour.

Day 2, Tel Aviv: Spend the morning strolling along the narrow streets of Tel Aviv, filled with galleries and shops. Stop at a seaside cafe for some lunch. The evening features a tour of Old Jaffa, where you’ll visit the Artists Quarters, and dinner.

Day 3, Caesarea: Depart Tel Aviv, and make your way north to Caesarea, where you will learn about the history of Caesarea and can visit the archeological sites. The next stop is Nazareth, home of the Basilica of the Annunciation, built above the Virgin Mary’s home. This is where the imminent birth of her son was announced.

Day 4, Sea of Galilee: Most trips have optional side trips. One popular excursion is a day trip to Galilee. The day starts of with a boat ride on the tranquil Sea of Galilee. Then, visit Golan Heights, a volcanic plateau, which offers spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee and the valley before. In the valley, you can take a wine tour, before heading back to the hotel.

Day 5, Tiberias: The day starts off driving to Tiberias, where you will visit Capernaum, a the site of an ancient synagogue, and a church believed to be on the site of St. Peter’s house. The next stop is Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Continue on to Beth Shean, a Roman city filled with remains and an amphitheater. A stunning drive through Jordan River Valley will lead you to your hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6, Jerusalem: The morning starts off with a guided walked of the Old City. This tours includes viewing the Western Wall, and the remains of the Second Temple. The afternoon leads you to follow the ancient Via Dolorosa path, the same path He walked on the way to his Crucifixion. At the end of the path is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of the Crucifixion. The day allows for free time to explore Jerusalem at your own pace.

Day 7, Jerusalem: The morning starts off with a visit to Yad Vashem, a memorial dedicated in remembrance of the Holocaust. Later, tour the Israel Museum, where the 2000 year old Dead Sea scrolls are homed. In optional afternoon tour to Bethlehem (the biblical birthplace of Jesus) is offered. Today allows for more free time to explore Jerusalem on your own.

Day 8, Dead Sea: The morning starts with a drive along the Dead Sea, where you can see where the Dead Sea Scrolls you saw the day before were discovered. Arrive in Masada, a mountain-top fortress, and reach the top by cable car to explore the remains. The afternoon is spent at the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, where you can spend time leisurely laying on the beach. Because of the high salt content of the Dead Sea, take an opportunity to “float” on the water of the Dead Sea, and soak in the minerals. End the day visiting the Avaha Laboratories, where beauty products made from the minerals are created.

Day 9, Jerusalem: Enjoy your last full day with a morning walk of the Old City, winding through the cobblestone streets of Jerusalem filled with markets and souvenirs. Explore the history of Jerusalem at the Tower of David Museum. The rest of the afternoon is for your leisure, before ending the trip with a farewell dinner with your new travel friends.

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