Highlights of the Holy Land with Jordan Escorted Vacation

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (Your arrival transfer is included only if you arrive on the actual day the tour commences. For customers arriving earlier an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) (D)

Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theater, and the aqueduct. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and enjoy a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and the Lower Galilee. Continue to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon. Visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. Drive to Acre to visit the remarkable underground crusader city and crypt. Walk through the old city recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the local market, and the harbor. (B,D)

After a short tour of Tiberias, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Yigal Alon center where the "Jesus Boat", an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, is displayed.  Continue to Capernaum to visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha, the site of the "Miracle of Fish and Loaves" and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to the Banias Springs and waterfalls and tour the Golan Heights. (B,D)

Drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Joseph’s workshop, and Mary’s well. Drive to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Continue to Beit Shean to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheater. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. (B,D)

Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb, and the Room of the Last Supper on Mount Zion. Enter the old city and walk along the Cardo, the ancient Roman road. Visit the Jewish and Christian quarters, view the Temple Mount, and walk along Via Dolorosa and the oriental bazaar to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Next, drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance. (B,D)

Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation. Proceed to Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus. Visit Shepherd's Field and walk through Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity. (B,D)

Drive through the Judean Hills to the Qumeran Caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.. Ascend Massada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod. Visit the remains of the walls,  the water cistern, and Herod’s Palace.  Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Take the opportunity to float in the unsinkable water and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects. Return to Jerusalem. (B,D)

Depart from Jerusalem for the Sheikh Hussein border crossing. Proceed to Jerash, city of the Decapolis in the fertile heights of the Gilad. Visit the ancient Roman city with colonnaded streets, the baths, and the hilltop temple. Continue to Amman, the capital of Jordan, for a short panoramic city tour. (B) The sequence of the tour and the border crossing points used may be amended due to circumstances. Border charges will apply and must be paid by the traveler on the spot. They are approx. $52 per person, subject to change. A valid visa to Jordan is required.

After an early breakfast, travel south towards Wadi Musa, the modern village of Petra. Take a horse ride from the visitor center to the entrance of the dramatic canyon, then walk through the deep and narrow passages till you reach the red rock city of Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabateans. Visit the most interesting monuments, such as the Treasury, El Khazneh - the tomb of a Nabatean king, the field of tombs, obelisks and the altar. (B) 

In the morning, drive to Madaba to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land and the ruins of the historical site. Continue to Mt. Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Visit the remains of a Byzantine church with a mosaic floor. Then drive to the border and back to Tel Aviv. (B) 

You will be transferred to the Tel Aviv airport for your return flight home. (Your departure transfer is included only if you depart on the actual day the tour concludes. For customers departing later an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) (B)