Israel Holy Land Highlights

Enjoy a relaxing overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

You will be greeted upon arrival and escorted to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure before a welcome briefing by your local representative.

Leave Tel Aviv via the coastal road and the landscape of the lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the church of Annunciation and the church of St. Joseph. Continue, via Kana, to Tiberias, the lovely resort town on the Sea of Galilee. Drive along the Kineret lake to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught; continue to Tabha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves located at the foot of the Golan heights; proceed to Yardenit, the famous baptismal site where the Jordan river flows out of the sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea.  Return to Tel Aviv for overnight. (B)

After breakfast you will depart for Jerusalem-The Holy City and Capital of Israel. Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives.  Drive to the Old City and visit the tomb of King David and the room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter.  Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian quarter and continue to the Western Wall.  Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem and view Rachel's Tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger's Square. (B)

This morning you will start your program with the Israel Museum. Visit 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 for a tour at the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Continue your visit to Mount Hertzel cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust.  Visit Mea Shearim , the ultra-orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. (B)

You will have a day at leisure to explore Jerusalem or you may wish to consider a half-day tour of Jericho. You will drive through the Judean desert and enjoy a roadside view of the Good Samaritan Inn. After a short stop at sea level for a panoramic view, continue to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Stop to see Zacchaeus' Sycamore fig tree and proceed for an overview of Mt. of Temptation. Visit the Mount of ancient Jericho where 25 ancient cities were uncovered. (B)Optional tour of Jericho $105 per person.

Today we recommend an optional tour to Massada and the Dead Sea.  You will take a drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, almost 1300 feet below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 A.D. Continue to the Dead Sea and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and take a swim in the Dead Sea that many believe has therapeutic effects. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.  (B)Optional tour to Massada and Dead Sea $119 per person

You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. (B)