Day 1: Arrival in Tel Aviv
Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival in Tel Aviv make your way to the selected hotel (private airport transfer not included) and enjoy the rest of the day free for own leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Spend a day at leisure, relaxing and discover the vibrant city of Tel Aviv at your own pace. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 3: Caesarea - Megiddo - Druze village - Haifa
Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; see the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheatre that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat el-Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and gardens. Overnight and dinner in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Insider Experiences:
Visit of Caesarea
Visit of the archaeological excavations of Megiddo
Panoramic view of the Haifa bay
Day 4: Safed - Katzrin - Golan winery
Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism; Visit the ancient synagogues and the Artists’ colony. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Quneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan Winery for a tour and wine tasting; Proceed to “Golan Magic” for a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. Overnight and dinner in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Insider Experiences:
Visit of the ancient synagogues of Safed
Visit of the Artists’ colony in Safed
Visit of the Golan Heights
Taste – Visit of the Golan Winery and wine tasting
Day 5: Sea of Galilee - Nazareth - Beit Alpha
Start the day with a visit to Nazareth; Visit the Church of Annunciation; Continue to Tiberias; Visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter; Visit Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Insider Experiences:
Visit of Nazareth
Visit of Capernaum
Visit of the Mount of Beatitudes
Stop at Beit Alpha
Day 6: Mt. of Olives - Old City - Bethlehem
Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives. Drive to the Old City; 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 Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem*; view Rachel’s Tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Insider Experiences:
Panoramic view from Mount of Olives
Spiritual – Visit of the Old City of Jerusalem
Day 7: Israel museum - Knesset - Mt. Herzl - Yad Vashem
Drive to 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 to visit Mount Herzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening enjoy a middle eastern dinner followed by the spectacular “Sound & Light” show* at the Tower of David Museum. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Insider Experiences:
Visit of the Shrine of the Book
Visit of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament
Visit of Mount Herzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust
Arts & Craft – “Sound & Light” show at the Tower of David Museum
Day 8: Qumran- Masada - Dead Sea
Drive through the Judaean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, almost 1300 feet (400 meters) 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 Masada. 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 AD. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea; cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea* that many believe offers therapeutic effects. Overnight in Jersualem.
* Visit subject to security /weather conditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Insider Experiences:
Stop at Qumran
Visit of the ancient fortress of Masada
Unique – Swim in the Dead Sea
Enjoy a day free for own leisure and discover more of Jerusalem at your own pace. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 10: Departure from Jerusalem
Make your way to the airport in Tel Aviv (airport transfer upon request) or continue your journey with Insider Journeys individually to other parts of Israel or the Middle East.
Meals included:
Breakfast