Historical Israel and Dead Sea

Welcome to Tel Aviv, the financial and technological center of Israel! Once your flight lands at the airport, clear customs and meet your private driver, who will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

After breakfast, pass through the ancient land of the Philistines and visit the Valley of Elah. Here you will take in the beautiful nature and visit the site of King David's victory over Goliath, the Philistine champion. Later, pass through the land of the Dan tribe and reach Latrun. It is located in the Valley of Ayalon and you will visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks. After that, head to Jaffa, one of the oldest ports in the world. Walking around the old and narrow streets is surely an experience not to be missed.

Today, your private driver will take you to Haifa. On the road, make a stop at Caesarea and pay a visit to Caesarea National Park. The huge Roman Amphitheater and impressive Crusader Fortress are perfect examples of places to learn about the history of the Roman and Crusader. After the tour, continue your trip to Haifa. Before checking in to your hotel, enjoy a visit to the golden-domed Baha'i Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After breakfast, head north to Acre for a visit to the forbidding Ottoman fortress and the excavated part of the immense underground Crusader City. Later, your driver will transfer you to Nazareth, where the contemporary Church of the Annunciation is located. Continue to Tiberias, one of the four holy cities of Judaism. Overlook the Lake Tiberias from the Church of the Primacy of Peter, and then check into your hotel for rest.

Today, you will trace the Bible story to the Mount of Beatitudes in Tabgha, where Jesus delivered his Sermon, and Capernaum, where Jesus recruited his first followers. Later, head to the ancient city of Beit She'an for its Roman and Byzantine relics. After the tour, your driver will transfer you to Jerusalem to stay overnight.

Today, you will depart for the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth. On the way, you will see the Caves of Qumran, where the precious Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Make a stop at Masada, and take a cable car up to visit the spectacular cliff-top Fortress of Masada. Upon arrival at the Dead Sea, you will have some free time to experience the incredible sensation of floating on this heavy saltwater. After that, return to Jerusalem.

After overlooking the city from the Mt. of Olives, start your guided walking tour. Passing through the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, you will arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night before his arrest. Nearby are the Cave of the Assumption of Mary, and the Cave of Betrayal. Afterward, step into the old city and follow the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. In the end, you will find the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After that, walk up to the Temple Mount, and take in the Dome of the Rock from outside. Descend the mount and then you will observe the Jewish people praying at the Western Wall. Finally, proceed to Mount Zion for a visit to the Room of the Last Supper, the Tomb of King David, and the House of Caiaphas.

Note: The Temple Mount is closed to non-Muslims on Friday and Saturday.

Your first attraction today will be the Yad Vashem, the largest and most influential holocaust museum in the world. Continue to appreciate rich collections in the Israel Museum, from artifacts to the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls. After that, head to Bethlehem, visiting Shepherd's Field - the site that the angels announced the birth of Jesus, and the Church of the Nativity - the site where Jesus was born. Before returning to your hotel, pay a visit to the Garden Tomb, located on the way between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

After breakfast, a comfortable transfer will take you to the airport in Tel Aviv. Board your departure flight and say goodbye to Israel.