8 day Israel Heritage of the Holyland Coach Tour

Thursday Arrival and Departure
Tour is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 passengers.

THURSDAY – Arrive Tel Aviv, Israel

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport; meet and assist through Customs and transfer to your Tel Aviv hotel for the start of your journey in the Holy Land. Overnight Tel Aviv.

FRIDAY – Tel Aviv / Sea of Galilee / Tiberias

Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We’ll drive for a short visit of the old city of Jaffa where we will take a short walking tour in picturesque alleys of the old, fortified town. We will visit the restored port, pass the house of Simon the Tanner and marvel at the views from the hilltop. Then we drive north along the Mediterranean coast to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea built by Herod the Great in honour of Augustus Caesar. From there we go on to visit Megiddo where the Book of Revelation mentions a great battle at the place called “Armageddon”. It is an ancient city inhabited continuously for more than five millennia (6000-500 BC). After exploring the ruins we drive to the Sea of Galilee. Arrive at Tiberias and check-in to our hotel for two nights.

SATURDAY – Sea of Galilee

The day is dedicated to sites around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus lived and preached. Capernaum was the centre of Jesus’s ministry. Tabgha, just north of Tiberias, is the site of Christ’s miracle of feeding the 5,000 and, at the Church of Multiplication, the mosaic floor depicts a basket with loaves and two fishes. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the sea, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and where it is believed that the 12 apostles were chosen. We ascend the Golan Heights to view the panoramic peaks of Mt Hermon, the rugged Golan Heights plateau and, beneath it, the green pastoral Huleh valley. Return to Tiberias for another lovely night in town.

SUNDAY – Sea of Galilee / Jordan River / Jerusalem

Today we travel to Cana to visit the Wedding Church where Jesus performed his first miracle – turning water into wine. We proceed to Nazareth the home town of Jesus and the Church of Annunciation built on the site where archaeologists believe the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. You’ll see Mary’s Well and Joseph’s Church. Continue through the Jordan Valley to visit excavations of the beautifully preserved Roman city of Beit Shean, destroyed in an earthquake, then along the Jordan River valley to our Jerusalem hotel for three nights.

MONDAY – Dead Sea and Masada

Through the remarkable scenery of the Judean Hills to the Dead Sea, lowest point on Earth at 1,300 feet below sea level. En route see the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We continue to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Ascend by cable car to the fortress and visit the excavations – King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. Enjoy a breathtaking view and bring your swimsuit to “float” on the salty, mineral rich water. Return to Jerusalem.

TUESDAY – Jerusalem

The day starts at Mt Scopus. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the holy city, sacred to each of the world’s three great religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Our tour includes the Mount of Olives, where Jesus first gave the Lord’s Prayer and the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus. In the Old City you’ll see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing both the traditional site of Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. Outside the Old City is Mount Zion with the traditional tomb of King David, Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey.

WEDNESDAY – Jerusalem

Today’s tour includes Yad Vashem located at the foot of Mt. Hertzl, official memorial to the Jewish Holocaust victims established in 1953. Ein Karem is a picturesque, small village which has great significance in Christianity as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as a detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple. Drive by the Knesset (House of Parliament) and the campus of Hebrew University then visit Bethlehem to see Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Nativity (political situation permitting). Return to your hotel for overnight.

THURSDAY – Depart Jerusalem

Today is our final day on this tour. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight if departing today.

Tour does not operate during Yom Kippur (24-30 September 2020).

Rates include:
– 7 nights accommodation including breakfast daily and taxes
– Assistance at airport upon arrival
– Arrival and departure airport transfers (conditions apply)
– English speaking government licensed guide on all touring days
– Entrance fees to places of interest while touring
– Sightseeing in a modern air-conditioned coach

Rates exclude: Porterage at airport, beverages, lunches, dinners (unless supplement paid), extras and tips to guide, driver and hotel staff

(Child discount available on application)

Hotels used on tour (equivalent substitutes may be used)