13 Day Itinerary
The Classic Israel Experience – 13 day Tour of Israel’s Culture, Archeology and History.
Jewish & Christian
Friday - Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Welcome to Israel. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, a Jewish Tours Israel representative will meet you, where you will be transferred to your hotel in beautiful Tel Aviv for check-in. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure (depending on arrival time, suggested stroll on the Tel Aviv boardwalk, or a short cab ride to the Tel Aviv port (Namal).
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Saturday – Free Day
Enjoy Israeli Style breakfast. You will have the remainder of the day to enjoy at your leisure. This is a good opportunity to enjoy the Mediterranean culture of Tel Aviv. A few Options: experience the Sabbath at one of the many synagogues in Tel Aviv, depending on season, spend some time sun bathing on the Tel Aviv beach, light lunch at the Tel Aviv port, casual stroll along many of Tel Aviv’s famous streets (Dizengoff, Rothschild, Ibn Gvirol to recommend a few)
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Sunday - Caesarea / Megiddo / Druze Villages
After breakfast you will start your journey with a drive along the coastal plain to the ancient city Caesarea, once the capital of Judea under the Roman Empire. See the excavations of the Crusader city, Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue for some of Israel’s famous artists as well as many international stars. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of the Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations and 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 Golden domed Bahai shrine and Gardens. Dinner at the Kibbutz.
Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Monday - Safed / Golan Heights / Winery
Enjoy breakfast! Continue your tour of Israel with a drive to Safed (Tzfat), the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will visit the ancient synagogues and artists’ colony. This is a great opportunity to purchase some memorabilia and gifts for your loved ones back home. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan Winery for a tour and some wine tasting; Proceed to Kessem Hagolan, a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. Dinner at the kibbutz.
Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Tuesday - Sea of Galilee / Nazareth
After breakfast start the day with a visit to Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to the city of 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. Arrive in Jerusalem. Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Wednesday - Jerusalem: Old City
Following breakfast, the tour will start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from the Mount of Olives. The tour will proceed to the Old City of Jerusalem; 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 Sepulcher. Continue towards the ancient city of Bethlehem to view Rachel's Tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger's Square. Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Thursday Jerusalem: New City
After breakfast, the tour will start with a short 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 Hertzel cemetery and Yad Vashem (the holocaust museum). Continue to visit Mea Shearim, the ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening experience a Middle Eastern style dinner followed by the spectacular "sound& light" show* at the Tower of David museum (weather conditions permitting).
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday - Qumran / Massada / Dead Sea
Enjoy breakfast before the tour departs on a drive through the Judean Desert on route 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 discovered. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea towards Mt. 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. Descend by cable car and continue to the Dead Sea; Cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and a swim in the Dead Sea* that many believe has its therapeutic effects (*weather permitting). (Remember to bring hats, wear sun screen and don’t forget a swim suite) Return back to Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Saturday – Free Day
Enjoy the day at leisure. Experience the Sabbath atmosphere in Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Sunday - Timna/Underwater Observatory/Eilat
After breakfast we will travel south through the Negev desert and Visit Timna to see the copper mines and King Solomon’s pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations. Continue to Eilat and stop to visit the underwater observatory, one of the largest aquariums in the world, built into a coral reef. Enjoy the remainder to the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Eilat.
Monday – Free Day
or
Optional tour to Petra (additional charge)
Following an early breakfast you will drive towards the Jordanian border. **After visa assistance at the Jordanian Border, drive straight to Petra through desert highways. Your ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra, which was built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe). Petra was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the South of Jordan more than two thousand years ago. The visit begins with the possibility of short horseback riding for about 700 m. until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 km long (walking distance). There is a possibility to rent a chariot (extra) to get inside Petra and back to the gate outside. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as The Treasury, Royal Tombs, The Court, Roman Theatre, Roman Street, Qassier El-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh's daughter) and many other smaller fascinating monuments. The city itself is almost 45 square km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world. After the visit, enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant, followed by a drive back to the border. En-route, stop for a short visit at Aqaba with possibility for a short walk. Transfer to border at approximately 6:00 P.M for crossing back into to Eilat.
Overnight in Eilat.
Tuesday - Eilat / Mitzpe Ramon / Sde Boker / Tel Aviv
After breakfast depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon to gaze into the Ramon crater, another geological wonder inside of Israel. Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. Stop for a Camel riding experience and enjoy a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent where you will learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch. Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel’s air force museum to view the planes and equipment and hear the story of this brave fighting force.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Wednesday - Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport
After the final Israeli style breakfast you will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight back home.
**Visa and border fees for Jordan ($60 p/p) are paid locally in person. |
