9 Day Itinerary
Tuesday, Day 1: Arrival Israel
Welcome to Israel. A Jewish Tours Israel (JTI) representative, who will introduce you to your driver and proceed to transfer you to the hotel in Jerusalem, will meet you. You will be transferred to your hotel in the beautiful city of Jerusalem for check-in. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Wednesday, Day 2: The Old City - Jerusalem/Bethlehem
After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your day with a visit to the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. You will enter through one of the Gate leading into the Old City and continue to the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the "Cardo", meaning the "heart" of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. You will walk to the excavations of the Herodian Mansions, located beneath the present-day Jewish quarter, showing how the high Rabbi's and wealthy Jerusalemites of old lived. You will proceed through the broad stone stairway down to the holy Western Wall - the "Kotel" (Beit Hamikdash), and retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Delorosa (the way of the cross). You will pass through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. You will proceed to Mount Scopus for a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City. From the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 until Israel recaptured all of Jerusalem in 1967. Continue to Mt. of Olives, for another magnificent panoramic view of the Old City. **You will continue to Bethlehem, stopping at Rachel’s Tomb and to visit the Church of the Nativity.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Thursday, Day 3: The New City - Jerusalem
Start the day with a drive to Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem to see the Chagall stained glass windows. You will proceed to Yad Vashem, the most famous memorial to mankind’s darkest period. The tour will continue to visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, which is where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and protected. In the same complex, you will also visit the New Holy Land miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. The tour also introduces you to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, and will stop at the Givat Ram Campus of the Hebrew University.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday, Day 4: Massada and the Dead Sea area
(Don’t forget to bring your hats, swim suits and suntan lotion!)
Following an early breakfast, you will depart to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea area. Traveling south through the Judean Wilderness, you will arrive the shores of the Dead Sea. The first visit is Qumeran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue south to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Massada. Here you will ascend by cable car to the ancient synagogue of Massada and explore the ancient fortress. This location was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. From the top of Massada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible. Continue descending by cable car and experience floating in the unsinkable waters of the Dead Sea (weather permitting). Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to put mud on and to float in the Dead Sea. Conclude the day with a drive towards Tel Aviv and to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Saturday (Shabbat), Day 5: Tel Leisure in Tel Aviv
Enjoy a day of leisure in Tel Aviv.
Sunday, Day 6: Tel Aviv and the journey north
Enjoy breakfast before you check-out from your hotel and start the day with a drive to the Diaspora Museum. The museum exists to convey the story of the Jewish people from the time of their expulsion from the Land of Israel 2,500 years ago to the present. You will continue by driving north along the Mediterranean coastal road, which linked Egypt and Babylon to Caesarea. You will explore the Hippodrome, Aqueduct and the renovated Roman amphitheater, used today to host many Israeli and International shows. Continue to visit a Druze village and conclude your day in Haifa, where you will check-in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Kibbutz Resort.
Monday, Day 7: Haifa/Safed/Golan Heights
Following breakfast you will start the tour with a short drive to the summit of Mount Carmel, where you will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Western Galilee. Moving along to the Bahai Shrine to visit the exotic Persian Gardens and golden dome. The tour proceeds to the southern tip of the Golan to visit the Mystical City of Safed (Tzfat), one of the Four Holy Cities according to tradition and Kabalistic studies. Stroll through the narrow, winding alleys; visit some of the beautiful synagogues and browse through the artists’ workshops and galleries found in the flourishing Artists' Quarter. This is a great place to purchase some unique souvenirs. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers and enjoy the view of the ancient city of Kuneitra.
Overnight at Kibbutz Resort.
Tuesday, Day 8: Sea of Galilee/Nazareth
After breakfast, you will start the day with a visit to the ancient City of Tiberias. The tour starts in the Western Galilee area with a visit to Capernaum (Kfar Nachum); see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter. Proceed to another historical city, Nazareth and visit Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Annunciation. Continue south towards the ancient remains of Beit Shean and tour one of the largest excavated sites in Israel. In biblical times, it is here the Talmud mentions this city as being the "entrance to paradise". The tour continues with a drive to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Conclude the tour with a drive south through lush Jordan Valley where the dessert now blooms with flowers and vegetation, and arrive in Tel Aviv for your overnight.
Overnight Accommodation in Tel Aviv.
Wednesday, Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure. |
