DAY 1

• TEL AVIV

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• Get Settled
• Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, an airport representative will meet you in the airplane sleeve (jet bridge) where you will be escorted through a separate passport control desk. Afterwards, your representative will assist you to pick up your luggage where you will later walk through the arrivals gate to meet your driver who will be waiting for you.
• Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel with an English-speaking driver.

DAY 2

• TEL AVIV TO GALILEE TO TIBERIAS

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• A Dazzling Drive
• Leave behind bustling, modern Tel Aviv and head north to the more bucolic Galilee region with your private guide. Stop at Caesarea along the coast, once the Roman capital of the region. Explore the excavations of this archeological site including the aqueduct. The theater has been restored as a modern concert venue.  Continue further north, pausing at Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of Haifa. Explore the beautiful and grandiose Bahai Gardens – a unique atmosphere of historic spirituality and inspired design combined with the painstaking gardening of generations. This is the site where members of the Bahai faith have established their shrine and world center because of its significance to the Bahai faith. From here, drive further up the coast to the ancient port city of Acre, also known as Akko, the holiest city of the Bahai faith. The Crusaders left their mark on this UNESCO town as the former capital of their kingdom. The fortifications jut into the Mediterranean at the southern sea wall. The last stop of the day is in Rosh Hanikra along the Lebanese border. Descend by cable car into the stunning limestone grottos. Formally only accessible from the sea, the grottos are now accessed by the steepest cable car in the world. End the day with a relaxing evening at your Galilee hotel.

DAY 3

• TIBERIAS

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• Sights and Insights
• The Galilee region is home to many key biblical sites from the lives of Jesus and his disciples, with ample opportunities to walk in his footsteps. Begin the day at the Mount of Beatitudes, situated to the north of the Sea of Galilee. The Mount is believed to be the location where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, and the views from the hill are awe-inspiring. The site was the home of a Byzantine church in the 4th century, and a 20th century Roman Catholic chapel stands on the site today. Drive a short distance down the hill to Tabgha, believed to be the location of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The Christian faithful also believe that this is the location where Jesus appeared to his disciples after his crucifixion and resurrection. The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter and the Church of the Multiplication are must-sees in this town, and the area is also famous for its wide spectra of flora and fauna. From here, continue to Capernaum, a town cited in all four gospels, viewed as the home of St. Peter, and home to the ruins of a 4th century synagogue, one of the oldest in the world. End the day with a visit to Beit Shean Archeological National Park, where you can see the history of Israel through the archaeological remains from each historic period. See the ancient wall that surrounded the city, public baths, a Roman temple, artisan workshops and more.
• The Galilee Boat Museum was purposefully built to house and display the boat that sailed the Sea of Galilee around 2000 years ago. In 1986, an ancient boat was discovered and removed from the mud along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The boat dates from the period where Jesus was active in the Sea of Galilee region, and hold significance to both Christians and Jews as the ship dates to the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans. The display includes multimedia presentations and information in English. The museum provides a wide range of information resources covering the incredible details of the discovery of the boat.

DAY 4

• TIBERIAS TO JERUSALEM TO GALILEE

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• The Journey Continues…
• Relax on the scenic drive from Tiberias to Jerusalem, and explore a bit of the Galilee region with your private guide on the way. Start with a visit to Kafr Kanna, home to the Wedding Church in Cana, also known as the Church of the First Miracle. The site is dedicated to the first miracle attributed to Jesus, where he turned water into wine at a wedding. Next, head to the nearby town of Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation, established on the site where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God.
• As you travel across Israel, you will pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Megiddo in the Lower Galilee region. This ancient city is thought to have seen more battles than any other location in the world. Excavation has uncovered about 26 layers of settlements dating as far back as the Chalcolithic period. The hilltop was a Canaanite city, an Egyptian fortress, a Chariot City during Biblical times and a prominent Assyrian and Persian city. At its prime Megiddo was ruled by the famed King Solomon and visitors can see the remains of Solomons Gate and what is believed to have been his stables. The site holds a special place in the Christian faith, as it is believed to be the future site of the Final Battle, Armageddon. Following your visit to Megiddo you will continue onwards to your accommodation in Jerusalem.
• Yardenit is where water flows into the Jordan river, eventually ending up in the Dead Sea located more than 60 miles to the south. This site is believed by some traditions to be the actual spot where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Consequently, it is no wonder that nowadays many visitors to Israel opt to partake in a sacred Baptism ceremony in this iconic place. No matter if you opt for a full immersion, Orthodox or Catholic baptism, your Destination Expert will be happy to help you with all the necessary arrangements. Depending on your needs and denomination, a local clergy member can assist with today’s Baptism. Please note that while the Baptism service performed by a local clergy member is provided free of charge, donations are highly encouraged and you will be expected to cover their expenses (to be paid to the pastor directly).  

DAY 5

• JERUSALEM

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• Cross an Item off the Bucket List
• The heart of the Holy Land centers around Jerusalem – the cradle of civilization - revered as a Holy City in Christianity, Judaism and Islam alike. The Mount of Olives overlooks the Old City, standing testament to millennia of history and separating the Holy City from the Judean Desert. Begin the day with your private English-speaking driver-guide at the Mount of Olives, gazing upon the evocative panorama of the Old City below, with expansive views of the olive tree canopies, cemeteries, and churches. The Mount is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants due to its association with both Jesus and Mary. Head to the Garden of Gethsemane at the base of the Mount, believed to be the location where Jesus prayed, and his disciples slept the night before his crucifixion. Enter the Old City from the eastern Lion’s Gate, stopping to visit the Church of Saint Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. The church is located at the start of the Via Dolorosa, an important pilgrimage route for Christian visitors, believed to mark the way to the site of Jesus’ crucifixion at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and one of the most revered Christian monuments. Take your time walking along this emotionally-charged path leading from the Muslim Quarter to the Christian Quarter, stopping to pay respect at the Stations of the Cross along the way. Today, you will also visit the renowned Garden Tomb, believed by some to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Continue through the Jewish Quarter and explore the Cardo, dating back to Roman times. Your final stop in the Old City will be a visit to the Western Wall, believed to be the westernmost wall of the 2nd Temple, and revered as Judaism’s most holy site. End with a visit to Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, where The Last Supper is believed to have taken place here.

DAY 6

• JERUSALEM

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• A Healthy Dose of History
• Located only 6 miles south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is a world apart. Famous as the birthplace of Jesus, the town is a point of pilgrimage for Christians of all denominations. Your English-speaking driver-guide will accompany you to the checkpoint between Israel and Bethlehem. Please make sure you have your passport with you, as Israelis cannot cross this checkpoint. Once you are safely through the checkpoint, a Palestinian guide will join you for a visit to the Chapel of the Milk Grotto. The site is currently a Catholic church, built on the site of a 5th-century Byzantine church. It is believed that the Holy Family sought refuge here during the “slaughter of the innocents”. Continue by car to the Basilica of the Church of the Nativity, located on the site where Jesus was believed to be born. The Church is revered across denominations and is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic and Syrian Orthodox Church authorities, making it a unique chapel to visit. Take your time exploring these sacred sites, and feel free to chat with your Palestinian guide about what life is like in the West Bank. There are interesting shops in Bethlehem focusing on Christian religious apparel that differ from those in the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem. Your guide will return with you to the checkpoint with Israel, where you'll rejoin your Israeli guide and depart.
• On the western edge of Jerusalem surrounded by lush forests and rolling Judean hills, the ancient village of Ein Karem is now one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, best explored by a leisurely stroll through eclectic art galleries, biblical sites, and offering tantalizing restaurants catering to both Kosher and non-Kosher dietary requirements. It has long been a pastoral retreat from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem and has attracted Christian pilgrims for centuries as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Drive to this village with your English-speaking driver-guide, and explore the site where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. The key pilgrimage sites are the Church of the Visitation, the traditional site of the home of St. Elizabeth and Zachariah; the Church of St. John the Baptist, built over a grotto believed to be his birthplace; and Mary’s Spring, which still flows although the water is no longer potable. A must-see while in Ein Karem, admire the world famous Chagall Windows at the Hadassah Hospital’s synagogue, a series of 12 stained-glass panels representing the original tribes of Israel.

DAY 7

• JERUSALEM

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• Explore with an Expert
• Jerusalem’s identity as a historical center extends beyond the confines of the Old City, and many of the treasures of the country can be found scattered throughout the city. With your English-speaking driver-guide, head to the Israel Museum to start the day. On the way, drive by the Supreme Court and the Knesset, the home of the Israeli parliament. The Israel Museum holds artifacts relevant to Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike, and the two most important exhibits are the model of the city from the time of the Second Temple, and the Shrine of the Book, housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world and uncovered in Qumran. Drive to the Holocaust Memorial of Yad Vashem, located on the flanks of Mount Herzl adjacent to the country’s war cemetery. Yad Vashem is the country’s official memorial to victims of the Holocaust, and a heart-wrenching plea against the horrors of genocide. Head to the Machane Yehuda Market, affectionately known as the Shuk by Jerusalemites. Stop for lunch (not included) here at one of the tantalizing restaurants catering to both Kosher and non-Kosher dietary requirements. This market is bustling with activity as Israelis and travelers alike flock to market to stock up on a cornucopia of local produce, pita breads, nuts, spices, and desserts. With your Shuk Bites card (included on your tour), taste and savor a variety of products and flavors of the market as your guide takes you to the nooks and crannies of Machane Yehuda.  

DAY 8

• JERUSALEM

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• A Sight To Behold
• Iconic natural wonders dot the Israeli landscape, playing their own role in the Holy Land’s lengthy biblical history. Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea stand out in the Jordan Rift Valley against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains on the Jordanian side of the border. With your English-speaking driver-guide, start the day with a visit to the beautiful Ein Gedi Reserve, a stunning desert oasis graced with waterfalls and referenced several times in the Book of Psalms. Continue by car to Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous as the site of King Herod’s desert mountain get-away palace, and the scene of the zealots’ final stand against the Roman Legion, with stunning vistas overlooking the desert and Dead Sea below. Ascend to the summit by cable car, and explore the excavation of King Herod’s palaces, the bathhouse, storerooms, the ancient ramp used to ascend the mountain, and one of the oldest still-standing synagogues. It is possible to hike up the Snake Path to the summit of Masada, but this is only recommended for guests in good health, as the 90-minute hike in the hot desert sun is quite challenging. End the day with a soak in the Dead Sea, famous for it its hyper-salinated waters and for being the lowest place on earth, located 1,412 feet below sea level. The sea was home to one of the worlds first health resorts, dedicated to King Herod. The waters have been receding over the past hundred years, leading to cooperative engineering projects between Israel and Jordan to protect the resource in the future.

DAY 9

• JERUSALEM TO TEL AVIV
• Until Next Time…
• A private vehicle will provide a transfer between Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv airport.
• Meet your airport representative at the entrance of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport where you will be accompanied through the airport security procedure, check-in and to a separate passport control desk.

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