Day 1
Depart home city for Tel Aviv, the economic capital of Israel
Day 2
Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally-located hotel.
Day 3
Enjoy a half-day tour of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, the ancient port city that serves as testament to Tel Aviv's biblical roots.
Day 4
This morning, you will be met by your driver and guide for your tour of Caesarea (once the Roman capital of the Holy Land) and Akko, the capital of the Crusader City. You will see the fortifications, Rosh HaNikra, and will ride on the cable cars to view the sea grottos. Afterwards, drive to Haifa to view the Bahai Shrine and Persian Gardens.
Day 5
Meet your guide and driver and depart for your tour of Megiddo (ancient Armageddon), Nazareth, and Safed (the birthplace of kabbalah!), where you will see an ancient cemetary where some of the most revered rabbis in history are buried. Continue on to Galilee. Overnight in a Kibbutz.
Day 6
This morning, you will meet your guide and driver for your tour of Upper Galilee/Golan. Experience the Golan Heights, a paradise for nature lovers with its woodlands and natural hot springs. You will also drive to Mount Bental for an breathtaking view of Syria and the surrounding area, then you will continue along the Heights to Mevo Hama and around the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, to Tiberias (a modern resort that draws tourists and pilgrims alike), Capernaum, and Tabgha. Second night in the Kibbutz
Day 7
Depart for the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth...that happens to be eight times saltier than the ocean! Have a fun mud slinging contest with your kids, using this super black mud, then play around in the buoyant waters to wash off. Overnight at the Dead Sea.
Day 8
Day 8: Depart for your tour of the Dead Sea & Masada. You will drive down to the Dead Sea then south along its shores to the Qumran Caves where you will actually see the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered! Continuing onto Massada (a World Heritage Site), where you will ascend and descend by cable car to view excavations of this famous fortress. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9
Tour the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting some of the most important holy sites in all of Israel. After a drive to the Mount of Olives, you will take a stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane, then travel on to the city proper to tour the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, see the Western Wall (Jerusalem’s holiest site), and view the Dome of the Rock and the El Aqsa Mosques.
Day 10
Tour New Jerusalem, home to the main commerical and residential districts of the city. Visit Israel's Parliament, the Giant Menorah, Mount Herzl, and the Isreal Museum, where you will see the Shrine of the Book (where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited!).
Day 11
Spend this day in Bethlehem, visiting the proverbial cradle of the Christian religion. You will see the Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, then will return to Jerusalem to visit Mount Zion where you will set foot in the room where Jesus ate his Last Supper.
Day 12
Depart for flights home
OR...transfer to the Allenby Bridge for an extension to Jordan!
OR…transfer to Eilat for a few days enjoying the Red Sea
Day 13
Drive on to the southern tip of Israel's desert, arrive in the Red Sea coastal city of Eilat.
Day 14
Day at leisure. Go to the beach, go scuba diving or snorkel pool or take a walk on the promenade.
Day 15
After breakfast visit the Underwater Observatory, exhibiting fascinating Red Sea coral and fish in their natural habitat. The observatory has been placed 300 feet out in the sea. Some of the colorful fish glow in the dark. From there visit the Dolphin Reef to watch dolphins train. Dolphin encounter available for an additional fee.
Day 16
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Tel Aviv and onward connection back to U.S.
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