8-Day Classic Israel Tour

Adventure tour of TLV, Haifa, Nazareth, Golan Heights, Masada, Dead Sea & Jerusalem

This comprehensive Classical Israel tour will take you on a journey that will have you experiencing the country’s rich history - past and present, as well as its people and diverse cultures. On this tour you’ll have the chance to witness iconic sites of country, such as Jerusalem’s Old City, Nazareth and Bethlehem – ride the cable car to the fortress of Masada and float at the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea – and more. In the north of the country, visit the serene Galilee and the Golan Heights. Other key sites visited on the tour include Haifa, Caesarea, the crusader fortress of Acre, Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa.

Day 1, Welcome to Tel-Aviv After arriving at the airport one of our friendly representatives will welcome you and transport you to your hotel. The day is yours free to either relax or explore the city on your own. | OVERNIGHT: Tel Aviv hotel | MEALS: N/A | EXTRAS: Single Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour, Hotel upgrades Day 2, Masada – The Dead Sea - Jerusalem We set off from Tel Aviv, driving south, passing by the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba, the capital of the Negev Desert. We continue via Arad to Masada – Israel’s foremost archaeological park and ascend via cable-car for a thorough visit that gives insight to the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress. We also visit many interesting places today, such as the excavations, Herod’s palaces, the synagogue, bathhouse and cisterns, and enjoy the incredible views of the Roman camps, and the Dead Sea. We end the day by passing by the oasis of Ein Gedi and proceeding through the Judean Desert to Jerusalem. | OVERNIGHT: Jerusalem hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 3, Exploring Jerusalem We start the tour today with a drive to Mount Scopus, passing the WWI British cemetery, Hadassah Hospital, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a picturesque view of the Old City. We continue on to Israel Museum which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book after which we’ll visit the large scale renovated model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem. We also visit Yad Vashem followed by an afternoon drive to the quaint village of Ein Karem. In downtown Jerusalem we visit Mahane Yehuda to experience the flavours, aromas, colours and the traders' interaction with the crowds – the largest open market in Israel. | OVERNIGHT: Jerusalem hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 4, Jerusalem to Bethlehem Today, we go back into time and visit the Old City of Jerusalem. We’ll enter through one of the Gates to the walled Old City to visit the renewed Jewish Quarter and the colourful Souk. We also walk along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Stations of the Cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We also visit Mt. Zion and the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Later the afternoon we continue to Bethlehem – visiting the traditional birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. | OVERNIGHT: Jerusalem hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 5, Nazareth We head to Jerusalem and drive north passing by Jericho – the oldest city in the world. We’ll travel through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean and visit the excavations of well-preserved Roman City. Later, we travel to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Christian holy sites, and a visit to Safed – the city of the Kabbalah and centre of Jewish mysticism to visit a synagogue. | OVERNIGHT: Kibbutz hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 6, Golan Heights – Sea of Galilee The day starts with a drive to Golan Heights and visit the former Syrian fortifications and the Druze villages. We get to experience an Israeli wine country experience – vineyards surrounded by endless views. While here, we become acquainted with the collection of fine and rare wines and understanding of the wine production process. We then descend to the shore of the Sea of Galilee and proceed to Capernaum to visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue, the Mount of Beatitudes, traditional site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and Tabgha. We then head onwards to Tiberias, the old center of Jewish learning. | OVERNIGHT: Kibbutz hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 7, Acre, Haifa & Tel Aviv After breakfast, the last day of our tour starts off with a drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. We then continue to Haifa, for a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city, including the Baha'i Shrine, Persian Garden, Mount Carmel and Haifa bay. We then head along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theater and the Crusader fortress at what is known as the “masterpiece of Herod the Great”. We end the day, and the tour, with a short city tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa. | OVERNIGHT: Tel Aviv hotel | MEALS: Breakfast Day 8, Israel tour ends Your time in Israel officially comes to an end today. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure back home. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to extend your tour | OVERNIGHT: N/A | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Extra night - post-tour; A Taste of Israel day trip (requires an extra night)