10 Days – Israel Tour

10 DAY TRAVEL ISRAEL TOUR ITINERARY
A 10 day comprehensive tour itinerary bringing out the many facets of Israel’s historic and religious background – touching on Israel’s present reality and politics – overnights in the 3 major cities – Tel Aviv – Haifa – Jerusalem… while visiting it’s major sites   

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 ROUTE 
 DAY 1: Arrival, Tel Aviv 
  • Arrive at ISRAEL’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BEN GURION and transfer to Tel Aviv.
  • An introductory meeting in the evening will include a discussion of technical information such as currency, dress code when visiting religious sites, weather forecast, routes, and historical background information.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

 DAY 2: Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Caesarea 
  • Start the morning with a sightseeing tour of TEL AVIV, the cultural centre & pulse of the country with sidewalk cafes, modern hotels along the beaches, museums, operas, clubs and nightlife. Known as one of the greatest “fun cities” in the world, more than half the large companies, as well as a quarter of Israel’s active population work here.
  • Drive past the RABIN MEMORIAL, where the former prime minister was murdered.
  • Drive through the “WHITE CITY” of the 1930’s, an area where some 4000 buildings constructed in Bauhaus style architecture have been designated by UNESCO as a WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
  • Visit the ancient port city of JAFFA, that existed some 4000 years ago serving Egyptian and Phoenician sailors. It is mentioned in the bible as the port from which the cedars of Lebanon were transported through to build King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem; the city that Jonah departed from in his flight from God; and the home of Simon the Tanner. It is associated with many more bible stories, legends and adventures. Today Jaffa is a tourist centre known for its artist quarters, art galleries and restaurants.
  • Drive north along the Mediterranean to CAESAREA, the largest port in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean during the Roman period, known as Herod’s greatest masterpiece and domicile of the Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate. It is also the location where the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans started in the spring of 66 A.C.E.
  • Continue north alongside the Mediterranean to Haifa.

Overnight in Haifa.

 DAY 3: Haifa, Acre, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana 
  • Drive through Haifa’s German Colony, discussing its historic significance in relation to the city.
  • Continue up to the Carmel mountains, stopping for a panoramic view of the city and the BAHAI TEMPLE AND GARDENS.
  • Drive around the Gulf of Haifa to ACRE (AKKO), first founded by the Phoenicians and best known for the part it played as a gateway port city to the Holy Land during the crusader period with its intricate subterranean city of crusader halls and sanctuaries.
  • Drive to the National Park of MEGIDDO (ARMAGEDDON), one of the key sites to understanding the history of the Middle East. Megiddo was fortified by several Israelite kings including David, Solomon and Ahab and is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament. According to the New Testament, its location, overlooking the biblical Jezreel Valley, will be that last battleground between the ‘Sons of Light’ and the ‘Sons of Darkness’.
  • Continue to NAZARETH, childhood home of Jesus.
  • Visit the CHURCH OF ANNUNCIATION.
  • Continue on to the nearby village of CANA, the traditional location of the first miracle performed by Jesus, of turning water into wine.

Overnight in Galilee.

 DAY 4: Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights 
  • Drive along the north shore of the SEA OF GALILEE, the stage for most of the events in the New Testament.
  • Visit TABGHA, traditional site of the ‘miracle of the loaves and the fish’ and the nearby  CHURCH OF PRIMACY.
  • Visit CAPERNAUM, a Jewish fisherman village of 2000 years ago which was the center of Jesus’ messianic work.
  • Ascend the GOLAN HEIGHTS driving north to the “VALLEY OF TEARS” (Emek HaBacha), where one of the major battles of the Yom Kippur War (October ’73) took place.
  • Stop in nearby KIBBUTZ EL ROM to watch a short documentary movie about the battle.
  • Continue through the picturesque DRUZE VILLAGES and descend from the Golan Heights to the HULA VALLEY.
  • Visit the National Park of BANIAS, one of the 3 streams that forms the Jordan River, including a short hike to Banias Waterfall and walk along the “Hanging Trail”.

Overnight in Galilee.

 DAY 5: Upper Galilee, Beit She’an, Jordan Valley 
  • Ascend the mountains of the Upper Galilee to visit SAFED, the Jewish mystic town and one of the four holy cities in Israel that is increasing in popularity due to repeated visits of the pop star, Madonna. Stroll along the lanes of the Old City with its many synagogues as well as its unique artist’s colony.
  • Drive south to the National Park of BEIT SHE’AN. Located at a crossroads between east and west, it is one of Israel’s most ancient cities and was throughout time an affluent cultural center due to its ample water supply, hot climate and fertile soil. See the evidence of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations and view the ancient Roman Theater.
  • A possible stop for an hour of leisure can be made at the National Park of “SACHNE” GAN HASLOSHA, where the water temperature is constant at 28°C (85°F) all year around. This swimming spot, according to World Traveller’s magazine, is one of the best swimming spots in the world.
  • Continue via the settlements of the BEIT SHE’AN VALLEY and south through the JORDAN VALLEY.
  • Bypass Jericho, turning east towards the Dead Sea and continue south along its shoreline.

Overnight in Dead Sea.

 DAY 6: Dead Sea, Masada 
  • Spend the morning indulging yourself in the mineral-rich black mud of the DEAD SEA, float in its therapeutic waters or simply relax at the spa.
  • Feeling youthful and refreshed ascend MASADA, Israel’s foremost archaeological park, via cable car. A thorough visit gives insight to the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress.
  • Drive north along the Dead Sea, passing via Qumran, site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
  • Turn west at the tip of the Dead Sea, ascending the Judean mountains towards Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

 DAY 7: Jerusalem 
  • Start the morning in Jerusalem at the MT. OF OLIVES for a panoramic view of Jerusalem where over 4000 years of history is revealed.
  • Descend to the foot of the mountain to GETHSEMANE, traditional site where Jesus spent his last night before he was arrested.
  • Cross the KIDRON VALLEY to the “CITY OF DAVID”, where Jerusalem began.
  • Cross from the City of David, via the ancient underground tunnel to the DAVIDSON CENTER, the archaeological park of Jerusalem where evidence of the second temple period and the impressive architecture of King Herod are a major focus.
  • Stand on the stairs leading to HULDA GATE, main entrance to the Temple during this period.
  • Visit the WAILING WALL – holiest shrine in Judaism today.
  • Drive through the new city of Jerusalem.
  • Stop at the MENORAH, in front of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).

Overnight in Jerusalem.

 DAY 8: Jerusalem 
  • Return to the Old City via LION’S GATE and walk the VIA DOLOROSA, station by station to GOLGOTHA and the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.
  • Walk through the EASTERN BAZAAR and along the ROMAN CARDO.
  • Exit via Zion Gate to visit the “ROOM OF THE LAST SUPPER” and “KING DAVID’S TOMB”.
  • Drive to Mt. Herzl to visit YAD VASHEM, the Israel Holocaust Memorial.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

 DAY 9: Jerusalem, Bethlehem 
  • Visit the ISRAEL MUSEUM with its large scale model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period and SHRINE OF THE BOOK, where the DEAD SEA SCROLLS are kept. The museum was renovated in 2010 and has many new and interesting exhibits.
  • Drive along Israel’s KAV HATEFER, the seam line that separated east and west Jerusalem, passing Turgeman Post which guarded Mandlebaum Pass, the only crossing between east and west from 1948 – 1967.
  • Stop at the grave of Oskar Schindler.
  • Visit BETHLEHEM and the CHURCH OF NATIVITY (subject to local conditions).

Overnight in Jerusalem.

 DAY 10: Free Day, Departure 

Free time until travel to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

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