2 Day Jerusalem, Masada & Dead Sea

The ideal way to see the best sites of Israel for those passengers on cruises arriving for 2 days in Ashdod Port, or for cruises arriving first to Ashdod Port and then continuing to Haifa Port.

 

(Itinerary also available for those arriving to Haifa Port for 2 days or first to Haifa Port and then continuing to Ashdod Port. Link to Itinerary >)

 

 

 

cu

Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: AJMD2

 DAY 1 
  • Drive from Ashdod on the Mediterranean, crossing the land of the biblical Phillistines, ascending the Judean mountains then down through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, lowest point on earth, driving south along its shoreline to Masada.
  • Ascend MASADA – Israel’s foremost archaeological park, via cablecar.
  • A thorough visit gives insight to the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress.
  • Return to the shores of the DEAD SEA for an afternoon of leisure.
  • Indulge yourselves in the mineral-rich black mud of the Dead Sea, float in its therapeutic waters or simply relax at the spa.
  • Drive past Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and past Jericho to JERUSALEM.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

 DAY 2 
  • After breakfast drive past Mt. Scopus and stop atop the MT. OF OLIVES for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, where the merging of past and present unfolds before you.
  • Descend to the foot of the mountain to the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.
  • Cross the KIDRON VALLEY and enter the walled city.
  • Visit the WAILING WALL – holiest shrine in Judaism today.
  • Walk the VIA DOLOROSA, station by station to GOLGOTHA and the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, the ancient site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
  • Walk through the ROMAN CARDO and exit the town via Zion Gate on MT. ZION to visit the traditional ROOM OF THE LAST SUPPER.
  • A short drive to the town of BETHLEHEM to visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY and MANGER SQUARE.
  • Return to Ashdod Port (or Haifa Port).

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CRUISE EXCURSIONS

Tour Options

This tour is also operated as a PRIVATE TOUR, enabling you to travel within the realm of your own circle of friends or the intimacy of your own family with the flexibility to adapt an itinerary to suit your group and interests. Below is a list of sites on the same route and close in themes which can be exchanged or added, depending on personal preferences and time constraints.

OPTIONAL SITES

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Chapel of Dominus Flevit: “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it….” (Luke 19:41)
Tower of David Museum: museum for history of Jerusalem.
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 Milk Grotto: a serene grotto only a few minutes’ walk from Manger Square in Bethlehem, believed to be the location that the Holy Family took refuge during the Slaughter of the Innocents, before they fled into Egypt.
Shepherd’s Field: which leads through the Christian Village of Beit Sahour,near Bethlehem is associated with the fields where the shepherds saw the Star of Nativity.
Garden Tomb: a rock hewn tomb believed by some to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Petrus in Gallicantu Church: traditionally, where Peter denied Jesus.
Church of St. Anne: a 12th-century Crusader church , built over the traditional site of the birthplace of Anne, ‘Mary’s mother’. Acoustics, designed for Gregorian chant, are so perfect that the church is virtually a musical instrument to be played by the human voice. Pilgrim groups come to sing in the church throughout the day,
Bethesda Pools: believed to be the site where Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5:1-15). Ruins of a Roman temple to the god of medicine can be viewed here and remains of a Byzantine church built over the temple.
Ein Kerem: birthplace of John the Baptist, this scenic town is less than a day’s walk form the Temple in Jerusalem, where Zacharia, John’s father was called to his duties, as priest.
Church of St. John: inside of which is a cave, traditionally the birthplace of John the Baptist.
Church of Visitation: located on the hillside of Ein Kerem with a splendid view of the valley and the surrounding forest topped hills.

Head Office: 20 Hannah Senesh, Haifa, 33854

Site by TIPOOS