Highlights of Israel 7 Days

Tour Code: IS003

Day 01: Arrival Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel. Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for overnight.

Day 02: Galilee

This morning after breakfast we check out of the hotel and drive north to visit Caesarea. It was here that Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized. It was also here that Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome. We will drive north to Mt Carmel where Elijah fought the Prophets of Ba'al. You will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Haifa, Israel’s largest port, including the Bahai Shrine, the Persian Gardens and an exceptional panoramic view of the city. Continue to Acre, a historic walled port-city with continuous settlement from the Phoenician period. The present city dates from the Ottoman 18th and 19th centuries. The remains of the Crusader town, dating from 1104 to 1291, lie almost intact, both above and below today's street level, providing an exceptional picture of the layout and structures of the capital of the medieval Crusader kingdom. Turn inland and drive to your Hotel in the Galilee for dinner & overnight.

Day 03: Galilee

We will drive to the Golan Heights. There you will see the former Syrian fortifications, and the Druze villages. Via the Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, drive to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to Capernaum, the centre of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue and Peter's House. Visit Tabgha, where Jesus performed the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and the Mount of Beatitudes, where He delivered the Sermon on the Mount. After a short tour of Tiberias the old centre of Jewish learning, return to your hotel for dinner & overnight.

Day 04: Jerusalem

We will drive to Cana of Galilee, site of the First Miracle. Continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, visit the Church of the Annunciation, and Mary’s Well. Drive through the Jordan Valley to visit the traditional site of the First Baptism on the banks of the Jordan River at Qasr el Yahud. We will continue to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. See Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields. On to Jerusalem where you have your first view of the city from Mount Scopus.

Day 05: Jerusalem

Start the day with a panoramic view of Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives then descend to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony. Enter the walled Old City: see the renewed Jewish Quarter; the Roman Cardo the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Temple area; the Dome of the Rock and the colourful bazaars; Walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Drive to Mount Zion and visit the Room of the Last Supper. Time permitting you end the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb – Jerusalem.

Day 06: Jerusalem

Free day at leisure or Optional tour to Masada and the Dead Sea: Descend via the Judean hills to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth; Roadside view of the Qumran caves (visit not included) where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a cave. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada where you will learn about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters against the might of Rome. Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palace, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings. Descend by cable car. Enjoy a unique opportunity to “swim” in the Dead Sea; that many believe has therapeutic effects. Return to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner & overnight.

Day 07: Departure

Departure from Jerusalem and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.