Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by a Travelink representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv. (see left: Jaffa beach in Tel Aviv)
At leisure
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Caesarea / Megiddo / Druze Villages
Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, (see right) capital of Judea under the Romans. See the excavations of the Crusader city, Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat El Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Golden domed Bahai shrine and Gardens. Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Safed / Golan Heights / Winery
Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will visit the ancient synagogues and artists’ colony. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan Winery for a tour and wine tasting; Proceed to Kessem Hagolan, a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Sea of Galilee / Nazareth
Start the day with a visit to Nazareth and visit the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to Tiberias; visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter. Visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: Old City
Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives. Drive to the Old City; Visit the tomb of King David and the room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian quarter and continue to the Western Wall. (see left) Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem*; view Rachel’s Tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: New City
Drive to the Israel Museum; Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period; Proceed for a tour at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Continue to visit Mount Hertzel cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust.
Visit Mea Shearim , the ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening enjoy a middle eastern dinner followed by the spectacular “sound& light” show* at the Tower of David museum (weather conditions permitting) . Overnight in Jerusalem.
Qumran / Massada / Dead Sea
Drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. (see right) Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 A.D. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea; Cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea* that many believe has its therapeutic effects (*weather permitting). Overnight in Jerusalem.
At leisure
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem / Ben Gurion Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.
Tours do not operate at certain times of the year due to religious holidays. Itinerary may be altered or withdrawn due to prevailing local conditions.