CLASSIC TOUR

FRIDAY ARRIVAL 12 NIGHTS WITH EILAT

Sunday

Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by an Israel Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Monday

Caesarea / Muhraka / Megiddo / Acre

Depart Tel Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman Theater and aqueduct. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and the lower Galilee. Continue to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; learn the impressive history of this battle field as you visit the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system. Onto Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt; walk through the Old City, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, and visit the local market and harbor.

Overnight in hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Tuesday

Tiberias / Capernaum / Banias

After a short tour of Tiberias, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; visit the Yigal Allon Center where the “Jesus boat,” an ancient fishing boat from the 1^st century, is displayed. Continue to Capernaum to visit the remains of the 2^nd century synagogue. Stop at Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4^th century mosaic floor. Proceed to Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to the Banias springs and tour the Golan Heights.

Overnight in hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Wednesday

Cana / Nazareth / Beit Shean

Drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Joseph’s workshop and Mary’s well. Proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River, followed by a stop at Beit Shean to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheater. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem for overnight.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday

Jerusalem (Old City)

Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city; visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb and Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the Old City; walk through the Cardo, the ancient roman road.  Visit the Jewish and Christian quarters; see the Jewish Wailing Wall; view the Temple Mount; walk along the Via Dolorosa and the oriental Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Next, drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday

Jerusalem (New City) / Bethlehem*

Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation; proceed to Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Israel Museum and 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 to Bethlehem*, birthplace of Jesus; visit Shepherds’ Field; walk through Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity. Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday

Qumran / Masada / Dead Sea

Drive through the Judaean Hills to Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found; continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD; ascend Masada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod; visit the remains of the walls, the water cistern and Herod’s Palace; descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth; enjoy the opportunity to float in the unsinkable water and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects (weather permitting).

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday           

Jerusalem / Sheikh Hussein Bridge / Jerash / Amman                                

Drive from Jerusalem to the Sheikh Hussein border crossing for procedures to enter Jordan. Proceed to Jerash – city of the Decapolis, located about 45km north of Amman in the fertile heights of the Gilad. Visit the ancient Roman city with colonnaded streets, the baths and the hill of the top Temple etc. Drive to Amman for a panoramic city tour of the Jordanian capital.                                 

Overnight in Amman.

Monday

Amman / Petra

After early breakfast, leave the hotel and travel south on the road to Wadi Musa, the modern village of Petra. Walk, or ride on horseback, to the “Siq” (canyon) and then on foot into Petra, known as “Sela Edom” or red rock city, the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century B.C. to 2nd Century A.D. Visit the most interesting monuments such as the Treasury, El Khazneh (a tomb of a Nabatean king) then the field of tombs, obelisks, the altar, (Al Madhbah) – from this point you can view the whole of the rock city, then back to Wadi Musa village.

Overnight in Petra.

Tuesday 

Petra / Madaba / Mount Nebo / Allenby Bridge / Tel Aviv            

Drive to Madaba to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land and ruins of historical sites. Continue about 10kms. to Mount Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. From there you will see the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea etc. Visit the remains of the Byzantine church with a mosaic floor. Drive to the border and onwards to Tel Aviv.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Wednesday    

Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport                       

Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for departure.

* Visit subject to the security conditions.

** The sequence of the tour, border crossing points used, hotels used and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances.