Israel: Grand Classic Tour

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, proceed to Arrivals Hall. Meet your driver at the La Farina Bakery where he will be holding a sign with your name. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Overnight, Tel Aviv

Latrun

Start the day with a visit to the Independence Hall where the establishment of the State of Israel was declared. Next we will drive to Latrun to visit the Armored Corps museum, one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. Continue to Beit Guvrin national park, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site; Explore parts of the archaeological remains and unique caves.

Proceed to visit Ayalon Institute, once an ammunition factory for the Hagana, the underground movement before May 1948.

Overnight, Tel Aviv

Jaffa Sunset

Visit the Diaspora Museum; drive around the main streets of Tel Aviv, center of business and entertainment of Israel. Stop at Rabin’s Square, place of assassination of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin. Continue to Old Jaffa, an 8000 year old port city; Visit the ancient ruins and walk along the restored artist’s quarter. Visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv, built in 1909 and Nahalat Binyamin, the pedestrian street of the city with its musicians, hand made jewelry and artifacts. Next, stop at Sheinkin, the lively and colorful street especially known with the unique shops, café life and youthful ambiance.

Overnight, Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Enjoy a free day in Tel Aviv.

Overnight, Tel Aviv

Haifa

Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. See the excavations of the Crusader city and the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheatre 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 the golden domed Bahai Shrine and Gardens.

Overnight, Kibbutz Lavi

Golan Heights

Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will visit the ancient synagogues and the 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.

Dinner and Overnight, Kibbutz Lavi

Sea of Galilee

Start the day with a visit to Nazareth and visit the Church of Annunciation. Continue on to visit Tiberias. Next, visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal church of St. Peter. After, we will 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, Jerusalem

Bethlehem

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 The Last Supper on Mount 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. 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 Square.

Overnight, Jerusalem

Yad Vashem

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 Herzl 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).

Dinner and Overnight, Jerusalem

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 Masada. 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 AD. 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.

Overnight, Jerusalem

Western Wall

Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem.

Overnight, Jerusalem

Transfer to Ben-Gurion airport for departure.