8 Day Classical Gems of Israel Package Tour

Day 1 –  Arrival. Welcome to Israel! Once you have arrived and collected your bags at Ben Gurion Airport, make your way to your hotel where you can shower, settle in, and unwind. Feel free to explore sights and sounds on the streets of Israel, or you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel. Get ready for a sensational 8 day package tour! It begins tomorrow!

Day 2 – Tour Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and Yardenit. Your tour begins in the north, with beautiful views all round as you travel up along the coast. Turn inland towards Nazareth, where you will visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. You continue on to the Sea of Galilee, famous as the backdrop for many scenes in Jesus’ life. Along the way, you pass the ancient village of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, and in the distance, you can make out the Mount of Beatitudes . At Capernaum on the shore of the Galilee, you tour the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, and then continue, passing the historical city of Tiberius. The Golan Heights across the water is a lovely backdrop for the scene. The tour ends at the Yardenit baptism site on the Jordan River, before heading back for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Sites you will visit: Church of Annunciation, Church of St. Joseph, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum Church of Multiplication & Yardenit Baptismal Site.  

Day 3 - Tour of Northern Coastal Cities: Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh HaNikra, and Acre.  Today you travel back to Roman times on a tour of the ancient port city of Caesarea. Together with your guides, you will explore the archeological remains of the city, including a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater and remains of a temple. You then continue northwards, passing through Haifa, where you stop to visit the historical German Colony neighborhood. Enjoy the tour of the Stella Maris Monastery and the world-renowned Baha’i Shrine is sure to be a highlight with its spectacular gardens cascading down the mountain slope! Afterwards you visit Rosh HaNikra, Israel’s northernmost point along the coast, near the Lebanese border. The cable car takes you down into fascinating grottoes, created by the collision of waves against the rocks – a beautiful display of Israel’s nature. You can also discover the remains of the Mandate-era railway to Lebanon. Then southwards to Acre, Israel’s largest Crusader city, with its stunning architecture, bustling markets, and a tour of fascinating structures from the Turkish and British mandate periods. 

Sites you will visit: Caesarea National Park Roman Theatre of Caesarea Bahai Gardens, Haifa Rosh Hanikra Grottoes Acre Old City Market Acre Underground Crusader City

Day 4 – Beautiful Golan Heights Tour Today you tour the magnificent Golan Heights, east of the Sea of Galilee. The mountains are a natural display of volcanic rock with sweeping views of nature and farmlands. You pass the ancient hot springs of Hamat Gader, and modern-day spa resort, and then on to the Shalom Observatory, a gorgeous lookout point on the Syrian-Israel border. There, let the magnificent views surrounding the Sea of Galilee lift your soul! Afterwards, continue to Katzrin, an ancient village, where you will enjoy an impressive tour of Talmudic-era excavations and a visit to the Golan Antiquities Museum. Afterwards, at Mount Bental, you can explore the remaining Syrian bunkers and trenches captured by Israelis in the 1967 Six Day War. Then head back to your hotel, from a day filled with special, uplifting experiences of history and the beauty of nature.

Sites you will visit: Shalom Observatory Katzrin Talmudic Village Golan Antiquities Museum Syrian Fortification, Mt Bental

Day 5 – A Tour of Masada and the Dead Sea. After morning pick-up from Jerusalem, your experienced tour guide takes you south towards the sandy plains of the Judean Desert, and onwards, to sea level. At sea level, you stop to view the exotic, desert vista. You can spot the ancient city of Jericho in the distance. Then onwards, even lower, to the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea! Look out for the Inn of the Good Samaritan on the way! You follow the Dead Sea shoreline towards Masada, where King Herod built his fortress, and the last Jewish outpost during the Roman era. You ascend to the top of the mountain by cable car, and after touring the ruins and taking in the breathtaking views, you head back to the Dead Sea, passing the lush desert oasis of Ein Gedi on the way, as well as Qumran, site of the discovery of the 2,000 year old Dead Sea scrolls. The rest of the day is spent at the Dead Sea. Float in its waters, so dense with salt that it keeps you afloat! The Dead Sea mud is packed with minerals and can be spread on your skin as a mask. Then relax on the beach as you soak up the brilliant desert sun.

 Sites you will visit: The Judean Desert Masada National Park The Dead Sea

Day 6 - Jerusalem Old and New. Today’s tour begins at the top of the Mount of Olives. The view stretches towards the Old City and Temple Mount, the site of the Jewish Temple before its destruction. Directly below, is the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations nestled in the Kidron Valley. You then head for the Old City, and enter through the Zion Gate. You pass through the Armenian Quarter on the way to the Jewish Quarter, where you can explore the Byzantine-era Cardo and main street, and then a stop at the Western Wall -  a place where faith and hope has lived on for thousands of years. Afterwards, you walk through the Via Dolorosa, the traditional pilgrim route taking you to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, site of Jesus’ crucifixion and his empty tomb from where he was resurrected. Before leaving the Old City, you can enjoy exciting sights and smells of the exotic market, and then depart through the Jaffa Gate for a short tour of the New City. Included is a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum, where you will see authentic artifacts, original documents, photos, and video testimonials of Holocaust survivors.

Sites you will visit: Byzantine-era Cardo Western Wall Church of the Holy Sepulcher Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center

Day 7 - Bethlehem, Jericho and Qasr al-Yahud. Board the vehicle from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, which will once again take you across the magical expanse of the Judean Desert. Sail back through time to the ancient city of Jericho, where the walls came tumbling down and where the sycamore tree of Zaccheus still stands. Following a tour of Jericho, you pass the Mount of Temptation and continue to Qasr al-Yahud, the baptismal site of Jesus. You then arrive at Bethlehem, with a stop at Manger Square and a visit to the Church of Nativity, the site of the birthplace of Jesus, and then a tour of the Church of St. Catherine next door, where you will visit its cluster of underground caves holding ancient tombs and shrines. From there, you proceed to Shepherds’ Field Chapel and then back to the hotel. Sites you will visit Tel Jericho Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree, Jericho Qasr al-Yahud Baptismal Site Manger Square Church of Nativity Church of St. Catherine Shepherds' Field Chapel

Day 8 – Final Day of Tour. You can spend the morning packing and organizing your bags. Hotel check out is at 11am. If you have an evening flight, you may leave your luggage at the hotel. Then head into the city for shopping and lunch; revisit a place you particularly enjoyed or simply walk around, breathing in the Jerusalem air and soaking in the atmosphere. We are always available to advise and help plan your last day on the Holy Land. Depart for the airport filled with special, lasting memories of a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

The tour includes:

• 7 fully-guided days with a first-rate, professional tour guide
• 8 nights’ hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees

The tour does not include:

• lunch, dinner, drinks
• airport transfers

Important Information

• Bring comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat each day. A bottle of water is recommended, too.
• For the Dead Sea day, bring hats, bathing suits, towels, and sunscreen.
• Modest dress is obligatory for visits to holy sites: Knees and shoulders should be covered.
• Passports are compulsory for the visit to Bethlehem and Jericho.
• Due to the high number of visitors, entrance to the Nativity Cave in Bethlehem may be limited.
• Children under the age of 10 are not permitted to visit Yad Vashem due to the sensitive content.
• Airport transfers can be scheduled during the booking process as an optional extra.
• The order of the itinerary may change, according to your day of departure.
• The final itinerary will be sent with your confirmation email.
• Single traveler supplement is required.
• High season supplement is required.

• Up to 14 days advance notice – 4% cancellation fee
• Up to 13 days advance notice – 25% cancellation fee
• Up to 7 days advance notice – 50% cancellation fee
• Less than 3 days advance notice – 100% cancellation fee
• No notification of cancellation – 100% cancellation fee
• There will be no refunds for absence or cancellations with less than 3 days in advance.