Itinerary
Classic Israel
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Emma Tomlinson-Knight
Travel Specialist
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Classic Israel
Journey to the Holy Land to discover some of the world's most important historical and holy sites. Your Israel itinerary takes in ancient cities, Biblical locations, natural wonders and cosmopolitan city life. Experience the culture and history of this spiritual land, from the sacred sites of Old Jerusalem to the rugged clifftop fortress of Masada. You’ll sail on the Sea of Galilee, visit Roman Caesarea and experience hedonistic Tel Aviv. At the cultural crossroads of east and west, this Israel itinerary immerses you in a complex and contested history that is never less than fascinating.
PLEASE NOTE:
To avoid disappointment, we advise booking 6-8 months in advance for the opportunity to experience the best Israel has to offer
UK - Tel Aviv
Today you will arrive in Tel Aviv. Transfer to the Hotel Jaffa, which is centrally located near the Mediterranean sea and the historic port.
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv has been dubbed the ‘Mediterranean capital of cool’ – a descriptor that suits the seaside, lazily hip city to a tee. You’ll visit the following neighbourhoods today: Jaffa, one of the oldest ports on Earth, from which Tel Aviv grew; Neve Tzedek, now an artsy neighbourhood, was built in 1887 as the first district outside Jaffa; and the White City, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in 1909 as suburb, it is home to the world’s largest collection of Bauhaus buildings. You’ll also visit the vibrant Shuk Hacarmel – the largest market (shuk) in the city.
Caesarea – Haifa – Acre – Galilee
Journey down the coastal highway to the ancient port city of Caesarea. This city was rebuilt and enlarged in 22-10 BC by King Herod, king of Judaea under the Romans. It’s Israel’s most impressive archaeological site. In this important centre of early Christianity, near the amphitheatre, you can see a partial inscription mentioning Pontius Pilate. Next, visit the seaport cities of Haifa and Acre. The latter’s Old City is UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the capital of the medieval Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. Tour the Knights’ Halls, view the El Jazaar Mosque and explore the elaborate covered markets, before driving to your hotel in Tiberias overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
Tiberias / Sea of Galilee / Golan Heights / Tiberias
When you take to the waters of the legendary Sea of Galilee your boat will head for the ancient fishing village of Capernaum. In a ruined synagogue here is the place Jesus taught. In Tabgha a few loaves and fishes fed the multitude and over on the Mount of Beatitudes the beautiful Sermon on the Mount was preached. Banias, one of the sources of the River Jordan, is an important archaeological site that dates back to pagan times.
Nazareth / Sepphoris / Bet She’an / Jerusalem
First visit Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus. Visit the Church of the Annunciation. From here stop at Sepphoris, which was an important centre of trade. You will see the impressive remains of the Roman & Jewish city that in ancient times was referred to as the ‘Ornament of the Galilee’. Before Jerusalem, you will stop at Bet She’an to admire the stunning Roman amphitheatre.
Old Jerusalem
Today you’ll experience all four quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City: Armenian Christian, Jewish and Muslim. Highlights of your day will include: the Jewish Quarter’s Cardo – a colonnaded Roman thoroughfare; the Burnt House, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD; the Western Wall. You’ll enjoy visiting: the Davidson Centre for an overview of the Temple Mount complex; the beautifully simple St Anne’s Church with the Pool of Bethesda nearby; Stations of the Way of the Cross; and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
New Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Start the day with visit to Yad Vashem - the Jewish people’s memorial to the six million lives lost to the Holocaust. Here you visit the museum and walk along the Street of the Righteous, dedicated to the non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust.
From here, it’s on to Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian territory, where you will enjoy a typically local lunch. Visit the Church of the Nativity, which rests over the cave where Jesus was born. It was originally built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century and spared destruction by the Persians because of mosaics of the Magi in Zoastrian clothes.
Masada and Dead Sea
After breakfast, you depart overland and through the moonscape of the Judean Desert and down to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth) to Masada, where you continue by cable-car up to the last stronghold of the Zealots. Some 2,000 years ago, Roman legions laid siege to the Jewish Zealots headquartered there. The brave Israelite soldiers held out for three years before taking their own lives to avoid capture and enslavement. Many of their fortifications, originally built in the time of King Herod, still stand. There is time for a swim in the Dead Sea before return to Jerusalem.
Depart
Enjoy breakfast, before heading to the airport for your onward flight.
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