HERITAGE OF THE HOLY LAND ITINERARY

Thursday - Tel Aviv, Israel
This the start of a fascinating opportunity to discover this ancient land in all its variety, from the wonders of bygone days to the unique mixture of east and west in the colourful life of today. Enjoy a journey of discovery through one of the world's oldest and most magnificent centres of faith and civilisation. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and be transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv.



Friday - Tel Aviv / Sea of Galilee / Tiberias
Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel; we'll drive for a short visit of the city of Jaffa (Joppa) where we will take a short walking tour in picturesque alleys of the old, fortified town. We we'll pass by the house of Simon the Tanner and marvel at the views from the hill top. Than we drive up north along the coast to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honour of Augustus Caesar. From there we go on to visit Megiddo where the book of Revelation mentions a great battle at the place called "Armageddon". It is an ancient city inhabited continuously for more than five millennia (6000-500 B.C.). After exploring the ancient ruins we'll drive toward the Sea of Galilee, Arrive at Tiberias and check-in to your hotel.



Saturday - Sea of Galilee
Start the day from historic Tiberias, where Jesus lived, sojourned, and preached on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Our next destination will be Capernaum, the centre of Jesus ministry. Tabgha, just north of Tiberias, is the site of Christ's miracle of feeding the 5,000 and at the Church of Multiplication the mosaic floor depicts a basket with loaves and two fishes. We drive on to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and it is believed that Jesus picked his 12 apostles.



We'll ascend to the Golan Heights to view the panoramic view of the peaks of Mount Hermon and the rugged plateau of the Golan Heights, and beneath it the green pastoral Huleh valley. Return to Tiberias for another lovely night in town.

Sunday - Sea of Galilee / Jordan River / Jerusalem
This morning we travel to Canaan to visit the Wedding Church where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. We proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, and the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where it is believed the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. You'll also see Mary's Well and Joseph's Church. Continue through the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean with its recently excavated amphitheatre. We visit the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman City which was destroyed in an earthquake and then travel onward to Jerusalem, where you check-in to your choice of hotel.



Monday - Dead Sea & Masada
Through remarkable scenery of the Dead Sea we'll continue to Masada which is situated on the top of an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Ascend by cable car to the fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Visit the excavations, King Herod's palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. En route to the Dead Sea, you'll see the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Nearly 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the earth's surface. Bring your swimsuit as, if the weather permits, it's possible to “float” on the salty, mineral rich, water. Return to Jerusalem for an overnight.





Tuesday - Jerusalem
Start the day at Mount Scopus where you will enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem. The holy city for each of the world's three great religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam - Jerusalem occupies a unique place in the world. Your tour includes the Mount of Olives, a stop at the site where Jesus first gave the Lord's Prayer, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus. In the Old City you'll see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing both the traditional site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. To the southwest, just outside the Old City, is Mount Zion, with the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Return to hotel.



Wednesday - Jerusalem
Today's tour includes Yad Vashem the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust established in 1953, located on the foot of Mount Hertzel. Enjoy Ein Karem; a picturesque village on the south western outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions, since this is where according to the tradition John the Baptist was born. Visit the Israel Museum with a detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Drive by the Knesset (House of Parliament) and the campus of Hebrew University. If the situation permits, it might be possible to visit Bethlehem to see Rachel's Tomb and the Church of the Nativity. Back to your hotel for overnight.



Thursday - Jerusalem
We have reached our final day on this tour. We will take you back to the airport for your flight home or extend your tour to the kingdom of Jordan and /or Egypt.