Galilee to The Dead Sea

Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. The rest of the day is at your leisure to independently explore or simply relax. To coincide with sites being open to visit each day, this private tour can start on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Tel Aviv - Beer Sheba - Masada - Dead Sea - Jerusalem (West Bank). Set off from Tel Aviv and drive south past the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon to the Negev capital of Beer Sheba. After a short visit, we continue via Arad to the Masada Fortress which sits atop an isolated rock cliff and was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Ascending by cable car to the fortress offers incredible views of the Dead Sea and at the top we’ll explore the excavations of Herod’s Palaces, the synagogue and the bathhouse. Later, we descend to the lowest place on Earth to float in the famously buoyant, salt-laden water of the Dead Sea. From the Dead Sea we journey to Jerusalem, passing the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Judean Desert en route. Spend the evening at leisure.

Today's sightseeing tour of Jerusalem New City starts with a drive to Mt Scopus for a wonderful panoramic view of Old City, before continuing to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Next stop, is the Israel Museum which houses The Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book. Then, we visit the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, which dates back to the time of the Second Temple. The next stop on our tour of the New City is Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre.

This afternoon, we visit the picturesque village of Ein Karem, which is the birth place of John the Baptist. Then, we travel to Downtown Jerusalem to explore bustling Mahane Yehuda, which is Israel's largest open market.

Step back in time on a tour of Jerusalem's revered Old City today. Enter through one of the gates to the walled Old City, to visit the renewed Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Temple Mount and the colourful souk. Then we’ll walk along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Stations of the Cross en route to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the world's holiest Christian shrines and the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Continuing our sightseeing, we visit Mt Zion and the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey.

This afternoon, we drive to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity before returning to Jerusalem for the night.

Beit Shean - Nazareth - Safed - Galilee. Bid farewell to Jerusalem and drive north past Jericho, which is considered to be the world's oldest city. Travelling through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean and see the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman city before continuing on to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation and other Christian holy sites. Our final stop of the day is Safed, the city of the Kabbalah and centre of Jewish mysticism, where you'll visit a synagogue and explore the beautiful streets of the artists’ colony. Your home for the next two nights is a Kibbutz Hotel in Galilee.

Driving to the Golan Heights today, we will visit the former Syrian fortifications and the Druze villages, passing Banias, the source of the Jordan River. Then, enjoy a tour of the Israeli wine country, visiting picturesque vineyards where you can take in the wonderful views, learn about wine production and sample fine wines.

Descending to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, take a tour of the Miracle Sites. In Capernaum, we’ll visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue, the Mount of Beatitudes - site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and Tabgha - site of the miracle of the loaves and the fish. Then travel to Tiberias, the old centre of Jewish learning. This afternoon there is also an optional sailing trip across the Sea of Galilee to experience the tranquillity and beautiful scenery which has hardly changed in the past 2000 years (book and pay locally). Then return to your Kibbutz Hotel for the night.

Galilee - Acre - Haifa - Caesarea - Tel Aviv. After breakfast, we drive through the hills of Galilee, westwards to Acre, where you'll explore this old Crusader stronghold and its medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, the largest city in northern Israel which dates back over 3000 years. Sightseeing here includes the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Bahai Shrine and the magnificent gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel, which are spread over 19 terraces, the highest of which is the Persian Gardens where you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and Haifa Bay.

Travelling down the coast to reach Caesarea, to visit the Roman Theatre and Crusader fortress at what is known as the “masterpiece of Herod the Great”. Then, we continue our journey to Tel Aviv and end the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa.

Arrangements come to an end after breakfast and onward transfer to Ben Gurion Airport. Alternatively, extend your stay to enjoy more time in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, please enquire.