Tel Aviv & Jerusalem

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. This evening, why not head out and enjoy your first taste of Tel Aviv’s flourishing food scene, a blend of Mediterranean flavours and Middle East culinary traditions found in the cosmopolitan cafe culture, the growing high-end restaurant scene and the humble yet delicious street food stalls. The cities iconic dishes include hummus, falafel, shakshuka, a spicy tomato stew topped with a poached egg, and baba ganoush, aubergine mixed with olive oil, garlic and tahini.

Today we enjoy a full day coach tour to UNESCO Listed Jerusalem (West Bank), one of the world's oldest and most holy cities. First stop is holy Mount of Olives, where there are amazing panoramic views of the Old City. Continuing on, we take a walking tour of the atmospheric Old City, wandering through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the Cardo (an ancient Roman road). We continue on through the Old City and the Christian Quarter, visiting the famous Wailing Wall. The Western Wall (better known as the Wailing Wall) attracts thousands of Jewish worshippers each day, who come to pray, write notes to God and place them between the ancient stones of the Wall because they believe that the presence of God resides there.

Retrace the final laboured steps of Jesus, along the Via Dolorosa to the hallowed Church of the Sepulcher; considered one of the holiest places in Christian religion as is believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Inside the lavishly decorated church is the opulent marble tomb (Sepulchre) of Jesus, where you will find many pilgrims in prayer and paying homage.

In the afternoon, we visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial (NOTE: closed on Saturdays and any holidays). The Yad Vashem Archive has the largest and most comprehensive Holocaust collection in the world. Explore the complex which includes the Holocaust History Museum, memorial sites, the Museum of Holocaust Art, sculptures and outdoor commemorative sites such as the Valley of the Communities. After visiting Yad Vashem, we return to Tel Aviv and spend the evening at leisure.

Spend today exploring the ‘city that never stops’ at your own pace, discovering the country’s centre for culture, entertainment, nightlife and food. Tel Aviv is being visited more and more by the discerning traveller, with its reputation as a modem metropolis with a fun loving, friendly atmosphere growing. Stretched along ten miles of Mediterranean coastline, its wonderful location means visitors can stop to enjoy the sun and relax along the golden beaches, in-between their city explorations.

Enjoy Tel Aviv’s famous cafe culture, where locals spend hours chatting with friends and colleagues over espresso, sandwiches and quiche.

Visit the Design Museum Holon, which holds a diverse range of collections – a haven for fans of art and architecture. For those who like treasure hunting for unique and unusual pieces, explore the art scene of Jaffa and its antiques quarter. However, if your shopping tastes are more modern, there are plenty of shopping malls full of high-end stores to get lost in.

And if that has not exhausted you, wait for the sun to set and the lights of the bars and nightclubs to be turned on and take your pick from the champagne bars, rooftop parties, secret gardens and much more!

Enjoy your last leisurely Israeli breakfast before your last morning spent soaking up the warm weather on the city’s golden beaches and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Check out of your hotel at noon and for the onward departure to the Ben Gurion Airport.