Heritage & Holy Land

Thursday. Arrival Ben Gurion Airport and included transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the dynamic city of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean your way.

Renowned for its hedonistic nightlife, this dynamic city also offers beautiful beaches, art galleries and markets. And with a variety of trendy bistros, high-end restaurants and delicious street food stalls, there's plenty to choose from, for dinner.

Tel Aviv - Jaffa - Tiberias. After breakfast, meet your tour guide and set off to explore the ancient port city of Jaffa (Joppa). Stroll through the picturesque alleyways of the old fortified town, passing the House of Simon the Tanner and taking in panoramic views from the hilltop.

Continue north along the historic Via Maris coastal route to Caesarea, where we explore the impressive archaeological remains of the ancient city built by Herod the Great in honour of Augustus Caesar.

From here, travel to Megiddo, the biblical Armageddon, an ancient city that was inhabited continuously for more than 5,000 years and is traditionally associated with the prophesied final battle in the Book of Revelation.

Finally, journey east to the Sea of Galilee, arriving in Tiberias. Set on the lake's western shore, Tiberias is one of Judaism's four holy cities and the place where the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled. The city is also home to the tombs of many revered rabbis.

Tiberias - Galilee - Tiberias. After breakfast, drive to the southern shores of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yardenit Baptismal Site before exploring the region's most significant biblical landmarks. Continue along the lakeshore to Capernaum, known as the centre of Jesus' ministry, where we visit the remains of the ancient synagogue and learn about the miracles and teachings associated with this historic town.

Next, visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Here, explore the Church of the Multiplication, renowned for its beautiful mosaic floor depicting two fish and a basket of loaves, and the nearby Church of the Primacy of St Peter, commemorating Jesus' reinstatement of Peter as leader of the Apostles.

Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Ascend into the Golan Heights for sweeping views of Mount Hermon and the rugged Golan Plateau before visiting Banias (Caesarea Philippi), one of the sources of the Jordan River. According to tradition, it was here that Simon Peter declared Jesus to be the Messiah.

Tiberias - Jerusalem. After breakfast, there is the opportunity to join an optional boat trip on the Sea of Galilee (subject to weather conditions and additional cost), offering a peaceful journey across waters that have changed little in over 2,000 years.

Continue through the Galilee to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the Church of the Annunciation, built on the site where tradition holds that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, before seeing Mary's Well and St Joseph's Church.

Next, stop in Cana to visit the Wedding Church, commemorating the site where Jesus is believed to have performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. Continue to Beit Alpha to explore its ancient synagogue, renowned for one of Israel's best-preserved and most beautiful mosaic floors.

This afternoon, travel through the Jordan Valley, passing Jericho before ascending through the Judean Mountains to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem - Dead Sea (West Bank) - Jerusalem. Travel through the spectacular landscapes surrounding the Dead Sea to Masada, the dramatic cliff-top fortress located in the Judean Desert. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, Masada was the final stronghold of the Jewish rebels during their war against the Romans.

Ascend by cable car to explore the ancient fortress, including the archaeological remains of King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and other fascinating structures. Take in breathtaking views over the surrounding Roman camps and the Dead Sea below.

Continue to Qumran, the site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, before experiencing the unique landscape of the Dead Sea, located nearly 1,300 feet below sea level and recognised as the lowest point on Earth’s surface. Bring your swimsuit for the chance to float in its salty, mineral-rich waters (weather permitting).

On Day 6, we discover Jerusalem’s historic and cultural highlights, beginning with a visit to Yad Vashem, the official memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Continue to the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, and explore the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian City of Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the Second Temple. We then visit Ein Karem, a picturesque village on the southwestern outskirts of Jerusalem and, according to Christian tradition, the birthplace of John the Baptist. Continue to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, where we visit the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square before returning to Jerusalem for the night.

On Day 7, we enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the holy city of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his final night and was betrayed by Judas, before continuing to Mount Zion to see the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem to visit the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, the historic site of the Second Temple. Walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses the traditional sites of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection.

Thursday. Jerusalem - breakfast. Today marks the end of our tour. After hotel check out, transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport to meet your onward flight. If you would like to stay on and further explore, we can arrange post accommodation, please enquire.