Classic Israel Explorer

We’ll meet you after passport control and drive you to your hotel in Tel Aviv. After you check in, the day is yours – relax on the beach, wander the seafront or sample a local café. Tel Aviv’s lively yet laid back mood is an ideal welcome – a gentle start after your flight.

We leave Tel Aviv and head south through the coastal plain and Beersheba into the Judean Desert, watching the scenery change as we approach Masada. At the summit we explore King Herod’s desert fortress on its isolated plateau – a poignant site linked with the Jewish Zealots and offering far reaching views. We then descend to the shores of the Dead Sea, where you can float in the mineral rich water – a buoyant favourite. Leaving the lowest point on Earth, we climb through the Judean Mountains towards Jerusalem, passing stark desert vistas and dramatic shifts in elevation. We arrive in Jerusalem, the historic and spiritual heart of Israel.

We begin on Mount Scopus with a sweeping panorama over Jerusalem. We explore the large scale model of the city from the Second Temple period – a detailed window onto its ancient layout. We then visit Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust – a profoundly moving experience. We stroll through a picturesque village long associated with the birthplace of John the Baptist, its stone lanes and historic churches reflecting centuries of tradition. Heading south to Bethlehem, we visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus in one of the oldest churches in continuous use – including the Grotto of the Nativity and Manger Square – before returning to Jerusalem.

We transfer from your Jerusalem hotel to a gate of the Old City and begin our walking exploration. We visit Judaism’s holiest active prayer site – the enduring remnant of the ancient Temple complex. We then view the precinct that held the Jewish Temples and remains one of Islam’s most sacred places. Following the traditional route of the Via Dolorosa, we pass stations marking key moments of the Passion. We visit the place believed to encompass both Golgotha and the Tomb of the Resurrection, then see the room where Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples. Leaving the Old City, we drive through central districts to Mahane Yehuda Market – a bustling maze of spices, produce and street food – and you can savour the colourful energy.

We make our way down the Jordan Valley past Jericho as desert gives way to fertile fields. At Beit Shean we explore the expansive Roman city with its theatre, bathhouses and colonnaded streets, and learn how it flourished within the Decapolis. Climbing from the valley into the Golan Heights, we pause at lookouts with sweeping views across the countryside towards Mount Hermon, taking in the rugged drama and strategic importance of the plateau. We cross the heights, descend into the Hula Valley and continue to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee for the night – a scenic lakeside base and one of Judaism’s holy cities.

We depart Tiberias and follow the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, reaching one of the key sites of Jesus’ ministry. We explore the ancient fishing village known as His Town, with its synagogue and remains of historic dwellings. We continue to the hillside overlooking the lake where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, a peaceful spot with gardens and wide views, then visit the traditional site of the loaves and fishes, noted for its mosaics and serene setting. Later we enjoy a gentle boat experience on the Sea of Galilee. Moving on to Nazareth, we visit the Church of the Annunciation, revered as the place where the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary, before returning to Tiberias – you can enjoy a relaxed evening by the water.

We leave Tiberias and head west through the Galilee hills to the Mediterranean coast. In Acre we explore the Crusader halls, tunnels and fortifications of the Old City and see how this port shaped Crusader and Ottoman history. Continuing south, we reach Haifa and ascend Mount Carmel for sweeping views over the bay – we pause to take in the panorama and the Baha’i Gardens below – then consider the city’s contemporary, mixed character. Further along the coast we arrive at Caesarea to explore Herod’s grand port, including the Roman theatre, palace remains and ancient harbour. From Caesarea we return to Tel Aviv via the coastal highway for our final night in Israel before crossing into Jordan, rounding off the day in Jaffa with its narrow alleys and hilltop views.

We depart your central Tel Aviv hotel for a comfortable drive to Ben Gurion Airport and drop you at the departures hall. Our tour concludes here as you check in for your flight home – efficient airport facilities help keep the process smooth. This brings your Biblical Israel journey to a close.