Classic Israel 8 nights - Tuesday

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by an operator's representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Drive to the Old City; visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian Quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem*; view Rachel’s Tomb and proceed to the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square. Overnight Jerusalem.

ive to the Israel Museum and visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed; see the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period; proceed for a tour at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Continue to visit Mount Herzl Cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, and learn about the residents’ unique lifestyle. In the evening, enjoy a middle eastern dinner followed by the Night spectacular “Sound and Light” show* at the Tower of David Museum. Overnight Jerusalem.

Drive through the Judaean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 AD. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea; cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea**, which many believe offers therapeutic effects. Overnight Tel Aviv.

Overnight Tel Aviv.

Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; see the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat el Carmel, a Druze village, and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and Gardens. Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.

Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism; visit the ancient synagogues and the Artist Quarter. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Quneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at Golan Heights Winery for a tour and wine tasting; proceed to “Golan Magic” for a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.

Start the day with a visit to Nazareth; visit the Church of Annunciation; continue to Tiberias; visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter; visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion. Airport for departure.