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Day 1 Jerusalem

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

We highly recommend booking a pre-night in Jerusalem to recover from jet lag and relax as this is a fast paced trip with little free time. Its important to remember that hospitality expectations can vary greatly from what you are used to in your home Country. The point of travel is to open yourself up to cultural differences and new experiences; practice patience and keep an open mind.

Day 2 Jerusalem

Begin the day with a walking tour of Jerusalem’s Old City, home to sites that are sacred to the three of the world’s great faiths. At the Temple Mount, visit the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Continue to the Western Wall, then make your way through the winding lanes of the Jewish Quarter to the historic Hurva Synagogue. Walk along the Way of the Cross, the route that Jesus is believed to have taken on his way to crucifixion, and end at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—according to tradition and to recent findings, Jesus’s tomb is located here. This afternoon, ascend to the top of the Mount of Olives for panoramic views of the city. Later, we’ll enjoy a talk with a local scholar about the struggles of daily life in Jerusalem, discussing interfaith issues, political conflict, and hopes for a peaceful future.

Lectures are included to provide context to different viewpoints and the wide range of cultural differences within Israel. As everything in Israel relates directly or indirectly to vastly different Political and Spiritual opinions, its important to keep an open mind and see these interactions as learning experiences.

Depending on the time of year and festivals/holidays, the old city can be very crowded with visitors and pilgrims. While we do visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, we often do not have time to visit the "Tomb of Christ", due to long lineups. Should you wish to spend more time in the Church and visit the Tomb, we recommend doing this on your own in your free time (the church is open in the evenings).

Day 3 Jerusalem

This morning, pay a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s moving memorial to the Holocaust. Continue to the Israel Museum to view the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important archaeological finds of the past century, and opt to walk through the museum’s state-of-the-art exhibition on your own. This evening, join an Israeli chef on a walking tour of the lively Mahane Yehuda Market. We’ll learn about the key ingredients of Israeli cuisine, and enjoy a hands-on lesson in kosher cooking.

Day 4 Jerusalem

Spend the day in the ancient town of Bethlehem, located in the hills of the West Bank. Begin with a visit to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus is believed to have been born. Walk through a nearby Palestinian refugee camp on your way to a local women's collective, created by and for refugee women. Learn how to prepare traditional Palestinian dishes in the camp’s shared kitchen, and sit down to a delicious meal with the women while gaining insights into their lives as refugees.

Depending on the time of year and festivals/holidays, Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity can be very crowded with visitors and pilgrims. Access to the grotto is not guaranteed, it is often very crowded with long lines and is closed on some days (without notice).

Day 5 Jerusalem/Tiberias

Start the day with a guided visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Masada, King Herod’s 2,000-year-old mountaintop fortress. Explore the remains of elaborate palaces and bathhouses, then travel to the shores of the Dead Sea for a chance to float in its fabled waters. Continue north to the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a visit to a kibbutz—an Israeli communal settlement—while learning about the origins of the kibbutz movement.

In the Galilee area we stay in a local resort-style hotel which is operated by a Kibbutz.

Day 6 Tiberias

Venture to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus is believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Visit the church that commemorates the event, and take in breathtaking views of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding countryside. Continue to the ruins of Capernaum, often called “the town of Jesus.” Learn about the lives and perspectives of Israeli Arabs en route to Nazareth, where we stop at the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in the Middle East. Later, visit a local winery for a tour and private tasting.

Day 7 Tiberias/Tel Aviv

Head to the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean, stopping at the coastal city of Haifa. Then travel south to Caesarea Maritima to explore the ruins of Herod’s great harbour city. Afterward, continue to bustling Tel Aviv for our last evening in Israel.

After a very busy trip, should you wish to enjoy some relaxation and leisure time, we do recommend booking post nights in Tel Aviv,

Day 8 Tel Aviv

Depart at any time.

Day 1: Jerusalem

Accommodation options: Arthur Hotel, The American Colony Hotel, Bezalel & Mamilla Hotel

Arrive into Tel Aviv, where you’re met by a driver for the journey into Jerusalem. Then, once settled into your hotel, spend the rest of your day at leisure after your flight.

Day 2: Jerusalem

Accommodation options: Arthur Hotel, The American Colony Hotel, Bezalel & Mamilla Hotel

Today embark on a private tour of Old Jerusalem with your guide, visiting sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall (Kotel), and viewing the Dome of the Rock from several points around the city.

Day 3: Jerusalem

Accommodation options: Arthur Hotel, The American Colony Hotel, Bezalel & Mamilla Hotel

Head into the West Bank area to explore Bethlehem, visiting Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity as part of your private tour. Later, you’ll return to Jerusalem for a private tour of Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and the Mahane Yehuda market, where you can enjoy a few tastings from local food stalls.

Day 4: Jerusalem

Accommodation options: Arthur Hotel, The American Colony Hotel, Bezalel & Mamilla Hotel

This morning you set out along the Dead Sea’s shoreline to Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Romans laid siege to a group of 960 Jews known as the Zealots. Following your exploration here, continue to the Dead Sea for lunch and a swim, before exploring Ein Gedi National Park.

Day 5: Galilee

Accommodation: Ein Gev Holiday Resort

Travel north from Jerusalem to Galilee. Along the way, you’ll stop in Zippori, known for being the place where the Mishna was redacted in 220 CE as well as the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Next, stop at Nazareth to visit the Church and Grotto of the Annunciation, then, finally, visit Mount Tavor, believed to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. You’ll then continue on to your hotel in Galilee.

Day 6: Tel Aviv

Accommodation options: White Villa Tel Aviv, The Norman Tel Aviv & The Jaffa Hotel

Begin your day with an exploration of the area around the Sea of Galilee, including important Christian religious sites such as the Mount of the Beatitudes, Capernaum and Tabgha. You’ll then have time to tour a working agricultural kibbutz and learn about daily life as well as the history of the kibbutz. Afterwards, you’ll be driven on to Tel Aviv, which is less than two hours away.

Day 7: Tel Aviv

Accommodation options: White Villa Tel Aviv, The Norman Tel Aviv & The Jaffa Hotel

Explore a bit of old and new today as you spend time in ancient Jaffa and modern Tel Aviv. Visit Jaffa’s historic port and Tel Aviv’s oldest district before making your way into the bustling modern heart of Tel Aviv.

Day 8: Return home

Your private driver will collect you for the journey to the airport for your flight.