Day 1 – Ben Gurion Airport/Jaffa
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be welcomed and met by a Cristina Travel representative.
Transfer to hotel in Tel Aviv.
If time permits, we will enjoy a stroll through Old Jaffa’s ancient alleyways, which gave inspiration to the many artists who have set up art galleries there. We will hear about Perseus, King Solomon, the Prophet Jonas, St. Peter, and many others who used Jaffa as the gateway to the Holy Land.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 2 – Old Jaffa/Tel Aviv/Maresha
(Beit Guvrin)/Bedouin Hospitality
Explore Tel Aviv and its colorful Carmel Market, the trendy Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall and the city’s Bauhaus architecture.
Depart Tel Aviv and drive to Beit Guvrin National Park, where the ruins of Maresha remain at the “Land of 1000 Caves’. Here, we will visit a variety of caves – used for burial, dwelling, hiding from the Roman army, and more.
Driving further south, we will enter the Judaean Desert to enjoy a night at Kfar Hanokdim, a Bedouin-style village where we will experience Bedouin hospitality and listen to stories and legends told for generations around the campfire.
Overnight at Kfar Hanokdim
Day 3 – Camel Ride/Masada/Dead Sea/Jordan Valley
Start the morning climbing the ancient Masada fortress up the authentic Roman Ramp to experience the breathtaking sunrise and beauty of the region. After descending the mountain by cable car, we will depart for the Dead Sea to float on water and indulge in its healing qualities.
In the afternoon, we will drive along the Jordan Valley to our hotel in Tiberias or Nazareth.
Overnight in Tiberias or Nazareth
Day 4 – Jordan River/Capernaum/Tabgha/Mount of Beatitudes
After a stop at the Yardenit Baptismal Site to immerse in a spiral baptismal at the Jordan River, we will visit the sites where Jesus acted around the Sea of Galilee, including Capernaum, an ancient fishing village where St. Peter’s House and a Byzantine-era synagogue are located. We will also enjoy the view from the Mount of Beatitudes, where the “Sermon on the Mount” was given, and visit the reconstructed church at Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place.
In the afternoon, we sail the sea in a boat similar to that used by Jesus and his disciples.
Overnight in Tiberias/Nazareth
Day 5 – Nazareth/Cana/Kibbutz Tour
The day starts in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water to wine at a wedding.
Continuing onto Nazareth, we will stop at the Grand Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph Church, followed by a walk through Nazareth’s colorful market and a visit to the Greek-Orthodox church close to Mary’s Well.
The afternoon is set aside to visit Kibbutz Shaar Hagolan for a tour by a member who will show us this unique Israeli way of life, alongside the modern agriculture and industrial achievements which transformed Israel from a barren land to one of the world’s leading economies!
Overnight in Nazareth/Tiberias
Day 6 – Acre/Haifa/Caesarea
Drive to the ancient city of of Acre, where the Crusaders built their most important port, alongside the impressive Knight’s Hall right by the outdoor market, a display of colors and tastes of the Middle East.
After, we will drive to the port city of Haifa on the slopes of Mount Carmel, famous for its beautiful views. If time permits, the Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery, where Elijah’s Cave can be seen, is on the agenda.
Then, we drive along the Mediterranean shore to Caesarea Maritima, the magnificent port city built by King Herod the Great. It was from here that St. Peter went to Rome and started his first miracles.
Now, we embark to the Holy City of Jerusalem!
Overnight in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Day 7 – Jerusalem/Bethlehem
The morning starts at the Israel Museum, where will see the scaled model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple Period (the time of Jesus), in addition to the “Shrine of the Book” where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited.
Next, we will visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust. After, we will see the famous “Menorah” (Candelabra) in front of the Knesset Building which houses Israel’s parliament.
If conditions permit, we will drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity, where Jesus was born. This is the oldest active church in the world.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 – Jerusalem/Departure
Start the day with breathtaking panoramic views of the Old City from the top of the Mount of Olives, before walking down to the Garden of Gethsemane.
We will also visit the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter, the remaining remnants of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, continuing in the footsteps of Jesus along the Stations of the Via Dolorosa, and onto the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Via Dolorosa also passes through the Old City’s oriental “Suq” (Bazaar) for the chance to buy last minute souvenirs.
Depart from Jaffa Gate to Ben Gurion Airport for your flight back home.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Israel!
