9 day Classic Israel Tour

Tuesday, Day 1: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Jerusalem

Shalom! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport and meet a Trips Israel representative, who will escort us outside to meet your driver.

Arrive at our hotel in Jerusalem for check in.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Wednesday, Day 2: Jerusalem: The Old City

Breakfast at our hotel. Today, visits will include sites in Jerusalem and the Old City.

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives is situated on the east side of the Old City. On top of the mountain, is a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City and the Golden Gates. At the bottom of the mount, is an urban garden, most famous for the site where Jesus prayed in many occasions (Garden of Gethsemane), where Jesus was arrested prior to His crucifixion.

The Upper Room and David’s Tomb at Mt. Zion:

Also known as the “Room of the Last Supper”, located above David’s Tomb compound. The site of the Upper Room is believed by many was the room where Jesus had His last Passover meal, prior to His incarceration.

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Situated is the southeastern sector of the walled city. It stretches to the Zion Gate in the south and extends to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the east. 

The Jewish quarter was reconstructed after the city was unified after the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. See the unearthed (main) Roman thoroughfare and the ancient marketplace lined with columns. Visit the Roman Cardo and the Herodian quarter

Western Wall:

Also known as “The Kotel”, or “The Wailing Wall” and “Temple Mount Wall”. The Western Wall is the last remaining structure after the destruction of the temple. It is considered the holiest place for Jews.

Via Dolorosa:

Also known as the “Stations of the Cross” was the pathway to Jesus’ Crucifixion. The Stations of the Cross is now home to the many colorful bazaars and merchant marketplace.

Church of the Holy Seplechre

It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected.

Bethlehem:

The place where Christians believe Jesus was born, which is now enclosed by the Church of the Nativity. Prior to visiting the Nativity, view Rachel’s Tomb.

Afternoon/evening:

Return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday, Day 3: New City of Jerusalem

Another amazing breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit the following places:

Israel Museum:

• The Shrine of the Book: Where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and preserved. Most of the scrolls were found in the caves of Qumran by a Shepherd tending his sheep.
• The scale model of the the Old City of Jerusalem at the peak of the 2nd Temple era. You can walk around the model and see the many structures with details of this amazing city.

Knesset:

The Knesset is Israel’s parliament, since the creation of Israel. It officially opened in 1950, but was functioning withing the first year of Israel’s creation with several locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Mt. Hertzel:

A cemetery for all of Israel’s falling soldiers, leaders and Prime Ministers.

Yad Vashem:

Israeli memorial (museum) commemorating the 6 million Jews who perished in the concentration camps in Europe by Nazi Germany. It is considered the biggest memorial for the Holocaust victoms.

Mea Shearim:

A vibrant ultra orthodox neighborhood in the heart of Jerusalem. See a unique lifestyle and culture with many Judaica shops, restaurants and a very busy street.

Afternoon/evening:

Drive to an authentic restaurant (dinner included), followed by a spectacular Sound and Light show at Tower of David Museum.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, Day 4: Masada and the Dead Sea area

Following an early morning breakfast at our hotel, drive south towards the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The descent is 1305 feet (398 meters) below sea level. Visits in the Dead Sea region will include:

Qumran

Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy.

Masada:

Ascend by cable car to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. Where the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots struggled against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva. They chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery and torture.

Dead Sea:

The Dead Sea is considered the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water (similar to a lake) and includes 11%-13% salt and other natural ingredients. Float on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud (weather permitting).

Afternoon/evening:

Drive to Tel Aviv and check-in to hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Saturday, Day 5: Tel Aviv at leisure

After Shabbat breakfast, you will enjoy a day at leisure in Tel Aviv. Enjoy the seaside promenade or just relax at our hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Sunday, Day 6: Caesarea, Megiddo, Druze Village and Haifa

After breakfast at hotel, check-out from hotel and start the day with a drive north along the Mediterranean Sea towards Haifa. Visits on the way will include:

Caesarea

Built by Herod and once the capital of Judea. Many Christian scriptures (New Testaments) mention Caesarea; here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus, as well as Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base and where Philip preached. Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries, including today. Walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Megiddo

One of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel.

Druze Village

Daliat-el-Carmel, a Druze village located in the outskirts of Mt. Carmel. Here, enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.

Haifa

Ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal.

Afternoon/evening:

Drive through the hills of the Galilee to our kibbutz guest house in the Upper Galilee for check-in.

Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in the Galilee

Monday, Day 7: Safed, the Golan Heights and Winery

Breakfast at hotel. Today, visit the following places:

Safed (Tzfat)

Also know as the mystical city of Safed, it is considered to be one of the Four Holy cities according to tradition and the birth place of kabala. Safed is located at an elevation of 900 meters (2,953 ft). It is the highest city in the Galilee and in Israel. Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters. Safed is built with narrow winding alleys. Visits in Safed include: Joseph Caro and the Ari synagogues, the most important synagogues in the city. See the creative workshops and galleries found in the flourishing artist’s quarter.

Golan Heights

Visits will include:

• The former Syrian bunkers,
• The destroyed Syrian city of Kuneitra
• Israeli town of Katzrin.
• Golan Heights Winery – tour and wine tasting;
• Golan Magic, a multimedia presentation of the area and its history .

Afternoon/evening:

Return back to our hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in  the Galilee.

Tuesday, Day 8: Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and journey to Tel Aviv

Following breakfast at hotel, check-out from hotel and visit the following places:

Nazareth:

The boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. We will also visit the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Capernaum:

Center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue (octagonal Church of St. Peter).

Mount of Beatitudes:

Where Jesus delivered perhaps the most famous sermon preached – “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).

Beit Shean:

Newly excavated and one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. See the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).

Beit Alpha:

See the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. The Beth Alpha synagogue was uncovered in 1928 by members of the nearby Kibbutz Hefzibah, who stumbled upon the synagogue’s extensive mosaic floors during irrigation construction.

Jordan Valley:

See the dessert bloom with flowers and vegetation, prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 35:1-2.

Afternoon/evening:

Drive to Tel Aviv and check-in to hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Wednesday, Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, you will be transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

* visit subject to availability
The above program can be extended and tailor-made for groups.