Saturday – Day 8: Jerusalem/ Ein Karem / Bethlehem
After breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb. It is believed by many Jewishs, this was the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected. Here, we will have time to reflect and or pray. We will drive to the top of the Mount of Olives, for a panoramic view of Jerusalem for an incredible panoramic view of The Golden Gates and the Old City. We will have the choice of walking down or driving down the mountain to visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested, because of Judah’s betrayal. From here we proceed by bus across the Kidron Valley, past the tombs of Absalom, Zacharias, James and King Jehoshaphat to Mt. Zion. Here you will visit the site of David’s tomb and the Upper Room where the Last Supper was held (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2). We continue to the House of Caiaphas – the high priest who interrogated Jesus the night of His betrayal (Mark 14:53- 65). In the afternoon, we will drive to Ein Karem, to visit the Church of the Visitation and the birthplace of John the Baptist. We will proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity the site of Jesus’ birth. In the early evening, we will be drive to a delicious Armenian Restaurant in the Old city of Jerusalem for an authentic Armenian dinner. After dinner, we will attend the spectacular Sound and Light show at Tower of David.
Overnight at hotel in Jerusalem
Sunday – Day 9: Old City of Jerusalem
After an early breakfast, we will proceed to the Old City of Jerusalem and enter through the Dung Gate to the Southern Wall excavations. We will see the beauty of the ruins, including the famous Robinson Arch, which used to lead the high priests into the Temple. In the same complex, you will enter the museum of the Davidson Center, for an audio/visual presentation of the Temple Period procedures. We will proceed through the broad stone stairway down to the Western Wall, also known as the “Kotel”, to see Judaism Holiest place. We will have time to put a prayer note to God in the cracks of the Kotel. We will continue with our walk along the Jewish Quarter to see the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a lame man (John 5) and the Crusader church of Saint Anne, mother of Mary. From here we will retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross) and its stations. We pass through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is also believed by many Jewishs, this was the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected. We will proceed to the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. After lunch (own expense), a special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, the main street and business center of this ancient Byzantine City. We will view the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. We will enjoy the remaining of the day at leisure exploring the Old City. Dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Jerusalem
Monday – Day 10: Archaeological project / City of David and the Judean Hills
After breakfast, we will drive to Mount Scopus where we will join an exciting Archaeological project of sifting the And looking for relicts from the Temple Mount a wonderful opportunity to take part in finding and learning about the past of Jerusalem from the glorious days the Temple was still active ( over 2000 years ago ) From here to the City of David. We begins with the breathtaking observation point overlooking Biblical Jerusalem, dating back 3,800 years in time to the days of Abraham, when the first foundations of the city were laid. The journey quickly heads underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations. Here, while exploring the recently excavated fortresses and passageways, visitors relive King David’s conquest of the Jebusite city as described in the 2nd Book of Samuel. The climax of the visit will be to the discovered pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man and the Hezekiah Tunnel built about 3000 years ago by King Hezekiah . We will leave Jerusalem, driving towards the Judean Hills to Emmaus. The the Gospel of Luke and at Luke 24:13-35, writes that Jesus appeared to two disciples who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which is described as being 60 stadia from Jerusalem (10.4 to 12 km depending on what definition of stadia is used), after His resurrection. On the way back we will visit the amazing Scrolls Of Fire monument telling the story of the Jewish people . We will return to Jerusalem for some time to relax. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Jerusalem
Tuesday – Day 11: Journey to the Dead Sea
After breakfast, we leave Jerusalem and travel south through the Judean Wilderness towards the shores of the Dead Sea. We will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of earth to 1305 feet (398m) below sea level and arrive to the shores of the Dead Sea. We proceed south along the Dead Sea shores to visit Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will continue to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada and ascend by cable car to the ancient fortress. Here was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands rather than submit to Roman slavery and torture. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. We will drive further south to the Dead Sea resort of Ein Bokek and check-in to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure floating on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud. Take advantage of the many spa and massage facilities, as well as the skin and beauty treatments the hotel has to offer. We will enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Ein Bokek (Dead Sea)
Wednesday – Day 12: Journey to Eilat
After breakfast, we will enjoy the morning at leisure at our hotel. At approximately noon time, we will leave our hotel in Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea and drive south to the Israeli Negev desert. We we will visit Kibutz Sde Boker and see the amazing view point overlooking the Zin Valley (desert). Here, the late Prime Minister David and Paula Ben Gurion, the founder of the young state of Israel were buried. We will stop at a Bedouin Village to enjoy a light Bedouin lunch with Bedouin Hospitality, under an authentic Bedouin tent. We will learn about Bedouin life in the desert. We will continue south to visit Timna Park and Solomon’s Pillars. The pillars are natural structures, which were formed by centuries of water erosion through a crack in the sandstone cliff until it became a series of distinct, pillar-shaped structures. Also here we will visit the model of the Tabernacle (Hebrew – Mishkan) this is where the Children of Israel used to pray and keep the Holy Ark during the 40 years of wandering in the desert . We now drive to the Red Sea (resort) City of Eilat and arrive to our hotel for check-in. In the evening, we will enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Eilat (Red Sea)
Thursday – Day 13: Petra – optional (additional tours / activities )
Today we have a free day in Eilat. We will have the following choices to do today:
1. Relax at the hotel’s deluxe property. Many activities in the pool and on the beach, such as; scuba diving, sailing, jet ski and much more.
2. Visit the underwater observatory, considered to be one of the largest sea aquarium in the world, built into a coral reef.
3. Join a sail on a yacht cruise on the Red Sea, snorkle
4. Visit one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world – the Red Rock city of Petra : After an early breakfast, we will be driven in the early morning to the Israel/Jordanian border. After visa proceedings at the Jordanian Border, we will drive straight to Petra through desert highways. Our ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra which was built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe). Petra was renowned for its massive architectures, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback ride, about 700m, until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 Km long (walking distance). There is also a possibility to rent a chariot (extra) to get inside Petra and back to the gate outside. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as The Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman Theater, Roman Street, Qassier Rl-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate visitors. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world. After the visit, we will enjoy lunch in a nice restaurant, followed by a drive back to the border. En route, we will stop for a short visit in Aqaba, with possibility for a short walk in the town. Transfer to border at approximately 18:00 for crossing back to Eilat. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Eilat
Friday – Day 14: Eilat at leisure and return to Tel Aviv and departure
After breakfast, we will enjoy most of our day at leisure. In the late afternoon, early evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel in a private room with wine (optional). After dinner, we will be transferred to Eilat Airport for our flight back to Tel Aviv. Upon our arrival in Tel Aviv, we will be met by our representative, who will escort us to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back home. At Ben Gurion Airport, we are met by our representatives, who will escort us through VIP passport entrance to the gate. Flight after midnight the next day.
Saturday – Day 15: Arrival Back Home
We will arrive back home with everlasting memories of Israel.