Israel - Discover the Promised Land

Our VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s modern and contemporary side with undeniable Mediterranean flair. We’ll explore this resort city together as part of a guided tour and we’ll take in the ancient port of Jaffa, filled with wooden fishing boats and lined with a number of art galleries.It’s then on to Caesarea, built by King Herod and once the capital of Judea, to see the amphitheatre and crusader ruins. Then to Nazareth, located in the heart of a valley surrounded by mountains where it is believed the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. We visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary’s Well.

Excursions & visits:
• Guided city tour of Tel Aviv (morning)
• Visit to Ceasarea amphitheatre and Nazareth (afternoon)

Jesus is said to have walked on water on the Sea of Galilee, and this morning we enjoy a trip across the waters. On to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and then Capernaum, where we see Peter’s house and the many inscriptions left by Christian pilgrims over the centuries.We arrive at Kibbutz Ein Gev where a tour will introduce the communal way of life. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ for lovely views over Galilee.

Excursions & visits:
• Sea of Galilee boat trip; visits to Tabgha, Capernaum and Mount of Beatitudes; and tour of Kibbutz (all day)

We visit the small village of Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle at the Wedding Church; and Tzippori, the 1st-century capital of Galilee and birthplace of Mary. We continue to Beit Shean and see the excavated remains of the magnificent Roman city destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century, then drive through the mountains to our hotel in the ‘Golden’ city of Jerusalem.

Excursions & visits:
• Visits to Cana and Beit Shean (all day)

Drive to Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust victims where we see the Museum, the Children’s Pavilion and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous. Continue via the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) to the Israel Museum. The Shrine of the Book houses a number of exceptional archaeological finds, including the Dead Sea Scrolls.Our visits conclude in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, which stands over a cave believed to be the birthplace of Christ.

Excursions & visits:
• Visits to Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, Shrine of the Book and Bethlehem (all day)

We drive the holy site of the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city and then enter the Old City on foot to view the Dome of the Rock and Al Asqa Mosque. We continue to the Western Wall, one of the most sacred spots in Jerusalem, and see the Crusader Church of St Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. For many Christians, a walk along the Via Dolorosa, the route taken by Christ to his crucifixion, will be one of the most poignant and meaningful experiences. The tour concludes at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.We continue to the Jewish Quarter, walking along the excavated Cardo, once a main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. We’ll visit the Davidson Centre, where you’ll see incredible archaeological finds and displays from the First and Second Temple periods, 2,000 years ago.The scenery and atmosphere changes dramatically as we then travel to the terraced hills outside the city to the picturesque village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist.

Excursions & visits:
• Visits to Jerusalem including Mount of Olives, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa and Jewish Quarter; and Ein Karem (all day)

This morning we descend the Judean hills to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. We first visit the Qumran Caves (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found) before we continue, taking the cable car up to the ancient fortress of Masada. Built on a flat, near inaccessible plateau by King Herod, it was an ideal place for Jewish patriots to hide from the Roman armies. We’ll also take the opportunity for a dip in the salty, healing waters before returning to Jerusalem.

Excursions & visits:
• Visits to Qumran Caves and the Dead Sea (all day)

We transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.