Day 01 Arrival at Ben Gurion airport. Meeting and assistance through customs by our representative and transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Overnight: Tel Aviv Day 02 – The Israel Coast After breakfast explore the White City of Tel Aviv (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and learn about the Bauhaus architectural style along the beautiful Rostchild St. Later enjoy a panoramic short drive by Old Jaffa, one of the oldest ports in the world. Continue along the Sharon Plains en route to the Crusader City of Acre, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We enter the old city through the colorful White Market, and maybe enjoy a plate of “hummus” at one of the famous stands. Continue to visit the Hospitalier Fortress with the famous Knights' Halls, the headquarters of the order. Finally arrive to the Khan al-Umdan, the beautiful hostel built by the Ottomans in 1784. Continue to the Sea of Galilee for overnight. Overnight: Kibbutz in the Sea of Galilee Day 03 – Around the Lake Today explore some of the Christian Holy Sites around the Sea of Galilee. Start at Capernaum, a fishing village in anncient times and visit the synagogue where Jesus preached. Continue to the Mt of Beatitudes, the site of one of the most famous sermons, the Sermon on the Mount. We will then drive to Katzrin, the capital of the Golan region and enjoy a tour and wine tasting at the Golan Heights Winery, probably the most renowned in Israel, and then continue to Mizpe Shalom, The Peace Lookout. With an outstanding view over Syria and northern Israel, lean about the Six Day War and the Israel-Syria conflict. Overnight: Kibbutz in the Sea of Galilee Day 04 – on to Jordan Drive through Jordan Valley to kibbutz Ashdot Yaacov, where we will learn about this unique Israeli community. The first were founded in the beginning of the 20th Century, a collective community based at the time in agriculture, with socialism and Zionism as the main ideals. Continue to the Israel-Jordan border and cross to Jordan. Visit Jerash, site which reveals a fine example of the grand, formal, provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East. The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given northern Jordan two of the most important ecological and historical attractions in the Middle East. Continue to Amman hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Amman Day 05 – Madaba, Mt Nebo and Kerak Breakfast at your hotel in Amman, check out; Proceed to Visit Madaba and the Basilica of St. George. On the floor of the church is the remarkable 6th century mosaic map – its two million pieces of coloured stone depicting the hills, valleys and towns of the Holy Land. Travel on to Mount Nebo, 800m above sea level, where you can stand on the spot where Moses looked out over the “Promised Land”. Then visit the best preserved crusader castle in Jordan – Karak. Overnight: Petra Day 06 – Petra After breakfast, take a fascinating tour to admire the natural beauty and breath-taking architecture of this ancient city. Walk through the Siq, a colourful narrow gorge over a kilometre long which leads to the magnificent Treasury. See royal tombs, the Roman-style theatre, beautiful temples and museums. Often described as the eighth wonder of the ancient world, it is without doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure and the greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabatean, an industrious Arab civilization who settled here more than 2000 years ago. Drive to the Dead Sea hotel, check in, dinner and overnight. Overnight: Jordan Dead Sea Day 07 – The Dead Sea In the morning cross back to Israel and drive along the Dead Sea shores to the Fortress of Masada, one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols. Built by Herods the Great in an inexpugnable plateau, 960 Zealot Jews resisted three years to the Roman Armies siege, finally commiting suicide rather than surrender. We then continue by the Judean Wilderness up to Jerusalem. Time permtting enjoy an overview from Hass Promenade, before checking-in to your hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem Optional activity: On the way from Dead Sea to Jerusalem visit “Genesis Land” and learn about the life in times of the Bible or a biblical meal. Day 08 – Jerusalem, Eternal CityAscend to the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City and walk through the Jewish Quarter and the Roman Cardo to the Wailing Wall, last remain of the Temple and the holiest place for Judaism. Continue along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of Jesus’ burial according to Catholic tradition. End the day at Yad Vashem, the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust. Explore the Valley of the Communities, the Children’s Memorial and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations. Return to the hotel for overnight. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem Optional activity: From the Garden of Gethsemane drive to the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind men, and walk through the newly uncovered Herodian Road, an impressive 700m long paved road that connected the Pool with the Temple Mount. At the end arrive to the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall excavations, and see the acclaimed multimedia presentation. Day 09 – The New City and Bethlehem Today drive to the Government Neighborhood and see the Knesset and the famous Menorah. Continue to the Israel Museum, learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book and the Model of Jerusalem in times of the Second Temple. In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem. Visit the Church of the Nativity and Grotto. Upon return to Jerusalem, free time in downtown Jerusalem Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall, before returning to the hotel for overnight. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem Day 10 – back home Today drive to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight or continue to Tel Aviv for extension.
