Day 1: Welcome to Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Meet and greet by the Holiday Travel representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 2: Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa
The journey in the land of the Bible begins with a visit to the historic port city of Jaffa, which today is part of Tel Aviv. Jaffa is one of the oldest port cities in the world, an important city in world history, and is also mentioned many times in the Bible. Jaffa served as a port city for King Solomon and the prophet Jonah and was a crucial place for the apostle Peter’s preaching of the gospel. We will walk through the beautiful and exotic neighborhoods and explore its biblical and historical sites.
With our bus and on foot, we will take a tour of Tel Aviv. Here, you will understand why the city is so well-visited. You will find beautiful beaches, Bauhaus architecture, and an international lifestyle.
Rothschild Boulevard is a street with many historic buildings. Among other things, we will pass Independence Hall, where Israel’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1948.
In the Carmel Market district, you will find everything from electronics to t-shirts and popular art. Tel Aviv’s largest outdoor market is fascinating. The tables overflow with huge quantities of fresh produce, as well as exotic spices and local delicacies. Near the market is Nahalat Binyamin Street, where Israeli artists sell their works of art.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy. You can swim in the Mediterranean, enjoy a beautiful promenade, visit a museum, go to a concert, or simply soak up the city’s atmosphere from one of the city’s many sidewalk cafes. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 3: Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and Nazareth
We start the day with a visit to Caesarea, where the Roman procurator had his seat. Here are the remains of mighty edifices built by King Herod in 22 BC. The same king later made Caesarea the second-largest city in Judea, after Jerusalem. It took him 12 years to complete the city, which boasts a large harbor, an amphitheater, and an aqueduct.
We will then visit Mount Carmel, which has a long history of human settlement. The name “Carmel” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “orchard.” The highest point of the mountain is only 552 meters above sea level, but its location is unusually striking. From the monastery, we have a nice view of the Jezreel Valley, also known as the “Armageddon Valley.” The word “Armageddon” has since become synonymous with the downfall of the earth in English.
We will end the day with a visit to the famous Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Here, Mary and Joseph are said to have lived, and Jesus lived until he was about 30 years old. Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4: Lake of Genesis, Capernaum, and Kibbutz
We make an interesting and educational tour of a kibbutz, where we get to learn a little about their traditions and working life. At the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Genesis), we visit a 2,000-year-old boat, used by fishermen during Jesus’ time. Our bus journey takes us to Capernaum, the cradle of Christianity, where Jesus and his disciples lived. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 5: Jordan River, Masada, and Dead Sea
Today, we travel from Galilee down to the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea is 400 meters below sea level. Overnight in Dead Sea.
Day 6: Great Synagogue, Mount of Olives, and Bethlehem
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of ancient Jerusalem. The mountain is often mentioned in the Bible as the place for various events. At the top of the mountain, we get a fantastic panoramic view of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7: Old Jerusalem
The day begins on Mount Zion. A significant and valuable place in Jerusalem. We see the room where Jesus had his last meal with the disciples and King David’s tomb. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Yad Vashem. Journey Home
In the morning, we visit the Yad Vashem Museum. This is the memorial site for the victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The experience is both powerful and shocking.
It is time to say goodbye to Israel for this time. In the afternoon, we travel to the airport to fly home.
