April 26 - May 08, 2023
13 Days
Tour Status - Guaranteed Departure
FOOD, FAITH, ADVENTURE & HISTORY
Join David and Brenda Layden as they discover the amazing sites in Israel on this extraordinary journey. This SMALL GROUP departure is limited to only 16 guests, staying at superior properties with breathtaking views. From the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee, come discover unforgettable experiences on this uniquely designed departure.
We Don’t Sell Travel…. We DESIGN It..!!
Tour Highlights
Economy airfare from select gateways
Old and New Jerusalem
Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea
Sea of Galilee
Golan Heights Olive Mill & Winery
Dead Sea
Masada
Bethlehem
Hosted by Select Holidays
Plus much more…….
Itinerary
Day 01 - April 26, 2023: Tue: Depart North America [IFM]
Depart North America for an overnight flight into Europe and Tel Aviv, Israel.
Day 02 - April 27, 2023: Thu: Tel Aviv, Israel [B/D]
Arrival in Tel Aviv this morning. Welcome by our local representative and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tel Aviv. Visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighbourhood of Tel Aviv, built in 1909 and Nahalat Benyamin, the pedestrian street of the city with its musicians, handmade jewelry, and artifacts. Stop at Sheinkin, the lively and colourful well known street especially with unique shops, cafés and amazing ambiance.
Then continue to Old Jaffa. People seem to gaze in fascination at the sight of the ancient Port and the rocks, and some are dumbstruck by the beauty of Jaffa harbour set against the back drop of the city of Tel Aviv. Old Jaffa in itself is a quaint city, more picturesque than ever, with romantic paths and gardens.
Welcome dinner at our beachfront hotel.
Day 03 - April 28, 2023: Fri: The Coastal Road - Haifa, Israel [B/L]
Those who wish will take sunrise pictures overlooking the Mediterranean before breakfast. We depart Tel Aviv and drive north along the coastal road heading to Caesarea. View the amazing aqueduct, located on the beach—one of the favorite spots for beach photography in Israel.
Reach one of the Druze communities and learn about this great community that lives in Israel and serves in its Army. The Druze are an Arab minority group who live peacefully in Israel and are renowned for their hospitality. While they speak Arabic, their mysterious religion and unique culture set them apart from other Israeli Arabs, and they even have their own separate court of law recognized by the state. Their villages mainly lay in the Carmel and Golan regions, and offer not only an insight into their interesting religion, but great food as well. We will join a cooking class here and enjoy lunch.
After lunch, you will be transferred to your luxury hotel in Haifa, for a two night stay. Balance of the day at leisure.
Day 04- April 29, 2023: Sat: Haifa - Acre - Haifa, Israel [B/L]
This morning, after breakfast, we will visit the modern port city of Haifa ascending Mt. Carmel for a breathtaking view of the Baha’i Gardens and Golden Shrine. Haifa is the worldwide center of operations for the Baha’i faith.
Travel on to the ancient Crusader City of Akko and explore the seaside crusader era fortress. Tour the underground city’s narrow streets, ancient walls, beautiful sea views, as well as the white market.
Day 05 - April 30, 2023: Sun: Haifa - Tiberias, Israel [B/L/D]
Breakfast and departure to Tiberias. Upon arrival, we tour the Holy sites around the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret. Since biblical times these waters have been famous for its abundance of fish. The beautiful area around this region is brimming with a mix of fascinating historical and religious sites.
Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue in Capernaum. Proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to Mount of the Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Then we will continue south to the EinGev for lunch, where the courageous can try the famous St. Peter’s fish.
Then enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to the Western shore ending at the Yigal Alon center where the “Jesus’s boat”, an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, is displayed.
Overnight for two nights at a Kibbutz situated along the sea shore, including dinner.
Day 06 - May 01, 2023: Mon: Tiberius/Upper Galilee, Israel [B/D]
After breakfast, take a Galilee Tom Car/ATV Tour into beautiful Green Mountains of Galilee. Next, travel up to the Golan Heights and visit the Har Bental Overlook. From this former military base, you can look into Syria and learn about the village of Kunetra and the 1967 & 1973 Wars.
Our journey continues to the Golan Heights Winery visitor’s center, where we will take part in a tour of the winery including wine tasting.
We will drive to visit The Golan Olive Oil Mill. Our guide will explain the process of olive oil production, reviewing its evolution from ancient tools to our modern machine.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 07 - May 02, 2023: Tue: Sea of Galilee- Dead Sea [B/D]
Departure to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, a new church built over the ruins and foundations of successive churches on the site believed to have been the house of the Holy Family.
Continue to Beit She’an, one of the largest Roman/Byzantine cities ever excavated in the Middle East and see the floor of the Beit Alpha Synagogue most famous for its large zodiac wheel ancient mosaic. Then travel towards the Judean Desert on our way to the Dead Sea.
Check in at the hotel with leisure time to enjoy the facilities and experience floating on the Dead Sea.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 08 - May 03, 2023: Wed: Dead Sea - Jerusalem, Israel [B/D]
Late morning, we will drive on to Masada (ascend by cable car), the last outpost of the Jewish Zealots, who committed mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans in the 1st century. Masada is located at the top of an isolated rock on the edge of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea valley, between Sodom and Ein Gedi. Masada today is one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols. Israeli soldiers take an oath there: "Masada shall not fall again."
Next we continue to Jerusalem, the most popular destination of Jewish tourists visiting Israel. Arrive hotel in Jerusalem for a 5 nights stay in a deluxe old city view room . Dinner at the hotel.
Day 09 - May 04, 2023: Thu: Jerusalem, Israel [B/D]
In the morning drive to Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of the Old City. Walk downhill through the ancient Jewish Cemetery with views of the Church of Mary Magdalene and Orson Hyde Park. Enter the Garden of Gethsemane admiring the ancient olive trees and Church of All Nations..
Spend the afternoon in the old city of Jerusalem, exploring the Christian, Jewish, Armenian, and Muslim quarters, alleyways, and religious sites, including the Temple Mount, Southern Wall excavations and the Western Wall - "Kotel". Then descend through the many layers of Jerusalem’s past at the time of the first Temple. Walk along the Via Dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 - May 05, 2023: Fri: Jerusalem, Israel [B/D]
Today we will visit the New City of Jerusalem, starting with Yad Vashem – memorial of Jewish Catastrophe during World War Two. On to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display and visit the Model of Jerusalem of the Second Temple period. Drive through the Knesset – home of Israeli Parliament and stop at the Menora – Symbol of Israel.
Afternoon at leisure and dinner at the hotel. This evening, enjoy a new Sound and Lights show in Jerusalem at the Tower of David. The tower's ancient walls will come alive, depicting Jerusalem's history.
Day 11 - May 06, 2023: Sat: Bethleham - Jerusalem, Israel [B/D]
Drive to Bethlehem- birthplace of Jesus. Visit the Church of the Nativity.
In the afternoon, visit one of the wineries close to Jerusalem including wine tasting. Tzuba Estate Winery is located in the Judean Hills, an area historically recognized as a major wine-producing region since Biblical times. The local topography of the Tzuba hillside vineyard, situated at 700m above sea level provides the ideal condition, to cultivate the vineyards and produce a variety of prize-winning boutique wines.
Day 12 - May 07, 2023: Sun: Jerusalem, Israel [B/D]
View Jerusalem via the Ramparts Walk. Followed by a visit to the Machane Yehuda Market with a Shuk Bites Card that allows you to taste the shopkeepers’ daily specials. The Market Tour is full of flavors and fragrances in and around the market and includes fascinating stories, a bit of history, colorful characters, and tastings of some of the unique market delicacies – homemade halva, homemade Jerusalem ice cream, natural health drinks, superb olive oils, and more.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 13 - May 08, 2023: Mon: Jerusalem, Israel / End of Tour [B/IFM]
Transfer to airport for your return flight back to North America.
