Experiencing Israel

Welcome to Israel! On your arrival at the airport in Tel Aviv, you are met and then transferred to the Tal by the Beach Hotel for a 2-night stay. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy this attractive boutique hotel with its views of the sea, spa and other amenities.

Today's full-day escorted tour starts at Tel Aviv's 'State of Mind' Innovation Centre, a showcase for Israeli cutting-edge technology, followed by a walk through multiethnic Jaffa, the world's oldest port. At lunchtime, you can choose either a tasting tour of the Carmel market or a unique Vegan Culture tour. Finish the day with a stroll along Rothschild Boulevard to see its Bauhaus-style architecture. Enjoy a leisurely evening and the overnight is at your hotel.

After breakfast we depart for Caesarea, Herod the Great's ancient city. Here you'll walk around many archaeological wonders including the Roman hippodrome, amphitheatre and some of its palaces. Next stop is the Ein Shemer Kibbutz Museum to learn about the Kibbutz way of life and to have lunch before visiting another kibbutz to see its innovative agriculture system. Arrive at the NEA Hotel for a 2-night stay and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening at this boutique hotel.

After breakfast the tour starts with a visit to Katzrin, the capital of the Golan Heights and to take a walk through a Talmudic village. Continue on to Tzfat, birthplace of the mystical Kabbalah with its beautiful synagogues and flourishing artist's quarter. Next stop is for a tour of a winery and to enjoy some wine tasting before arriving at the Sea of Galilee for a boat ride. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for another night at leisure.

Start the day at Akko or Acre, the crusader-built, port city and now a UNESCO heritage site, to see its walled fortifications, the Crusader Halls as well as an Arab bazaar. Then drive to the edge of Haifa to visit the Bahai Gardens with its golden-domed shrine atop Mount Carmel. Time permitting we visit a Druze village before arriving in Jerusalem for a 4-night stay at the Leonardo Boutique Hotel. Tonight experience a Shabbat dinner as guests of a local Jewish family.

This morning we head east to Masada to take a cable car to the top of the plateau and visit this historic fortress where the Jews held out against the Romans. This afternoon, enjoy lunch followed by time for swimming and floating in the Dead Sea. On the way back to Jerusalem, we stop to view Wadi Qelt with its amazing, cliff-hanging Monastery of St. George. Tonight experience a sound and light show at the Tower of Day. Overnight is at your hotel.

Today is devoted to discovering the historic wonders of Jerusalem, starting at the Mount of Olives with its wonderful vistas, then walking through the Old City and the Arab Bazaar followed by a rooftop tour for a behind-the-scenes look at Jerusalem's many communities. Continue along the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulcher. You will also visit the Western Wall, known as the Wailing Wall and the ancient commercial street, the Cardo. The evening is at leisure and overnight is at your hotel.

This morning we visit Yad Vashem, Israel's most important Holocaust memorial and tour its museum. Next stop is at the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the famous Model of Jerusalem. This afternoon you can take an optional tour to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity or spend it at leisure at the Mamilla Mall or on Ben Yehuda Street. Tonight there will be a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before a final night at your hotel.

Today, you will be transferred to the Tel Aviv airport prior to your flight home. OPTIONAL EXTENSION Eliat: Today you will be transferred to the airport fly from Tel Aviv to the southern port city of Eilat on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. On arrival you are met and taken to the Herods Hotel for a 2-night stay. The balance of the day and evening is free to enjoy this resort hotel on the sea with its many amenities including access to the beach on the Red Sea.

Travel today into Jordan to visit Petra, the 'Rose City'. Capital of the Nabatean Kingdom in 300 BC, your guide will explain the rich history of this era as you marvel at its temples and tombs carved out of the pink rock within the narrow canyon. Among its many archaeological treasures and of special importance is the world-renown temple, the Library. Later, drive back to Eilat for a final night in Israel and overnight at your hotel.

Today, after a relaxing morning, you will be transferred to the Eilat airport for a flight back to Tel Aviv where you will connect with your flight home.