Quality names like Sheraton (Tel Aviv & Jerusalem) speak for themselves. The Nof Ginosar located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee gives you an insight into a working kibbutz. The Sheraton Plaza is located in the heart of Jerusalem and is a good base from which to explore the Old and New cities.

Fellow Passengers

Jerusalem is a melting pot of three of the world’s main religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Therefore, this tour appeals to people who are interested in the multi–faceted religious history of the region as well as those seeking a general all–round experience of the destination.

Highlights

Biblical scenes come to life on visits to Nazareth and Galilee, culminating in an emotive walk along the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified. Equally emotive is the tragic tale of Masada, and the visit to Yad–Vashem, the Holocaust Museum.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• See Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel market in Tel Aviv
• Visit the ancient port of Jaffa, now a modern centre for artists
• Visit the superb Crusader and Roman ruins at Caesarea
• See the fortress and visit the old crusader crypt in the port of Acre
• Visit the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth
• Visit Capernaum and the Mount of the Beatitudes in the Galilee
• See the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered
• View over Jerusalem from Mt Scopus
• In Jerusalem visit the Christian sites of; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Garden of Gethsemene, Room of the Last Supper, Pool of Bethesda, Ecco Homo Arch and walk the Stations of the Cross
• In Jerusalem see the Temple Mount – one of Islam’s holiest sites
• In Jerusalem visit the Jewish sites of King David’s Tomb, the Western Wall, Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) and the Shrine of the Book

Insight's First Class Services

• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Special Kibbutz stay on the shores of the Sea of Galilee
• Travel by air–conditioned coach or minibus
• Insight’s professional multilingual Tour Director to escort you
• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Guided City Tours

• Indepth sightseeing tours in Tel Aviv & Jerusalem

Complimentary Transfers

• Arrival and departure transfers between Ben Gurion Airport and your Insight tour hotel

Quality Dining & Entertainment

DAY 1 – WED – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

DAY 2 – THU – TEL AVIV AT LEISURE

Welcome to a journey of discovery through one of the world’s oldest centres of faith and civilisation. You are met at Ben Gurion airport and transferred to your hotel for a two–night stay. Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Tower.

DAY 3 – FRI – TEL AVIV SIGHTSEEING

Meet your Tour Director before commencing a sightseeing tour of Tel Aviv. See all the highlights of this lively and modern city: the Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and the bustling Carmel market. Continue to the ancient port of Jaffa to wander through the artists’ galleries and flea market. Visit Mini Israel, a miniature park featuring 330 replica models which showcase Israel’s cultural, historic and religious diversity. This evening enjoy a Shabbat dinner at our hotel. (BB,HD)

DAY 4 – SAT – TEL AVIV – GALILEE

Leaving Tel Aviv, drive along the coastal road to Caesarea to explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheatre. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbour area and Crusader crypt before continuing to Nazareth. Visit one of Christianity’s most sacred places, the Church of Annunciation, on the site where the angel is said to have appeared to Mary. The day concludes at your Kibbutz guesthouse, beautifully located on the Sea of Galilee. Hotel: Kibbutz Nof Ginossar. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – SUN – GALILEE – DEAD SEA

Start the day with a morning boat ride on the tranquil Sea of Galilee. Visit the ancient wooden boat, which is said to date back to the times of Jesus. Visit Capernaum where Jesus is said to have entered the Synagogue and taught, and then head to the Mount of Beatitudes, where He preached the Sermon on the Mount. Your destination today is the lowest point on Earth: follow the River Jordan to the shores of the Dead Sea and enjoy a dip in the therapeutic and mineral–rich waters. Hotel: Hod Hamidbar Resort & Spa. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – MON – DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM

In the cool of the morning, take a thrilling cable–car ride up to the awe–inspiring fortress of Masada where, around 70AD, a brave band of Jewish zealots held out for three years against the Roman legions. Later, pass the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, before driving through the Judean hills to Jerusalem, your home for three nights. Here in this most hallowed of cities, begin your sightseeing with a view from Mount Scopus. Visit King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper and the Western Wall, Judaism’s most sacred site. Hotel: Sheraton Plaza. (BB)

DAY 7 – TUE – JERUSALEM SIGHTSEEING

Tour Yad–Vashem, the moving museum commemorating the Jewish people killed during the Holocaust. Continue to the Shrine of the Book, housed in the Israel Museum which also contains the Dead Sea Scrolls. Later, join an optional excursion to visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Relax and soak up the atmosphere at the Highlight evening – a special Oriental dinner at a local restaurant. (BB,HD)

DAY 8 – WED – JERUSALEM SIGHTSEEING

Wander through the tranquil Garden of Gethsemene at the Church of All Nations before entering Jerusalem’s Old City to view the Temple Mount, one of Islam’s holiest sites. Continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross. See the Ecce Homo Arch (Behold the Man), Pool of Bethesda and finish at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site of the Crucifixion. (BB)

DAY 9 – THU – RETURN TO USA

The tour ends after breakfast with transfers to Ben Gurion airport for your onward flight. (BB)