Highlights of Israel 5 star - 8 days
Highlights of Israel 5 star - 8 days
Highlights of Israel 5 star - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Tel Aviv
Visiting: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Jerusalem, Masada National Park, Dead Sea, Be'er Sheva, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Beit She'an, Tiberias, Golan Heights, Galilee Mountains, Capernaum, Acre, Caesarea, Haifa
Tour operator:
Group size:
2 - 28
Age range:
All Handpicked tours allow children aged 12+ (charged as an adult)
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
COACH TOUR: From the vibrant coastal city of Tel Aviv, spend 8 days exploring the incredible highlights of Israel. Travelling inland and head for the centuries old city of Jerusalem, where you can see, smell and touch the history that has shaped it, as well as the birth place of Jesus, Bethlehem. Look out across the Sea of Galilee and rise to the top of Mount Carmel in Haifa. Visit the Crusader Castle at Caesarea and end the tour back in Tel Aviv.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tel Aviv
Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo
Sunday. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Renowned for its hedonistic nightlife, this dynamic city also offers beautiful beaches, art galleries and markets. And with a variety of trendy bistros, high-end restaurants and delicious street food stalls, there's plenty to choose from, for dinner.
Day 2: Dead Sea
Location: Jerusalem, Masada National Park, Dead Sea, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Be'er Sheva
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tel Aviv - Beer Sheba - Masada - Dead Sea - Jerusalem (West Bank). Set off from Tel Aviv, and drive south past the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon to the Negev capital of Beer Sheba. After a short visit, we continue via Arad to the Masada Fortress which sits atop an isolated rock cliff and was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Ascending by cable car to the fortress offers incredible views of the Dead Sea and at the top explore the excavations of Herod’s Palaces, the synagogue and the bathhouse. Later, we descend to the lowest place on Earth to float in the famously buoyant, salt-laden water of the Dead Sea. From the Dead Sea we journey to Jerusalem, passing by the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Judean Desert enroute. Spend the evening at leisure.
Day 3: Jerusalem
Location: Bethlehem, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's sightseeing tour of Jerusalem New City starts at the Israel Museum which houses The Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book. Continue to visit the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, which dates back to the time of the Second Temple. The next stop on our tour of the New City is Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre. Founded in 1953, Yad Vashem started as an organization committed to documenting the memory of Holocaust victims. The new museum was opened in 2005 and has 9 galleries of interactive historical displays, all of which are informative, moving and vital to a continued commemoration of those that lost their lives during one of history's darkest periods.
This afternoon we visit the picturesque village of Ein Karem, which was the birthplace of John the Baptist. Next, we drive to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity before returning to Jerusalem for the night.
Day 4: Jerusalem
Location: Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Step back in time on a tour of Jerusalem's revered Old City today. Enter through one of the Gates to the walled Old City, to visit the renewed Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Temple Mount and the colourful souk. Then, we walk along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Stations of the Cross enroute to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the world's holiest Christian shrines and the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Continuing your tour, we visit Mt Zion and the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Continuing to the Mount of Olives you'll have a spectacular view of this holiest of cities, a place where the three religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity have tussled for power of the city for centuries.
Next, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas betrayed Jesus, before travelling to Downtown Jerusalem to explore bustling Mahane Yehuda, which is Israel's largest open market.
Day 5: Nazareth
Location: Nazareth, Beit She'an, Tiberias, Golan Heights
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Beit Shean - Golan - Tiberias. Bid farewell to Jerusalem and drive north past Jericho, which is considered to be the world's oldest city. Travelling through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean, see the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman city before continuing up the Golan Heights, where we will enjoy an Israeli wine country experience. Here, we will tour the winery, learn about the wine production process and even indulge in some wine tasting.
Afterwards, we travel through the Golan, spotting its Druze villages, former Syrian fortifications and panoramic views of Mount Hermon and into Syria. As we descend through the picturesque Hula Valley, our route leads us to Tiberias, nestled along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Renowned as one of the four holy cities in Judaism, it was within these very walls that the Jewish Talmud, the cornerstone of Jewish religious law, was compiled.
Day 6: Galilee
Location: Galilee Mountains, Capernaum
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following the scenic shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, our journey proceeds to the historic site of Capernaum, where the ruins of an ancient synagogue stand as a testament to the rich history of the region. From there, we ascend to the Mount of Beatitudes, a revered location associated with the transformative 'Sermon on the Mount.' Our path then leads us to Tabgha, where tradition holds the ground for the profound 'miracle of the loaves and the fish.'
An optional boat excursion awaits, inviting travelers to sail across the waters of the Sea of Galilee, enveloped by an ambiance that has remained remarkably unchanged over 2000 years (book and pay locally).
Our journey then carries us to Nazareth, a city steeped in biblical significance, where we pay a visit to the hallowed Church of the Annunciation and other sacred Christian sites.
Day 7: Haifa
Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Acre, Caesarea, Galilee Mountains, Haifa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Galilee - Acre - Haifa - Caesarea - Tel Aviv. After breakfast, we drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre where you'll explore this old Crusader stronghold and its medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, the largest city in northern Israel which dates back over 3000 years. Sightseeing here includes the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Bahai Shrine and the magnificent gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel which are spread over 19 terraces, the highest of which is the Persian Gardens where you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and Haifa Bay.
Travelling down the coast to reach Caesarea, we’ll see the Roman Theatre and Crusader Fortress at what is known as the “masterpiece of Herod the Great”. Then, continue our journey to Tel Aviv and end the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa.
Day 8: Tel Aviv
Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sunday. Arrangements come to an end after breakfast and onward transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport. Alternatively extend your stay to enjoy more time in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, please enquire.
For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 star -
Breakfast daily and 6 dinners
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7 nights 5 star hotels
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Entrance fees for all included sightseeing
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Touring - Masada, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Ein Karem, Beit Shean, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa and Tel Aviv
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Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Israel's wine region
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Escorted by an English speaking driver guide
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All transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicles
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8
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This coach tour is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, not solely On The Go. You will join travellers from a number of different operators, some staying in different hotels for sightseeing each day
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow USD$5-7 per day, per traveller for your guide and USD$2 per day, per traveller for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
Check out our Q&As
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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