The Holyland

You will stay in hotels such as the 4-star Leonardo Basel in Tel Aviv, the 4-star Prima Tiberius Hotel above the Sea of Gallilee and the 4-star Leonardo in Jerusalem. There is a restaurant and bar, as well as a swimming pool (open in season) and fitness facilities. All rooms have private facilities, TV and telephone. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Please note: A good level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour as some of the terrain we cover can include uneven ground. There is also a moderate amount of walking involved whilst visiting key sights.

Day 1: UK/Tel Aviv

Depart on your scheduled flight to Tel Aviv. On arrival transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Sea of Galilee & Haifa

Today starts with an orientation tour of Tel Aviv and the old port of Jaffa before we continue to the Sea of Galilee, where we stay for the next two nights. En route we stop at Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea, stopping for a tour of the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and the aqueduct. We will also visit Haifa and the Bahai Shrine. We then enjoy a welcome drink and dinner in the hotel this evening.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 3: Sea of Galilee

Join our full-day included excursion today, starting with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to the ancient ruined city of Capernaum, where you will find the remains of a 2nd century synagogue. From here, travel to Tagbha, the site of the miracle of loaves and fishes, where you will visit the Church of Multiplication to view the 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and then drive north through the Hulah Valley to Banias Springs, the site of the ancient city of Caesarea Phillipi. A visit to Tel Dan, source of the Jordan River (season permitting), completes your day, and you will return to your hotel at Galilee via the Golan Heights.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 4: Sea of Galilee

Today’s excursion takes you to Nazareth, where you visit the Church of the Annunciation, St Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well and then the city of Acre, fought over for centuries during the Crusades, and captured by Richard the Lionheart. In Acre, you will enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the fortress and the old harbour area, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading to Safed, the centre of Jewish mysticism. Continue to Jerusalem, where you will stay for the next four nights.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 5: Jerusalem

Today you will enjoy a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem, entering through the Jaffa Gate and the Jewish Quarter and heading along Cardo Maximus, the 2,000 year old restored Roman street, to the Western Wall. There is time to view the Temple Mount area, before following the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre. Then it’s through the bazaars to Mount Zion, the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 6: Jerusalem

Today we include a visit to Bethlehem where the church of Nativity and birth site of Jesus Christ await us. This is followed by an option to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: Jerusalem

Spend your last full day today discovering more of Jerusalem at leisure or join our optional visit to the Dead Sea - en route you will see the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. You will also stop at Ein Gedi before heading to Masada, the site of an ancient fortress on a cliff-top plateau, and the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Ascend Masada by cable car and visit the food store rooms, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace, where a band of Jewish rebels held out against a Roman siege for three years.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Jerusalem/UK

Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast