Though Israel only officially became a country in 1948, its culture and history date back thousands of years. Come explore a land where different faiths, politics and cultures coexist to create a truly complex and captivating whole.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Tel Aviv
Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Tel Aviv aboard an internationally recognized airline.
Day 2 - Tel Aviv
Welcome to Tel Aviv, Israel’s cosmopolitan city by the sea. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Tel Aviv. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day 3 - Haifa
Begin your day with a walking tour through the Old Town of Jaffa, an ancient port city. As the story has it, this was where the prophet Jonah started the journey that left him in the belly of a whale and where Andromeda was tied to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster, before later being saved by Perseus.
Then your tour director will introduce you to Tel Aviv, the first Hebrew city. Take in the city’s trademark Bauhaus architecture, with stops at Rabin Square, Independence Hall and Rothschild Boulevard, one of Tel Aviv’s most picturesque avenues. Your next stop is the White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so named for its 4,000 buildings built in the Bauhaus or International style. Finally, wander through the colorful Carmel Market and Sheinkin Street. This afternoon brings you to Haifa, with a stop in Caesarea to see its ancient theater and Hippodrome. Enjoy a true Israeli meal at tonight’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 4 - Haifa
Today, your tour director leads you on a tour through Haifa. Begin with stellar views of Haifa Bay and Mount Carmel before reveling in the Hanging Bahai Gardens. You’ll next explore the German Colony and Muslim Quarter to witness the peaceful cohabitation of six different religious groups. Next, make your way to Rosh Hanikra and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Acre to see the Crusaders’ Hall and Al Jazar Mosque. This evening, indulge in an optional dinner and wine tasting.
Included meals: breakfast
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$69 USD |
Vineyard Dinner
Travel to one of the most renowned wineries in Israel to sample its fine wines. After your tasting, enjoy a sumptuous meal.
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Day 5 - Haifa
Travel to Cana and Nazareth to see the Church of the Annunciation, a holy Christian site and the location where Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel and told that God had selected her to be the mother of Jesus. Then pay a visit to a Druze village to encounter a mystical faith and unique way of life. Next, stop at Tel Megiddo, an ancient city that, according to Revelations, is said to be the site of the final battle between good and evil. This evening, you might enjoy an optional cruise followed by dinner on the Haifa Bay.
Included meals: breakfast
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$55 USD |
Acre Cruise and Dinner
A short drive from Haifa, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Acre is a beautiful city to behold. The ancient city of Acre has significant ties to biblical times, Greek mythology, Roman history and the Crusades. Enjoy the tremendous view of the famous city walls from the water as you cruise around Haifa Bay. Your cruise is followed by an Israeli feast at a local restaurant.
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Day 6 - Lake Tiberius
Drive up the Mount of Beatitudes this morning, stopping in Tabgha and Capernaum, villages where Jesus was said to have made local fishermen into “fishers of men” and where he multiplied the loaves and the fish to feed the multitudes. Next, explore Tel Hazor and the Golan Heights, taking a moment to see Bania Springs. Arrive later today at Kibbutz Lavi, where you’ll learn more about Israeli culture. Dinner is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 7 - Jerusalem
Today brings you to the holy city of Jerusalem, by way of Belvoir and Jericho. Later this afternoon, enjoy a bus tour of the city’s most famous sites, including Temple Mount, one of the holiest sites for Jews and Muslims, Mt. Olive and the Garden of Gethsemane. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 8 - Jerusalem
Spend the morning at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Containing the world’s largest repository of information on the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is the leader in Shoah education, commemoration, research and documentation. The afternoon is free, or you can opt for an excursion to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, said to be the birthplace of Jesus. The excursion includes a stop at a diamond factory during the return trip.
Included meals: breakfast
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$39 USD |
Bethlehem & the Church of the Nativity
A Palestinian city located in the West Bank, about 10 km (6 mi) south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is revered as the birthplace of Jesus. On your tour, you’ll stop at the Church of the Nativity, which Christians believe marks the spot where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Please note: Travelers on this excursion should be sure to carry their passport for security checkpoint at the Israeli-Palestinian border crossing.
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Day 9 - Jerusalem
Discover Jerusalem at your own pace. Or take the day to explore the Fortress of Masada, swim in the Dead Sea and meet the locals at Kfar Hanokdom Bedouin Camp. Included in this excursion are a cable car ride in Masada, lunch and a relaxing spa visit on the Dead Sea. At Kfar Hanokdom, you’ll ride a camel to an unforgettable evening of Bedouin hospitality with dinner.
Included meals: breakfast
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$135 USD |
Masada, the Dead Sea & Kfar Hanokdom Bedouin Camp
Journey up to the Fortress of Masada by cable car, venture to the Dead Sea for a seaside lunch and a spa treatment, and ride a camel to the Bedouin village of Kfar Hanokdom for a traditional dinner and an evening of music and hospitality.
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Day 10 - Jerusalem
King David’s Tomb awaits you on Mt. Zion this morning, as does the Upper Room, where Jesus held the Last Supper. Back in the city, walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, where you can place a written prayer in the wall. The follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Finally, venture into the Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters of Jerusalem before indulging in the many wonders to be had at the Oriental Bazaar. Continue exploring on your own or opt to visit Eim Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. Relive memories of your journey at tonight’s Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: King David’s Tomb, the Upper Room, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
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$45 USD |
Ein Karem
Located in southwest Jerusalem, Ein Karem is the village where John the Baptist was born. During your excursion, you’ll visit Ein Karem’s two most important churches and holy sites.
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Day 11 - Jerusalem
Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay and continue on to Jordan.
Included meals: breakfast
Extend Your Stay
Add 3 nights in Jordan for only $699 USD (Single room: add $300 USD)
Since July 1994, when Jordan's King Hussein and the Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin signed a declaration ending the animosity between their two countries, Jordan has opened its doors to the west. Encompassing sweeping verdant and arid landscapes and relics of some of the world's oldest civilizations, Jordan is one of the most warm and welcoming countries on earth. Not to be missed are Petra, the River Jordan and the Greco-Roman city of Jerash.