Day 01: Arrive Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival into Ben Gurion International Airport, we are met and transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight. Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.  Israel is part of a few regions in the world that can really lay claim to “where it all began”. This 08 days journey across this small but very rich country will definitely take us back in time.

Overnight: Grand Beach Tel-Aviv Hotel, Tel Aviv (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Caesarea/Muhraka/Megiddo/Acre (Drive)

This incredible tour starts as we drive from Tel Aviv along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. We visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct.  Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel  Valley and the lower Galilee.   We continue to the Biblical Tel of Megiddo*, identified as the site of Armageddon, exploring the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system.  We head to the Old City of Acre* to visit the ancient city and harbor and end our day at Kibbutz Lavi.

Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi (Eden Wing), Acre (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03: Tiberias/Capernaum/Banias (Drive)

After a brief tour of Tiberias, we take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yigal Alon Museum and see an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, called the “Jesus boat”. We continue to Capernaum and visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.
We proceed to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor and continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We end our day at the Banias Springs and waterfalls and tour the Golan Heights. (B, D)

Day 04: Cana/Nazareth/Beit Shean (Drive)

A short drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine.  Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, St. Joseph's Workshop and Mary's Well then head to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River; continue to Beit Shean, a newly excavated city, and visit the Roman theatre. Next we drive along the Jordan River, which takes us to the historical city of Jerusalem.

Overnight: Grand Court Jerusalem Hotel, Jerusalem (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Jerusalem

Today we explore the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls*. We start at the Mount of Olives to get a panoramic view of the city, visit the Church of All Nations, King David's Tomb and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. We then explore the city within the walls, visiting the Cardo, the Temple Mount (entrance to the mosques is not included), the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Oriental Bazaar. Our day ends with a visit to the Garden Tomb. (B, D)

Day 06: Bethlehem Excursion

Another day into history.  We drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation, continuing to Yad Vashem, the famous Holocaust memorial, visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period. We then head to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity*, subject to security conditions. Evening free to enjoy Jerusalem on our own. (B, D)

Day 07: Qumran/Masada/Dead Sea

Another exciting day as we drive to Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls where found and visit the ancient city of Qumran and drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada*, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the second temple in 70 A.D. We ascend Masada by cable car and explore the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod's Palace. Time and weather permitting, we will have an opportunity to float on the Dead Sea. (B, D)

Day 08: Jerusalem/Mitzpe Ramon (Drive)

We bid farewell to Jerusalem as we drive towards the city of Dimona, and start our exploration of the Incense Route to the Desert Cities in the Negev* on the road between Petra and Gaza. We explore the Nabatean towns of Mamshit and Avdat, which flourished from the 3rd century BC until the 2nd century AD. Together they reflect the hugely profitable trade in frankincense and myrrh from south Arabia to the Mediterranean. With the vestiges of their sophisticated irrigation systems, urban constructions, forts and caravanserai, they bear witness to the way in which the harsh desert was settled for trade and agriculture.

Overnight: Isrotel Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Depart Mitzpe Ramon/Tel Aviv (Drive)

Our fascinating tour comes to an end today; however, there is still a lot to see. We head to Beersheba, capital of the Negev, which was built by the Ottomans in the 19th century. Here we explore the ancient ruins of Tel Beersheba*, a Biblical city, which dates back almost 4,000 years ago. Here we see the ancient ruins and the water well dug by the ancient inhabitants of the city, nicknamed "Abraham's Well" by the locals after stories from the book of Genesis relating to Abraham. We then travel to Tel Aviv, visiting Old Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in Israel built by the Mediterranean shores about 4,000 years ago. Jaffa was the port city used by King Solomon to import Cedar trees from Lebanon when he built the first Temple in Jerusalem. From here, it is said Jonah boarded the ship on his journey ending in whale's belly. We walk around the narrow lanes; visit the house of Simon the Tanner where St. Peter had his vision. Next, we explore the White City of Tel-Aviv*, constructed from the early 1930s until the 1950s by architects who were trained in Europe where they practiced their profession before immigrating to Israel. They created an outstanding architectural ensemble of the Modern Movement in a new cultural context. Many of the city's buildings were built in the Bauhaus-style. We will walk along the Rothschild Boulevard and see the restored buildings. We are then transferred to Ben Gurion International Airport for our departure flight. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 20 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

Inquire About this Trip

Tour Application Form