Duration: 8 Days
Begin your Israel Escape in Tel Aviv and enjoy a welcome dinner together with your Tour Director and travelling companions. In Jaffa, walk around the beautifully restored port—a starting point for medieval pilgrimages to Jerusalem. Continue your guided tour of Israel through the Holy Land to Caesarea, and journey to Nazareth in Galilee to visit the Church of the Annunciation. Stop in Cana—site of Jesus’ wedding miracle turning water into wine—en route to historical Haifa. A wealth of fascinating visits awaits you: the Baha’i Shrine; the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum—all sites where the story of Jesus unfolded, the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath, the Valley of Ayalon to hear the story of Samson and Delilah, and a serene cruise on the Sea of Galilee. You’ll also visit the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Stay four nights in Jerusalem to explore this symbolic city. Embark on a moving excursion to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Visit the Israel Museum containing the Shrine of the Book, and the Dead Sea Scrolls—the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world. Visit the Old City, the Garden Tomb, and take in the view from the Mount of Olives. See the Garden of Gethsemane, follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the site of the crucifixion. View the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock mosque, and visit the Western Wall—the most holy shrine in the Jewish religion. Also visit the fortress of Masada—a historic site for Jewish faith. The experience of floating in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea enriches the wonderful memories already collected during your inspirational Israel Escape!
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner. (D)
Miraculous Sites & Ancient Wonders
JAFFA Take a walking tour of the ancient port.
CAESAREA Visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the Crusader fortress.
NAZARETH Visit the Church of the Annunciation.
CANA Visit the site of Jesus' first recorded miracle. (B,D) 124 mi/200 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient port of Jaffa, where biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and St. Peter took place. The Israeli city traces its roots to 1800 BC, with mythological tales of Andromeda and Perseus. Today Jaffa features picturesque alleys, art galleries, unique boutiques, ancient buildings, and wonderful landmarks.
Holy Water & Wondrous Miracles
HAIFA Visit the Baha'i Shrine.
MOUNT OF BEATITUDES Explore the site where Jesus delivered his iconic Sermon on the Mount.
CAPERNAUM Visit the site where Jesus recruited his followers.
RIVER JORDAN Visit a baptismal site.
SEA OF GALILEE Take pictures of Lake Tiberias from the panoramic point before embarking on a Globus Local Favourite scenic cruise. (B,D) 66 mi/107 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
EPIC RIDE The Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) is the background to many biblical events and miracles, it is where Jesus walked on water. Take a cruise on the historic waters of the lowest freshwater lake in the world, just over 200 metres below sea-level, and enjoy the panoramic views.
Giant Victories
LATRUN AREA Take pictures at the site of David's victory over Goliath, and visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks.
BETHLEHEM Take an orientation tour and visit the Church of Nativity. (B) 140 mi/ 225 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SITE The Emperor Constantine and his mother St Helena commissioned the first Church of the Nativity in the 4th Century, it was built over a grotto widely recognised to be the birthplace of Jesus. In the following centuries the church was rebuilt and renovated. Today the guardianship of the Church is shared by three Church Authorities - Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic.
Moving History
JERUSALEM Visit the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem Memorial. Guided walking tour of Mount Zion, visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
IN MEMORIUM Yad Vashem (the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre) takes its name from the biblical verse, ″And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a yad vashem)" - (Isaiah, 56; 5). Here, roughly one million visitors come to remember the millions who were persecuted during WWII. Housing a remarkable collection of historic and personal artifacts, stories, and memorials to the Jewish people who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime, Yad Vashem leaves a deeply profound impression of remembrance and conviction in the souls of all who visit.
Prayerful Places
JERUSALEM Guided walking tour of the Old City includes Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop at the Western Wall. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS
Jerusalem is totally unique; there is no place like it. A city of tradition, religion, and history, but also increasingly of modern culture and heritage. Take in all this while you wander around the maze of streets listening to the story that made it so special even astronaut Neil Armstrong when visiting said, 'I am more excited stepping on these stones than stepping on the moon.'
Uplifting Waters & Unforgettable Wonders
MASADA Take a cable-car ride to visit the cliff-top fortress.
DEAD SEA Experience the buoyancy of floating on the waters of the Dead Sea. Farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D) 64 mi/103 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Feel weightless as you float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea. This legendary salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley is fed by the Jordan River, with its salty surface lying 430.5m below sea level - the lowest land-based shores on Earth.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Tel Aviv.) (B)
