Book and pay in full by 28 November 2019 to get the special Early Bird sale price

Guaranteed departure (min 2 pax) coach tour

Departs on Mondays

This coach tour visits ancient sites steeped in biblical and medieval history. Trace the roots of Christianity and Judaism from Bethlehem and Jerusalem to Tiberias and Galilee in the North. Gain an insight into the different cultures and faiths and how they have developed in the region.

Highlights:

• Discover the sites of the Bible including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity.
• See the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered by a Bedouin shepherd in 1946 and amongst the oldest existing gospels.
• Explore the underground tunnels below fortress used by the Crusaders during their time in the Holyland.

• Itinerary
• Accommodation
• Important Information

Day 1: Jerusalem

After proceeding through immigration, you will be met by a representative of our local operator who will transfer you to Jerusalem where accommodation is booked for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis. The remainder of the day is at leisure to unwind.

Day 2: Jerusalem – New City (B)

Begin you day with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus and then on to the Garden of Gethsemane. Visit the tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper on Mount Zion. See the famous Dead Seas Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book. Experience a moving visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. See the Mar Chagall Stained glass windows at the Hadassah medical centre, and visit Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 3: Jerusalem – Old City – Bethlehem – Jerusalem (B)

Visit the Western Wall and the Temple Mount (subject to security clearance). Explore the colourful bazaars and walk the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) until the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem (subject to security clearance) to visit Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Nativity.

Day 4: Jerusalem - Galilee (B)

After breakfast, depart Jerusalem for Galilee. Enroute pass Jericho (subject to security clearance), the oldest city in the world. Explore the excavations of the beautiful Roman City of Beit Shean. Continue onto Nazareth to see Mary’s Well and visit the Church of Annunciation. Drive to Safed, city of Mystical Judaism, for a walk through the artists’ colony. Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel.

Day 5: Upper Galilee (B D)

Ascend the Golan Heights and from Mt. Bental, peer deep into Syria and the ghost town of Kuneitra. Explore Caesari of Philippi at the Banias Springs. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue. See the beautiful church at Tabgha where the miracle of the fishes and the loaves took place. Enjoy a short tour of Tiberias – the old centre of Jewish learning. Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel.

Day 6: Galilee – Tel Aviv (B)

Depart for Acre (Akko) to explore the Knights’ Halls and the secret Crusader tunnels, then to Haifa to view the magnificent Bahai gardens from atop Mount Carmel. Stop at Caesarea, to visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress. Continue to Tel Aviv and Jaffa for a short city tour.

Overnight: Tel Aviv.

Day 7: Tel Aviv (B)

A day at leisure in Tel Aviv.

Or

Optional tour to Dead Sea (Supplement applies)

Depart Tel Aviv and descend to the lowest place on earth. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to the rock fortress of Masada. Visit Herod’s palaces, dating back 2000 years. Then hear about the zealots who defied the Roman Empire from this location. Enjoy a chance to swim in the Dead Sea (weather permitting). The water is so rich in salts and minerals that you float!

Day 8: Depart Tel Aviv (B)

Today you will be transferred to Ben Gurion International Airport for your onward flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

• Transfers as specified in itinerary
• Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
• Tourist class hotels with private facilities
• Meals as specified in itinerary
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Professional English speaking driver/guides
• Entrance fees
• Israel Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Jerusalem

Tourist Class - Gate Hotel / Rimonim Shalom

Superior Tourist Class - Grand Court / Leonardo

First Class - Crowne Plaza Deluxe Room / Dan Panorama

Galilee

Tourist Class - Kibbutz Kfar Giladi

Superior Tourist Class - Kibbutz Kfar Giladi

First Class - Kibbutz Kfar Giladi (Superior Room)

Tel Aviv

Tourist Class - Sea.Net / Olympia

Superior Tourist Class - Metropolitan / Grand Beach

First Class - Crowne Plaza / Dan Panorama

Israel is a country of pilgrimage for the three main religions of the world. It is a country where locals and those visiting have diverse political, cultural and religiously opinions. These generally reflect the cultural or religious belief of the person you are talking to. When travelling on tours please be aware that cultural sensitivities and attitudes of those on the tours, and those operating the tours may differ from those you personally have.

The majority of sights visited on tours have religious significance to more than one religion and denomination. The tours are generally non-denominational.

Visa procedure on entry into Israel - Electronic Gate Pass
It is essential that clients thinking of visiting Iran, Lebanon or Syria do not have a stamp showing entry into Israel.

For passengers who wish not to have their passports stamped with an Israel visa, Israel authorities have developed the “Electronic Gate Pass” as a substitute for the visa stamp. With the press of a button, a card is printed at the Border Control station and includes the principle details of the traveller as in the first page of the passport. Such details are picture, full name, date of entrance and type of visa.

The form may not be printed automatically by the agent in charge at the border control booth, so it is important that clients specifically ask for the card to be issued if they do not wish to have their passport stamped.

The Electronic gate pass is available at Ben Gurion Airport and at the various land crossings into Israel.

The card is a proof of tourist status and must be retained at all time by the tourist while in Israel.

It allows tourists to purchase goods and be exempt from VAT. When planning a purchase, the card must be shown (but not handed in) in order to receive tourist privileges such as return of VAT for hotel services, car rentals as well as at specially registered duty free shops throughout the country.

Arrival Transfers
If for any reason you do not meet your transfer representative, please approach the “SMILE” office which is located behind the information counter in the baggage reclaim hall. Please do not leave the baggage reclaim hall or pass through Customs before you meet our representative, as once you are outside it is very difficult to locate you.
Smile Airport Assistance: 972-3-975 4020

West Bank and Occupied Territories
Checkpoints and crossing into the West Bank and Occupied Territories: There are some travel restrictions in place in Israel, Sometimes access to attractions or cities may be restricted or limited by the security forces. These situations are outside the control of the operator and in the event of such circumstances they will endeavour to offer an alternative or reschedule a tour.

Bethlehem – Israeli guides and drivers may not be allowed to enter Bethlehem. Tours are generally operated by locals who also own their own local shops. We are reliant on using the locals for the tours and therefore spending part of the tour in a local merchant shop is part of the experience.
Old Jerusalem – Due to parking and road restrictions in Old Jerusalem transfers and sightseeing coaches have limited access. You may be required to walk a short distance to meet tours or transfers.

Hotels and Services in Israel :
Although Israel is considered a First World country, the standard of hotels and service especially in the tourist and first class categories are more reflective of the region. Breakfasts may be buffet or middle eastern breakfast (more like a continental breakfast with egg, bread and cheese). The demands on infrastructure in these regions are quite high and may lead to issues relating to maintenance or reliability of supply. Hotel staff whilst efficient may appear brusk and unwelcoming in comparison to other destinations.

Coach Tours:
Please note that Israel coach tours may operate with clients staying in different hotels in each location. People on the tours may also have different inclusions.

Hotels on Coach Tours:
Please use the hotel information on coach tours as a guide. In some cases these hotels are substituted for alternatives of the same or higher standard without notice.

Day tours in Israel
Most day tours in Israel operate from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Depending on which direction the tour is travelling you may have an early start. Transportation between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (vv) may be with a driver only.

Border Crossing Procedures
For full details on border crossing procedures please refer to the Innovative Travel Notes. Unsure you have some hard currency on hand to pay departure and or arrival taxes.

The Allenby Bridge Border Crossing from Jordan or Israel is the most difficult and inconsistent border crossing in the region. This border crossing may take between 1-3+ hours depending on the time and day of travel. This may cause problems in finding the transfer drivers as although they are prearranged drivers are limited in the time they are able to wait at the border.

If you are more than 90 minutes at the border it is important to contact the transfer driver on the number provided in your documentation to reconfirm the drivers location as they are unaware if you have already passed through immigration.

Dress Codes
Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking.