Classic Israel and Jordan Tour

Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv

The group will be met at Ben Gurion airport and then transferred by private coach to your hotel in Tel Aviv. 

Dinner & Overnight: Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv / Jaffa

We begin our tour of Israel in the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Neve Zedek. This pretty area is packed with beautiful buildings, arty boutiques and stories about the establishment of the ‘White City’. It is home to many artists, poets and intellectuals. Tel Aviv is named the ‘White City’ due to the large number of buildings built in the unique form of the Bauhaus architecture. In fact, Tel Aviv has the highest number of Bauhaus buildings in a city in the world. Rothschild Boulevard is a great place to view and understand this type of architecture. It’s here we will admire the buildings whilst enjoying a delicious lunch at one of the many eating places along the Boulevard.

After lunch, we will visit Jaffa. In addition to strolling through this ancient port city with its old narrow streets and courtyards, you will be inspired by the many historical and biblical events that happened here.

In the evening you will enjoy getting to know your group and chatting with your friends at a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.  

Dinner & Overnight: Tel Aviv

Caesarea / Haifa / Acre

We leave Tel Aviv today and travel along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea -  the magnificent ruins of Herod’s showcase port city. This magical place will transport us back to the ancient Roman, Byzantine and Crusader eras.

Our tour continues along the coast and then we ascend to Haifa and visit the exquisite Bahai Terraced Gardens. And the beautiful gilded domed Bahai Shrine.

Then, after a short drive, we’ll arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the old city of Acre. Here we will discover that opposites do attract. Acre is a meeting place between East and West, old and new and ruins and beauty. The city has been shaped the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British so you can imagine what fascinating historical stories the walls and fortresses have to tell.

Dinner & Overnight:  Kibbutz Guesthouse

Nazareth / Sea of Galilee

Today we visit some of the most important Holy sites that people come to see from all over the world. We start with the Mount of Beatitudes, known as the site of the   Sermon on the Mount.

Next, we continue to Capernaum on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus made his ministry headquarters. It is fascinating to learn how the newly emerging Christian Community lived side by side with the existing Jewish Community.

We’ll visit Tabgha, the site of which many believe Jesus miraculously multiplied two fish and five loaves of bread to feed the crowds.

After lunch, we travel to Nazareth to visit The Church of the Annunciation and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached.

Dinner & Overnight:  Kibbutz Guesthouse

Jerash / Amman, Jordan

Today we’ll leave Israel at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge border to enter Jordan.  We will visit the ancient city of Jerash, which boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years.

Then we arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan, a fascinating city of contrasts – a unique blend of old and new, ideally situated on a hilly area between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley.

Dinner & Overnight:  Amman

Wadi Rum

After checking out from our hotel, we’ll drive down to experience the stunning desert landscape of Wadi Rum. This site was used as a filming location in many popular movies such as Lawrence of Arabia.  We will enjoy a thrilling jeep ride taking in the spectacular sandstone mountains, desert valleys, canyons and dunes.

Our accommodation for tonight is in the unique setting of the desert. After a traditional Bedouin dinner, you can choose to gaze at the stars, enjoy the almost complete silence and relax in your luxury private tent.

Dinner & Overnight:  Wadi Rum Camp

Petra

Today you get to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Nabateans settled here more than 2000 years ago and carved temples, tombs and houses in the red rose sandstone. The beautiful mosaics and breathtaking structures chiselled into the mountain are absolutely spectacular.  

Dinner & Overnight:  Petra or Dead Sea, Jordan

The Dead Sea, Israel

We’ll travel back to Israel today, via the Allenby crossing, and our journey will take us to the Dead Sea – this incredible natural phenomenon is the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth. We will take in the relaxing, ethereal atmosphere of the area and visit the historical site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and now housed at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 

After a short drive south, we will take a cable car up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Masada, and wander around the ruins of this ancient fortress built by King Herod. We will hear stories of determination and heroism whilst enjoying the breathtaking views of the desert. 

Dinner & Overnight:  Jerusalem

Jerusalem – Mount of Olives / Old City

What a better way to start the day at the top of Mount of Olives to wonder at the splendid panoramic view of the Holy City. From here we will visit the Church of All Nations.

Our tour then takes us deep into Jerusalem’s Old City where we will visit the Temple Mount, admire the Dome of the Rock and feel the spiritual pull of the Western Wall. After experiencing local delicacies at a restaurant in the Old City we’ll walk along the Via Dolorosa and see the stations of the cross until we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On the way enjoy the delights of the oriental bazaar - admire the wares, taste the delicacies, and smell the spices.

Our next stop will be Mount Zion, King David’s Tomb and what is accepted as the site where the Last Supper took place known as The Upper Room.

We have a special treat in store for the evening – The Tower of David Sound and Light Show. This magical experience combines the past and the present with bringing to life the Biblical stories of King David and Jerusalem using the most powerful modern technologies available.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Bethlehem / Jerusalem – Ein Karem

This morning we’ll travel to Bethlehem and visit The Church of the Nativity and the Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave located beneath the Basilica, which enshrines the site where Jesus is said to have been born. We’ll go on to see the Chapel of the Shepherd’s Field, with its low natural cave and beautiful views of the hills. The cave, with a soot-blackened roof, has been partially enclosed to create the modern Chapel.

It’s then back to Jerusalem for a fun tasting activity in the famous Machne Yehuda market . Each person will be given a tasting card with 8 things to find in the market and taste – you might even find more than 8, amongst all the spices, halva, fresh health juice, cheeses, ethnic breads, organic coffee, burekas, olive oil etc.!

In the afternoon we will visit Ein Karem a beautiful Jerusalem neighborhood located at the edge of the Jerusalem Forest and the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Jerusalem / Israel Museum

We will spend the morning at The Israel Museum, with its fine art, archaeology, Judaica and artifacts representing the history of world culture from nearly one million years ago to the present day. A major highlight of this world-renowned museum is the Shrine of the Book,  home to the Dead Sea Scrolls.

You’ll have the afternoon and evening to spend at your leisure in this wonderful city.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Jerusalem / Ben Gurion Airport

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home.