Classic Israel

Meet your private Israeli driver-guide. Walk through Tel Aviv’s ‘White City’ with its profusion of 1920s and 30s Bauhaus architecture and discover the bustling Carmel food market where you can enjoy tasting Israeli delicacies. This afternoon, explore Herod the Great’s port city of Caesarea Maritima, where Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect of Judea, once lived, then drive up to the scenic green hills of the Upper Galilee.

The spiritual mountain town of Safed – the centre of the mystical Kabbalah – will be your destination this morning. Walk through Safed’s cobbled streets, visit ancient synagogues, then drive on to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit Capernaum, an ancient fishing village where a house turned into a church is believed to be that of St. Peter. Next, continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Complete the day with a scenic walk or an optional sunset boat excursion on Israel’s largest lake.

The imposing natural bastion of the Golan Heights is today’s destination. On reaching the slopes of Mount Hermon, visit Nimrod, the largest Crusader-era castle in Israel, dating back to the 13th century. Then, proceed to Majdal-e-Shams for lunch in a Druze house. Nearby, the dormant volcano of Mount Bental offers glorious views over the surrounding countryside and across Syria. When your sightseeing is complete, drive to the Eternal City of Jerusalem.

Held sacred by three major religions, the Eternal City of Jerusalem is one of the holiest, most complex and fascinating cities in the world – a place that literally effervesces with faith, passion and history. On today’s full-day guided tour of the Old City you will visit the Mt of Olives, see the Dome of the Rock and the Western (Wailing) Wall, walk in the footsteps of Christ along the Via Dolorosa to Calvary, gaze on the Room of the Last Supper at Mount Zion and more…

Travel along the Road of the Good Samaritan into the Judean desert and on to Masada. This spectacular rock fortress was the location of the mass suicide of the besieged Sicarii Jews in 73 AD – one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of the Jewish people. Afterwards, continue to the glistening turquoise waters of the Dead Sea and experience the unique sensation of floating on its buoyant waters, then return to Jerusalem.

A short drive this morning will bring you to Bethlehem and the Byzantine-built Church of the Nativity. Here, within the Grotto of the Nativity, a silver star marks the place where Jesus was born. Next, visit Manger Square and return to Jerusalem, where the rest of the day will be at leisure to relax or explore independently. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Old City.

Transfer to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport, where VIP assistance will be provided until your departure gate.