Tour Duration: 9 days Tour Code: QC2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1989 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy this evening's welcome dinner with your travelling companions and Tour Director. (D)
2
TEL AV IV. EXCURSION TO VALLEY OF ELAH-LATRUN-JAFFA. Drive into the ancient land of the Philistines and in the Valley of Elah, stop at the site of David's victory over the Philistine champion, Goliath, and hear about this biblical event. Later, refresh your memory with the tale of Samson and Delilah as you proceed through the land of the Dan tribe to the wide Valley of Ayalon. At strategic Latrun you visit the MONASTERY OF THE TRAPPIST MONKS. Continue along the Mediterranean shore and stop in Jaffa for a walk through the beautifully restored ancient port, where medieval pilgrims started their strenuous 2-day trek to Jerusalem. Return to Tel Aviv.(B)
3
TEL AVIV-CAESAREA-HAIFA. Start your tour of the Holy Land with Caesarea, the perfect place to learn about the Roman and Crusader presence in the country. Visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER and the impressive CRUSADER FORTRESS, and admire Herod's Stadium and harbour. Travel to Haifa, a city with a long history dating back to biblical times, and enjoy a visit to the golden-domed BAHA'I SHRINE, the world centre of Baha'i faith. (B,D)
4
HAIFA-ACRE-NAZARETH-CANA-KIBBUTZ. Visit Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the northern end of the lovely Bay of Haifa. Acre became the capital of the Crusader kingdom after its conquest by Richard the Lionheart. Marvel at the forbidding Ottoman fortress and tour the excavated part of the immense underground CRUSADER CITY with its secret passageways and the vaulted crypt of the Knights of St. John. On to Nazareth in Galilee to visit the contemporary CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION. Next, travel on to Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus changed water to wine at a wedding. Due to this, many couples renew their wedding vows at this sacred place. After a panoramic view over Lake Tiberias, see an ancient fisherman's boat said to be from the time of Christ. Time to relax before dinner. This evening, you are invited for a LECTURE ON KIBBUTZ LIFE. (B,D)
5
KIBBUTZ-MOUNT OF BEATITUDES-CAPERNAUM-SEA OF GALILEE-BET SHE'AN-JERUSALEM. Heading towards the Sea of Galilee, visit the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. On to CAPERNAUM, where Jesus recruited his first followers among the fishermen. Afterwards, enjoy a 45-minute CRUISE on the Sea of Galilee. Via the ruins of Kursi, which memorialise two of Jesus' miracles, arrive at the Jordan River and visit a BAPTISMAL SITE. Then, visit the ancient city of Bet She'an with its fine ROMAN and BYZANTINE RELICS. The city is located at the foot of Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son died by their own hands in battle with the Philistines. On the way to Jerusalem, stop for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Holy City, considered one of the oldest places in the world, with a history dating back as far as 4000 BC. (B,D)
6
JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA AND THE DEAD SEA. Drive through the Judean wilderness to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth. Enjoy the scenery as you follow the road between the salty water and majestic desert mountains. Catch glimpses of the caves of Qumran, where the precious Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top FORTRESS of Masada, and hear how 960 Jewish zealots preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to overwhelming Roman forces. Around lunchtime, reach one of the comfortable Dead Sea resorts. You will have plenty of time here to experience the feeling of buoyancy in the heavy water. Then, back to Jerusalem. (B,D)
7
JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITY. After a panoramic view from the MOUNT OF OLIVES over the old and modern parts of the city, start your guided walking tour. Via the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, arrive at the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Here, see the Rock of Agony, where Jesus his last prayer before his arrest. Nearby are the Caves of the Assumption of Mary and of the Betrayal. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the VIA DOLOROSA to Golgotha, and visit the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. Erected over the site of the crucifixion, this church is shared by six Christian communities. Walk past the Temple Mount from where you can see the Dome of the Rock, a splendid mosque on the holy mount. On to the WAILING WALL, the most holy shrine in the Jewish religion. Then, stroll through the restored Jewish quarter to MOUNT ZION, and we visit the UPPER ROOM, the TOMB OF KING DAVID, and the HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS, where Jesus was kept the night after he was arrested.(B)
8
JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO YAD VASHEM AND THE ISRAEL MUSEUM-BETHLEHEM. Visit the YAD VASHEM MEMORIAL created to commemorate the six million martyrs of the Holocaust. Afterwards, continue to the ISRAEL MUSEUM with the Shrine of the Book, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Proceed to Bethlehem and see Shepherd's Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Next, visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, which stands on the site where Jesus was born. On the way back to Jerusalem, visit the GARDEN TOMB, where you will enjoy the scenery of the beautiful holy garden. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travelling companions of an unforgettable journey through the Holy Land. (B,D)
9
JERUSALEM. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
LATRUN AREA: Visit the site of David's victory over Goliath in the Valley of Elah, the Monastery of the Trappist Monks in Latrun.
JAFFA: Walking tour of the ancient port.
CAESAREA: Visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Crusader fortress.
HAIFA: Visit the Baha'i Shrine.
ACRE: Visit the underground Crusader city.
NAZARETH: Visit the Church of the Annunciation.
CANA: Visit the site of the first miracle.
KIBBUTZ: See an ancient fisherman's boat; lecture on Kibbutz life; visit Mount of Beatitudes; Capernaum; a baptismal site on the River Jordan.
SEA OF GALILEE: Panoramic view; enjoy a cruise.
BET SHE'AN: Admire its Roman and byzantine relics.
JERUSALEM: Visit Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum; the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem; the Garden Tomb; a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives; visit the Garden of Gethsemane; guided walking tour, follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Wailing Wall, and walk through the Jewish Quarter to Mount Zion, visit the Upper Room, the tomb of King David, and the house of Caiaphas; farewell dinner.
MASADA: Ride a cable car and visit the cliff-top fortress.
DEAD SEA: Visit one of the resorts.
MEALS: Full Israeli breakfast daily (B); 6 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Tel Aviv and a farewell dinner in Jerusalem.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 8 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 6
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
77
USD
Name:THE NIGHT SPECTACULAR AND MID-EASTERN DINNER Location:JERUSALEM Details:Join us for an unforgettable night. Enjoy a mid-eastern dinner in one of the fine restaurants in the city. Later enjoy an unforgettable night and hear the story of Jerusalem with the Night Spectacular show in the Tower of David.
77
USD
Name:HADASSAH HOSPITAL SYNAGOGUE AND ISRAEL MUSEUM Location:JERUSALEM Details:Visit the SYNAGOGUE of Hadassah Hospital with ist famous Chagall windows, representing the 12 sons of the Patriarch Jacob, who fromed the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Continue to the ISRAEL MUSEUM with the Shrine of the Book and the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Bible in the world, and the model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period. A visit to the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem is also included.
Optional Excursions
