Best of Israel
Best of Israel
$3135
Best of Israel
8 Days Starting and ending in Tel Aviv, Israel
Visiting: Jerusalem, Masada National Park, Lower Galilee, Sea of Galilee, Acre, Tel Aviv
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WISBN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, History, Religion and Spiritual, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the sacred lands of Israel with the "Best of Israel" tour. This immersive experience begins in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv and takes you through the historical and spiritual heart of Jerusalem, where you'll explore iconic sites like the Wailing Wall and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. Discover the ancient fortress of Masada, float in the Dead Sea, and cruise the serene waters of the Sea of Galilee. Visit the artistic colony of Safed, the Crusader city of Acre, and the Roman Amphitheater at Caesarea. Connect with locals over a traditional lunch in Jaffa, and enjoy the cosmopolitan charm of Tel Aviv. With expert guidance, comfortable accommodations, and a blend of cultural and historical insights, this tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Israel's rich heritage.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Jerusalem with a Local Specialist
- Visit the Fortress of Masada and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth, Jesus Boat at the Sea of Galilee, the old Synagogue and the Mount of Beatitudes near Capernaum, the ancient Synagogue and artists' colony at Safed, the underground Crusader City of Acre and the Roman Amphitheater at Caesarea
- View the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and the Baha'i Shrine from the summit of Mount Carmel in Haifa
- Scenic Cruise boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Be My Guest
Tel Aviv: In Jaffa, meet the Hiffawi family for a Be My Guest lunch and taste the coffee they have been making for generations. You'll also learn their story of living as Christians in a multi-religious society.
Itinerary
Day 1: Journey Begins In The Sacred City Of Jerusalem
Location: Jerusalem
Accommodation: Dan Panorama
Accommodation Name: Dan Panorama
Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you’ll be met and transferred through a land regarded by many as the holiest, to the sacred city of Jerusalem. Dependent on arrival time you will have an opportunity to explore before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for an introduction to your Israeli journey. L’chaim!
Day 2: A Day To Explore The Dead Sea And Masada
Location: Masada National Park
Accommodation: Dan Panorama
Accommodation Name: Dan Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey across the rocky Judean Desert to the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found accidentally by a Bedouin boy in 1947. Visit the striking clifftop fortress of Masada, where a Roman siege ended in the tragic mass suicide of over 900 Zealots. Their sacrifice remains as a symbol of Israel's pledge to remain free. Stroll through the excavations of Herod's palatial retreat, before returning to the lowest point on earth to float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea (time permitting). This evening, we share a traditional meal at our hotel.
Day 3: The Church Of Nativity In Bethlehem Dive Into Culture
Location: Jerusalem
Accommodation: Dan Panorama
Accommodation Name: Dan Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tread in the footsteps of prophets, crusaders and kings, admiring the Old City of Jerusalem from the sacred vantage point of the Mount of Olives. Stroll through the Jewish Quarter where you’ll Dive Into Culture at the Wailing Wall and watch faithful Jews cede their prayers to the crevices of its ancient rocks. See the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount and follow the path taken by Christ past the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, arriving at the 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians gather to commemorate at the traditional site of His Resurrection. Later this afternoon, travel to Bethlehem where the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus officially begins. Visit the Church of Nativity, built on the site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus, and the Manger Square before returning to Jerusalem.
Day 4: Onwards To Lower Galilee
Location: Lower Galilee
Accommodation: Kibbutz Lavi
Accommodation Name: Kibbutz Lavi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, continue your compelling discovery of Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem to commemorate the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust during World War II. See the Dead Sea Scrolls at Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book, the Knesset, and the Givat Ram Campus of the Hebrew University, before traveling through the farmlands of the Jordan Valley. In Nazareth, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the sacred Catholic Shrine of the Church of Annunciation, whose cupola overlooks the cave in which Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary to share the blessing that she would conceive and give birth to the Son of God. Celebrate a strong sense of community at your overnight stop, where you'll dine this evening.
Day 5: Admire Capernaum, The Mount Of Beatitudes And Safed
Location: Sea of Galilee
Accommodation: Kibbutz Lavi
Accommodation Name: Kibbutz Lavi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and visit the Jesus Boat, an ancient fishing vessel dating to the 1st century AD. Continue to the ruins of the old synagogue at Capernaum, said to have been built on the home of St. Peter. Then visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Next, venture to one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities and the birthplace of the Kabbalah movement, Safed. Proceed to Lower Galilee where you’ll enjoy dinner.
Day 6: On To Acre, Haifa, Caesarea And Tel Aviv
Location: Acre
Accommodation: Dan Panorama
Accommodation Name: Dan Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continue to the almost-intact 12th-century underground city of Acre to admire its medieval Crusader buildings, before enjoying views of the Baha'i Shrine and the beautiful Persian Hanging Gardens of Haifa, created as a memorial to the founders of the Bahá'í Faith. Imagine seafaring traders plying their wares in the ancient port city of Caesarea where we visit the Roman Amphitheater, then travel to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, our home for the next two nights.
Day 7: Discover Coastal Tel Aviv Connect With Locals
Location: Tel Aviv
Accommodation: Dan Panorama
Accommodation Name: Dan Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Visit Rabin Square this morning. Here you’ll learn about the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who has become a symbol of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Continue to Newe Zedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Rothchild Boulevard. Next, stroll through the ancient ruins of Old Jaffa and explore the biblical stories and ancient mythology of the Old Port. The robust aroma of coffee makes an appearance next at an exclusive Be My Guest experience in Ajami neighborhood, where you’ll Connect With Locals over lunch and learn about the personal story of a Christian girl growing up in a Jewish, Muslim and Christian area.
Day 8: Farewell Tel Aviv
Location: Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our epic journey through the sacred lands of Israel has come to an end. All that's left to say is a fond farewell to fellow pilgrims as you prepare for your journey home.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
The tour covers all hotel tips, charges, and local taxes.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
The tour includes must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation
Travel is in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
The tour offers optional experiences and free time for personal exploration.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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International flights
International flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Visa fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included in the tour package.
Dining Summary
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Jerusalem: Visit the Western Wall, otherwise known as the Wailing Wall, renowned as one of the holiest places for the Jewish faith.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury with an air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable journey across Israel's iconic sites, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels like the Dan Panorama in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and Kibbutz Lavi in Lower Galilee, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey in Israel.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a 'Be My Guest' lunch with the Hiffawi family in Jaffa, where you can taste their traditional coffee and learn about their life as Christians in a multi-religious society. Additionally, you will visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a significant site for the Jewish faith.
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Will there be opportunities to explore religious and historical sites?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several religious and historical sites such as the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth, and the ancient Synagogue at Safed. You will also explore the underground Crusader City of Acre and the Roman Amphitheater at Caesarea.
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Is there a scenic activity included in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes a scenic cruise boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, providing a unique perspective of this historic area.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. There is also a 'Be My Guest' lunch included.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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