Travel from Tel Aviv, along the coastal road to Caesarea, to visit the archeological park. The ancient city built by king Herod was once a major port and hub of activity in the Judea province. Explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheatre. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbour area and Crusader crypt. Enjoy a delicious falafel lunch at Acre market.
In Nazareth, visit one of Christianity's most sacred places, the Church of the Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to Mary. Soon, ochre villages and seaside towns are replaced by green hills, rich crops and colourful groves, as you approach Tiberias, your home for the night. The day concludes with a brief introduction to life on a Kibbutz. This evening, break traditional challah bread with your travel companions over a cheerful Shabbat dinner. (B/DW) Stay: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias.
Explore Galilee with Insight Choice. Choose to cruise the serene waters of lake Kinneret for glorious views of the Golan Heights. Alternatively, find out more about the remains of a first century fishing boat that was found embedded at the bottom of the lake. Visit Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have entered the synagogue to teach, before heading to the Mount of Beatitudes, where he preached the Sermon on the Mount.
Journey through ever-changing landscapes along the Jordan Valley, past ancient Jericho, to take a dip in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea. (B/D) Stay: Milos Dead Sea Hotel, Ein Bokek.
Enjoy a relaxed morning or alternatively choose to meet your Local Expert at the West Bank border and continue to the Holy city of Bethlehem. The Optional Experience includes visiting the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam.
In the afternoon, visit the Garden of Gethsemene and walk through the Old City to see the Temple Mount, one of Islam's holiest sites. Continue along the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Pool of Bethesda, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At night, toast your adventures over a hearty Highlight Dinner with wine. (B/DW)
Continue to Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, where Moses stood and saw before him the Promised Land. At Madaba, visit the famous Greek Orthodox Church of St. George with its amazing 6th century mosaic map depicting the entire Holy Land, stretching from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south.
Follow the King's Highway to visit Shobak, an authentic 12th century crusader fortress, perched on the side of a rocky mountain, standing guard over a barren and desolate land. Admire the towers and Arabic calligraphy on the external walls before discovering the original Crusader chapel, palace complex, and even a set of secret passages! Then head south for one of the highlights of your journey: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. (B/DW) Stay: Petra Marriott Hotel.
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor museum and witness ancient artefacts.
In the evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink at the hotel. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room. (B/L/D) Stay: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Travel from Tel Aviv, along the coastal road to Caesarea, to visit the archeological park. The ancient city built by king Herod was once a major port and hub of activity in the Judea province. Explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheatre. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbour area and Crusader crypt. Enjoy a delicious falafel lunch at Acre market.
In Nazareth, visit one of Christianity's most sacred places, the Church of the Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to Mary. Soon, ochre villages and seaside towns are replaced by green hills, rich crops and colourful groves, as you approach Tiberias, your home for the night. The day concludes with a brief introduction to life on a Kibbutz. This evening, break traditional challah bread with your travel companions over a cheerful Shabbat dinner. (B/DW) Stay: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias.
Explore Galilee with Insight Choice. Choose to cruise the serene waters of lake Kinneret for glorious views of the Golan Heights. Alternatively, find out more about the remains of a first century fishing boat that was found embedded at the bottom of the lake. Visit Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have entered the synagogue to teach, before heading to the Mount of Beatitudes, where he preached the Sermon on the Mount.
Journey through ever-changing landscapes along the Jordan Valley, past ancient Jericho, to take a dip in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea. (B/D) Stay: Milos Dead Sea Hotel, Ein Bokek.
Enjoy a relaxed morning or alternatively choose to meet your Local Expert at the West Bank border and continue to the Holy city of Bethlehem. The Optional Experience includes visiting the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam.
In the afternoon, visit the Garden of Gethsemene and walk through the Old City to see the Temple Mount, one of Islam's holiest sites. Continue along the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Pool of Bethesda, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At night, toast your adventures over a hearty Highlight Dinner with wine. (B/DW)
Continue to Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, where Moses stood and saw before him the Promised Land. At Madaba, visit the famous Greek Orthodox Church of St. George with its amazing 6th century mosaic map depicting the entire Holy Land, stretching from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south.
Follow the King's Highway to visit Shobak, an authentic 12th century crusader fortress, perched on the side of a rocky mountain, standing guard over a barren and desolate land. Admire the towers and Arabic calligraphy on the external walls before discovering the original Crusader chapel, palace complex, and even a set of secret passages! Then head south for one of the highlights of your journey: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. (B/DW) Stay: Petra Marriott Hotel.
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor museum and witness ancient artefacts.
In the evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink at the hotel. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room. (B/L/D) Stay: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities
26 Days Tel Aviv Cairo
Operated By: Insight Vacations
26 Days Tel Aviv Cairo
Operated By: Insight Vacations