11 Days Holyland W/ Eilat

Highlights
Itinerary

HOLYLAND WITH EILAT
11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS

TOUR INCLUDES:

2 nights in Tel Aviv.
2 nights in a Kibbutz Guesthouse.
4 nights in Jerusalem.
2 nights in Eilat.
Arrival and departure airport transfers at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Air-conditioned tourist coach transportation throughout the tour.
Professional English-speaking tour guide.
Sightseeing tours and visits as outlined in the itinerary.
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Cable car ride to and from Masada.
Entrance fees to scheduled attractions included in the tour program.
Daily breakfast at hotels.

HOLYLAND WITH EILAT
11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS

DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN TEL AVIV | BEN GURION AIRPORT
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative of Diesenhaus Unitours and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 2. CAESAREA – MUHRAKA – MEGIDDO – ACRE
Begin your journey with a visit to Caesarea, the ancient Roman regional capital where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned before traveling to Rome. Explore the impressive Roman Theater and ancient aqueduct. Continue to Muhraka on Mount Carmel, the biblical site where Prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Proceed to Megiddo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site associated with the biblical prophecy of Armageddon. Your final stop is Acre (Akko), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Crusader capital. Explore the Old City, local market, historic harbor, and fascinating underground Crusader City and crypt.

DAY 3. TIBERIAS – MAGDALA – SEA OF GALILEE – CAPERNAUM – MOUNT OF BEATITUDES – YARDENIT
Visit Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. Enjoy a memorable boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus performed many of his miracles. Visit the Yigal Alon Center to see the ancient first-century fishing boat known as the Jesus Boat. Continue to Capernaum, the Town of Jesus and home of Saint Peter. Explore the remains of the ancient synagogue and the Church of Saint Peter. Visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, and admire the beautiful fourth-century mosaics inside the Church of Multiplication. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Conclude the day at Yardenit, a baptismal site along the Jordan River.

DAY 4. CANA – NAZARETH – JORDAN VALLEY – BEIT SHE’AN – JERUSALEM
Travel to Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, traditionally recognized as the site where the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. Explore Saint Joseph’s Church and the traditional site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop. Visit Mary’s Well before continuing through the Jordan Valley. Discover Beit She’an, one of Israel’s most impressive archaeological sites, featuring a remarkably preserved Roman theater, ancient bathhouses, and colonnaded streets. Proceed to Jerusalem.

DAY 5. JERUSALEM – OLD CITY
Discover Jerusalem, one of the world’s most important religious destinations. Begin at the Mount of Olives, where you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Visit the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, traditionally associated with Jesus’ final prayers before his arrest. Continue to Mount Zion to visit King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the historic Old City and explore the ancient Roman Cardo, Jewish Quarter, and Christian Quarter. Highlights include the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally recognized as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Overnight: Jerusalem.

DAY 6. JERUSALEM – NEW CITY – EIN KAREM – BETHLEHEM
Begin the day in Ein Karem, traditionally recognized as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Visit the Church of the Visitation, commemorating Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, and the Church of Saint John the Baptist. Continue to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. See the impressive miniature model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the Second Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Visit Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Continue to Manger Square and visit the remarkable Church of the Nativity, traditionally built over the birthplace of Jesus. The visit to Bethlehem is subject to prevailing security conditions.

DAY 7. QUMRAN – MASADA – DEAD SEA
Travel through the spectacular Judean Desert toward the Dead Sea, located approximately 400 meters (1,300 feet) below sea level. Stop at Qumran, the archaeological site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the legendary mountain fortress built by King Herod the Great. Ascend by cable car to explore the impressive fortress, ancient palaces, and archaeological remains. Descend by cable car and continue to the Dead Sea. Enjoy the extraordinary experience of floating effortlessly in its mineral-rich waters and covering yourself with the famous Dead Sea mineral mud.

DAY 8. NEGEV DESERT – TIMNA PARK – EILAT UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY
Leave Jerusalem and enjoy a scenic journey south through the spectacular Negev Desert. Stop at Timna Park, a fascinating geological and archaeological reserve known for its colorful rock formations and ancient copper mines. Discover the impressive Solomon’s Pillars, one of the park’s most remarkable natural attractions. Continue to Ktura to see the Methuselah Tree, a date palm grown from a 2,000-year-old seed discovered at Masada. Proceed to Eilat, a beautiful resort city located along the northern shores of the Red Sea. Visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, built into a coral reef, where you can discover the fascinating marine life and underwater wonders of the Gulf of Eilat.

DAY 9. FREE DAY IN EILAT OR OPTIONAL PETRA, JORDAN EXCURSION
Enjoy a free day in Eilat to relax, explore the city, or enjoy the beautiful Red Sea surroundings. Optional Excursion: PETRA, JORDAN (Additional Charge) For those choosing the optional excursion, cross the border into Jordan and continue to Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Discover this extraordinary ancient Nabatean city, carved into magnificent sandstone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Explore its dramatic landscapes, impressive rock-cut architecture, and fascinating history along ancient trade routes. Advance visa arrangements are required. Optional excursion subject to border conditions and availability.

DAY 10. MITZPE RAMON – RAMON CRATER – SDE BOKER – TEL AVIV
Depart Eilat and travel toward Mitzpe Ramon. Stop to admire the spectacular Ramon Crater, an extraordinary geological formation in the Negev Desert. Visit the Mitzpe Ramon Visitors’ Center to learn more about this remarkable natural wonder. Continue to Sde Boker, where you will visit the home and burial site of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, overlooking the beautiful Zin Valley. After the visit, continue your journey back to Tel Aviv.

DAY 11. TEL AVIV – BEN GURION AIRPORT | DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport for your departure flight. Take home unforgettable memories of your journey through Israel and Jordan. End of Tour.