The Old City at the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel
Caption: The Old City at the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel
Caption: The Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel
Caption: The Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. © Flickr - Quique Cardona
Caption: Roman amphitheatre ruins, Beit She'an, Israel
Caption: Boats and Yachts at Acre Bay, Israel
Caption: Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel

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Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: Israel
'Land of Milk & Honey'
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Flight information: Arrive at Tel Aviv Airport [TLV] on Day 1 and depart on Day 8
Pickup location: Tel Aviv Airport [TLV]

Overview

Choose your own departure date for your group.

With its many important archaeological and religious sites, Israel is a melting pot of history and culture, where east meets west and traditional meets modern around every corner.

Israel is often referred to as 'the land of milk and honey' which perfectly sums up this small yet abundant country. Israel takes only a few hours to cross yet offers an eclectic mix of people and cultures, fascinating sites and beautiful landscapes. It is of great importance for three of the world's major faiths - Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  About the size of New Jersey, with its beautiful beaches and ancient towns it is a magnet for those fascinated by the country’s biblical past.  We'll visit well known sites like Tel Aviv, Bethlehem and Nazareth, as well as enjoying a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, ascending the Golan Heights and overlooking Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Tel Aviv, Israel
DAY 2 - Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Haifa - Acre - Tiberias
DAY 3 - Sea of Galilee - Golan Heights
DAY 4 - Nazareth - Jerusalem
DAY 5 - Jerusalem Sightseeing and Bethlehem
DAY 6 - Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem
DAY 7 - Masada and Qumran
DAY 8 - Goodbye to Israel
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Tel Aviv, Israel

On arrival at Tel Aviv airport  you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.  We will have a welcome dinner and get together in a local restaurant this evening.

Included meals: Welcome Dinner 

DAY 2 - Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Haifa - Acre - Tiberias

We will depart by coach, after breakfast, for a scenic drive along the coast to the 2000 year old city of Ceasarea where we will see a wealth of ruins including the artificial harbour laid out by Herod.  From here we will drive to the seaport city of Haifa and enjoy views from the top of Mount Carmel before heading to Acre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Here we will visit the Crusader Knights' Halls and explore the covered markets before driving to our hotel in Tiberias for the next 2 nights.  Dinner will be together this evening in a nearby restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

DAY 3 - Sea of Galilee - Golan Heights

On our excursion today we will discover Biblical history on a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. We will stop at the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus taught, and St. Peter's house which is now a church.  We will also see an ancient mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes in the Church of Multiplication and the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ issued his famous Sermon on the Mount.  Our tour continues with a drive up the Golan Heights, overlooking upper Galilee, stopping to see some archeaological remains of this sacred place en-route. We then head back to our hotel in Tiberias.  Lunch will be included at a local restaurant today.

Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

DAY 4 - Nazareth - Jerusalem

We depart for Jerusalem today, stopping en-route at Sephoris, once the centre of Jewish spiritual life with fascinating remains and mosaics.  Then onto Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the spot where the Archangel Gabriel is supposed to have informed the Virgin Mary that God has chosen her to bear his son. We will also visit Israel's best preserved ampitheatre in Beit Shean, before driving down the Jordan valley to Jerusalem and our hotel for the next 4 nights.  Dinner will be together this evening in a local restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

DAY 5 - Jerusalem Sightseeing and Bethlehem

Our first stop this morning is Yad Vashem, the Jewish people's memorial to the 6million lives lost in the Holocaust. We will visit the museum and take a walk along the Street of the Righteous.  Our tour continues past the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, then we will visit the Israel Museum containing the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity which rests over the cave where Jesus was born, before returning to our hotel.  Lunch will be included today at a local restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

DAY 6 - Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem

First we will drive to the Mount of Olives to get some wonderful views over the city and, at the foot of the hill, the Garden of Gethsemane.  We make our way through Zion Gate towards the Jewish Quarter where we will see the ancient Roman road and restored synagogues and down the stone stairway to the Western Wall - the Kotel, where we will see many worshippers.  As we continue towards the Southern Wall we will pass through many historical places including the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Christ.  We leave the Old City at Mount Zion and visit St. Peter in Gallicantu before heading back to the hotel.  The evening is at your leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast 

DAY 7 - Masada and Qumran

This morning we will drive along the Dead Sea to Masada where we will take a cable car to reach this last stronghold of the Zealots.  Many of its fortifications, originally built by Herod, still stand.  From here we will stop at Qumran Caves, located on the Dead Sea's northern shores, and the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  Many of the items discovered in these caves are now exhibited at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.  Weather permitting, there may be time to take a dip into the Dead Sea from a local beach.  Drive back to our hotel in Jerusalem.

This evening we will have a Farewell Dinner together in a local restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

DAY 8 - Goodbye to Israel

Sadly, time to say goodbye and head for the airport for your homeward journey.  Transfers will be arranged from the hotel to the airport.

Included meals: Breakfast 

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • ATOL Protection
  • For UK guests, return economy flights to/from LHR are included in the cost of the journey. For US/International guests, international flights are not included - please arrange your own international flights. Regional UK airport departures may be available - please ask at the time of booking. Supplements may apply.
  • Meet n Greet service at Tel Aviv airport on arrival
  • Return Airport/Hotel transfers
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation in superior standard hotels.
  • Daily touring as per the itinerary
  • All transportation by air conditioned coaches for 6 days of touring
  • English speaking tour guide for 6 days of touring
  • Entrance fees to all sites listed on itinerary
  • Free mineral water on touring coach 
  • Porterage/baggage handling in/out of hotels
  • Services of a Big Journey Company Tour Director throughout

What's not included

  • Additional food/beverage unless otherwise included in the programme
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal Travel & Medical Insurance
  • Visas (if required)
  • Optional excursions
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities 

Important information

  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.
  • Visas are not currently required for entry to Israel for US, UK & Canadian citizens. For other passport holders please check before travel if you require a visa.
  • Check in is after 2-3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
  • Cancellation 90 – 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable and final payments are due 14 weeks prior to departure.
  • Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights. This offer is subject to availability and space is limited.

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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