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CLASSIC TOUR 12 NIGHTS W/ EILAT
Friday Arrival
Friday
Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by a Diesenhaus Unitours representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Saturday
At leisure
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Sunday
Caesarea / Megiddo / Druze village / Haifa
Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; see the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat el-Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and Gardens.
Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Monday
Safed / Katzrin / Golan winery
Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism; Visit the ancient synagogues and the Artist Quarter. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Quneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan Heights Winery for a tour and wine tasting.
Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.
Tuesday
Sea of Galilee / Nazareth / Beit Alpha
Start the day with a visit to Nazareth; visit the Church of Annunciation; Continue to Tiberias; visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter; visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac.
Overnight Jerusalem.
Wednesday
Mt. of Olives / Old City / Bethlehem*
Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives. Drive to the Old
City; visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish Quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian Quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem*; view Rachel’s Tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square.
Overnight Jerusalem.
Thursday
Israel Museum / Knesset / Mt. Herzl / Yad Vashem
Drive to the Israel Museum and visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed; see the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period; proceed for a tour at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Continue to visit Mount Herzl Cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about the residents’ unique lifestyle
Overnight Jerusalem.
Friday
Qumran / Masada / Dead Sea
Drive through the Judaean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 AD. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea; cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea** that many believe offers therapeutic effects.
Overnight Jerusalem.
Saturday
Day at leisure
Overnight Jerusalem.
Sunday
Negev desert / Timna / Underwater observatory
Travel south through the Negev desert; stop at Timna, a large geological and archaeological park; marvel at the multi colored rock formations and copper mines;
view the outstanding Solomon’s Pillars. Continue to Eilat, the southernmost resort city on the shores of the Red Sea; visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, built into a coral reef, and enjoy the opportunity for a close up look at the rich life of the Gulf of Eilat.
Overnight Eilat.
Monday
Free day in Eilat or Day tour to Petra (with additional charge)
After assistance with border formalities, drive straight to Petra, the astonishing rose-red city built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe). Petra is renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback-riding for about 700m, until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 km long (walking distance). Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the treasury, royal tombs, the court, Roman theatre, Roman street, Qasr al-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter), and many other smaller fascinating monuments. The city itself is almost 45km² and is considered to be the second wonder of the world. After the visit, time for lunch in a nearby restaurant. After lunch, drive back to border. On the way, a short visit to Aqaba with the possibility to stop and take a walk around. Transfer to the border at around 18:00 and cross back to Eilat.
Overnight Eilat.
(for the tour to Petra, visa is required in advance)
Tuesday
Mitzpe Ramon / Sde Boker / Airforce Museum
Depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon; stop to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder; proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and grave, which overlook the magnificent Zin Valley. Stop for a camel ride and visit an authentic Bedouin tent; learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch. Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel’s Airforce Museum to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force.
Overnight Tel Aviv.
Wednesday
Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.