Israel Classic Tour (Every Tuesday)

8 Nights / 9 Days

4N Jerusalem / 1N Tel Aviv / 2N Kibbutz Lavi / 1N Jerusalem

ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV/BEN GURION AIRPORT – JERUSALEM

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 02: THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM

After breakfast, start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives. Drive to the Old City to 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 the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem; view Rachel’s tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s square. (B)

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 03: THE NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM

After breakfast, drive to the Israel Museum; visit the Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and 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 Hertzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Visit Mea Shea’rim, the ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening, enjoy a Middle Eastern dinner followed by the spectacular “Sound & Light” show at the Tower of David Museum (weather conditions permitting). (B)

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 04: QUMRAN – MASADA – DEAD SEA

After breakfast, drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, 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 has its therapeutic effects (*weather permitting). (B)

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 05: JERUSALEM – TEL AVIV

After breakfast, day is at leisure in Tel Aviv. (B)

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

DAY 06: CAESAREA – MEGGIDO – DRUZE VILLAGES – HAIFA

After breakfast, drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. See the excavations of the Crusader city and 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. Continue via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and gardens. (BL)

Overnight in Kibbutz Lavi.

DAY 07: SAFED – GOLAN HEIGHTS – WINERY

After breakfast, drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will visit the ancient synagogues and the artists’ colony. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan winery for a tour and wine tasting. Proceed to “Kessem Hagolan”, a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. (BL)

Overnight in Kibbutz Lavi.

DAY 08: SEA OF GALILEE – NAZARETH – JERUSALEM

After breakfast, start the day with a visit to Nazareth and visit the Church of Annunciation. Continue to Tiberias and then along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to 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. (B)

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 09: JERUSALEM – TEL AVIV/BEN GURION AIRPORT

After breakfast, take the transfer to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for departure. (B)

INFORMATION:

INCLUSIONS:

• 4* Accommodation as per itinerary (subject to availability) at the time of booking or similar.
• Includes 8 Breakfasts and 2 Lunches, meals as per itinerary (B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner).
• Entrance Fees and Sightseeing as per itinerary.
• Assistance at the airport upon arrival.
• Transfers from/to airport on arrival and departure.
• Sightseeing in a modern air conditioned motor-coach.
• Service of a Government licensed guide on all touring days.

Highlights:

1. Panoramic view from Mount of Olives, Old City of Jerusalem, Rachel’s Tomb, Church of Nativity and Manger’s square in Bethlehem
2. New City of Jerusalem
3. Qumran, Masada and Dead Sea
4. Caesarea, Meggido, Druze Villages and Haifa
5. Safed, Golan Heights and Golan Winery
6. Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and Beit Alpha Synagogue

COST: On Request

EXCLUSIONS:

• All flights, excess baggage fees, airport departure taxes and other relevant taxes.
• All meals and drinks not specified in inclusions.
• Porterage at airport and hotels.
• Items of a personal nature (i.e. internet, curio, laundry, beverages, etc.) unless specifically quoted for above.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Visa fees.
• Optional Tours.
• Anything not specifically quoted in the inclusions.
• GST extra as applicable

NOTES:

1. Rates are subject to availability and to further terms and conditions.
2. All prices are correct at the time of printing. Compact travels reserves the right to alter the published price of any tour due to increasing tariffs, costs and entry fees or fluctuation of exchange rates, such amounts shall be determined at the sole discretion of Compact Travels.
3. No reservations have been made and accommodation is subject to availability. In case of non-availability, alternate accommodation will be recommended.
4. All outdoor activities are weather permitting.
5. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles. Comfort stops will be made en route.
6. All distances and travelling times are approximate.
7. Peak Season Surcharge may be applicable during Xmas, New Year or during any special events.
8. The tour is on a guaranteed departure basis – subject to a minimum of 2 participants. Bookings of one person are on request and subject to written confirmation.
9. Reservations received less than 14 days prior to departure are on a request only basis.
10. The sequence of the tour, hotels used, and sites visited may be amended due to unforeseen circumstances.
11. Compact Travels Terms & Conditions Apply.
12. Effective November 15, 2015, Swachh Bharat cess in addition to the Service tax will be applicable on all currencies (payable in INR).
    
13. All Payments to be made in INR, USD or EUR as per rate of exchange at the time of booking.
    
14. Any payments automatically mean adherence to the terms & conditions of Compact Travels.