Day tours
The highlights tour options are planned to depart from Tel-Aviv/Jerusalem. Inquire for the multi-day trips options and touring more distant areas (such as the Negev desert, Eilat region). The excursions are offered in English, Russian, or Hebrew.
Highlights of Jerusalem
The highlights tour in Jerusalem is a good introduction for first-time visitors. We will explore the city of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A sample itinerary includes:
- Lookout from the Mount of Olives
- Jaffa Gate - introduction to the Old City.
- Walk on top of the city's walls and see the Old City from above.
- Visit the Jewish Quarter and its sites: the Roman Cardo and Hezekiah's Wall
- Visit the the Western Wall ("The Kotel") - the spiritual heart of the Jewish nation.
- Follow the story of Jesus along the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) to the Christian Quarter.
- Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which hosts the site where Jesus was crucified (Golgotha Hill) and the site of his burial.
Dead Sea and Masada
Add a visit to the lowest place on earth to your adventures! We will drive down to the Dead Sea area and stop on the way at the Sea Level Point. The first part of the tour we will spend exploring Masada, the desert stronghold fortified by Herod the Great, which was the venue for the last struggle between Jews and Romans during the Great Revolt. The remarkably well preserved fortress unfolds the shocking story of its end in 73 CE.
We will continue to the Dead Sea beach, one of the saltiest lakes on earth, where you will experience your body floating on water while you read a newspaper. It is also an opportunity to enjoy a cold beer at the lowest bars in the world (-420 m!).
Non-Stop Tel-Aviv
Tel-Aviv is much more than just a city; it's a scene. This highlights Tel-Aviv tour will demonstrate the views, tastes, and vibes of this special city. We will start our day with the tour of the Old Jaffa, the ancient part of Tel-Aviv and today an artist colony. We will explore the old streets and galleries, see fantastic views of the coast line, and will discover why the place is also important for Christianity. We will continue a food tour at the Carmel Market, where you can check out various local dishes and feel the vibrant atmosphere of the ongoing middle-eastern commerce. We will visit the beautiful Neve Tzedek neighborhood, and we'll see how Tel-Aviv emerged from Jaffa. Then we will catch the vibes at the famous Rothschild Boulevard, and walk part of the Independence Trail.
Optional additions:
Explore Tel-Aviv's street art on a Graffiti tour;
Night-life tour of the most "in" bars and pubs in the city that "never sleeps";
Diamond exchange tour - visit the world's famous diamond exchange and see how deals of millions are conducted.
Caesarea, Haifa, and Mt. Carmel
In about 40 min drive north from Tel-Aviv, we will arrive to Caesarea - a famous port city established by Herod the Great and the capital of the Roman province. We will dedicate the visit to explore the Roman theater, enjoy the inspiring views from the Herod's coastal palace, visit the hippodrome where horse races took place, and finish in its ancient port.
We will stop for a view over Jezreel valley from Mt. Carmel and visit the monastery dedicated to Elijah the prophet. On our way, we will taste delicious oriental cuisine in the Druze village of Daliat el-Karmel.
Then we will continue to Haifa, and explore the famous Bahai Gardens - a UNESCO world heritage site and the center of Bahai faith worldwide.
Around the Sea of Galilee
Discover the landscape of the Bible touring around the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret). We will start the day with a lookout from Mt. Arbel - the Sea of Galilee, mountains of Galilee, and the Golan Heights will unfold in front of your eyes.
We will continue to Magdala, the ancient Jewish town which was the origin of Mary Magdalene, where a mysterious synagogue from the 1st century CE was recently uncovered. The famous St. Peter's Fish will be served for lunch. After lunch, we will visit Capernaum, also known as "the town of Jesus", where an ancient synagogue and Peter's house bear witness for the past biblicalglory of this coastal town. If time allows, we will stop at the Tabgha church and enjoy its famous Byzantine-time mosaic of Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes.
Optional: Stop at the beach or visit Jordan River baptismal site.
David's article about Magdala: here.
We will continue to Magdala, the ancient Jewish town which was the origin of Mary Magdalene, where a mysterious synagogue from the 1st century CE was recently uncovered. The famous St. Peter's Fish will be served for lunch. After lunch, we will visit Capernaum, also known as "the town of Jesus", where an ancient synagogue and Peter's house bear witness for the past biblicalglory of this coastal town. If time allows, we will stop at the Tabgha church and enjoy its famous Byzantine-time mosaic of Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes.
Optional: Stop at the beach or visit Jordan River baptismal site.
David's article about Magdala: here.
Golan Heights
The Golan Heights region is probably the most beautiful region of Israel. It is home for beautiful nature reserves, historical sites, and unique communities. We will start our day with visiting the biblical city of Tel-Dan - the famous capital of the biblical tribe Dan which preserves the original city gate (Iron Age) and remains of an ancient altar. Then, we will drive up to Golan Heights and stop for lunch in a Druze village (Masa'ade). Our next point is Mt. Bental, where while standing on the top of a dormant volcano, we will visit an abandon IDF bunker and look towards Syria. We will finish our day at the ancient synagogue Umm el-Kanatir, a unique example of a completely restored building, which was a spiritual home of a prosperous Jewish community that vanished in the 8 century CE.
Optional: Bike tour at the birds and wildlife sanctuary Agamon Hahula.
Advanced Excursions
“The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He gave over to man.”
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