12 Days / 11 Nights
Israel V.I.P. TourA luxurious, 5-star venture to Israel’s UNESCO world heritage destinations and scenic holy sites. Hands-on visits to Israel’s famed cultural and educational landmarks and entertainment spots, with Israel’s best-kept secrets reserved for intimate groups of up to 12 travelers. Get personal attention in an exclusive adventure exploring the best that Israel has to offer.
Small group departures, up to 12 participants, on selected dates.
Featuring: Tel-Aviv, Sea of Galilee, Caesarea, Acre, Nazareth, Masada and Jerusalem.
Journey's Highlights »
Highlights include:
- Tour the Yitzhak Rabin Center Museum
- Stroll through the New Sarona (Templars’ quarter in Tel-Aviv)
- Marvel at the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art
- Experience the Igal Alon Museum
- Explore the City of David and Western Wall Tunnels
- Hike the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
- Sail on the Sea of Galilee
Special Attractions include:
- Shuk Bites, which involves tasting different foods at the Jerusalem Machane Yehuda market
- Unwind in the spa facilities at a deluxe Spa Dead Sea hotel and enjoy lunch.
- Merrily enjoy dinner at a local Middle Eastern Restaurant
- Gaze at the Sound & Light show at the Tower of David in Jerusalem
Included in Your Journey »
Accommodations:
- 4 nights in the Royal Beach Hotel or the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv.
- 2 nights in the Mitzpe Hayamim Spa and Resort Hotel in Rosh Pina
- 5 nights in the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem
Included:
- VIP airport meet-and-greet service – upon arrival and departure
- Private transfers to and from hotels – upon arrival and departure
- 11-night accommodation in deluxe, 5-star hotels on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 Dinners included at the hotel in the north.
- 8 sightseeing days in a modern, luxury, air-conditioned touring vehicle
- An engaging licensed guide who speaks your language
- Entrance fees to programmed sites
Itinerary
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Day 1- Wednesday - Tel Aviv
Arrival in Israel.
More details »Welcome to Israel! Arrival in Ben Gurion airport where you will be met and assisted just before passport control by our VIP representative. After luggage collection, transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps, and business and financial center of Israel.
Overnight in the Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv or Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 2- Thursday - Tel Aviv
Explore Tel Aviv
More details »Begin the morning with a visit to the Yitzhak Rabin Center. Learn about the legacy of the late Prime Minister of Israel, and explore the history and the development of the State.
Next visit is Independence Hall where the establishment of the State of Israel was declared in 1948, headed by Ben Gurion. The hall where the visit takes place is the actual hall where “it all happened” and it looks exactly the way it did at the time.
Drive through Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv, established in 1887 when the old walled City of Jaffa became too overcrowded for its residents. While the area has undergone many changes in recent years, it has still managed to retain its charm and beautiful architecture.
Continue to the Carmel market(shuk) and experience the vibrant noises, smells and colors. End the day at the Jaffa Visitors’ Center. Enjoy the multimedia presentation of the 8,000 year old port town and its history; walk around the restored old city now an artists’ quarter and see the renovated harbor.
Overnight in the Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv or Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 3- Friday - Tel Aviv
Continue cultural tour around Tel Aviv.
More details »Visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art, Israel’s largest art museum displaying a wide collection of permanent and temporary exhibits of both local and international artists
Continue to Sarona,the 140 year old German Templar’s colony which was occupied by the British forces and handed back to the Israelis in 1947; the complex served as the Israel Defense Force’s headquarters for many years and this area has now been restored, preserving the original architecture and converted into a lively pedestrian open air commercial center.
Drive through the main streets of Tel-Aviv, passing by Rabin’s Square, place of assassination of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin. Before heading back to the hotel, stop at the Old Port of Tel Aviv and enjoy the promenade along the seafront with the unique shops, cafes and youthful ambiance.
Overnight in the Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv or Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 4- Saturday - Tel Aviv
Day at leisure.
More details »Spend the day at leisure in Tel Aviv. We suggest a visit to the old train station within walking distance of your hotel
Overnight in the Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv or Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 5 - Sunday - Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Acre - Haifa- Rosh Pina
Depart from Tel Aviv, and on the way to Acre, stop over in Caesarea and Haifa.
More details »Depart Tel Aviv and drive via the coastal road to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region.
Explore the ruins and excavations of the Crusader’s city and the amphitheater which has been restored and is used for cultural events during the summer months. Tour the old port and learn about the history through a multi-media presentation.
Proceed to Haifa to visit the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum (“Af al Pi Chen”) and hear the story of the illegal immigrants to Israel at the time of the British mandate.
While driving through the city enjoy the panoramic view of the beautifully sculptured Baha’i Gardens.
Visit Acre(Akko) one of the ancient port cities in Israel, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Hear about the history of this city through its unique buildings, fortresses and intact fortifications. Visit the underground Crusader city and walk through the old city with its turrets and mosques and a local market.
Dinner and overnight at the Mitzpe Hayamim Spa and Resort Hotel.
Day 6 - Monday - Rosh Pina
Day tour of Safed, Mitzpe Gadot, Katzrin and Mt. Bental. (b,d)
More details »Begin the day with a visit to Safed, one of the four holy cities in Israel and the center of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mysticism. This tour will include a visit to the Joseph Caro and Ha’Ari synagogues; browse through the artists’ quarter and the picturesque alleyways.
Ascend the Golan Heights and stop at Mitzpe Gadot a former Syrian base. This site commemorates the fallen Israel soldiers of the 33rd. Battalion of the Golani Brigade.
Proceed to the Talmudic village of Katzrin and experience the ancient life through the restored home, olive press and ancient synagogue.
Proceed to Mt. Bental a dormant volcanic mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights. Hear about the story of one of the largest tank battles that took place during the 1973 war.
Dinner and overnight at the Mitzpe Hayamim Spa and Resort hotel. (b,d)
Day 7 - Tuesday - Rosh Pina - Capernaum - Nazareth - Beit Shean - Jerusalem
Depart Rosh Pina and explore the biblical sights of Galilee, then arrive in Jerusalem.
More details »Descend the Upper Galilee towards Tiberias, and visit Capernaum. Explore the ruins of the synagogue and church of St. Peter and enjoy a serene boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.
Visit the Igal Alon Museum where an ancient 2,000 year old ancient boat was discovered.
Drive to Nazareth and visit the Church of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in Israel. Proceed to Beit Shean called the ‘Scythopolis’ and one of the biggest archaeological parks in Israel with beautiful excavations from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Proceed via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and ascend Mt. Scopus for the traditional “Shehehiyanu” blessing as you enter the city.
Overnight at the David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
Day 8 - Wednesday - Jerusalem
Explore the Old City. (b,d)
More details »Walk along the Cardo, the ormer market place during the 2nd Temple. Visit the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) directly below the Temple Mount, continue to the City of David that began more than 3,000 years ago when King David, left Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem.
Tour through the labyrinth of underground Western Wall tunnels directly below the Western Wall/Temple Mount and learn about the history from centuries ago.
Return to the hotel and freshen up before dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant. In the evening, watch the spectacular Sound and Light show at the Tower of David.
Overnight in the David Citadel hotel, Jerusalem. (b,d)
Day 9 - Thursday - Jerusalem
Explore the New City of Jerusalem.
More details »Visit the Israel Museum and enter the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed; see the new Holy Land model, a miniature replica of Jerusalem as it was during the 2nd Temple.
Continue for a tour at the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament and see the Menorah with the biblical emblems in the gardens of the Knesset.
Experience the contemporary Jerusalem at the renowned Machane Yehuda Market(shuk) with its authentic and colorful stands. Enjoy the” Shuk” bites that enables you to sample the delicacies of the market.
Continue to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
Overnight in the David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
Day 10 - Friday - Jerusalem
Day tour of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Masada and the waters of the Dead Sea. (b,l)
More details »Drive through the Judean Desert, home of the Bedouin (nomads of the desert) and along the shore of the Dead Sea, lowest spot on Earth. Visit the Ein Gedi nature reserve and explore the lush oasis with its waterfalls, vegetation and rare wildlife.
Continue to the mountain top fortress of Masada – ascend by cable car and explore the ruins of this ancient fortress built by King Herod – explore the palace, synagogue and ritual bath houses. Descend by cable car. Buffet lunch at one of the hotels at the Dead Sea.
Experience a float in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea (towel and locker provided for your convenience). Return to Jerusalem and bid farewell to your guide and driver
Overnight in the David Citadel hotel, Jerusalem.(b,l)
Day 11 - Saturday - Jerusalem
Day at leisure.
More details »Day at leisure in Jerusalem.
Day 12 - Sunday - Jerusalem - Ben Gurion Airport
Depart Jerusalem and transfer to the airport for your home-bound flight.
More details »Transfer to Ben Gurion airport where you will be met and assisted by our representative through the airport procedures for your home-bound flight.
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