Holyland Tour
Day 1 - Arrival to Tel Aviv
Upon arrival to Tel Aviv Airport you will be met by our representative from Amiel Tours who will assist you through baggage claim and customs and escort you to your driver and transfered to your hotel to check-in. Enjoy dinner and evening at leisure in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Tal by the Beaech Hotel
Day 2 - Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Following breakfast you will meet your group and the Amiel Guide in the hotel lobby before setting off on a fun-packed day.
A walk around the Old Port City of Jaffa, the oldest seaport in the world and home to a vibrant multiethnic community of Muslims, Christians and Jews: Get to know the first Jewish city of the modern era, established in 1909. Take a stroll along Rothschild Boulevard, the beating heart of Tel Aviv and home to the White City and the prominent collection of Bauhaus buidlings. Also you will explore the street art and side streets and alleyways of this colorful urban scene.
A choice of two culinary tours will introduce you to the very best of Tel Aviv's food scene - Camel Market tasting tour, a fascinating variety of culinary riches and the primary market of Tel Aviv OR Vegan Culinary Tour where traditional vegan and vegetarian cuisine and innovative young chefs offer a one of a kind savoury adventure
Free Evening - Overnight: Tal by the Beach
Day 3 - Back to the Future - Haifa - Israels beautiful coastline
After breakfast, we leave Tel Aviv and head north. Take in the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great and once administrative centre of the Roman Empire. The town and its archeological wonders showcase these wonders. Visit the ancient port, Roman hippodrome, amphitheatre and many other impressive historical treasures.
The Kibbuz Experience - Visit the Ein Shemer Kibbutz museum
Continue to the southern end of Mount Carmel, between Zikhron Ya'akov and Binyamina to Ramat Hanadiv Gardens, a natural gem dedicated to Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a beautiful place of rare tranquility. After this and before driving to your hotel in Haifa, we will stroll at the picturesque town of Zichron Yaacov and have free time for Lunch
Overnight: Schumacher Hotel, Haifa - Dinner in restaurant
Day 4 - The Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights
Cobblestones & Vineyards - We drive to the city of Katzrin, the "Capital of the Golan Heights". Walk through a Talmudic Village and get a sense of what it was like to live in the times of ancient Israel. Continue to the mystical city of Tzfat, birthplace of Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish Text and stroll through the narrow, winding alleys, peek inside some beautiful synagogues and the many galleries in the artist's quarter
Enjoy a wine-tasting tour at the local Winery in Galilee before we drive to the Sea of Galilee and take a boat riide on the calm waters before returning to your hotel in Haifa
Overnight: Schumacher Hotel, Haifam - Dinner in restaurant
Day 5 - Jerusalem, Bahai Gardens, Akko & Druze Village
Leave Haifa and vist the amazing Bahai Gardens comprising a staircase of 19 terraces extending up the northern slope of Mount Carmel, the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahai i Faith.
Explore the UNESCO site of the ancient crusader port city of Akko and spend time walking through the Arab Bazaar.
Time permitting - Drive to the Druze Village of Dalyet El Carmel. The Druze are Arab-speaking citizens of Israel renowned for their hospitality.
Drive to Jerusalem and check-in at the hotel. In the evening experience a special home hospitality Shabbat dinner featuring a home-cooked, prepared by a professional chef Rabbi Josh, a personal talk with humour and depth by the rabbi (between 1700hrs and 1900hrs according to Summer/Winter time)
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6 - Masada, the Dead Sea & Jerusalem
Setting off east towards the Dead Sea, 388ft below sea level. Visit the legendary mountain top plateau of Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans in 73CE and overlooking the Dead Sea and acend by cable car to the ancient fortress. Enjoy a leisurley afternoon at the Dead Sea shore and cake yourself in mineral-rich mud and float in the buoyant waters - Lunch is included
Afterwards, drive to a lookout point for a view of Wadi Qelt and the cliff-hanging monastery of St George before returning to Jerusalem.
In the evening enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David projected onto the ancient stones (Weather permitting 1900hrs to 2030hrs)
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem - Dinner on your own
Day 7 - Jerusalem - The Old City
Start the day with an overview of Mt. of Olives, an exploration of the Old City of Jerusalem, the City of David and its fascinating tunnels and visit some of the famous sites, including the Western Wall and the Cardo, an ancient commercial street where you can still shop today.
Walk through the Arab Bazaar and afterwards take a rooftop tour of the Old City neighbourhoods for a behind the scenes look at the various living alongside the ancient walled city.
Walk along part of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, home of the two holiest sites in Christianity, the site where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, known as Calvary and Jesus's empty tomb, where he is said to have been buried and resurrected
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem - Dinner on your own
Day 8 - Jerusalem New City
Today visit Yad Vashem, considered the worlds primary Holocaust memorial and museum and visit the moving exhibit at the Childrens Pavilion. From Yad Vashem we will move onto the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition and the famous Model of Jerusalem, depicting the city as it was in the 2nd Temple Period
Optional - Visit in Bethlehem, see the Church of the Nativity and remains of ancient Bethlehem OR leisure time at Mamilla Mall or Ben Yehuda Street before we meet up again for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 9 - Shalom & L'Hitra'ot - Transfer to Tel Aviv
Free morning time before your transfer to the airport for departure, or extension tour to Jordan and/or Egypt.
Optional add ons are Eilat and Petra or we can tailor make a more detailed experience into Jordan.
Rates include:
- 8 night’s hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast basis as stated above or in similar hotel (Pre Night option available from €170pppn sharing)
- Assistance at the airport upon arrival
- Porterage at hotels, as of second touring day
- 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
- Entrance fees to places of interest while touring
- Amiels Kit (Bag, Hat and Map)
- Meal arrangements B&B throughout PLUS
- Day1 - Dinner at Hotel
- Day 3 & 4 - Dinner at hotel or Local restaurant
- Day 5 Special Shabbat dinner Jerusalem
- Day 6 - Lunch at Dead Sea local restaurant
- Day 7 - Farewell dinner at local restaurant
Not included:
- Porterage at airport
- Tipping for guide, driver and hotel staff
- Service charge in restaurants - customary min 12%
- Beverages with meals or water on coach
- Travel Insurance
Terms:
- The sequence of the tour, hotels used, and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances
- Valuable belongings should never be left in the vehicle when unattended
- Luggage: one suitcase and one handbag per person
*=local charge
