Best of Israel

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival in Tel Aviv make your way to the selected hotel (private airport transfer not included) and enjoy the rest of the day free for own leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Spend a day at leisure, relaxing and discover the vibrant city of Tel Aviv at your own pace. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Visit of the extinct volcanoes of Calhau

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 amphitheatre 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 the Haifa bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and gardens. Overnight and dinner in a Kibbutz guesthouse.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Insider Experiences:

Visit of Caesarea

Visit of the archaeological excavations of Megiddo

Panoramic view of the Haifa bay

Free day to relax or to explore the surroundings.

Optional tour – Hike from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha (duration 5h):
Start the walk in Ponta do Sol, and get through the narrow road of Fontainhas, leading you to Corvo “Selada”, with panoramic views over Ponta do Sol and Corvo. Descent to Ribeira, with its water sources, towards Formiguinhas, a small village with beautiful views over the sea. Then, we will reach the abandoned village of Aranhas. Later, we will arrive at Ribeira Seca beach with its characteristic black and white sand, as well as its lava grottos. A perfect place for a picnic. Follow a passage through Motcho beach. Finally, our journey ends in the picturesque Cruzinha fishing village.

Overnight in Ponta do Sol.

Meals included:

Breakfast

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 in Jerusalem.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Visit of Nazareth

Visit of Capernaum

Visit of the Mount of Beatitudes

Stop at Beit Alpha

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 in Jerusalem.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Panoramic view from Mount of Olives

Spiritual – Visit of the Old City of Jerusalem

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 Herzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra orthodox neighbourhood 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. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Dinner

Insider Experiences:

Visit of the Shrine of the Book

Visit of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament

Visit of Mount Herzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust

Arts & Craft – “Sound & Light” show at the Tower of David Museum

Drive through the Judaean 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 offers therapeutic effects. Overnight in Jersualem.
* Visit subject to security /weather conditions.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Stop at Qumran

Visit of the ancient fortress of Masada

Unique – Swim in the Dead Sea

Enjoy a day free for own leisure and discover more of Jerusalem at your own pace. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Make your way to the airport in Tel Aviv (airport transfer upon request) or continue your journey with Insider Journeys individually to other parts of Israel or the Middle East.

Meals included:

Breakfast