Month: August 2019

We drive to Rosh Hanikra passing Kibbutz Lochamei Hagetaot (the Ghetto Fighters) and the city of Naharia, enjoy the view of the Galilee Coast and the Border to Lebanon, descend by a cable car to the magnificent Marine grottoes for a visit.

Proceed to the city of Akko, the capital of the Crusaders kingdom 800 years ago, today an Unseco’s heritage site. Enter the Old city for a walking tour, visit the Underground Crusader city, the Knight Halls and St. John’s crypt, walk through the Templar escape tunnel, see the Arab bazaar, the Fishing port, the Pillars Inn, the Pizan Quarter and the Sea Wall.

Continue to the city of Haifa, the 3rd largest city of Israel and its main sea port, ascend Mt.Carmel, enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Bay and the Bahai Gardens (world center of the Bahai faith). Drive south along the Carmel Coast to Caesarea Maritima, its antiquities park is one of Israel’s most impressive parks, housing unique buildings from various periods, standing side by side over an area of 500 dunams (125 acres), there are architectural remains from the Hellenistic period (the 3rd century BCE) to the Crusader period (the 12th century), when Caesarea was a port city and spent many years as Israel’s capital.

Visit the Roman theater, see the recent archaeological excavations with Marine Palace, the Hippodrome, the Bath house, walk into the Crusader city, view of the Ancient Port, the Byzantine street and the Aqueduct.

Drive north through the Sharon Plain and the Carmel coast, passing Zichron Yaakov on the way, continue northeast through Menashe hills to Nazareth, renowned as the hometown of Jesus, and an important pilgrimage and religious center. During the time of Jesus Nazareth was a small and insignificant agricultural village, however modern day Nazareth is a bustling, growing city, home to the largest Arab community in Israel. Visit the Church of the Annunciation, the church of St.Jospeh and the old city market.

Proceed via Cana of Galilee, view of the church of the Wedding situated on the traditional site of Jesus 1st miracle. Travel through Turan valley to the Sea of Galilee, arrive in Tiberias overlooking the Sea of Galilee for a short sightseeing tour. Tiberias named after Tiberius the Roman Emperor is one of the four holy cities of Judaism in Israel.

Drive along the Sea of Galilee passing Magdala and Geinosar on the way, view of Mt. of Beatitudes, visit Tabgha-the church of the Multiplication and Capernaum. We continue further south to the Jordan river where we make a short stop at Yardenit-the baptismal site.

Tour begins with a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Continue along the Kidron valley, view of Mt.of Olives, the Garden of Gathsemane, the south wall excavations and the City of David.

Enter the Old city of Jerusalem for a walking tour, view of the Armenian quarter, visit the Jewish quarter, see the Cardo, the Western (Wailing) Wall, view of the Temple Mt., proceed through the Moslem quarter along the Via Dolorosa (The Stations of the Cross) to the Christian quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Drive to the city of Bethlehem located in the Judean hills south of Jerusalem, passing Rachel’s tomb on the way, we arrive in the center of Bethlehem, visit the Manger square, the church of Nativity situated on the traditional site of Christ’s birthplace. Enjoy the view of the Shepherd’s field situated east of Bethlehem. On our way back we make a stop at a souvenirs shop.

Drive eastward through the Wilderness of Judea, see the Bedouin settlements along the way, passing by the Inn of the Good Samaritan descending to the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea, 400 Meters below sea level. Proceed south along the Dead Sea west coast, view of Qumeran and its caves where the famous Dead Sea scrolls were found, the oasis of Ein Gedi, arrive at Mt. Massada.

Ascend by the cable car to the mount, enjoy the breathtaking view of the wilderness, tour the impressive ruins of the great fortress established by king Herod the great over 2000 years ago, which later on became the last stronghold of the Jewish rebels against the Roman empire (73 AD).
See the walls, the palaces, the storerooms, the Roman bath House, the old synagogue, the Roman encampments and the ramp.

Descend by the cable car and travel to a nearby beach of the Dead Sea – stop for a swim in its therapeutic waters, experience the black mud and enjoy these amazing feeings of floating on the water

Tour begins with a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt.of Olives. Continue along the Kidron valley, view of the Garden of Gethsemane, the south wall excavations, stop at Mt.Zion, visit the Tomb of King David, the Room of the last supper and the Dormition abbey. Enter the Old city of Jerusalem for a walking tour, view of the Armenian quarter, visit the Jewish quarter, see the Cardo, the Western (Wailing) Wall, view of the Temple Mt. proceed along the Via Dolorosa to the Christian quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In the afternoon, we continue to West Jerusalem, visit the Yad Vashem Museum of the Holocaust.