Author: Dudu Levy

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 overlooking the Sea of Galilee, visit Tabgha-the Church of the Multiplication and Capernaum, see the ruins of the village and the ancient Synagogue, view of the Golan height. We continue further south to the Jordan river where we make a short stop at Yardenit-the baptismal site. We make our journey back passing Yavneel valley and Mt.of Transfiguration on the way.

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We begin with a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from the Promenade, overlooking the city from the south.

Proceed to West Jerusalem-the New City, drive through the city center,  walk along Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall and continue to Machne Yehuda open market.

Travel through Mea Shearim the ultra orthdox quarter of Jerusalem,  continue to the Government City, view of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Government offices, stop at the Knesset-the Israeli Parliament for a visit, see the Menorah.

Proceed to the nearby Israel Museum, visit the Shrine of the Book housing the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and see the model of Jerusalem of the 2nd Temple . Our next stop is Mt. Herzle, known as Mt.of Remembrance, visit the National cemetery of Israel and Yad Vashem-the memorail site of the Holocaust.

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Drive to the Judean Foothills (Shfela) region where we stop at the Harel Lookout, overlooking the famous “Burma Road” constructed during the War of Independence and played an important roll in overcoming the blockade of Jerusalem. In the winter and spring we can enjoy the lush green and multitude of wild flowers of the surrounding scenery.

We continue through the Shfela, passing the archeological site of biblical Beit Shemesh, not far from the modern day city of its name. We proceed to visit Tel Azeka overlooking the Elah Valley, named after the Elah or Turpentine trees that are indigenous to the valley, and site of the historical battle between David and Goliath, with the Philistines encamped at Azekah and the Israelites encamped at Socho. Today Socho is renowned for the Blue Lupines that carpet its slopes every March. In season we will be able to enjoy this wondrous sight.

We continue to Beit Guvrin, a national park encompassing the ruins of Maresha, which was one of the important towns of Judah during the time of the First Temple, and which was succeeded by Beit Guvrin as the main town of the region in the Roman era. We will have a view of archeological Maresha and visit the magnificent manmade caves of Beit Guvrin – the columbarium, the Phoenician cave, the Bell Cave and others.

Our last stop on this journey is Tel Lachish, site of an ancient Near East city, now an archaeological site and an Israeli national park. According to the Bible, Lachish was an important city in the Kingdom of Israel, which was first destroyed by the Assyrians, and later by the Babylonians. The Lachish region today is renowned for the longevity of its grapes, which are grown using innovative natural methods, with no genetic engineering.  The scenery is filled with vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.

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Tour begins with apanoramic view of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives. Continue along the Kidron valley, view of the Garden of Gathsemane, the South Wall Excavations, stop at Mount Zion, visit the Tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper, view of 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 Mount, proceed walking through the Moslem quarter and along the Via Dolorosa, see the Stations of the Cross, continue to the Christian quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Drive through the Wilderness of Judea, descending  to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, 400 meters below sea level, view of the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the Bedouins camps and the city of Jericho with Mount of Temptation.

Stop at one of the Dead Sea resorts for a swim, enjoy the therapeutic water, the black mud and the amazing feelings of floating on the water.

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We drive eastward and north along the Jordan Valley on the way to the Sea of Galilee, view of Kibbutz Degania that withstood a heavy attack of the Syrian army in 1948. We travel further east ascending to the Golan Heights overlooking the Yarmuch River and Hammat Gader on the border line between Israel and Jordan. Stop at Hashalom lookout, a breathtaking observation point overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias. Travel through the Golan Heights southern plateau, view of former syrian fortifications and the modern Israeli settlements, proceed to Katzrin where we visit the Talmudic village with its ancient synagogue. Proceed to Mt. Bental overlooking Syria and Kuneitra, view of Mt.Hermon. Drive west, return to point of departure.