Author: Dudu Levy

Moses travelled for 40 years with the Children of Israel through this astounding desert, receiving the Ten Commandments on the way. Nearly 2000 years later, a monastery was built around the Chapel of the Burning Bush at the foot of Mount Sinai and today still houses the art and icons which were protected from Islamic fury by a letter from the prophet Mohammed. Cross into the Sinai Desert just south of Eilat at Taba and pass by Pharaoh’s Island before driving through some of the most amazing desert scenery, Bedouin tents and villages. Arrive at the Monastery of Santa Katarina where you will see the monastery, the Burning Bush Chapel and the Well of Jethro at the foot of Mount Sinai, with explanations from your guide. Begin the trip back to Taba/Eilat stopping on the beach at Nuweiba for lunch (included). Cross the border back into Eilat and drive to Ramon Airport, Eilat for return flight to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv. Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv hotel for overnight. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

After breakfast drive north to Madaba to visit the remains of the Byzantine church with its ancient mosaic floor map, the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the mosaic map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Continue to Mt.Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land, enjoy the view of Jericho, the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, visit the ancient Byzantine church with its mosaic floor and then drive to the border and transfer back to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for overnight.

Drive to the Golan Heights. Visit the former Syrian fortifications, and the Druze villages, Via Banias, source of the Jordan River to visit the Mount of Beatitudes. Visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue and Peter’s house at Capernaum. Visit Tabgha, where the miracle of the fish and bread took place. Continue to Tiberias for a short tour of the old center of Jewish learning. Return to the Kibbutz hotel for overnight.

After Breakfast drive west to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, sightseeing tour of Haifa, including the Bahai Shrine, Persian Garden and Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city and the bay. Proceed along the coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theater and the Crusader fortress. Continue to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport for a short flight to Ramon Airport, Eilat and transfer to  Eilat, the red sea resort. Overnight in Eilat.

Depart from Eilat, travel north along the Arava valley, view of the Israeli farming settlements along the way, proceed along the Dead Sea passing Mt.Sodom, arrive at Mt.Masada, ascend by the cable car, tour of the mount, see the walls, the palaces, the bath house, the old Synagogue, the walls and the Roma ramp.  Continue further north along the Dead Sea, passing Ein Gedi reserve on the way, stop at a local beach for a swim, enjoy floating on the water and experience the black mud bath. Continue to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv area ending till 19:00.

Continue our drive further south through the magnificent Ramon crater passing the Pharan wadi on our way. The road will take us to the Arava valley exteding along the east side of the Negev desert, dotted with several farming settlement. Arrive in Eilat the southernmost city of Israel overlooking the Red Sea, stop at the underwater observatory for a visit. Proceed further south to Taba, presently the border line between Israel and Egypt, ending at hotel in Eilat.