Explore the Basilica of the Annunciation
Journey through the hills of Galilee to Nazareth to explore the Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah. On the way to the Sea of Galilee, we will pass by the town of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine.
From there we will continue to Tabgha, where Jesus performed the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We will drive a short distance to visit the ruins of Capernaum located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the site which is considered to be the center of Jesus' ministry. See the ruins of the 5th century Synagogue and St. Peter's home. After lunch, we will ascend the Golan Heights to the Shalom Vista point located next to an old Syrian bunker where we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley. We continue south and descend the scenic serpentine road located along the borders of Israel, Jordan and Syria. Our last stop is the baptismal site of Yardenit located along the Jordan River. From Yardenit we return to Haifa.
We depart Haifa and drive south along the coastline through the Sharon plain. Detouring Tel-Aviv, we ascend the scenic Judean Hills along the ancient route to Jerusalem. The tour of Jerusalem begins at the summit of the Mount of Olives where we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the walled Old City and the Temple Mount where we will see the golden cupola of the Dome of the Rock mosque. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the site where Jesus was arrested and explore the Church of All Nations. From there we will drive to the Old City and pass by the monuments to Absalom and the prophet Zachary in the Kidron Valley.
Our walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem takes us to the Western Wall, the holiest site in the Jewish world which is believed to be the only remnant of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The Wall, which was originally built by King Herod the Great in 20 BCE was traditionally known as the Wailing Wall since it was the place where Jews gathered throughout the ages to mourn the destruction of the Temple.
We will proceed through the Arab Bazaar to the Via Dolorosa, believed by many to be the route that Jesus followed while carrying the cross to Calvary. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the Hill of Golgotha, marking the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Departing the Old City, we will pass some national landmarks including the Knesset (Israeli parliament), the Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book, the Supreme Court, and the President's Residence.
As we head east to the Dead Sea, we descend 3600 feet towards the lowest point on earth. To our north, we will pass by Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and drive through beautiful desert landscapes as we head south past the Qumran Caves. In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known biblical manuscripts in the world, were discovered in these caves by a Bedouin shepherd.
Stopping at Kalya Beach, we will have the opportunity to experience the sensation of floating on the waters of the Dead Sea. Eight times saltier than the ocean, the Dead Sea is believed to have curative powers that can reduce skin allergies and calm the nervous system. Departing the Dead Sea, we return back to Haifa.
* Please note:
With prior arrangement, the tour can end either at the Ben-Gurion airport or in Tel-Aviv.
A Trip Where History and Adventure Meet
Depart Haifa and drive up the coast to Acco where we will experience the port town with its Crusader era ruins and a rich history stretching back almost 4000 years. Walk through the medieval alleys of the old city and descend into the headquarters of the Knights of St. John to explore the underground crypt. Follow the stairway to the long underground passage that is believed to be an escape tunnel built by the Crusaders.
Return to the surface and discover the beautiful architecture of the Ottoman era, including the 18th century Turkish Bazaar and the Khan al-Umdan, the largest and best preserved caravanserai in all of Israel. Walk the walls of the old city to see the small fishing fleet and remains of the Pisan port.
From Acre we will drive north to Rosh-Hanikra which is located on the Mediterranean sea along the border with Lebanon. We will enjoy a cable car ride up to the grottos carved into the white chalk cliffs.
Finally, we will drive to visit the Talmudic era city of Zippori to see the remains of the 2000 year old theater, a reconstructed Roman era villa, a magnificent mosaic floor with a portrait known as the Mona Lisa of the Galilee, and a beautifully colonnaded street.
Leave your details and we will contact you ASAP (up to 2 hours)
