8-Nights Fascinating Israel — CALL

Fascinating Israel

Day 1 ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAELWelcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 TEL AVIV. EXCURSION TO VALLEY OF ELAH–LATRUN–JAFFAGiant Victories LATRUN AREA See the site of David’s victory over Goliath and visit the Monastery of the Trappist Monks.
JAFFA Take a walking tour of the ancient port. (B)
82mi/ 132km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient port of Jaffa, where biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and St. Peter took place. The Israeli city traces its roots to 1800 BC, with mythological tales of Andromeda and Perseus. Today Jaffa features picturesque alleys, art galleries, unique boutiques, ancient buildings, and wonderful landmarks.

Day 3 TEL AVIV–CAESAREA–ACRE–HAIFACrusaders & Legendary Leaders CAESAREA Visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress.
ACRE Visit the Underground Crusader City.
HAIFA Explore the Baha’i Shrine. (B,D)
62mi/ 100km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Born Sayyed ?Alí Mu?ammad Shírází, “The Báb” was the founder of Bábism, and endures as the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was executed in 1850 along with thousands of his followers by the Persian government which opposed this new movement. The magnificent shrine and ethereal gardens of Baha’i stand as a testament to the revered religious leader where his remains are laid to rest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty.

Day 4 HAIFA. EXCURSION TO THE SEA OF GALILEE, MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM & KIBBUTZFaithful Sites & Service MOUNT OF BEATITUDES Explore the site where Jesus delivered his iconic Sermon on the Mount.
CAPERNAUM Visit the site where Jesus recruited his first followers.
JORDAN RIVER Visit a baptismal site.
SEA OF GALILEE See Lake Tiberias before a [LF] scenic cruise. Hear a [LF] lecture on Kibbutz life. (B,D)
107mi/ 173km

LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Cruise on the historic waters of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) with panoramic views of the area. Later hear about the traditions of the Kibbutz. Hebrew for ‘gathering,’ Kibbutz life dates back thousands of years with quiet and collaborative communities of volunteers from around the world who work to enhance industry or agriculture in a peaceful and harmonious setting.

Day 5 HAIFA–NAZARETH–CANA–BET SHE’AN–JERUSALEMMiraculous Sites & Ancient Wonders NAZARETH Visit the Church of the Annunciation.
CANA Visit the site of Jesus’ first recorded miracle.
BET SHE’AN Explore the ancient city including the Roman and Byzantine relics.
Stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. (B,D)
147 mi / 235 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WONDERS Bet She’an is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of this region and well worth some time to wander around. Ongoing excavations at this UNESCO World Heritage site reveal time-worn colonnade-style streets, bathhouses, and an auditorium with perfect acoustics.

Day 6 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA & THE DEAD SEAUplifting Waters & Wonders JERUSALEM Take a scenic drive through the Judean wilderness en route to the Dead Sea.
MASADA Take a cable-car ride to visit the cliff-top fortress.
DEAD SEA [LF] Float in the saltwater of the Dead Sea and receive a salt scrub gift. Return to Jerusalem. (B)
64 mi / 103 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL WONDERS Feel weightless as you float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea. This legendary salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley is fed by the Jordan River, with its salty surface lying 430.5m below sea level – the lowest land-based shores on Earth.

Day 7 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO YAD VASHEM–THE ISRAEL MUSEUM–BETHLEHEMMoving History JERUSALEM Visit Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum.
BETHLEHEM Take an orientation tour and visit the Church of Nativity. (B,D)
6 mi / 10 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
IN MEMORIUM Yad Vashem (the World Holocaust Remembrance Center) takes its name from the biblical verse, ?And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a yad vashem)” – (Isaiah, 56; 5). Here, roughly one million visitors come to remember the millions who were persecuted during WWII. Housing a remarkable collection of historic and personal artifacts, stories, and memorials to the Jewish people who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime, Yad Vashem leaves a deeply profound impression of remembrance and conviction in the souls of all who visit.

Day 8 JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITYHistory & Mystery JERUSALEM Take a guided walking tour of the Old City includes the Garden Tomb, Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Follow the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop at the Western Wall. Walk to Mount Zion and visit the Upper Room where Jesus and his disciples had the last supper. Visit the tomb of King David. Farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS
Jerusalem is totally unique; there is no place like it. A city of tradition, religion, and history, but also increasingly of modern culture and heritage. Take in all this while you wander around the maze of streets listening to the story that made it so special even astronaut Neil Armstrong when visiting said, “I am more excited stepping on these stones than stepping on the moon.”

Day 9 JERUSALEMSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Tel Aviv). (B)