Jerusalem

Activities

Explore the holiest cities on earth, either in a shared or private, customizable tour. Starting from Tel Aviv at 6:30 AM, travel to three of Israel's highlights. Start your guided tour in the "City of Gold." Visit Jerusalem's Old City including the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Sepulchre. Explore local Markets, Byzantine Cardo, and Western Wall.  Next, embark on a tour of Bethlehem and witness the Church of the Nativity, the city where Jesus Christ was born. Those who are not interested in Bethlehem can instead opt to enjoy free time in Jerusalem while others explore Bethlehem. In the afternoon, begin heading east through the Judean Desert. Enjoy a journey to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and savor bathing and floating upon the therapeutic waters. At 4:30 PM leave the Dead Sea and return to Tel Aviv. Arrival should be around 7:00 PM.

Following pickup in Jerusalem, you will ride to Bethlehem to meet your guide before heading to the Old City of Bethlehem. You will begin with a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity, as well as the Cave of St. Jerome (a visit to the Nativity Star is not always available). From there, you will continue walking to visit the Milk Grotto Church, where it is believed that the Holy Family found refuge from the Massacre of the Innocents before they could flee into Egypt. You will then ride to the City of the Shepherd's, Bayt Sahur. Once having arrived, you till take a guided visit to the Chapel of The Shepherd's Field, the church where the angels first appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. You will then have the chance to visit an olive wood factory and see the artisans crafting the wooden sculptures, which is considered to be an important and old craft in Bethlehem. Next, you will ride through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth, where you will have the chance to stop and take pictures at the sea-level point in the desert overlooking the oldest city in the world, Jericho. You will then stop to have lunch. before continuing to the Dead Sea to enjoy the rest of the day either floating in the rich water or relaxing at the beach.

Start your tour at 3:00 AM with pickup at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. Then, drive through the desert in a comfortable vehicle until you reach the Arava Border. Cross the border with assistants, a procedure which may take up to an hour.  At 8:30 AM, transfer from the border to Petra in a new air-conditioned vehicle. This ride takes approximately 2-3 hours.  Enjoy the scenic route along the mountainside before arriving at Petra's historical site, known as one of the New7Wonders of the World.   At approximately 11:30 AM, begin your tour of Petra at the entrance to the site with a maximum group size of 25 people. Explore the highlights of this impressive site with your guide. Next, start your journey towards Aqaba at 4:30 PM. Make a few stops at certain observations points along the way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes that Wadi Rum has to offer. At 7:30 PM, return to the Israeli territory with the assistance of your guide and arrive back at the pickup location in Jerusalem by midnight.

Start the day with pick-up from your hotel in Jerusalem and head to the Dead Sea, via the Judean hills. Your drive continues from there along the shores of the Dead Sea, to the desert fortress of Masada. Arrive at Masada, where your guide will tell you about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters. You’ll ascend Masada by cable car and then tour the mountain fortress that was built by King Herod. This is the spot where the Zealots of the 1st century made their last stand against the Roman troops. You’ll explore the site to see the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors and Roman baths. When you've completed this part of the tour, descend Masada by cable car. Your next destination is the Dead Sea. Its shores are the lowest point on dry land on earth! You’ll have the opportunity to float and swim in the Dead Sea waters that many believe have special therapeutic effects. Please note: from 17th to 23rd January 2019, the visit to Massasa will be replaced by a visit to Qumeran and Ein Gedi nature reserve.

After being collected from your accommodation, you will leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem, the City of David. This was the home town of King David's father, and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph. You will cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center, and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the 4th century and later expanded during the 6th century. You can still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor. You will enter the Basilica of the Nativity through a low doorway, the "Door of Humility". On the walls there are faint golden mosaics, and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader Period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary". Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men). You will exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From the Church of St. Catherine you will descend to the grottoes which are connected to those beneath the Church of the Nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels, including the Chapel of the Innocent (dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16)); the Chapel of Joseph, and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin. Your final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible states that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night, and the angel told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today, a tent-shaped chapel stands here, which was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ.

Begin your full-day excursion with a drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea region. Stop at the foot of Mount Masada, the ancient fortress constructed in Roman times. Ascend Masada by cable car, for an additional fee and explore the site at your own pace. Continue to Ein Gedi, a nature reserve and oasis where you can enjoy a short hike. Next on the itinerary is a visit to the Dead Sea and a private beach and spa. Float in the healing waters and immerse yourself in the therapeutic mud.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Old City of Jerusalem, which has served as a cultural and religious epicenter from the time of the Judean kings and the Roman era through the Islamic Empire to the modern State of Israel. Join your knowledgeable local guide and make your way through the Jaffa Gate, one of the seven open gates of the Old City. Explore the lively Old City bazaar and the Tower of David Museum. Check out the impressive Omar Ben Al Khattab Mosque and the San Sepulcher Church, built side by side. Visit important sites like Via Dolorosa and The Western Wall while learning about the region's complex history. Then head to Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born, for another guided tour. Immerse yourself in the history of the development of one of the world's major monotheistic religions as well as the culture and daily life of its present-day inhabitants. Visit the ornate Church of the Nativity and marvel at the 27 painted columns in the nave depicting different holy figures. End your tour with a stop at a serene private beach on the Dead Sea. Take a dip in the dense saltwater and feel how effortless it is to stay afloat and admire the surrounding desert landscape.

Explore Bethlehem, Jericho, and the Jordan River in one comprehensive day tour that visits each historic location with a guide. Starting in Bethlehem, visit the Church of Nativity, which houses the grotto (the birthplace of Jesus). While in Bethlehem, stop in front of the famous Banksy hotel for a quick photo op. Purchase souvenirs from a local artisan shop before enjoying a short presentation about craftsmanship and arts in the area. During the presentation, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Depart from Bethlehem and travel down towards the city of Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley. In Jericho, enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the valley from a cable car as well as a guided tour of the Mount of Temptation. While in the area, you’ll take a quick stop at the Gallery of Temptations, with the chance to sample halva, local dates, and other sweets before heading east towards the Jordan River. Stop at Qasr el Yahud baptismal site overlooking the Jordan River, the site where it is believed Jesus was baptized.  

Spend an unforgettable Christmas Eve in Bethlehem on a guided tour. See all the key sites and attend Midnight Mass. Depart Jerusalem on December 24. Start with a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem, winding through the curved alleyways. Explore the highlights, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa. Then head to the historic town of Bethlehem, passing Bethlehem Road and the Valley of the Cross on the way. Once in Bethlehem, experience the magic of Christmas, with the city decorated for the festivities with lights and banners. Tuck into a festive holiday meal for dinner and enjoy a guided tour of Bethlehem with a local guide. Visit highlights like the Chapel of the Shepherds’ Field and the Chapel of the Milk Grotto. Finally, the holiday spirit will really come to life during the last part of the tour. Enjoy free time in Manger Square and attend Midnight Mass. Return to Jerusalem after the mass has concluded.

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel and departs Jerusalem via the Judean Hills, heading towards the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. As you descend below sea level along the route, pass through the Biblical wilderness of the landscape and learn about the history-rich region from your guide. On the way, keep an eye out for the ‘Inn of the Good Samaritan’ and stop on route to admire the desert that stretches out before you and marvel at the ancient city of Jericho that can be seen in the distance. Upon arrival at the shores of the Dead Sea, notice the salt encrusted shores and follow the coastline towards Masada. Although it's impossible to climb the Snake Path up to Masada as the Romans did 2000 years ago, there is a convenient cable car to the top of the mountain plateau. Learn about how King Herod built a fortified palace here, with a swimming pool and even a synagogue. Head back down to the Dead Sea and pass the desert oasis of Ein Gedi, home to lush foliage and gorgeous waterfalls and the place where David hid from angry King Saul. The tour will also pass by Qumran, where the 2000-year-old Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in a number of hillside caves. The tour ends at the Dead Sea, which was once a contender for a title of the Seven Wonders of the World. Enjoy a swim in the sea, which is world-famous for its therapeutic mineral-rich waters, and float around as you relax after a busy day of sightseeing.