Compare Fascinating Israel by Globus vs Immersive Israel by Culture Trip
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,859 | $ 2,709 |
| Price Per Day | $ 318 | $ 387 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | Six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners |
| Description | From the seemingly miraculous waters of the Dead Sea to Cana of Galilee where Jesus is said to have performed his first miracle of turning water into wine—this fascinating tour of Israel is full of incredible sights, scenery, and stories. The historical and biblical tales begin in Tel Aviv, the “Mediterranean Manhattan,” continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount and culminate at the lowest (yet most uplifting) point on the surface of the Earth—the Dead Sea where you’ll effortlessly float at 430 meters below sea level. Discover the fascinating city of Jerusalem and dive into numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites—including the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine in Haifa and the ancient clifftop fortress of Masada—not to mention some of the most delectable dishes of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. | Take a deep dive into the culture, religion and conflict that make up the fabric of this region on this immersive seven-day trip. See Jerusalem from the perspective of two locals, one Arab and one Jewish, and visit Mount Zion. You’ll also have the opportunity to cycle through the Tel Aviv markets; float across the Dead Sea on a boat trip; and whip up a Middle Eastern feast in a family home in Bethlehem. You’re guaranteed to see an authentic side to this complex, fascinating destination. This trip has been designed to help you explore this beautiful but politically turbulent region. We'll provide a balanced view of the Israel-Palestine conflict, focused on enriching your understanding of the area. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Welcome to Tel Aviv! This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: TEL AVIV. EXCURSION TO VALLEY OF ELAH–LATRUN–JAFFA
Giant 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. (Breakfast) 82mi/ 132km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & 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.
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Day 3: TEL AVIV–CAESAREA–ACRE–HAIFA
Crusaders & Legendary Leaders CAESAREA Visit the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress.ACRE Visit the Underground Crusader City.HAIFA Explore the Baha’i Shrine. (Breakfast,Dinner) 62mi/ 100km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Born Sayyed ʻAlí Muḥammad Shírází, “The Báb” was the founder of Bábism, and endures as the central figures of the Baháʼí 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.
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Day 4: HAIFA. EXCURSION TO THE SEA OF GALILEE, MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM & KIBBUTZ
Faithful 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. (Breakfast,Dinner) 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.
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Day 5: HAIFA–NAZARETH–CANA–BET SHE’AN–JERUSALEM
Miraculous 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. (Breakfast,Dinner) 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.
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Day 6: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO MASADA & THE DEAD SEA
Uplifting 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. (Breakfast) 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.
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Day 7: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO YAD VASHEM–THE ISRAEL MUSEUM–BETHLEHEM
Moving History JERUSALEM Visit Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum.BETHLEHEM Take an orientation tour and visit the Church of Nativity. (Breakfast,Dinner) 6 mi / 10 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTIN 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.
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Day 8: JERUSALEM. EXCURSION TO THE OLD CITY
History & 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. (Breakfast,Dinner)
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.”
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Day 9: JERUSALEM
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Tel Aviv). (Breakfast)
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DAY 1
Arrive in Jerusalem, followed by an evening craft beer tasting
Touch down in Ben Gurion Airport – or if you’ve been on our Beyond Petra: Discovering Jordan’s Rugged Side trip, you’ll be collected from the border. Check in to your hotel in Jerusalem. Here you’ll meet our Local Insider who will accompany the group throughout the trip. At 5pm, get to know your fellow travellers over a glass of wine. Next, head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Finish the evening in the Machane Yehuda Market for craft beer tasting at Beer Bazaar, a cool hangout that stocks more than 100 bottled Israeli microbrews.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Welcome dinner with beer tasting
DAY 2
Explore the holiest sites in Jerusalem
Today, you’ll take a deep dive into the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites in the Old City with two locals, one Arab and one Jewish. Early birds can join an optional prayer service in the Holy Sepulchre. Regroup at the Mount of Olives, where you'll start the tour at the gold-topped Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, and al-Aqsa Mosque, before an optional Western Wall tunnel tour. After lunch, walk part of the Via Dolorosa, the crucifixion route Jesus took, towards the ancient Holy Sepulchre and end the day on top of the Old City ramparts.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Old City tour with two locals
- Old City ramparts tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Holy Sepulchre morning prayer service
- Western Wall tunnel tour
DAY 3
Tour of Mount Zion and home-cooked meal with a local family
In the morning, you can choose to visit Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial museum on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance, or take the opportunity for some free time. Lunch will be street-food bites at Machane Yehuda before a trip to Mount Zion. A representative from the Jewish Intercultural Centre (JICC) will take you on a tour of the multi-faith sites and discuss this hotly contested land. Dinner is a traditional home-cooked meal hosted by a local family.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Machane Yehuda Market tour
- Mount Zion visit with JICC representative
- Home-cooked dinner with local family
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- East to West Jerusalem food tour
- Meet religious leader at Mount Zion
- Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum visit
DAY 4
Step inside the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, followed by a cooking class
Leaving Jerusalem behind, you’ll be driven 25 minutes to Bethlehem, stopping at the Tent of Nations, an educational farm in the West Bank. Meet local Palestinian Christians here and learn how they turned their land into a reconciliation space. In Bethlehem, visit the Nativity Church and Manger Square. Next, see the colourful, politically charged graffiti on the Separation Wall. End the day with a visit to Banksy’s museum (aka the Walled Off Hotel) and a leisurely cooking class with a local family. Return to Jerusalem for a final night at the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Tent of Nations visit
- Nativity Church and Manger Square visit
- Bethlehem Old City tour
- Separation Wall and Banksy museum visit
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Bethlehem cooking class
- Meet with peace-focused NGO
- Cross West Bank checkpoint on foot
DAY 5
Climb Masada and take a Dead Sea boat cruise
After breakfast, you’ll be whisked away to the ancient fortress of Masada, in southern Israel. Built by Herod I, it sits on an isolated rock plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. You’ll have the option to hike to the top via the popular Snake Path trail. From here, enjoy a private boat ride on the Dead Sea. If time permits, take a tour of a kibbutz and visit a goat or date farm. Tonight, you’ll sleep in a lush desert oasis in the Kana`im Valley.
ACCOMMODATION
- Kfar Hanokdim
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Masada visit
- Dead Sea private boat cruise
- Bedouin dinner
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Hike up Masada
- Local kibbutz tour
- Goat or date farm visit
DAY 6
Discover Tel Aviv by bicycle – from food to tech startups
Ready to swap dunes for the glassy tower blocks of Tel Aviv? Today, you’ll visit the Yitzhak Rabin Center, a library and museum built in memory of the assassinated prime minister. Learn about Rabin’s life, peace processes and wars. Next, hop on a bike for a two-wheel foodie tour of the vibrant Carmel Market, trendy Levinsky Market and the Jaffa Flea Market passing historical sights (such as Independence Hall) as you pedal. You can also visit the Center for Israeli Innovation, and discover more about Israeli tech startups. Digest the week over a farewell dinner with new friends.
ACCOMMODATION
- Center Chic
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Yitzhak Rabin Center visit
- Tel Aviv bicycle tour
- Independence Hall and Jaffa visit
- Farewell dinner
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- South Tel Aviv refugee encounter
- Center for Israeli Innovation visit
DAY 7
Depart from Tel Aviv
After a lazy breakfast, it’s time to wave goodbye to the group and make your way to the airport by 8am. Alternatively, stay on and extend your trip in Israel. There’s always the south to discover next.
