Compare The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future by National Geographic Expeditions vs Israel Discovery - Classic Group, Summer by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 5,995 | $ 4,350 |
| Price Per Day | $ 545 | $ 435 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
10 Breakfast,7 Lunches and 9 Dinner |
N/A |
| Description |
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Holy Land on an expedition inspired by the peace-building efforts of National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. Explore the City of David and Masada, glide across the Sea of Galilee, and discover Jerusalem through the eyes of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Hear a broad spectrum of narratives on this program designed in partnership by Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews. |
See some of the world's most sacred sites during this 9-day guided tour of Israel. Travel to Tel Aviv, where you’ll see the Habima National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel Market. Walk through the ancient coastal city of Caesarea and the ruins of a once-raucous Roman amphitheater. Drive seaside roads to Tiberias and break challah during traditional multi-course dinner celebrating Shabbat, a day of rest. See Mount Beatitude, where Jesus is said to have preached the Sermon on the Mount — then journey to the Jordan Valley, where you can float in the buoyant waters of the salty Dead Sea. Traverse the cobbled alleyways of Jerusalem to the city’s most sacred monument, the Wailing Wall, and visit a Holocaust memorial honoring those who died in World War II. |
Days 1 & 2: U.S./Tel Aviv, Israel/Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: American Colony Hotel
Take an overnight flight to Tel Aviv, and transfer to Jerusalem. Relax at the hotel before our reception and welcome dinner tonight.
Day 3: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: American Colony Hotel
Begin the day on the Temple Mount, capped by the shining cupola of the Dome of the Rock. Meet an imam from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, who will explain the importance of the holy site to Muslims. Then visit the Western Wall with a rabbi, touch the ancient stones, and learn about the significance of this sacred place. A local pastor then joins us at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, home to six Christian sects and, according to tradition, the tomb of Jesus. In the afternoon, ascend to the top of the Mount of Olives, and take in a panoramic view of the domes, spires, and golden stones of Jerusalem’s Old City.
Day 4: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: American Colony Hotel
Just outside the Old City walls lies the City of David, thought to be the original capital city established by King David some 3,000 years ago. Venture into the archaeological site, and meet with its Israeli administrators, and later with residents of the nearby Palestinian neighborhood who oppose the excavations. Later, get an insider’s perspective on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict with an Israeli politician. Then travel to Ramallah, where we are granted rare access to the offices of the Palestinian Authority, and hear from a high-ranking politician.
Day 5: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: American Colony Hotel
Today, trace the turbulent history of the birth of the state of Israel. At Yad Vashem, Israel’s moving memorial to the Holocaust, meet with a Holocaust survivor for a personal glimpse into one of history’s darkest moments. Then travel to Ein Kerem, where Christian tradition says John the Baptist was born. An Israeli and a Palestinian guide will each tell their divergent narrative of the village’s role in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. Enjoy time to explore Jerusalem on your own. Tonight, gather for a discussion with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists from the Bereaved Families Forum.
Day 6: Bethlehem and the West Bank
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: American Colony Hotel
Travel to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc to hear the viewpoints of Israeli settlers. Continue to Bethlehem and meet with the mayor to learn about the city’s shrinking Christian population. Stop by Manger Square and, at the Church of the Nativity, descend into the cave revered by many as the birthplace of Jesus. Walk through a nearby Palestinian refugee camp, and learn how murals and graffiti have been used to depict the refugees’ struggles. Our final stop is Herodion, a volcano-shaped hill and fortress built by Herod the Great. Over dinner, take in a musical performance by a group of Israeli and Palestinian musicians.
Day 7: Jerusalem/Jericho/Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ein Gedi Boutique Hotel
This morning, meet with an environmentalist from Friends of the Earth Middle East whose efforts to foster Arab–Jewish cooperation through environmental stewardship were featured in the special April 2010 “Water” issue of National Geographic magazine. View the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, and then drive down through the Judean Desert to Jericho to visit the archaeological site of Tel Jericho. This afternoon, continue to our hotel located in the Ein Gedi kibbutz on the shores of the Dead Sea. Learn about the kibbutz movement before enjoying time on your own to float in the Dead Sea, wander through the hotel’s botanical garden, or enjoy an optional spa treatment.
Day 8: The Jordan River Valley/Tiberias
Accommodation: The Scots Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Soar up the flank of Masada in a gondola and explore King Herod’s 2,000-year-old mountaintop refuge. Then follow the Jordan Valley north to the Roman city of Bet She’an to see its remarkably preserved amphitheater, baths, and column-lined streets. Along the way, stop to dip your feet in the Jordan River where Christian pilgrims come to get baptized.
Day 9: Galilee
Accommodation: The Scots Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Caesarea Philippi, a center of worship from the Hellenic age to the early Christian era. Explore the area as you wish this afternoon: follow a scenic trail to the Banias waterfall or enjoy a short hike through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve to the ancient city of Dan. Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and preached, and many apostles, including Peter, made their home.
Day 10: Nazareth/Jaffa/Tel Aviv
Accommodation: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hear the perspective of an Israeli Arab Christian on the way to Nazareth, where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in the Middle East. On an excursion to the mountaintop village of Beit Jann, discover the secretive traditions of the Druze, and enjoy lunch with a Druze family in their home. Travel towards the Mediterranean coast this afternoon, and explore picturesque Jaffa, a strategic port town dating back to the Bronze Age. Explore the bustling city of Tel Aviv, our home for tonight, and enjoy dinner on your own.
Days 11 & 12: Caesarea Maritima/Tel Aviv/U.S.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner ( Day 11), Breakfast (Day 12)
Accommodation: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
Follow the coast north to Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s harbor city, and visit the ruins with geo-archaeologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beverly Goodman. Then enjoy a free afternoon in Tel Aviv before gathering for a farewell reception and dinner. After breakfast the next morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 1: Welcome to Tel Aviv
You will be met at Ben Gurion Airport and driven to your hotel in Tel Aviv.At 19:30 meet your travel companions for a Welcome Reception and a short introduction to your Israeli adventures.
Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel.
Day 2: Exploring Vibrant Tel Aviv Relaxed Start
Morning sightseeing showcases the highlights of this vibrant city, including the Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel Market. Venture along the seashore to the ancient city of Jaffa to see the famous clock tower and the old harbour. Visit the artists' quarter with its galleries, boutiques and picturesque narrow lanes. Walk along the seaside promenade at sunset for spectacular views, as local musicians and street artists take to the stage. Meet a local artist at their gallery for an insight into their work and inspiration.
Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 3: Caesarea to Galilee
Travel from Tel Aviv, along the coastal road to Caesarea, to visit the archeological park. The ancient city built by King Herod was once a major port and hub of activity in the Judea province.Explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheatre. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbour area and a Crusader crypt. In Nazareth, visit one of Christianity’s most sacred places, the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to Mary.Soon, ochre villages and seaside towns are replaced by green hills, rich crops and colourful groves, as you approach Tiberias, your home for the night.The day concludes with a brief introduction to life on a Kibbutz.This evening, break traditional challah bread with your travel companions over a cheerful Shabbat dinner.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Hula Valley Relaxed Start
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and meet a ranger for a tour of the Agmom Hahula natural reserve. This nature reserve is home to endangered plant species native of the Hula Valley, and also hosts a bird park on one of the most important migration routes in the world.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias.
Breakfast
Day 5: To the Dead Sea
Explore Galilee with Insight Choice. Choose to cruise the serene waters of lake Kinneret for glorious views of the Golan Heights. Alternatively, find out more about the remains of a 1st century fishing boat that was found embedded at the bottom of the lake.Visit Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have entered the synagogue to teach, before heading to the Mount of Beatitudes, where he preached the Sermon on the Mount.Journey through ever-changing landscapes along the Jordan Valley, past ancient Jericho, to take a dip in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea.
Herods Dead Sea, Ein Bokek.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Masada and the Holy City of Jerusalem
Take a cable car ride up to the fortress of Masada, where Jewish zealots held out for three years against King Herod's armies.Travel through the Judean Hills to Mount Scopus for breathtaking views of Jerusalem.Visit King David's Tomb on Mount Zion, and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City and follow the winding cobbled alleyways to the magnificent Wailing Wall, the most sacred monument in Judaism.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem.
Breakfast
Day 7: Exploring Jerusalem
Today is dedicated to exploring the multiple facets of Jerusalem.Visit Yad Vashem, a memorial for those who perished in the Holocaust. Continue to the Israel Museum and retrace the history of the city. Visit the Shrine of the Book, home to ancient Dead Sea scrolls, and look out for the most ancient one, the Isaiah scroll, dating from the third century B.C.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem.
Breakfast
Day 8: Optional Bethlehem Experience Relaxed Start
Enjoy a relaxed morning or alternatively choose to meet your Local Expert at the West Bank border and continue to the holy city of Bethlehem. The Optional Experience includes visiting the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam. In the afternoon, visit the Garden of Gethsemene and walk through the Old City to see the Temple Mount, one of Islam’s holiest sites. Continue along the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Pool of Bethesda, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At night, toast your adventures over a hearty Celebration Dinner with wine.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Depart Jerusalem
Your journey comes to an end with transfers to Ben Gurion Airport.
Breakfast
