April 17th - 28th - 11-days, 10-nights - $2,950
(land only) See group air below

Here's another epic trip that I'm sure is on many of your lists, I know it's on mine. Imagine walking in the footsteps of Jesus!  On this trip, which was months in the planning, we will visit many of the key sites. The night we land on April 18th Israel will be celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, their independence day which is very festive with fireworks!

This trip is also first class with awesome hotels, breakfasts and dinners included as well as all tours! It's really an excellent group rate and we have group air locked in as well (see below).  Don't miss this opportunity to join us for what will certainly be an amazing adventure.

HERE'S OUR ITINERARY:

Day 1 Arrive Tel Aviv (D)

Welcome to Israel! You will be met by our representative and your tour guide at Ben Gurion Airport. Proceed on a short tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port city of Jaffa before transfer to your hotel to rest and unwind from your flight.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s largest city and biggest commercial center spanning along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean. It is the country’s greatest cultural center with a variety of museums, galleries, theaters and concert halls.

Check in to Dan Panoramic Tel Aviv Hotel. 

 

 

Day 2 - Sea of Galilee

The ancient port city of Old Jaffa is one of the most attractive places to tour in Tel Aviv–Jaffa. There are ancient churches, which are among the most beautiful in Israel, serving the city’s Christian community with open doors for visitors and the faithful. In 1909 sixty six Jewish families who resided in Jaffa established the first neighborhood of what would later become the city of Tel Aviv. Other new neighborhoods were added until it eventually became the center of the Yishuv – the Jewish settlement in Palestine at the time. It was in Tel Aviv, on May 14th 1948 that David Ben Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel. Continue to Caesarea from where the Apostle Paul sailed to Rome.  Extensive ruins of the Roman aqueduct and amphitheater built by King Herod remain. Visit Mt Carmel and enjoy Druze hospitality and Lunch at a nearby village. Stop at Megiddo where it is believed that the Armageddon will begin. Drive to Mount Tabor and visit the Catholic Church and the site of the Transfiguration. Continue to Megiddo (Amageddon) and visit the Museum and this 5,000 year old city from the times of King Solomon, the old Canaanite temples and the water tunnel from the time of King Ahab.  Drive via Nazareth and Cana (where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine) to the Sea of Galilee.

Dinner and overnight stay at Caesar Tiberias

 

Day 3 - Sea of Galilee

     Begin the day with a buffet breakfast and then head out 4x4 Jeep tour in the Golan Heights. See the Golan Heights from atop Mt. Benthal. This is one of the most beautiful and most traveled parts of the country as it is abundant with wonderful scenic treasures and archeological sites.  We will visit a Golan winery for tasting.  We will also meet the vintner and see the wine making process. Visit Mount of Beatitudes the location of the Sermon on the Mount. Boat ride on the sea of Galilee. Stop at Capernaum and see the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. We will conclude our day with a ‘wet and wild’ exciting adventure kayaking down the Jordan River.

Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Jerusalem

     After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive south to view among Israel’s most impressive ruins are those found in Beit She’an.  Excavators have discovered 18 successive towns featuring black and white stones, marble columns, mosaics, and a 6,000 seat Byzantine amphitheater. Visit Beit Alpha and see the ancient mosaic and synagogue. Via Jordan Valley to Qaser El Yahud (traditional baptism site on Jordan River) Continue to Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus.

Enter Jerusalem and check in to Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Jerusalem

 Begin the day following breakfast and ascend the Mt. of Olives - one of the most prominent sites in the Jerusalem vicinity mentioned in the Holy Scriptures where you will be able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Old City. Stop at Dominus Flevit Chapel and enter the Garden of Gethsemane alongside the Church of All Nations. Continue to the City of David, a location that has been used throughout the history of Jerusalem as a means to smuggle in and out of the city, particularly during sieges. The Tunnel emerges at the excavated Pool of Siloam, where ancient pilgrims washed and refreshed themselves from a long journey before continuing on to the Temple for worship.  Enter via Lions Gate to the Old City: Pool of Bethesda, Ecce Homo, Stations of the Cross, Church of Holy Sepulcher, Jewish Quarter, Western Wall.

  Return to your hotel.

 

Day 6- Jerusalem

    Today we'll drive to Mount Zion and visit the room of the Last Supper and the Tomb of King David.   Walk through the Jewish Quarter reaching the Wailing Wall- the holiest place for the Jews and the Dung Gate and drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem. Visit the church of St John the Baptist.   End the day at Garden Tomb (Gordon’s Calvary}

Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

 

 

 

 

Day 7 - Eilat

     Following an early breakfast this morning we drive to visit the fortress Massada.  

Massada is a fortress built by Herod theGreat on an isolated plateau rising some 1,440 feet above the western side of the Dead Sea. It was here at Massada that the Jewish Zealots held out against the Roman soldiers. The siege of the Romans against the Jewish Zealots took place between 72-73 AD. The northern tip of the fortress contained lavish palatial apartments for Herod the Great. The larger palace was built near the Western Gate. Enormous caverns were dug out midway to catch the rain water for drinking.  See the restoration efforts of remains of buildings dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries AD.  Swim & "float" at the Dead Sea at a hotel spa. Proceed to Ein Gedi and David’s Waterfall.  It is mentioned several times in the Book of Psalms, the place where King David hid from King Saul.  Hike to the waterfalls.

Check in to Leonardo Royal Resort for dinner and overnight.

 

 

 

Day 8 - Eilat

      After breakfast, Pick-up from your hotel in Eilat.  Cross the Arava Border and drive to Petra (approximately 2+ hours), through the scenic Jordanian Desert, past the Wadi Rum area, where Lawrence of Arabia once lived and fought together with the Bedouin.   Arrive at Petra where the visitor enters the Rose City of Petra through the siq – a narrow passage through the mountains, which have inspired awe for centuries.      At the end of this gorge, the visitor is suddenly confronted with the first view of the Treasury, leaving him breath-taken by its size, color and beauty.  Continue into the heart of this ancient city carved into the mountains, passing hundreds of tombs and monuments and a spectacular Amphitheatre, which once held 3,000 spectators.

·    After our visit to Petra, a stop for a sit-down lunch followed by a visit to Moses Spring before leaving Wadi Moussa (the new town of Petra). We drive to Aqaba for a short city tour and return to the Arava Border. Transfer (with guide) from Arava border to Eilat hotel.

      Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - Eilat

 After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Eilat.    Then we will visit  the Red Canyon voted the #2 attraction of Eilat on Tripadvisor.

If you’re feeling a little adventurous and fancy some hiking in amazing desert scenery, head out of Eilat to the Red Canyon . The Red Canyon itself is approximately 150 meters long and 2-3 meters wide, reaching a height of some 30 meters. And why is it the Red Canyon? Well, the canyon is mostly deep red sandstone, with additional shades of red, purple and white. This tour will run about 2 hours.

·  Rest of day at leisure or -  Optional- Underwater Observatory, or Dolphin Reef, where you can Snorkel or dive with dolphins (on own account. We will provide more information on this tour).

Enjoy dinner at hotel and overnight

  Check in to Dan Panoramic Tel Aviv hotel and farewell dinner

         Day 10 

After breakfast, drive north through the Arava. Visit the Timna park and model of the Tabernacle.   Stop for a visit at the Mizpe Ramon crater.

Check into our Tel Aviv hotel for dinner

Day 11

Early morning transfer (with guide) to Ben Gurion for departure flight

   And there you have what will likely be the perfect Israel vacation. I believe we've packed as much as we can into this itinerary and am confident that you will be delighted with the tours and hotels. I hope you decide to join us.

 

 

GROUP AIR:

We have group air from both LAX and JFK.
Yes, we are using Turkish Air that routes through Istanbul however we are not leaving the airport. This was a great fare!

FROM LAX
Flight:Turkish Airlines 10 Departure: Los Angeles 17APR/625P Arrival:Istanbul Ataturk 18APR/535P
Flight: Turkish Airlines 864 Departure:Istanbul Ataturk 18APR/745P Arrival:Tel Aviv 18APR/950P
Flight: Turkish Airlines 865 Departure:Tel Aviv 28APR/840A Arrival:Istanbul Ataturk 28APR/1055A
Flight: Turkish Airlines 9 Departure:Istanbul Ataturk 28APR/100P Arrival:Los Angeles 28APR/445P

COST OF AIR: $1,150

FROM JFK
Flight:Turkish Airlines 12 Departure: New York Kennedy 17APR/1155P Arrival:Istanbul Ataturk 18APR/445P
Flight: Turkish Airlines 864 Departure:Istanbul Ataturk 18APR/745P Arrival:Tel Aviv 18APR/950P
Flight: Turkish Airlines 865 Departure:Tel Aviv 28APR/840A Arrival:Istanbul Ataturk 28APR/1055A
Flight: Turkish Airlines 1 Departure:Istanbul Ataturk 28APR/135P Arrival:New York Kennedy 28APR/530P

COST OF AIR: $1,075

Single Suppement Option (your own room, otherwise we are happy to match you up with a roommate)- $975

Cost includes:

· Meeting & assistance on arrival and departure from Ben-Gurion Airport by Ophir representative
· Porterage at airport and hotels
· 10 overnights at the above mentioned hotels or similar
· 8.5 days sightseeing as per program below (7.5 days in Israel and 1 day in Petra)
· Expert, government licensed English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days & transfers
· Luxury air-conditioned vehicle as mentioned above
· Evening bus (with guide) on April 25
· Transfer (with guide) from Ben Gurion airport to Tel Aviv hotel
· Transfer (with guide) from Jerusalem hotel to Ben Gurion airport

Meal arrangements:
Full Israeli buffet style breakfasts and dinners daily at hotels daily
· Lunch in Petra
· Druze hospitality and lunch
· Entrance fees to all sites mentioned
· Petra Tour
· Massada Cable Car (2-way)
· Sound and Light show at the Tower of David museum
· Pilgrimage Certificate

Our rate excludes:
· Expenses of a personal nature
· Meals not mentioned above
· Tips to drivers, guides & hotel staff
· Medical and/or Travel insurance.
· Water on bus
· Drinks
· Optional activities in Eilat on April 28
· Horse Drawn Carriage in Petra
· Any other item not mentioned above
· $130 p/p (subject to change) to be paid at the Arava border forJordan Visa fees and border taxes

HOTELS

Dan Panorama Tel Aviv *****  Yes, 5-star!

Website       Tripadvisor review

The Dan Panorama Hotel offers easy access to everywhere you want to be. Cross the road fronting this Tel Aviv hotel and you’re on the Mediterranean where great beaches and soft sands greet you. A stroll along the coastal promenade takes you to the flea market and scenic harbor of ancient Jaffa, or to the outdoor cafés of Tel Aviv. A fascinating walk through the adjoining historic neighborhood leads to Israel’s major corporate and financial headquarters.
 

 

 

Caesar Tiberias ****

Website   Tripadvisor review

The Tiberias Caesar Premier Leisure Hotel is located on the city's promenade, at a short walking distance from the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), and yet in the heart of the city's shopping and entertainment centers. The hotel offers convenient access for local touring and sight-seeing in the Golan Heights and the Galilee.

The hotel has 220 spacious, well-designed rooms, all with spectacular views towards the Kinneret and the Golan Heights. There are also 7 luxurious suites, and 2 presidential suites are available for a vacation upgrade.

The hotel boasts its own luxurious spa – the only hotel in the entire region with a Thermo-Mineral pool – as well as 20 treatment rooms, salt-water baths, a large gym, and a superb sauna.

 

 

 

Olive Tree Hotel Jerusalem ****

Website     Tripadvisor review 19 of 97 hotels

JERUSALEM'S MOST POPULAR HOTEL
Welcome to the Olive Tree Hotel. Our hotel is located in Jerusalem's beautiful American Colony neighborhood and is adjacent to Jerusalem's Old City and many of the city's holy sites. We pride ourselves on providing our guests with first class accommodations in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our hotel is located in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world. Our newly renovated hotel was built around an ancient olive tree. Legend has it that the olive tree provided shade for caravans of pilgrims just before they entered the Holy City of Jerusalem. There are those who claim that to this very day as you relax in the hotel's Tree Garden Café you can still hear the strings of King David's harp serenading pilgrims.

Along with the unique historical aspects of our hotel we pride ourselves on being one of the most technologically advanced hotel properties in the country. The most up to date internet technology is installed throughout the hotel. Our hotel guestrooms are outfitted with a Hotel IPTV innovative technological TV and entertainment system. Our guests can enjoy making FREE international telephone calls to over 50 countries worldwide from the comfort of their room. FREE high speed WIFI is available in all hotel public areas and guestrooms.
 

Leonardo Royal Resort ****

Website      Tripadvisor review

Situated in Eilat, this hotel is close to North Beach, Eilat Museum and Art Gallery, and Dolphin Reef. Area attractions also include Aqaba Fort and Coral Beach.

There’s a large swimming pool as well as a children’s pool and non-stop fun activities for all ages. Meals are plentiful and tastefully prepared, with extended restaurant opening times for maximum visitor convenience. There are plenty of facilities and services to help you relax and indulge yourself during the day – plus an exciting in-house dancing club for you to visit at night.

 

 

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