Interfaith Israel Tour – Highlights is an amazing 9 day tour of Israel, with Jewish and Christian interests.
Shalom! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport and meet a Trips Israel representative, who will escort us outside to meet your driver.
Arrive at our hotel in Jerusalem for check in.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Breakfast at our hotel. Today, visits will include sites in Jerusalem and the Old City.
Mount of Olives is situated on the east side of the Old City. On top of the mountain, is a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City and the Golden Gates. On the bottom of the mount, is an urban garden, most famous for the site where Jesus prayed in many occasions prior to His crucifixion.
Also known as the “Room of the Last Supper”, located above David’s Tomb compound. The site of the Upper Room is believed by many was the room where Jesus had His last Passover meal, prior to His incarceration.
Situated is the southeastern sector of the walled city. It stretches to the Zion Gate in the south and extends to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the east.
The Jewish quarter was reconstructed after the city was unified after the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. See the unearthed (main) Roman thoroughfare and the ancient marketplace lined with columns. Visit the Roman Cardo and the Herodian quarter
Also known as “The Kotel”, or “The Wailing Wall” and “Temple Mount Wall”. The Western Wall is the last remaining structure after the destruction of the temple. It is considered the holiest place for Jews.
Also known as the “Stations of the Cross” was the pathway to Jesus’ Crucifixion. The Stations of the Cross is now home to the many colorful bazaars and merchant marketplace.
It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected.
It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity. Prior to visiting the Nativity, view Rachel’s Tomb.
We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Another amazing breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit the following places:
The Knesset is Israel’s parliament, since the creation of Israel. It officially opened in 1950, but was functioning withing the first year of Israel’s creation with several locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
A cemetery for all of Israel’s falling soldiers, leaders and Prime Ministers.
Israeli memorial (museum) commemorating the 6 million Jews who perished in the concentration camps in Europe by Nazi Germany. It is considered the biggest memorial for the Holocaust victoms.
A vibrant ultra orthodox neighborhood in the heart of Jerusalem. See a unique lifestyle and culture with many Judaica shops, restaurants and a very busy street.
Drive to an authentic restaurant (dinner included), followed by a spectacular Sound and Light show at Tower of David Museum.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Following an early morning breakfast at our hotel, drive south towards the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The descent is 1305 feet (398 meters) below sea level. Visits in the Dead Sea region will include:
Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy.
Ascend by cable car to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. Where the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots struggled against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva. They chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery and torture.
The Dead Sea is considered the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water (similar to a lake) and includes 11%-13% salt and other natural ingredients. Float on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud (weather permitting).
Drive to Tel Aviv and check-in to hotel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Enjoy breakfast at hotel and Shabbat (Saturday) day at leisure.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
After breakfast at hotel, check-out from hotel and start the day with a drive north along the Mediterranean Sea towards Haifa. Visits on the way will include:
Built by Herod and once the capital of Judea. Many Christian scriptures (New Testaments) mention Caesarea; here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus, as well as Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base and where Philip preached. Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries, including today. Walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.
One of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel.
Daliat-el-Carmel, a Druze village located in the outskirts of Mt. Carmel. Here, enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.
Ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal.
Drive through the hills of the Galilee to our kibbutz guest house in the Upper Galilee for check-in.
Dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in the Galilee
Breakfast at hotel. Today, visit the following places:
Also know as the mystical city of Safed, it is considered to be one of the Four Holy cities according to tradition and the birth place of kabala. Safed is located at an elevation of 900 meters (2,953 ft). It is the highest city in the Galilee and in Israel. Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters. Safed is built with narrow winding alleys. Visits in Safed include: Joseph Caro and the Ari synagogues, the most important synagogues in the city. See the creative workshops and galleries found in the flourishing artist’s quarter.
Visits will include:
Return back to our hotel. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in the Galilee.
Following breakfast at hotel, check-out from hotel and visit the following places:
The boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. Nearby, see the ancient City Well, believed to be the site where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
Center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue (octagonal Church of St. Peter).
Where Jesus delivered perhaps the most famous sermon preached – “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).
Newly excavated and one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. See the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).
See the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Beth Alpha synagogue was uncovered in 1928 by members of the nearby Kibbutz Hefzibah.
See the dessert bloom with flowers and vegetation, prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 35:1-2.
Drive to Tel Aviv and check-in to hotel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.
The Dan Hotel – Tel Aviv
Kibbutz Lavi Hotel – Hadar Rooms – Galilee
King David Hotel – Jerusalem
Renaissance Hotel – Tel Aviv
Kibbutz Lavi Hotel – Eden Wing Rooms – Galilee
Orient Hotel – Jerusalem
Dan Panorama Hotel – Tel Aviv
Kibbutz Lavi Hotel – Eden Rooms – Galilee
Dan Panorama Hotel – Jerusalem
Prima City Hotel – Tel Aviv
Kibbutz Lavi Hotel – Eden Rooms – Galilee
Prima Kings Hotel – Jerusalem
