This tour is going across Israel, from north to south / top to bottom.
You will see everything in Israel, and experience different landscapes, historical, Archaeological, religious sites, and people.
You can experience Israeli Desert, Off Road drive, Bedouin hospitality, Dead Sea Kayaking, Glamping accommodation in special places, Camels ride, Wineries visits, special food, and more.
The itinerary includes Petra, the Red City in Jordan, as well.
In 10 days, you will visit the following places: Jerusalem Old and New City / Tel Aviv and Jaffa / Caesarea / Haifa, Acre (Akko), Galilee and Golan Heights / Dead Sea and Masada / Mitzpe Ramon and Ramon Crater / Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, Israel's neighbor.
CUSTOMIZED TOURS can be developed, to meet your needs and pace. I will help you to create an overall itinerary, that makes the most sense in maximizing your experience.
I love to make every day of touring a little different - a change in the order of the sites visited, a day following a question someone asked, and a change of pace.
This is your tour! You will see the sites you want, learn about what interests you, and try the food and wine you like.
Suggested itinerary.
Day 1
Pick up in Ben Gurion airport, drive and visit Tel Aviv and Jaffa.
- You will get to know this bustling Mediterranean town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - 'The Nonstop City'.
- Your tour will cover the highlights from the beautiful beach front, to walking through the older neighborhoods of Neve Tsedek, Rothschild Blvd, the Bauhaus architecture and the Carmel colorful market.
- You will then visit Jaffa, the oldest port in the world, by walking through its ancient streets. On the way to the old port you will visit the Flea Market, catch a good bargain, view the walls, the ancient gates and the Clock Tower.
Day 2
Along the coast: Caesarea, Haifa Baha'i Gardens, Acre (Akko).
- You will drive north along the Mediterranean and your next stop is Caesarea, a port city built by King Herod the Great. Here you will walk amongst the ruins of Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and Crusader periods, a theatre, hippodrome, palaces, and bathes.
- Your visit takes you to Haifa, built on the slopes of the Carmel mountain range. It is the third largest city in Israel, with breathtaking views of the port and the bay area. You will view the magnificent gardens of the Baha'i Shrine, a world heritage site home to the Baha'i faith.
- You will visit this ancient Crusader city of Acre (Akko), and admire its amazing architecture. The local market boasts a beautiful variety of aromas and tastes, and adjacent to the market in the heart of the old city you will visit a very impressive Mosque.
Day 3
Galilee - Rosh Hanikra, Safed, nature in the Hula.
- Bordering with Lebanon, Rosh Hanikra offers an interesting diversion with a tour of the natural grottoes. You will also hear tales of the railway that once connected Lebanon and Israel.
- You will visit the city of Safed, one of the four holy cities, known as the spiritual. It is also known as the Kabala city. In Safed you will walk through the allies, synagogues, and the artist colony.
Day 4
Golan Heights - Mount Bental observation to Syria, Gamla.
- You will climb the Golan Heights and visit Mt Bental, which is a natural outcrop of volcanic activity, gives us a 360-degree view of the region. It is also an old Israeli army base with bunkers and lookouts to explore. View into Syria and Lebanon and the borders. It is A great location to understand the history of the region, its strategic importance throughout history and the battles fought in the area for the survival of the young, reborn, State of Israel.
- Visit Gamla archaeological site, there you will get familiar with the revolt of the Jewish against the Roman, during years 66-73 AD. In addition, there is the Vulture observatory, that tries to help these rare predators.
- You will drive to Peach Vista, to have beautiful overlook over the Sea of Galilee, to have strategic understanding of the importance of the Golan Heights.
Day 5
Jerusalem Old City, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Mount of Olives.
- You will start your tour today at the famous observatory of the Mount of Olives. One can only gasp at the view from the Mt. of Olives observation point. The panoramic view unfolds the 3000 years old history of the city. The city of David, the Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, the third most holy site of Islam, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the ancient Jewish burial site. All lie before you, a testament to the importance of the city to the three monotheistic faiths.
- You will visit the Basilica of Agony, in Gethsemane, where Jesus were arrested by the guards of the Sanhedrin.
- You will visit Davidson Center in the Archaeological Park, to see Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period.
- You will visit the Last Supper Room (Upper Room), in Mount Zion.
- Following that you will discover the history and the unique spirit of the ancient city by entering through its gates, walking the narrow, winding streets through the Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim Quarters. Stopping at the holy sites of the three monotheistic religions, absorbing the depth of history, faith and culture. You will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, along to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) and the Jewish quarter to observation of the Dome of the Rock & the Muslim quarter.
- Your walk is passing through the markets of the Old City, a shopper's paradise, filled with colorful ware, from antiquities to modern fashion. Enjoy the variety of restaurants, foods and spices.
Day 6
Jerusalem New City, including the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, and Mahne Yehuda Market.
- Drive to the Israel Museum and view the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest bible books in the world, that were found in the Judean Desert, around Qumran.
- Your next visit is in Yad Vashem (not on Saturday) - Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. One needs to take time to walk through the well documented museum. There are many videos of testimonies from Survivors and documentary film clips.
- You than will visit the Mahne Yehuda Market, THE Israeli Market. There are many tastes, colors, fashion, fun, and noise.
Day 7
Float in the Dead Sea and Masada.
- Head to the Dead Sea area – the lowest point on earth, more than 1,400 feet (435 meters) below sea level.
- Visit Masada, get to the top of the mount using cable car. Masada is an UNESCO World Heritage site. The fortress and palaces were built by King Herod. You will be exposed to the story of the Jewish rebels' final stand against the Roman.
- Experience the wonderful sensation of floating on the Dead Sea. Rich in mineral and salt content, the Dead Sea waters are known to have healing properties. Rub some Dead Sea mud on your body, take a float, relax and let Nature do its best for you. The Dead Sea is known as Nature's ultimate spa!
Days 8 & 9
2 days in Jordan - cross the border to Jordan. Off Road in Wadi Rum, accommodation in Wadi Moussa / A day tour in Petra, the Nabataeans Red City. Back to Israel.
- Jordan is very close to Israel.
- A short trip to Jordan reveals a fascinating and surprising country of rare beauty and diversity. Jordan offers a combination of astounding sites and powerful natural attractions. The tour includes visits to impressive historical and Archaeological sites.
- A walking tour of Petra. The capital of the Nabataeans kingdom, is a pearl from the golden age of the Nabataeans, during which they created their great wealth. About 1,000 burial monuments and massive temples are carved in colored sandstone rocks. It is difficult to estimate the amount of ant work required to carve in the sandstone these fantastic monuments.
- Take a Jeep tour through the Wadi Rum desert. You will ride in the sand dune, exploring sculptured mountains around you. It is wild nature, mighty granite mountains, dunes, sandstone canyons, and ancient rock inscriptions.
Day 10
Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev - Ramon Crater, Bedouin hospitality, and Camels ride. Back to Tel Aviv, or to Ben Gurion airport.
- The Ramon Crater was formed as the crater's contents were swept away by erosion via the Ramon River and deposited in the Arava region. This crater presents us with several unique phenomena: exposed Jurassic rock, the 'Carpentry Shop', the dams at Ardon Stream, Cone Hill, Horseshoe Crevice and more.
- You will have nice Camel Ride in the Negev Desert.
- You can have Bedouin hospitality, including lunch, in authentic Bedouin tent.
- You will visit En Ovdat nature reserve, short hike to visit beautiful Oasis in the desert.
- You will drive to Sde Boker, to visit David Ben Gurion Desert Home, where he moved after his duty as the Prime Minister of the State Israel at the 50th. You will get to the grave of Ben Gurion, wonderful overlook over the desert.
Notes:
- This is your tour! The tour can be totally customized, according to your wishes and pace.
- The tour can be 3 to 12 days long.