Easter in the Holy land Israel Tour Runs Every Friday! Our popular 10 day Jewish tour begins with Israel’s coast, continues through the Golan Heights and Tzfat, and culminates with the holy capital of Jerusalem!
Day 1 Friday (Assist & Transfer)
WELCOME TO HOLY ISRAEL!
Assistance at Ben Gurion Airport
After clearing passport control a Shalom Israel Tours representative will be waiting to welcome you, assist with your luggage, and escort you to your waiting chauffeur for transfer to your Tel Aviv hotel.
Stretching along a beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean Sea for 100 years, Tel Aviv is considered the face of modern Israel. Nicknamed “The White City” for its abundance of Bauhaus style architecture, Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2003.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options
Day 2 Saturday (Free Day)
TEL AVIV – FREE DAY AT LEISURE
Visit the “Soho” of Tel Aviv and stroll Dizengoff St., Shenken St. & Rothschild Blvd. Filled with funky street vendors, boutiques and coffee shops alongside simple kiosks and local fast food stalls, Tel Aviv brings out the urban hipster in anyone who walks down these streets.
Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options
Day 3 Sunday (Guided Touring)
ISRAEL’S COAST – ANCIENT PORTS
The Caesarea National Park contains the remains of a prestigious city established by King Herod the Great. Prepare to be amazed when you visit the mighty Roman Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome, a 20,000 seat horse racing arena, as well as the impressive Roman Aqueducts!
Haifa is Israel’s main port city, the 3rd largest city in Israel and home to the famous Bahai Gardens. We’ll take a few minutes to enjoy the spectacular views before continuing…
The ‘Af Al Pi Chen’ Clandestine Immigration & Naval Museum Haifa features the story of the famous ship “Af Al Pi Chen,” a converted tank carrier ship converted to bring 434 Jewish refugees from Europe to Israel in 1947.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Akko dates back to the time of the Pharaoh Thutmose III and was a central city of the Ottoman Empire. Stop by the market and stroll along shoreline walls built by the Ottoman governor using old Crusader stones.
Formed over a period of thousands of years from waves hitting the soft chalk rock on Israel’s coast, the beautiful Grottoes (sea caves) of Rosh Hanikra are truly a wonder of creation. Ride via cable car from the mountain top down to sea level to walk within its gorgeous walls.
Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Northern Israel
Day 4 Monday (Guided Touring)
THE GALILEE AND TZFAT – CITY OF KABALLAH
Tzfat is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It has served as a spiritual center since the 1600s, when famous Kabbalists roamed here. Tzfat awaits art lovers, soul-seekers and historians to cobblestone alleys, medieval synagogues, galleries and mystical atmosphere.
Jeep tours take you off the road to hard-to-reach places, such as streams, fields and mud tracks. The Golan is green and lush, with small villages nestled into the hills. Learn about the biblical and historical importance of the Golan sites while enjoying a bumpy jeep ride.
Step into the exact spot where the battle of Tel Chai took place and hear the story through an audio-visual presentation. Continue on to a museum tour and view the memorial for the soldiers who fell in the Trumpeldor-led 1920 battle to defend the Upper Galilee’s Zionists.
Mitzpe Gadot Lookout
From Israel’s Independence in 1948 until the 6-Day War in 1967, Syrian troops stationed in the Golan Heights fired relentlessly on communities below. Jewish farmers plowed fields from behind tanks and children played, studied and slept inside shelters.
During your stay at Kibbutz Lavi, you’ll get the chance to meet one of the Kibbutz residents for a mini tour and discussion about Lavi; a unique glimpse into the life of a “kibbutznik!”
Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Northern Israel
Day 5 Tuesday (Guided Touring)
TIBERIAS AND THE JORDAN VALLEY – HIGHWAY OF KINGS
Learn about Tiberias old and new. The city was founded in the first century and is located on the shores of Israel’s main source of fresh water, the Sea of Galilee. Walk along the Sea of Galilee Promenade and learn about famous Jewish sages Maimonides and Rabbi Akiva.
It is here that King Saul was defeated by the Philistines in a vicious historical battle. Later, Beit She’an was reestablished as a Greek city with colonnaded streets, temples, theaters and fountains. The city was devastated by an earthquake in 749 CE; now only remnants remain.
Built during the Byzantine era, this excavated synagogue is most well known for its miraculously preserved mosaic. The mosaic vividly portrays the Binding of Isaac, the Temple of Jerusalem and the Zodiac, demonstrating Roman influence on Jewish culture.
Chosen by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 20 most beautiful parks, relax and rejuvenate at one of the natural pools or Jacuzzis that are idyllically situated below a flowing waterfall. Located in the hot Beit She’an valley, the cool water can be a welcome diversion.
End the day with a beautiful drive through the Jordan Valley and ascend to Jerusalem. We’ll stop at Mount Scopus as you enter the city to say the blessing of “Shehechiyanu” to celebrate the joyous occasion of entering the holy capital. Welcome to Jerusalem, our eternal Capital.
Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options
Day 6 Wednesday (Guided Touring)
JERUSALEM’S OLD CITY – THE ETERNAL CAPITAL
Located on Mount Zion in a 1,000-year-old building, people come here to pay tribute to the great King David, who is most notably famous for composing the Book of Psalms and establishing a unified capital for Israel. A medieval tradition places his tomb at this location.
The Jewish Quarter remains one of the single most-visited spots in all of Israel. Nestled within one square kilometer of land lay millennia of ancient history. The Old City dates back to the 8th century BCE and is home to numerous landmarks of historical significance.
During the War of Independence, residents of the Jewish Quarter found cover here for two continuous weeks. After the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, these four synagogues were rehabilitated, and today they are frequented by the residents of the Jewish Quarter.
Experience Second Temple-era Jerusalem on the eve of its destruction by the Romans. See a virtual reconstruction of the Temple, visit the stores and walkways of the surrounding city and see the remnants of the staircase that led to the Temple Mount and the Holy of Holies.
These famous underground tunnels contain remnants of entire rooms from the Second Temple period. At Warren’s Gate, you’ll stand just a few feet away from where the Holy Ark stood, and feel the yearning of the Jewish people for the Temple for thousands of years.
Tower of David Museum
The Tower of David served a military purpose until 1967, when it was re-captured by Israel and turned into a museum of Jerusalem’s history. Now you can view the most thorough collection of Jerusalem artifacts, from the Canaanite period 4,000 years ago up to today.
Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options
Day 7 Thursday (Guided Touring)
JERUSALEM NEW CITY – THE MODERN CAPITAL
Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls
Founded in 1965, this is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and one of the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Here you will find the oldest existing biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in the Shrine of the Book.
Mount Herzl National Cemetery
A burial place for prominent Zionist figures such as Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, here you will also find an expansive military cemetery; one quite full for a country so young. The loss of the soldiers who fought for the land of Israel is palpable.
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum
In 1963, the Yad Vashem Museum was established as the world center for Holocaust research, education and commemoration. With survivor testimonies, powerful displays, artifacts and memorial gardens, this museum embodies one crucial message: Never again.
1967 Six Day War – Ammunition Hill
On the night of June 6th, 1967, a four hour battle took place here at Ammunition Hill in which 36 men lost their lives. You’ll view the trenches and reconstructed bunker that serves as a museum and tells the story of the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options
Day 8 Friday (Guided Touring)
THE JUDEAN DESERT – KING HEROD’S FORTRESS
Qumran Caves National Park
Learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the people who wrote them when you explore the Qumran National Park. Marvel at the table-like structures that are said to have been used to write the scrolls, the ritual baths and the caves where the scrolls were discovered in 1947.
Masada Mountain & Cable Car
Ride via cable car to the top of Masada and explore what remains of King Herod’s palace. See what it was like to live there as you view the preserved baths, cisterns and barracks. It was here that leader Eleazer Ben Yair kept the Roman Legion’s siege at bay for three years.
Dead Sea Float & Spa Lunch
Yam Hamelach, literally meaning “Sea of Salt,” is 417 meters below sea level, making it the lowest place on earth. Its salty water contains unique healing properties, which, combined with the nutrient-filled mud found on its shores, creates one luxurious and healthy day.
Sunset at the Western Wall – evening recommendation
Here stand the sacred remnants of the ancient Jewish Temple. On Friday night come to the Wall and join the joyful event together with soldiers and people from all over the world dancing together in lively in celebration of Shabbat, a truly unforgettable experience.
Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options
Day 9 Shabbat (Free Day)
SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM – DAY AT LEISURE
Shabbat Morning
Finally some time to rest! Enjoy a morning at leisure at your hotel and relax…
Here you’ll find all the restaurants, shops, street vendors and street performances you could ever ask for. Sip a latte at one of Ben Yehuda’s many sidewalk cafes, grab a delicious frozen treat, invest in some Judaica, purchase souvenirs, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.
Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options
Day 10 Sunday (Chauffeur)
FAREWELL FOR NOW…WE’LL MISS YOU!
Farewell Transfer…We’ll Miss you!
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your temporary departure from Israel…Farewell for now!
