2012-2013 Tour Schedule

Saturday departure from the U.S., arriving into Tel Aviv on Sunday. Tour does not operate March 31, April 7, September 15 - October 6, 2012. Additional blackout dates may apply.

Hotels on this Tour

This tour is available with hotels to fit every budget. Based on the category you select, you will be confirmed in the hotels noted below:

Budget Category -
Tel Aviv - Deborah Tel Aviv
Kibbutz - Kibbutz Lavi - Lev Wing
Jerusalem - Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Eilat - Prima Music Eilat

Moderate Category -
Tel Aviv - Marina Tel Aviv
Kibbutz - Kibbutz Lavi - Lev Wing
Jerusalem - Jerusalem Gate Hotel
Eilat - Prima Music Eilat

Moderate Deluxe Category -
Tel Aviv - Leonardo Basel Tel Aviv
Kibbutz - Kibbutz Lavi-Lev Wing
Jerusalem - Leonardo Jerusalem
Eilat - Prima Music Eilat

Deluxe Category -
Tel Aviv - Dan Panorama Tel Aviv
Kibbutz - Kibbutz Lavi - Hod Wing
Jerusalem - Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Eilat - Dan Panorama Eilat


Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday - US Departure

Depart from the U.S. for your overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

Day 2 - Tel Aviv

Arrival into Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport, where you will be met by a representative from Amiel Tours and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 3 - Caesarea-Megiddo-Haifa-Akko

Depart Tel Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct. Continue to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon. Visit archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water-supply system. Drive to Haifa and view the Persian Gardens at the Baha'i Temple. From Haifa, drive to Akko (Acre) to visit the ancient city and harbor. Continue to Kibbutz Lavi for overnight.

Day 4 - Tiberias - Capernaum - Banias

After a short tour of Tiberias, we take a boat ride to Capernaum. Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the sermon on the Mount. Drive to Banias Springs and waterfalls and tour the Golan Heights. Return to Kibbutz Lavi for overnight.

Day 5 - Nazareth - Beit Shean

Drive to Nazareth via Cana of Galilee. Visit the Church of Annunciation, St. Joseph’s workshop and Mary’s Well. Drive to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan river. Continue to Beit Shean, a newly excavated city, and visit the Roman theatre. Drive along the Jordan River to Jerusalem for overnight.

Day 6 - Jerusalem: The Old City

Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s tomb and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter within the walls of the city and visit the Cardo, the Temple Mount (entrance to the mosques not included), Western Wall, Via Dolorosa (the 14 Stations of the Cross), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Oriental Bazaar. Visit the Garden Tomb. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 - Jerusalem (New City) - Bethleham

Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation. Continue to Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust and then to the Israel Museum. Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and a miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second-Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (visit to Bethleham subject to availability). Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 - Dead Sea - Masada

Drive to Qumeran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Visit the ancient city of Qumeran and drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Mt. Masada by cable car and visit the food-store room, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. Descend by cable car. Time and weather permitting, an opportunity will be provided to float on the Dead Sea. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.

Day 9 - Timna - Eilat

Travel south through the Negev desert. Visit Timna and see the copper mines, King Solomon’s Pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations. Continue to Eilat and stop to visit the underwater observatory, one of the largest seaquariums in the world, built into a coral reef. Overnight in Eilat.

Day 10 - Eilat or optional tour to Petra

The day is your own in Eilat. You can also purchase an optional tour to Petra.

Tour to Petra -
After assistance with a visa to the Jordanian Border, we'll drive straight away to Petra through desert highways. Your ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra, which was built by the Nabateans (an early Arab Tribe). Petra was renowned for its impressive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the south of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. The visit begins with a short horseback ride (about 700 meters) to the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 km long (walking distance), or you can rent a chariot (charge) to get inside Petra and back to the outside gate.

Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as The Treasury, Royal Tombs, The Court, Roman Theatre, Roman Street, Qassier El-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh's daughter) and many other smaller monuments. The city is almost 45 square km and has been recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After the visit, we'll stop for lunch at a nice restaurant and then drive back to the border. On the way, there will be a short stop at Aqaba and a chance to walk around. Transfer to the border around 18:00, then cross to Eilat. Overnight in Eilat.

Day 11 - Mitzpe Ramon-Sde Boker-Tel-Aviv

Depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon and stop to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder. Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion's hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin Valley. Stop for a camel ride and a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent. Learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch. Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel's Air Force Museum to see the planes and equipment and to hear the story of the brave fighting force. Continue on to Tel Aviv. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 12 - Return flight to the U.S.

Transfer to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport for your overnight flight back to the U.S.

Tour includes

• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• 2 nights in Tel Aviv
• 2 nights at the Kibbutz Lavi
• 4 nights in Jerusalem
• 2 nights in Eilat
• Israeli buffet breakfast and dinner daily
• English-speaking guide during touring days
• Entrance fees to sites as shown in the itinerary

Not included

• Tips to guides, personal items and meals not shown here are also not included.
• Optional tour to Petra

Notes

• Hotels will be confirmed as the ones listed or in similar type accommodations.
• Passports are required to visit Bethleham.
• Modest dress (no short or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting the holy places.