Embark on a once in a lifetime tour by joining our Deluxe Classic Israel Tour of 15 days. This, program highlights the sacred Christian and Jewish sites Israel has to offer. This tour includes a visit to Eilat and the option to visit Petra, Jordan. We encourage you to browse through the Deluxe Classic Israel Tour program and see for yourself.
Day 1 – Wednesday: Arrival for the Deluxe Classic Israel Tour
Welcome to beautiful Israel!
We will arrive at Ben Gurion airport and be met and assisted by a Shalom Journeys representative before proceeding to passport control.
Following passport control, we will be transferred to our hotel in coastal Tel Aviv.
Depending on our arrival time, we will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
A day to rest up before we embark on the Deluxe Classic Israel Tour of 15 Days.
Highlights:
Arrive in Israel
Meet and Greet
Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Leisure
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 2 – Thursday: The Birth of Modern Israel
Drive to Latrun to visit the Armored Corps Museum and memorial, considered one of the most diverse tank museums in the world.
Continue to Beit Guvrin National Park, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site; explore parts of the archaeological remains and unique caves.
Proceed to Ayalon Institute, once a secret underground ammunition factory established by the “Haganah,” who were the Jewish underground movement before May 1948.
Continue to Weizmann House in Rehovot built in 1936, the private home and later the formal residence of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the first president of the state of Israel and founder of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Learn the story of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, an outstanding scientist and head of the Zionist movement for over 30 years.
Highlights:
Latrun Armored Corps Museum
Beit Guvrin
Ayalon Institute
Weizmann Institute of Science
Overnight Tel Aviv
Day 3 – Friday: The White City and Jaffa
After breakfast, we will start our day with a visit the Beit Hatfusot (Diaspora museum), the Museum of the Jewish People.
Proceed to tour the main streets of Tel Aviv, the business centers and the entertainment district of Israel. Continue with a stop at Rabin’s Square, the place where Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin was assassinated.
Moving on to visit Old Jaffa, an 8000-year-old port city; visit the ancient ruins and walk along the restored artists’ quarter.
In addition, visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv that was built in 1909.
Lastly, we will visit the trendy neighborhood of Nahalat Benyamin. Walk the pedestrian street market filled with musicians, boutique shops and lively bars and restaurants.
Highlights:
Diaspora
Rabin Square
Neve Tzedek
The Old City of Jaffa
Nahalat Binyamin
Overnight Tel Aviv
Day 4 – Saturday: Tel Aviv at Leisure
Have a relaxed morning to explore Tel Aviv on your own.
Suggested Morning: stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy Tel Aviv’s bustling Mediterranean beach culture.
Suggested Afternoon: visit the cultural hubs of Tel Aviv — Visit Rabin Square Memorial, the HaBimah Theater Grounds, and the classic Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv and Rothschild Blvd.
Highlights:
Tel Aviv Beach
Rabin Square
Habima Square
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 5 – Sunday: The Gems of Coastal Israel
Following our delicious breakfast, we will journey along the coastal highway to the ancient Roman capital, Caesarea.
Our tour proceeds to Megiddo, which has been identified as the site of the battle of Armageddon.
The next stop on our tour is Daliat-el-Carmel, a Druze village. Here we will enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.
To conclude the day, we will proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and the golden-domed Bahai gardens.
Highlights:
Caesarea
Armageddon
Mount Carmel
Bahai Gardens
Overnight in the Galilee
Day 6 – Monday: The Wonders of the Golan Heights
After our Israeli breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the mystical city of Safed also known as the center of Jewish mysticism.
Our journey continues North to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, located in the city of Kuneitra.
Time for some fun! Our next stop is at the Golan Winery for a tour of the facilities and some wine tasting. To conclude the day, we proceed to “Golan Magic” for a multimedia presentation of the area and its history.
Highlights:
Safed
Golan Heights
Golan Winery
Overnight in the Galilee
Day 7 – Tuesday: Walk In the Footsteps of Jesus
Today we begin with a visit to the city of Nazareth. Here we will visit the Church of Annunciation.
Our tour continues towards Tiberias; Our first stop is at Capernaum, home to Jesus, to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter.
We will take a short drive and visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount.
To conclude our tour for the day, we proceed via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue.
Highlights:
Church of Annunciation
Capernaum
Mount of Beatitudes
Beit Shean
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 8 – Wednesday: The Old City of Jerusalem
We will start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from the Mount of Olives.
Our tour will proceed to the Old City of Jerusalem. Here we will visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of Last Supper situated atop Mount Zion.
From there we continue forward to enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter.
Some of the sites include the Roman Cardo, the Herodian quarter, and most notably the Western Wall.
Walk along the Via Delarosa to the Church of Holy Sepulcher.
Our tour concludes with a visit to Bethlehem, the location of Rachel’s tomb, the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square.
Highlights:
Mount of Olives
Old City of Jerusalem
Jewish Quarter
Western Wall
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Bethlehem
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 9 – Thursday: Loss and Renewal – New City of Jerusalem
Our tour begins with a drive to the Israel Museum. Here we will visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed.
We will proceed for a tour of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Continue to visit Mount Hertzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust.
In addition, we will drive through Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem. A chance to learn more about their unique lifestyle.
In the evening enjoy dinner followed by the spectacular “Sound & Light” show at the Tower of David Museum.
Highlights:
Israel Museum
Yad Vashem
Mea Shearim
Sound and Light show
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 10 – Friday: The Dead Sea and Masada
Our journey continues through the Judean hills to the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.
From here we continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.
We will ascend Masada by cable car and explore the mountain fortress built by King Herod. Some notable sites include the remains of the walls, water cistern, and Herod’s Palace.
We will descend by cable car and continue to the Dead Sea, where we can float in the unsinkable water and bathe in the famous mineral-rich mud.
Highlights:
Qumran Caves
Masada Fortress
The Dead Sea
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 11 – Saturday: At Leisure in Jerusalem
Optional Morning: Return to the Old City and tour the Christian Quarter.
Suggested Afternoon: Visit Jerusalem’s First Station (on own).
Suggested Evening: Discover Jerusalem nightlife at Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall, the German Colony, the Russian Compound and beyond (on own).
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 12 – Sunday: The Journey South
Today we travel south through the Negev desert.
We will stop at Timna, a large geological and archaeological park; View the outstanding Solomon’s pillars.
Our tour continues to Eilat, the southernmost city on the shores of the Red Sea.
Explore the Underwater Observatory marine park that was built into a coral reef.
Check-in to our hotel in Eilat
Highlights:
The Negev Desert
Timna National Park
Underwater Observatory
Overnight in Eilat
Day 13 – Monday: Leisure on the Red Sea
Today we will enjoy the Red Sea and have a day at leisure.
Optional tour – Petra Day Tour Extension:
After an early breakfast we will drive to the Aqaba border with Jordan from Eilat, Israel.
Our representatives will assist us with the entry visa at the Jordanian border.
The journey begins with a drive straight to Petra, the astonishing rose-red city built by the Nabateans (An ancient Arab tribe).
Petra was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels.
The city itself is almost 45 square km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.
After lunch we will drive back to the Jordanian-Israeli border.
If time is permitting we will stop in the Red Sea city of Aqaba, Jordan for a chance to walk around.
To conclude our day of touring, we will be transferred to the border at around dinner time and back into Eilat, Israel.
Overnight in Eilat
Day 14 – Tuesday: Geological Wonders & Southern Hospitality
Following breakfast, we will depart Eilat and proceed towards Mitzpe Ramon (The Ramon Crater).
Take a moment to gaze into a geological wonder, with majestic views.
Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and his grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley.
Our tour will stop for a camel ride and a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent. We will learn about Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch.
To conclude the days touring, we will proceed to Hatzerim and visit Israel’s Airforce Museum.
Arrive in Tel Aviv for our last night in Israel.
Highlights:
The Ramon Crater
David Ben Gurion’s Hut
Israeli Airforce Museum
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 15 – Wednesday: Farewell from Israel
Following our last breakfast, depending on our departure we will enjoy the day at leisure before heading to the airport for our flight home.
Leave Israel with lifelong memories!
Shalom and thank you for joining us on our 15 days Deluxe Classic Israel Tour!
Included
14 nights hotel accommodations
5 nights – at Hotels in Tel Aviv
2 nights – at a kibbutz in the Galilee
5 nights – at Hotels in Jerusalem
2 nights – at Hotels in Eilat
Hotel taxes and service charges
Guiding and transportation
A licensed English speaking guide
10 days of touring
A luxurious motor-coach throughout
Entrances to all sites and parks, while touring
Optional Petra Tour
Transfers
Meet and assist at Ben Gurion Airport
Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport hotel in Tel Aviv
Transfer from hotel in Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport
Meals
Israeli style buffet breakfast daily
2 dinners at a kibbutz in the Galilee
Dinner in Jerusalem + Sound and Light Show
1 lunch with swim/spa at the Dead Sea
Light lunch at Bedouin Village
Dates & Availability
Coronavirus (COVID-19): An Update on Shalom Journeys Operations
Due to the public health situation and the associated directives issued by the US Government, CDC, WHO, and Israel’s Ministry of Health, we have postponed our 2020 trips until September 1, whereby tours are on a request only basis. These decisions are difficult, and as we continue to monitor the situation, we will update our availability accordingly. We thank you for sticking by and staying safe!
To get more information about this tour and future dates please do not hesitate to contact us.
