Israel Discovery
9 Days from $3,250 per person
Walk in the footsteps of Jesus as you follow His journey from birth to the Crucifixion. Jewish and Islamic sites, as well as an experience to Bethlehem, balance the tour.
Israel Discovery also has winter departures; click here to see the Winter Season version of this tour!
Overview
Walk in the footsteps of Jesus as you follow His journey from birth to the Crucifixion. Jewish and Islamic sites, as well as an experience to Bethlehem, balance the tour.
Israel Discovery also has winter departures; click here to see the Winter Season version of this tour!
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Day 1: Your Journey Begins.
Board your overnight flight (not included). -
Day 2: Welcome to Tel Aviv.
You will be met at Ben Gurion Airport and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Meet your travel companions for a Welcome Reception and a short introduction to your trip.
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Day 3: Exploring Vibrant Tel Aviv.
Morning sightseeing showcases the highlights of this vibrant city including the Habimah National Theatre, Rabin Square and Carmel Market. Venture along the seashore to the ancient city of Jaffa to see the famous clock tower and the old harbor. Visit the artists' quarter with its galleries, boutiques and picturesque narrow lanes. At night, enjoy a traditional Shabbat dinner.
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Day 4: To Caesarea, Acre, Nazareth and Galilee.
Travel from Tel Aviv, drive along the coastal road to Caesarea to explore the ancient Roman and Crusader ruins, including the huge amphitheater. Travel via Haifa to Acre, fought over for centuries and captured in turn by Saracens and Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart. See the fortress, the old harbor area and Crusader crypt, before continuing to Nazareth. Visit one of Christianity's most sacred places, the Church of Annunciation, on the site where the Angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to Mary. Head on to your hotel in Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee. The day concludes with a brief introduction to life on a Kibbutz.
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Day 5: Along the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea.
Visit the ancient wooden boat that dates back to when Jesus was alive, and enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have entered the Synagogue to teach, before heading to the Mount of Beatitudes, where he preached the Sermon on the Mount. Journey through ever-changing landscapes along the Jordan Valley, past ancient Jericho, to take a dip in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea.
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Day 6: Masada & the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Take a cable car ride up to the fortress of Masada, where Jewish Zealots held out for three years against Herod's armies. Pass the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found at Qumran. Travel through the Judean Hills to Mount Scopus for breathtaking views of Jerusalem. Visit King David's Tomb on Mount Zion, and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City and follow the winding cobbled alleyways to the magnificent Wailing Wall, the most sacred monument in Judaism.
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Day 7: Exploring Jerusalem.
Visit Yad Vashem, a memorial for those who perished in the Holocaust. Continue to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book wing which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
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Day 8: Optional Bethlehem Experience and Exploring Jerusalem.
Enjoy a relaxed morning or alternatively choose to meet your Local Expert at the West Bank border and continue to the Holy city of Bethlehem. The Optional Experience includes visiting the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam. In the afternoon, all travelers will visit the Garden of Gethsemene and walk through the Old City to see the Temple Mount, one of Islam's holiest sites. Continue along the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Pool of Bethesda, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At night, toast your adventures over a hearty Celebration Dinner with wine.
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Day 9: Depart Jerusalem.
Your journey comes to an end with transfers to Ben Gurion airport.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
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Winter Itinerary
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sep 18 | 13 Sep 18 |
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$3,895pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
24 Oct 18 | 1 Nov 18 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
7 Nov 18 | 15 Nov 18 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
21 Nov 18 | 29 Nov 18 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
5 Dec 18 | 13 Dec 18 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
19 Dec 18 | 27 Dec 18 | $3,425pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
26 Dec 18 | 3 Jan 19 | $3,425pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
2 Jan 19 | 10 Jan 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
16 Jan 19 | 24 Jan 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
30 Jan 19 | 7 Feb 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
13 Feb 19 | 21 Feb 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
27 Feb 19 | 7 Mar 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
13 Mar 19 | 21 Mar 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
27 Mar 19 | 4 Apr 19 | $3,250pp | Request Quote Book Now |
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Winter Itinerary: Seasonal adjustments to the itinerary may apply.
Due to religious festivals some departures will operate in reverse and/or a modified itinerary. The order of sightseeing may change at short notice.
Visas: Some passports may require Visas, please speak with your Travel Specialist at time of booking to assess your requirements.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $1,360 p.p.
Triple Room Reduction: $70 p.p.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
Dining Summary
7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 Dinners (D) and 2 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee.
Signature Experiences
Caesarea:
- Explore the Roman and Crusader ruins of Caesarea, formerly one of the splendid cities in Palestine.
Sea of Galilee:
- Enjoy a morning boat ride at the very place where Jesus is said to have walked on water.
Dead Sea:
- Be sure to take a dip in the famously mineral-rich waters where it's easy to float.
Masada
- Alongside your Local Expert, ascend to the ancient fortress of Masada by cable car where Jewish Zealots held out for three years
against Herod's armies, before sacrificing themselves.
Jerusalem:
- Accompanied by your Local Expert, walk the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - site of the Crucifixion.
You will also visit the Garden of Gethsemene, see the Temple Mount, Room of the Last Supper, the Pool of Bethesda and Ecce Homo Arch. - Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. At the Israel Museum, wander to the Shrine of the Book wing housing the Dead Sea
Scrolls.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in Israel is the Shekel. While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
Like the country's population, Israeli cuisine is a diverse mix of Middle Eastern, European, and African flavors. You'll find variations on common Mediterranean dishes like falafel, hummus and baba ganoush, plus plenty of rice and fresh salads. For a quick lunch try a shwarma - grilled meat (usually chicken or lamb) thinly sliced and served with salad in pita bread.
You will encounter some restaurants that adhere to Kosher dietary requirements, meaning that you will not be able to get dairy and meat products during the same meal.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items, which can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. We also recommend that women bring a light weight scarf to demonstrate respect for the different religions with historical ties to the region. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Tipping is expected when dining out, although tends to be less generous than in the United States. It’s appropriate to leave 10-15%. Please advise your server if you need to add the tip onto your credit bill, or simply leave your tip on the table.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem By Night
Adult Price: $25.00
Drive through the time-worn streets of Jerusalem by night to witness the ancient sites and monuments beautifully illuminated. Enter the walled old city and walk through the twisting maze of alleyways of the Jewish quarter to the flood lit Western Wall. Above it shines the golden orb of the Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem
Bethlehem Excursion
Adult Price: $40.00
Meet your local guide at the West Bank border and continue to the city of Bethlehem. Visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and it is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam. Important: Please note from the Check Point this tour will be operated by a local Bethlehem guide and coach.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
