English
Whilst staying in Tel Aviv, you will want to experience and enjoy others parts of Israel. With the array of religions, cultures, people and geographical terrain, it’s very important to have a variety of experiences in this beautiful Middle Eastern country. Israel is laden with history and archaeology spanning thousands of years and it’s worth spending time choosing the tour that suites your interests, desires and pursuits.
We suggest three tour operators who will be able to give you an exposure and insight into other areas of this stunning country.
Tips
You will be expected to wear modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) in religious areas and communities so as not to offend local residents. Due to the hot Mediterranean climate, be prepared with sunscreen, sun glasses, drink and hats. Also make sure to be wearing comfortable walking shoes especially in Jerusalem as the streets are uneven and hilly. If the security situation is volatile, you are advised to walk around with your passport as there may be additional checks.
Jerusalem Highlights
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Jerusalem for a day tour of this fascinating and breathtaking city. Your day will commence at the Mount of Olives where you will see a panoramic view of Jerusalem and hear a little about the city’s history. Then you will be taken to the Old City and hear about the gates that lead to it. You will see Mount Zion, the ancient Cardo, the Church of the Sepulchre and the Western Wall from the time of the Second Temple AD.
Your day will continue with visiting the more modern part of the City, with a trip to Yad Vashem and other interesting sites. Your bus will return you to Tel Aviv at the end of what will have been a very stimulating day.
The starting rate for the day is $69 which includes entrance fees covered, being picked up and dropped off at your hotel in an air conditioned vehicle and an English guide.
Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Bethlehem is steeped in Biblical history. The New Testament identifies it as the birthplace of Jesus. The Bible says that King David lived and was crowned as King of Israel there. The tour commences with a trip to the Mount of Olives and an opportunity to see both old and new aspects of the city. Then you will be taken to the Old City via the Kidron Valley and enter through one of the gates.
During your trip, you will see all four of the quarters: Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian. After walking though the Jewish and Armenian Quarter, you will have a few minutes at the Kotel ( Wailing Wall) where you can contemplate and reflect. Some people put a symbolic piece of paper in the wall with a hope or prayer for the future. Then you will go on to the Muslim and Christian Quarters and experience the Arab Bazar on your way to the Via Dolorosa. You will go into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where it is thought that Jesus was buried.
Now you will go on to Bethlehem. You will cross the check point on foot and have to change your bus as Israeli registered buses are not allowed in. Be ready for a wait at the check point at busy times. In Bethlehem you will see the Church of Nativity, Manger Square, the other main cites there as well as be given time to visit the souvenir shops. You will be due to return to Jerusalem at 7:00 pm and Tel Aviv at 6.30 pm.
Things to bear in mind when visiting Bethlehem: Visiting Bethlehem is subject to the security situation in the Palestinian Territories and Israeli buses and passport holders (including dual citizenship) are not allowed in to Bethlehem. Also, touring in the Palestinian territories is not covered by third party travel insurance. Due to the religious atmosphere there, you are reminded to dress modestly-covered shoulders and knees.
Extra details for your trip: The trips are daily for 10 hours. From Herzliya at 7:00 am and Tel Aviv from 7.20 am. Tour guides are in English. Additional languages are Spanish on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday; French on Monday and Saturday and German on Wednesday.
Cost – Tel Aviv:
Economy Class –$118 and Business Class is $133. Herzliya: Economy Class – $ 118 and Business Class is $133.
The Business Trip holds a maximum of 20 people and travel in a mini-bus. 5-12 year olds get a 10% reduction and under 5’s cannot join the trip. After your trip you will be dropped back to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Food is not provided although you are given the opportunity to buy food during the lunchbreak.
Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
On this day trip you will be given the opportunity of seeing two of the most stunning ancient historical sites in Israel – Jerusalem and Massada and then to the Dead Sea. Like the other tours, you will start off at the Mount of Olives with the breathtaking view of Jerusalem. Then you will continue on by the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus and his disciples prayed before his crucifixion. You will go onto the Old City and Wailing Wall via the Armenian Quarter. From there you will go on to the Christian Quarter to follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the sight of the crucifixion. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre you will walk along the 1700 year-old Byzantine main street, until you reach the Cardo and Jewish Quarter.
Next on to the beautiful, scenic Judean Hills on the way to the Dead Sea. Massada is by the Dead Sea and there you will learn about the powerful and moving history of the area. Masada which is on the Eastern edge of the Judean Dessert, overlooks the Dead Sea. Herod built it as a palace for himself and fortified it. According the Josephus, the siege of Masada by the Roman Empire occurred towards the end of the Jewish-Roman War ending in the mass suicide of the 960 Jewish rebels living there. At Massada you can take the cable car up the 2000 year old fortress and palace built by Herod and re-live the dramatic and inspiring history of the Jews there.
From Massada you will drive via Ein Gedi and Qumran seeing the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Dead Sea is an experience that you will not forget. There you will spend several hours floating and relaxing. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth and is 400m below sea level.The Dead Sea is excellent for people with skin conditions, but be wary as it is heavily concentrated with salts. At the Dead Sea, you will also be given the opportunity to immerse in the mineral-rich all natural Dead Sea mud bath, leaving your skin soothed and soft.
Bring with: Bathing suite, a towel, hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and snacks/ a drink.
Tours take place every day and last 9-10 hours. The price from Herzliya and Tel Aviv is $131. You will get picked up from your hotel in Tel Aviv at 7.15 am and Herzliya at 7:00 am.
