The travel to the city of Christ's birth, Bethlehem, where we visit the Church of the Nativity. After that we stop at Saint Catherine's Church, the Milk Grotto where Mary nursed baby Jesus and finally we see Shepherds Field.
We leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem, the City of David. This was the home town of King David's father (Samuel I 16:1) and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph.
We cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the 4th century and later expanded during the 6th century. We can still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor.
Entering the Basilica of the Nativity we will go through a low doorway the "Door of Humility", on the walls there are faint golden mosaics and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men).
We exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From the Church of St. Catherine we descend to grottos which are connected to those beneath the Church of the nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels including the Chapel of the Innocent dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16); the Chapel of Joseph and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin.
On to visit the Franciscan church which houses the Milk Grotto. Here Mary nursed Jesus and a drop of her milk fell to the ground turning the grotto white.
Our final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible tells us that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night and the angel told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today a tent-shaped chapel stands here, the chapel was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ.
The heart of the city, concentrating on its best-known sites. Tour begins with a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Continue for a walking tour of the Old City which includes Mount Zion, the Cardo, Via Dolorosa (The Stations of the Cross), the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western (Wailing) Wall.
Descend to the Judean Desert and view the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Enter Jericho - the oldest city in the world. Visit the mound of Ancient Jericho where 25 ancient cities were uncovered. Stop at Zacheaus Sycamore and overview the Palace of Hisham. Tour ends at 13.00 in the Old city of Jerusalem
We start with an overview of Jerusalem and then walk along the Byzantine Cardo, in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. From the Western Wall (Kotel), we will follow the Via Dolorosa, the Stations of the Cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After enjoying the bazaar of the Christian and Moslem quarters we continue to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem visit the Church of Nativity and overlook the Shepherd's Field.
Start with an overview of Jerusalem looking down at the Old City and the Temple Mount. See Mount of Olives , the Garden of Gethsemane and the monumental burial tombs while driving along the Kidron Valley.Transfer drive through the Judean desert, passing Jericho, to the northern coast of the Dead Sea to swim and float in the mineral rich waters and enjoy a mud bath.
Drive via the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea area (the lowest point on earth). Arrive at Ein Gedi Spa for a day of fun and relaxation. Enjoy the rich mineral hot springs, cover yourself with the mineral rich, therapeutic mud and enjoy the unique experience of floating in the Dead Sea.
This package includes two day tours and overnight B&B accommodation. See Jerusalem's Old City, the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and wall through David's city enjoying the lively bazaar. Drive through the new city of Jerusalem passed famous sites to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum. Take a trip south to Masada; see the 1st century hill top remains of the last Jewish outpost against the Romans. Relax in the Dead Sea enjoying its therapeutic qualities.
Spend two days touring and an overnight stay in B&B accommodation. Visit Jerusalem's Old City; see the Byzantine Cardo, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and the four quarters which make the city a holy place for all three of the monotheistic religions.
In Bethlehem see the Church of the Nativity and the Grotto where Jesus was born. Driving south through the Judean Desert visit Masada and see the hill top remains of Herod's palace fortress. Take a dip in the Dead Sea at the lowers point on Earth. Return to the hotel passed the Dead Sea scroll caves and the ancient city of Jericho.
This two day tour with overnight B&B stay begins with a day in Jerusalem. See the Old City sites including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, Western Wall and the colorful ancient market. Drive through the new city of Jerusalem passed modern-day sites to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum. See the moving exhibits at this award winning site.
Day 2 – Head south to the Dead Sea for the unique experience of floating in the mineral rich saline water. Relax and enjoy the beach, sun, black Dead Sea mud and therapeutic waters.
Enjoy 2 daily tours to northern highlights with accommodation on B&B basis in an Israeli Kibbutz resort. Visit Caesarea – the city that was built 2000 years ago by King Herod, the Bahai gardens in Haifa, the ancient city in Acre, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, the beautiful limestone grottos in Rosh Hanikra and more.
We start with an overview of Jerusalem and then walk along the Byzantine Cardo, in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. From the Western Wall (Kotel), we will follow the Via Dolorosa, the Stations of the Cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After enjoying the bazaar of the Christian and Moslem quarters we continue to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem visit the Church of Nativity and overlook the Shepherd's Field.
Our day begins at the Mount of Olives with a breathtaking panoramic view over Jerusalem then we continue on to the Byzantine Cardo, an ancient main road which runs through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. We take a look at the Wailing Wall (Kotel) and then follow the sacred route Jesus took carrying his cross along the Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa). We stop as several of the Stations of the Cross and reach the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was crucified and where his burial tomb is located. We take a stroll through the bazaars of the Christian and Moslem Quarters and then depart Jerusalem and make our way to Bethlehem.
Our main focus in Bethlehem is the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born, we also visit Saint Catherine Church, the Milk Grotto where Mary nursed baby Jesus and Shepherds Fields where "Shepherds watched their flocks by night…"
Descend to the Judean Desert via the Inn of theGood Samaritan and view of Jericho. Relax at one of resorts on the shore of the mineral-rich Dead Sea. Enjoy the unique experience of floating on your back in the water and rubbing therapeutic Dead Sea mud on your body. On return, overview Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Rejuvenate yourself with a relaxing and therapeutic visit to the Dead Sea. Enjoy the mineral rich waters, revitalizing air and the natural face mask and body rub of the Dead Sea black mud!
First Day: Jerusalem Old and New
Tour begins with a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Continue for a walking tour of the Old City which includes Mount Zion, the Cardo, Via Dolorosa (The Stations of the Cross), the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western (Wailing) Wall. In the afternoon, visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.
Second Day: Massada and Dead Sea Excursion
Drive via the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea area. Visit Massada, the fortress of King Herod and the last stronghold of the Zealots. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth) to Ein Gedi Spa to enjoy its therapeutic qualities as the rich mineral hot springs, the therapeutic mud and to enjoy the unique experience of floating on the rich mineral water of the Dead Sea.
We look out across the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives then drive passed the Garden of Gethsemane and around the Old City walls. We enter the Old City on foot to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher then take a drive through the new city of Jerusalem passed the Israeli parliament, the Israel Museum and the Valley of the Cross.
On route to Bethlehem we pause at the Hill of Evil Counsel for a view of the city lights. On entering Bethlehem we see the Christmas decorations and stop at a local store for refreshments. At Manger Square we enjoy a festive dinner. There may be a possibility to enter the Church of the Nativity for Mass. At midnight we watch the Church of the Nativity Midnight Mass on large outdoor screens in Manger Square before heading back to your hotel.
Depart Tel Aviv via the judean hills to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth; Roadside view of Qumeran caves (visit not included) where the Dead Sea scrolls were found; Visit a Dead Sea cosmetic products shop. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada where you will learn about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters.
Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palace, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea and enjoy the unique opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud that many believe has its therapeutic effects.
Return to point of departure.