The ladies trip to Israel
Day 1- 2/20/23
Jaffa and Tel-Aviv
This day starts with us taking a walk through the Old City of Jaffa, located by the ancient and famous harbor. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon and Peter. As we walk the winding streets, we will approach the amazing lookout over the seashore of Tel Aviv, stroll the galleries and visit the impressive churches, synagogues, and mosques.
overnight- Tel Aviv
Day 2- 2/21/23
Along the coast
Depart from Tel-Aviv and head to the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. We will visit the site of Paul's imprisonment, the Roman theatre, aqueducts, and the Hippodrome. All serve as a backdrop for the events chronicled in the Book of Acts. We will also visit Mount Carmel and Haifa, a city known for the beauty and symmetry of the majestic Bahá'í Gardens- one of the main worship sites for followers of the Bahá'í religion worldwide, as well as its example as a beacon of religious pluralism.
Further north still, Acre sprawls out by the shore, its bustling bazaar swirling with the smells of spices and fresh fish, built atop the former Crusader stronghold that centuries later would be the last barrier stopping Napoleon from achieving his goal of conquest. In Acre, we will visit the market, the underground Crusader Halls and the El - Jazar Mosque - one of the largest in Israel.
Overnight- Galilee
Day 3- 2/22/23
Explore Nazareth and Cana
The third day of the tour is a full day in Nazareth and Cana. We will start the day with a visit to Mount Prefepice- a wonderful lookout over the Jezreel valley.
We will visit the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, followed by a short walk through the quaint Nazareth Market. We will visit the Synagogue where Jesus preached and was rejected by the locals. We’ll sit down with a local shopkeeper who will demonstrate Middle Eastern traditions and cultures through word and song. After crossing the market we will visit the breathtaking Catholic church of Annunciation where we’ll enjoy the unique architecture and the archeological excavations.
In the afternoon we will go to Nazareth Village, an incredible outdoor museum that depicts life in Nazareth at the time of Jesus. We will conclude the day in Cana- the site of Jesus’s first miracle.
Overnight- Galilee
Day 4-2/23/23
Explore The Sea of Galilee
We will depart from our hotel and drive through Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We will visit Capernaum, the site of Jesus' teachings and hometown. We will also visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesu's ‘Sermon on the Mount', overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We will also visit Magdala, an outstanding 1st-century archeological site. Lastly, we will enjoy a beautiful boat tour on the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight- Galilee
Day 5- 2/24/23
Along the Jordan Valley
After checking out from the hotel, we will head down to the baptismal site on the Jordan River. From there, we will continue our drive through Beit Shean National Park, one of Israel's largest archaeological sites with its ancient archaeological mound and ongoing excavations exposing the vast Roman-Byzantine city. We will continue south along the Jordan Rift Valley and ascend to Jerusalem through the Judean Desert. Just before arriving in Jerusalem, we will stop by the magnificent St. George monastery
Overnight- Jerusalem.
Day 6- 2/25/23
Heading to the desert
In the early morning, we will head to Dead Sea Basin where we will visit Qumran to explore the area where the Dead Sea scrolls were stored for 2000 years. We’ll drive to Masada and ascend this wilderness mountain fortress in a cable car; we will walk through the remains of the palace, water cisterns and fortifications built by King Herod and hear about the Zealots who lived here until the bitter end. We will conclude the day by floating on the Dead Sea.
Overnight- Jerusalem
Day 7- 2/26/23
Explore Bethlehem and Herodium
We will begin the day with a drive to the beautiful Herodium- a palace built by king Herod to commemorate his victory against the Parthians. Afterward, we will visit the city of Bethlehem for an afternoon tour of the church of the Nativity and the Sheperds' fields.
Overnight- Jerusalem
Day 8- 2/27/23
The Ancient City of Jerusalem
This day will be dedicated to the ancient sites of Jerusalem. We will start the tour with a visit to the Mount of Olives- we will visit the key churches along the slope, enjoy the view and eventually get to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed. We will visit the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic. After that, we will visit more sites in the old city as time allows.
Overnight- Jerusalem
Day 9- 2/28/23
The Holy City of Jerusalem
We will visit the must-see sites such as the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but we will also discover the modern, small moments of humanity that represent the Old City in the present day, such as the small coffee shops only locals would know. The tour will include visits to all four quarters of the Old City: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Armenian, each unique from the other in its content and feel.
Overnight- Jerusalem
Day 10- 3/1/23
The modern city of Jerusalem
Over the 150 years of its modern history, Jerusalem has been developed and ruled over by a variety of different groups including the Ottoman Empire, the colonial British Mandate, the Palestinian elite, the Israeli government and more. Each competing force desired to leave its stamp on the appearance and atmosphere of modern Jerusalem.
We will start the day, with a guided tour of the "Yad Vashem" Holocaust museum. Afterward, head to the Machne Yahuda Market for lunch and a culinary tour.
After lunch, visit the Israel Museum, home to the shrine that protects the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as a treasure trove of archaeological, anthropological, and cultural art and relics.
Overnight- Jerusalem
Pricing
Day 1- Jaffa and Tel Aviv walking tour- $600 (not including taxis within the city if needed)
Day 2- Along the coast- $1200+ $200 for the guide's overnight
Day 3- Nazareth- $900+ $200 for the guide's overnight+ $120 for Ghada's talk+ $65 for Nazareth village
Day 4- Galilee- $900+ $200 for the overnight expenses+ $150 for the boat ride
Day 5- Jordan valley- $1200
Day 6- Masada and the Dead Sea- $1000
Day 7- Herodium and Bethleham- $900
Day 8- Jerusalem walking tour- $600- $70 taxi to the Mount of Olives+ $70 for the Western Wall tunnels
Day 9- Old city walking tour- $600
Day 10- Modern city Jerusalem- $900+ $160 for the Yad Vashem guide
Transportation to the airport- $200
Total- $10,235 ($8,135)
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The price does not include meals, hotels or entrance fees to different sites. The price is a total for six people.
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A day lasts up to 8 hours.
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The Jerusalem old city tours and Tel Aviv tours are walking tours- if needed, we will use taxis, which are included. (except the one to the Mount of Olives)
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A deposit of $2100 was paid. The rest of the payment ($8,315) will be made in Israel. In case of cancelation before February 1st- a refund of $2000. After that- no refund but the deposit will be saved for a future trip to Israel.
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Payment will be made by card.
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If you are satisfied with the service, the standard tip for the guide in the industry is about $100 per day.