Holy Land Highlights

Your journey through the Holy Lands begins in Tel Aviv, a modern city that truly does not stop. With its lively cafe culture, relaxed Mediterranean beach scene, and renowned diverse nightlife, Tel Aviv is a great place to start your exploration of the Holy Lands. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Today, make like a wise man for Nazareth, stopping at a few significant ports along the way. First up is Jaffa, now a vision of modernity but reputed to be one of the oldest ports in the world. According to the Bible, it’s also where Jonah set off in defiance of God’s wishes before being tossed into the sea and swallowed by a whale. You’ll continue on to Lewinsky Market – a very popular spot for locals and full personality and colour, take a stroll through its aisles and perhaps stop to sample some burekas (traditional pastries) as you walk around. You’ll then head up the coast to Haifa and enjoy the view of the renowned Bahai Gardens, which are a series of 19 terraced gardens that overlook the city. Afterwards, drive to Nazareth, arriving in the afternoon. An orientation walk will help you get your bearings so that you can make the most of your free evening in this holy city.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included activities: Haifa - Baha'i Gardens, Tel Aviv - Lewinsky Market Visit, Jaffa - Tour of Old Jaffa

Meals included: Breakfast

Start the morning with a visit to the Church of the Annunciation. This is the site of where Mary received the news of the Immaculate Conception, along with the well where she drew water every day.



Get on the road again and head a short while north to the port city of Acre, known for its well-preserved old city a crumbling remains of its fortress. Explore the excavated hall, dungeon, dining room and crypt of an ancient Gothic church, once occupied by the Knights of St John. Before heading back to your hotel, stop by Tulip – a socially responsibly winery that employs adults with personal and developmental difficulties for a glass (or two) of their delicious drop.



Spend the evening in Nazareth.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included activities: Tulip Winery Visit, Akko - Templar's Tunnel visit, Nazareth - Visit to Church of Annuniciation and Mary's Well

Meals included: Breakfast

Head out of Nazareth this morning, on your way to Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving. This initiative, founded in 1991, is all about empowering Bedouin women in this region to apply their traditional weaving skills in manufacturing and sale of their products, and earn an income. Spend some time with the women, joining them for a cup of tea and a local lunch. Stop en route to Ramon Crater at Be’er Sheva – the only city built by Ottoman Turks during the rule over this land. In the afternoon, arrive at Mitzpe Ramon, perched on the edge of the Ramon Crater. Hop in the back of a 4WD vehicle and head on a desert safari into the crater for a night of star gazing. Ramon Crater has been recognised as an ‘International Dark Sky Park’ – the first in the Middle East – to promote the preservation of ecological, astronomical and cultural benefits of having a clear night sky, unimpeded by light pollution.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included activities: Beersheba Tour, Ramon Crater Jeep Safari

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Take in a spectacular sunrise then visit Masada, a spectacular cliff-top fortress built by King Herod around 35 BC that is now reached by cable car. The fortress is seen as a symbol of the bravery and self-sacrifice of the Jewish people. Travel on to Ein Gedi, where you’ll have time to wash off during a swim like no other. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, sits at 420 metres below sea level and is so salty that you'll easily float on the surface. Perhaps rub the nutrient-rich mud on your body and later on, as the sun cools, the group will slip into the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and explore the botanical gardens. Take a short walk on one of the gentle hiking trails before continuing to the Mount of Olives for your first view of the Holy City – Jerusalem. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, most famous as the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before his crucifixion. Also, take a visit to the Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony), which is said to hold inside a section of the bedrock Jesus used to pray before his arrest.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included activities: Masada - Masada visit, Dead Sea - Dead Sea visit, Ein Gedi - Botanical Gardens, Jerusalem - Mount of Olives, Jerusalem - Garden of Gethsemane

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore Jerusalem’s Old City this morning on foot. Start with the Courtyard of the Dome and the Western Wall – the remains of the Temple Mount, which acts as an outdoor synagogue, where written prayers are slid into the cracks between stones. Then continue along the Via Dolorosa starting at St Stephen’s Gate, passing the crusader church of St Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. Now located in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, this pool was mentioned in the Gospel of John and associated with healing. Continue along the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) – the ‘way of sorrows’ which follows Jesus’ path to crucifixion – and stop by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, died, buried, and rose again.



We catch up for an informal chat with a local organisation, Hands of Peace specialising in conflict resolution and the peace process. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring, so perhaps have more of a wander around the Old City and head to the Islamic Museum to learn more about this important city.

Accommodation - Hotel (1 night)

Included activities - Jerusalem - Guided tour of Old City

Meals included - Breakfast

This morning, cross into Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity as well as Manger Square, which was, of course, around where little baby Jesus was said to have been born. Afterwards, discover a different side to Bethlehem on a graffiti tour at the Separation Barrier. It’s said that even Banksy has contributed to these murals, so get your best artistic critique face on. Later on, head back to Jerusalem for some time to yourself. This afternoon, why not get a couple of your travel crew together and sit back with a cold beer at one of the many laneway bars near Machane Yedhua Market. There’s a heap of great eating spots around there too.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included activities: Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field

Meals included: Breakfast

Your journey through the Holy Lands comes to an end after breakfast today and there are no activities planned, so you are free to check out at any time.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Meals included: Breakfast