A Tour of Jaffa, St Peter’s Church, the artist cobblestone walkway, and the relaxing beaches of Tel Aviv.
A Tour of Jaffa, St Peter’s Church, the artist cobblestone walkway, and the relaxing beaches of Tel Aviv.
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport, meeting and assistance by Holyland Gateway tours representative.
On to Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.
Jaffa, also known as Yafo, is a historic port city located in the southern part of Tel Aviv, Israel. It is one of the oldest ports in the world, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. Today we will tour Jaffa and visit some interesting places-
Free time to Enjoy the beaches and surroundings of Tel Aviv on your own.
The first stop in Nazareth is at the Church of the Annunciation.The church was built in the Byzantine era, and was later destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current church was constructed in the 1960s, and features a modern design with a large dome and intricate mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary.
Inside the church, visitors can see the Grotto of the Annunciation, which is believed to be the spot where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. The grotto is located beneath the main altar of the church, and features a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus.
Then to the Church of St. Joseph’s Carpentry. It is believed to be the site of Saint Joseph’s workshop, where he worked as a carpenter and raised Jesus. Next stop after Nazareth we continue via Kafer Cana for a view of the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Then, at nearby historical Tabgha, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, we visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. The Church stands on the site of a 4th century church, and preserves a beautiful early Christian mosaic, in addition to the traditional stone where that special meal was consumed.
Onwards, we visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum and the city of Christ. Overlooking Tiberias, we proceed to the site of baptismal on the Jordan River – the Yardenit, where there is an optional baptismal service.
We end our day, returning back to Tel Aviv via a scenic view of Mt. Tabor.
Today we will Drive via the coastal highway to Caesarea, the ancient Roman Theater, the Crusader city and the Aqueduct serve as a back-drop to the Book of Acts; Cornelius was the first gentile to become a Christian and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years here, before he sailed to Rome. From Caesarea we continue up north to Haifa for a beautiful view of the Bahai Gardens, the city and the port. We then proceed on our journey towards Rosh Hanikra, where we take the cable car to visit the beautiful limestone grottos on the waterfront. We will also view Israel’s border with Lebanon, situated right on top of Rosh Hanikra.
On our way back along the Mediterranean sea , we will stop in Accre, the port city. Visit the Crusader underground fortress, walk through the market Acre is mentioned as one of the cities given to Acre is also mentioned in the book of Judges, where it is recorded that the Israelites failed to conquer the city from the Canaanites (Judges 1:31).
Back to our hotel in Tel Aviv.
Drive up to Jerusalem, stopping first at the Mt. of Olives viewing the Old City from the mountain top. We then take the “Palm Sunday Walk ” to visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of all Nations and drive across the Kidron Valley. Enter the old city through ST. Stephens Gate (Lions Gate) for a walking tour in the Old City to the Muslim Quarter. Follow the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa the path that Jesus walked carrying his cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
We will visit the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall, the remnants of the closest site of the Temple Mount before its destruction in 70 CE. This is a very holy site for prayer for Jews around the world.
Ascend the Temple Mount (if permitting).On to the Pools of Bethesda and descend to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent the last night before he was arrested. We will visit the House of the High Priest Caiphas and the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu. Continue to the Menora (Candelabra) near the Knesseth (Israeli Parliament). We head towards Bethlehem. (Time Permitting
According to the New Testament, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, who had traveled there from Nazareth for the census ordered by the Roman emperor Augustus. The Gospel of Luke describes how they were unable to find lodging in the town and ended up giving birth to Jesus in a stable, where he was laid in a manger. We will visit The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem built over the grotto where Jesus is said to have been born.
Return to our hotel in Tel Aviv.
Leaving early in the morning we will drive through the Judean Desert to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Here we’ll have the opportunity to float (swim) on the water of the Dead Sea. Continue to Massada where a determined band of Jewish Zealots in the face of unimaginable hardship and privation held off their Roman attackers for an incredible three years after Jerusalem had fallen to Titus in 70 A.D.
Upon arriving at the foot of the Mountain on which Massada sits, you will ascend the summit by a modern cable car.
Once on top of the summit, you will tour the ruins and hear the account of one of the most fascinating tragedies in recorded history.
After the visit we will descend by Cable car from the o\mount.
Return to Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.
Free day on your own for shopping and relaxation before returning home :)
Transfer to Airport for departure
Transfer to Airport for departure.
Tour includes based on a Minimum 20 full paying participants in the same category of hotel:
Meeting & assistance upon arrival at Ben-Gurion
Rates upon request.
Holyland Gateway Tours is a tour company in Israel specializing in various types of tours, striving for a high-quality, personalized experience for clients.