8 Days Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Massada, Dead Sea

Tour overview
The Bible comes to life in this 8-day exploration of how ancient history lives with modern determination. From the sophisticated beaches of Tel Aviv to the Sea of Galilee, youll find a vibrant culture that literally sprang from the desert. Youll visit a Kibbutz and have a chance to float in the Dead Sea.

Day 1 - Arrive Tel Aviv
Arrive to Tel Aviv, Israel, where you are met and escorted to your hotel.

Day 2 - Tel Aviv
Enjoy a tour of Tel Aviv and its environs today. Visit Independence Hall and explore the 'White City.' Continue to Old Jaffa, with its ancient port and home to biblical tales. Explore the different faces, walking through Shenkin Street, Levantine Carmel Market, Neve Zedek, and the Guttman Museum. Visit Dani Karavan's environmental sculpture 'The White Square.' (B)

Day 3 – Tel Aviv
Visit Tel Beer Sheva – a city dating back to the 10th century BCE. Stop at Mashabe Sadeh Agriculture R&D Center. The desert region has been transformed into a sea of green, thanks to the wonders of modern technology and Israeli ingenuity. Then ascend to the ancient city of Avdat, once a Nabatean stronghold on the Spice Route from the Orient to Europe. Later stop at the gravesite of David Ben Gurion. (B)

Day 4 – Tel Aviv / Caesarea / Ein Hod / Sea of Galilee
Visit the ancient city of Caesarea and watch an audio-visual presentation that brings to life the times of the Romans who controlled these shores 2,000 years ago. Ascend the Carmel Mountain to the artist colony of Ein Hod. Continue on to the World Heritage site of Akko. Explore the Knights' Halls, the secret Crusader escape passage and the massive walls of the port. Cross the Galilee and head for your host Kibbutz, an experience in communal living. (BD)

Day 5 – Sea of Galilee / Capernaum / Nazareth / Tel Megiddo / Jerusalem
Start the day at Kibbutz Ginosar to see the 2000 year old fishing boat salvaged from the Sea of Galilee. Visit the ancient synagogue of Capernaum and Nazareth to tour the Basilica of the Annunciation. Inhale the scents, sights, sounds and tastes of the Middle East. Pause at Tel Megiddo, a Site offering 26 layers of civilization, where each culture built atop the other starting about 7000 BC. (B)

Day 6 - Jerusalem
Enjoy a spectacular view of Jerusalem from atop the Mount of Olives. Later explore the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. Highlights include the Southern Wall excavations, site of the steps that led up to the Holy Temple and site of the Moneychangers' Stalls and the Western Wall. Walk through Cardo, an ancient commercial street and along a portion of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Citadel Museum at the Tower of David. Leave the Old City and travel to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in the dramatic Shrine of the Book and the model of Jerusalem as it was 2000 years ago. (B)

Day 7 – Jerusalem – Massada, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea
Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada, the legendary stronghold built by Herod the Great and the heroism of the Jews who spurned the Romans and chose death over slavery. Visit Ein Gedi oasis and seize the chance to swim (float) in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea. Enjoy a visit to a Kibbutz to see the Botanical Gardens and Cactus Park (B)

Day 8 – Jerusalem / Depart Tel Aviv
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)