Tour Description

Easter and Israel Religious Holiday surcharges apply ( 01 -10 April & 05 Sep – 10 Oct 2023)

Small Group Tour
8 Days ex Tel Aviv
Guaranteed departure (min 2 pax, max 19)

Departs on Saturdays

Israel is a melting pot of different cultures and faiths. This coach tour seeks to discover these wonders and provide an insight into the rich and diverse patrimony of the Holy Land – the birthplace of the world’s three major religions. Trace the areas holy heritage from Jerusalem and Nazareth through to the Galilee visiting the renowned historic and Biblical sites and experiencing local culture and hospitality including lunch in a Druze village overnight in a kibbutz and a wine tasting on the Golan heights.

Highlights:

Gain insight into the rich and diverse heritage of the birthplace of the world three major religions
Visit the renowned historical and Biblical sites in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Galilee
Experience local culture and hospitality including lunch in a Druze village, overnight in a kibbutz and a wine tasting in the Golan Heights

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local agent (look out for your name on a sign) and then transferred to your Tel Aviv hotel where accommodation is reserved for one night on a bed and breakfast basis. Remainder of day at leisure.

Day 2: Coastal Plain (BLD)

This morning depart Tel Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of the ancient city the Roman theatre and aqueduct. Proceed to Megiddo identified as the site of Armageddon and visit the archaeological excavations. Continue to the Druze village at Dailat El Carmel and partake in lunch with Druze hospitality at a local restaurant. In the afternoon travel to Haifa via Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Western Galilee. Continue on to the golden domed Bahai Shrine to explore the exotic Persian Gardens. Overnight Kibbutz guesthouse.

Day 3: Upper Galilee (BD)

This morning proceed to Safed the center of Jewish mysticism to visit the ancient synagogues and the artists’ colony. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at a Golan winery for a tour and wine tasting before visiting Kessem Hagolan a muli media presentation of the area. Overnight Kibbutz guesthouse accommodation.

Day 4: Sea of Galilee (B)

Start the day with a tour of Tiberias. Explore the centre of Jesus’ ministry at Capernaum to see the remains of the synagogue where he preached and the octagonal church of St. Peter. Onto Nazareth to visit the church of the Annunciation. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Continue onto Jerusalem where four nights accommodation has been reserved.

Day 5: Jerusalem – Old City & Bethlehem (B)

Start the day with magnificent panoramic views of the Old City from the Mount of Olives . Visit the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish Quarter, visiting the Roman Cardo, the Herodian Quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem (subject to security clearance) to visit the Church of the Nativity.

Day 6: Jerusalem – New City (BD)

Start your day with a visit to the Israel Museum – Tour the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and see the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period. Enjoy a tour of the New City – include a view the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). Continue for a moving visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Visit Meah Shearim the ultra-orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening enjoy a middle eastern dinner followed by the spectacular sound and light show at the Tower of David museum (weather conditions permitting).

Day 7: Dead Sea (B)

Depart Jerusalem via the Judean Mountains and descend to the lowest place on earth. Visit the ancient city of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to the magnificent cliff top fortress of Masada. Ascend via cable car to explore the remains of King Herod’s luxurious palace and hear about the zealots who defied the Roman Empire from this location. Take the chance to enjoy a float in the salty waters.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your onward flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Transfers as specified in itinerary
Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
Tourist Class hotels with private facilities
Breakfasts
Kibbutz dinners and a Druze lunch
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Professional English speaking driver/guides
Entrance fees
Israel Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Optional tours and excursions
Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

NOTES:

Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long Pants. Women: Skirt or long pants and shoulders covered
Order of sightseeing may be amended depending on local travel restrictions and security clearance.

The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Tel Aviv

Tourist Class – Sea.Net / Gilgal / Prima City

Moderate First Class – By 14/ Metropolitan /Grand Beach

First Class – Dan Panorama / Crowne Plaza

Galilee

Tourist Class – Kibbutz Lavi – Lev room

Moderate First Class – Kibbutz Lavi – Eden room

First Class – Kibbutz Lavi – Hod / Hadar Room

Jerusalem

Tourist Class – JLM Tower / Park / JLM Gate Hotel / Gold

Moderate First Class – Grand Court / Royale / Leonardo / Kings / Lady Stern

First Class – Dan Panorama / Crowne Plaza

Israel is a country of pilgrimage for the three main religions of the world. It is a country where locals and those visiting have diverse political, cultural and religiously opinions. These generally reflect the cultural or religious belief of the person you are talking to. When travelling on tours please be aware that cultural sensitivities and attitudes of those on the tours, and those operating the tours may differ from those you personally have.

The majority of sights visited on tours have religious significance to more than one religion and denomination. The tours are generally non-denominational.

Visa procedure on entry into Israel – Electronic Gate Pass
It is essential that clients thinking of visiting Lebanon or Syria do not have a stamp showing entry into Israel.

For passengers who wish not to have their passports stamped with an Israel visa, Israel authorities have developed the “Electronic Gate Pass” as a substitute for the visa stamp. With the press of a button, a card is printed at the Border Control station and includes the principle details of the traveller as in the first page of the passport. Such details are picture, full name, date of entrance and type of visa.

The form may not be printed automatically by the agent in charge at the border control booth, so it is important that clients specifically ask for the card to be issued if they do not wish to have their passport stamped.
The Electronic gate pass is available at Ben Gurion Airport and at the various land crossings into Israel.
The card is a proof of tourist status and must be retained at all time by the tourist while in Israel.

It allows tourists to purchase goods and be exempt from VAT. When planning a purchase, the card must be shown (but not handed in) in order to receive tourist privileges such as return of VAT for hotel services, car rentals as well as at specially registered duty free shops throughout the country.

Arrival Transfers
If for any reason you do not meet your transfer representative, please approach the “SMILE” office which is located behind the information counter in the baggage reclaim hall. Please do not leave the baggage reclaim hall or pass through Customs before you meet our representative, as once you are outside it is very difficult to locate you.
Smile Airport Assistance: 972-3-975 4020

West Bank and Occupied Territories
Checkpoints and crossing into the West Bank and Occupied Territories: There are some travel restrictions in place in Israel, Sometimes access to attractions or cities may be restricted or limited by the security forces. These situations are outside the control of the operator and in the event of such circumstances they will endeavour to offer an alternative or reschedule a tour.

Bethlehem – Israeli guides and drivers may not be allowed to enter Bethlehem. Tours are generally operated by locals who also own their own local shops. We are reliant on using the locals for the tours and therefore spending part of the tour in a local merchant shop is part of the experience.
Old Jerusalem – Due to parking and road restrictions in Old Jerusalem transfers and sightseeing coaches have limited access. You may be required to walk a short distance to meet tours or transfers.

Hotels and Services in Israel
Although Israel is considered a First World country, the standard of hotels and service especially in the tourist and first class categories are more reflective of the region. Breakfasts may be buffet or middle eastern breakfast (more like a continental breakfast with egg, bread and cheese). The demands on infrastructure in these regions are quite high and may lead to issues relating to maintenance or reliability of supply. Hotel staff whilst efficient may appear brusk and unwelcoming in comparision to other destinations.

Coach Tours
Please note that Israel coach tours may operate with clients staying in different hotels in each location. People on the tours may also have different inclusions.

Hotels on Coach Tours
Please use the hotel information on coach tours as a guide. In some cases these hotels are substituted for alternatives of the same or higher standard without notice.

Border Crossing Procedures
For full details on border crossing procedures please refer to the Innovative Travel Notes. Unsure you have some hard currency on hand to pay departure and or arrival taxes.

The Allenby Bridge Border Crossing from Jordan or Israel is the most difficult and inconsistent border crossing in the region. This border crossing may take between 1-3+ hours depending on the time and day of travel. This may cause problems in finding the transfer drivers as although they are prearranged drivers are limited in the time they are able to wait at the border.

If you are more than 90 minutes at the border it is important to contact the transfer driver on the number provided in your documentation to reconfirm the drivers location as they are unaware if you have already passed through immigration.

Dress Codes
Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.

Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

Priced From:

$ 4060pp ^*