ISRAEL: JERUSALEM TO TIBERIAN

Leave behind bustling, modern Tel Aviv and head north to the more bucolic Galilee region with your private guide. Stop at Caesarea along the coast, once the Roman capital of the region. Explore the excavations of this archeological site including the aqueduct. The theater has been restored as a modern concert venue. Continue further north, pausing at Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of Haifa. Explore the beautiful and grandiose Bahai Gardens - a unique atmosphere of historic spirituality and inspired design combined with the painstaking gardening of generations. This is the site where members of the Bahai faith have established their shrine and world center because of its significance to the Bahai faith. From here, drive further up the coast to the ancient port city of Acre, also known as Akko, the holiest city of the Bahai faith. The Crusaders left their mark on this UNESCO town as the former capital of their kingdom. The fortifications jut into the Mediterranean at the southern sea wall. The last stop of the day is in Rosh Hanikra along the Lebanese border. Descend by cable car into the stunning limestone grottos. Formally only accessible from the sea, the grottos are now accessed by the steepest cable car in the world. End the day with a relaxing evening at your Galilee hotel.

Where you'll be staying
The Scots Hotel
Unique Room
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Relax on the scenic drive from Tiberias to Jerusalem, and explore a bit of the Galilee region with your private guide on the way. Start with a visit to Kafr Kanna, home to the Wedding Church in Cana, also known as the Church of the First Miracle. The site is dedicated to the first miracle attributed to Jesus, where he turned water into wine at a wedding. Next, head to the nearby town of Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation, established on the site where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God. Following your visit to Nazareth continue to Jerusalem, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

As you travel across Israel, you will pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Megiddo in the Lower Galilee region. This ancient city is thought to have seen more battles than any other location in the world. Excavation has uncovered about 26 layers of settlements dating as far back as the Chalcolithic period. The hilltop was a Canaanite city, an Egyptian fortress, a Chariot City during Biblical times and a prominent Assyrian and Persian city. At its prime Megiddo was ruled by the famed King Solomon and visitors can see the remains of Solomons Gate and what is believed to have been his stables. The site holds a special place in the Christian faith, as it is believed to be the future site of the Final Battle, Armageddon. Following your visit to Megiddo you will continue onwards to your accommodation in Galilee. The approximate travel time today is three hours.

Yardenit is where water flows into the Jordan river, eventually ending up in the Dead Sea located more than 60 miles to the south. This site is believed by some traditions to be the actual spot where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Consequently, it is no wonder that nowadays many visitors to Israel opt to partake in a sacred Baptism ceremony in this iconic place. No matter if you opt for a full immersion, Orthodox or Catholic baptism, your Destination Expert will be happy to help you with all the
necessary arrangements. Depending on your needs and denomination, a local clergy member can assist with today's Baptism. Please note that while the Baptism service performed by a local clergy member is provided free of charge, donations are highly encouraged and you will be expected to cover their expenses (to be paid to the pastor directly).

Where you'll be staying
American Colony
Classic Pasha
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Located only 6 miles south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is a world apart. Famous as the birthplace of Jesus, the town is a point of pilgrimage for Christians of all denominations. Your English- speaking driver-guide will accompany you to the checkpoint between Israel and Bethlehem. Please make sure you have your passport with you, as Israelis cannot cross this checkpoint. Once you are safely through the checkpoint, a Palestinian guide will join you for a visit to the Chapel of the Milk Grotto. The site is currently a Catholic church, built on the site of a 5th-century Byzantine church. It is believed that the Holy Family sought refuge here during the "slaughter of the innocents". Continue by car to the Basilica of the Church of the Nativity, located on the site where Jesus was believed to be born. The Church is revered across denominations and is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic and Syrian Orthodox Church authorities, making it a unique chapel to visit. Take your time exploring these sacred sites, and feel free to chat with your Palestinian guide about what life is like in the West Bank. There are interesting shops in Bethlehem focusing on Christian religious apparel that differ from those in the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem. Your guide will return with you to the checkpoint with Israel, where you'll rejoin your Israeli guide and depart.
On the western edge of Jerusalem surrounded by lush forests and rolling Judean hills, the ancient village of Ein Karem is now one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods, best explored by a leisurely stroll through eclectic art galleries, biblical sites, and offering tantalizing restaurants catering to both Kosher and non- Kosher dietary requirements. It has long been a pastoral retreat from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem and has attracted Christian pilgrims for centuries as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Drive to this village with your English-speaking driver- guide, and explore the site where Mary visited her cousin
Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. The key pilgrimage sites are the Church of the Visitation, the traditional site of the home of St. Elizabeth and Zachariah; the Church of St. John the Baptist, built over a grotto believed to be his birthplace; and Mary's Spring, which still flows although the water is no longer potable. A must-see while in Ein Karem, admire the world famous Chagall Windows at the Hadassah Hospital's synagogue, a series of 12 stained-glass panels representing the original tribes of Israel.

Where you'll be staying
American Colony
Classic Pasha
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Iconic natural wonders dot the Israeli landscape, playing their own role in the Holy Land's lengthy biblical history. Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea stand out in the Jordan Rift Valley against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains on the Jordanian side of the border. With your English-speaking driver-guide, start the day with a visit to the beautiful Ein Gedi Reserve, a stunning desert oasis graced with waterfalls and referenced several times in the Book of Psalms. Continue by car to Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous as the site of King Herod's desert mountain get-away palace, and the scene of the zealots' final stand against the Roman Legion, with stunning vistas overlooking the desert and Dead Sea below. Ascend to the summit by cable car, and explore the excavation of King Herod's palaces, the bathhouse, storerooms, the ancient ramp used to ascend the mountain, and one of the oldest still-standing synagogues. It is possible to hike up the Snake Path to the summit of Masada, but this is only recommended for guests in good health, as the 90-minute hike in the hot desert sun is quite challenging. End the day with a soak in the Dead Sea, famous for it its hyper-salinated waters and for being the lowest place on earth, located 1,412 feet below sea level. The sea was home to one of the worlds first health resorts, dedicated to King Herod. The waters have been receding over the past hundred years, leading to cooperative engineering projects between Israel and Jordan to protect the resource in the future.

Where you'll be staying
American Colony
Classic Pasha
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