Day 1: Tel Aviv
Arrive at the airport & transfer to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Tel Aviv – Jaffa – Tel Aviv – Caesarea – Haifa
Enjoy a brief trip to Jaffa this morning. See Independence Hall & the Jaffa Gate & enjoy a walk through the local flea market. Next, discover Bauhaus architecture as you ride through the White City of Tel Aviv. Explore the ancient Roman ruins at Caesarea. Highlights include the Theatre. Enjoy a stop at Mount Carmel before arriving in Haifa for the evening.
Day 3: Haifa – Peki'in – Safed
Visit the Arab-Jewish cultural center, Beit Hagefen, this morning & learn about its efforts on coexistence. Travel to Peki'in afterward. On the way, you’ll learn more about the different religious groups which all coexist in this town. Visit the stone Synagogue on your guided tour, & enjoy time to converse with the locals. Then head back on the road, & drive to Safed. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 4: Safed – Mount of Beatitudes – Nazareth – Jenin – Mount Gerizim – Ramallah
Visit the Mount of Beatitudes this morning. Leave for Jenin afterward. On the way, enjoy a brief visit to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. You’ll enjoy a guided tour through the city of Jenin before heading to Mount Gerizim, where you’ll learn about the local Samaritan culture. Head back on the road once more today, & travel to Ramallah. Join a discussion on current events in Palestinian territory with local scholars upon arrival. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay afterward.
Day 5: Ramallah – Dead Sea – Qumran – Jericho – Bethlehem
Enjoy floating in the Dead Sea this morning. Afterward, visit the historic location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the mid-twentieth century. Enjoy a guided tour of Jericho. Highlights include the ancient ruins of Herod the Great’s palace. Visit the town of Bethlehem & see the shrine that symbolizes Jesus’ birthplace inside the Church of the Nativity. Take a walk through the Shepherds’ Field before dinner hosted by a local family.
Day 6: Bethlehem – Taybeh – Jerusalem
Leave for Taybeh this morning. Upon arrival, take a tour of the local brewery. See the Byzantine ruins & enjoy a brief lecture on the city’s history, given by a Catholic priest. Head to Jerusalem afterward. You’ll visit the Israel Museum & see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 7: Jerusalem
Stand on top of the Mount of Olives this morning. You’ll enjoy the views of the city, see the Church of Mary Magdalene & visit a Jewish cemetery. Next, head underground to walk through the Western Wall Tunnels. Then, visit the Temple Mount, the City of David archaeological site, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre & the Hezekiah Tunnel. Enjoy time to shop at a local market before dinner. After your farewell dinner, meet with an Israeli journalist.
Day 8: Jerusalem – Tel Aviv – USA
Transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv & board your return flight home.