JERUSALEM (NEW CITY) After breakfast, drive to the Israel Museum; visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period.  Enjoy a tour at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Continue to visit Mount Hertzel cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust.  Drive through Mea 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 & Light” show** at the Tower of David Museum. Overnight in Jerusalem. 

QUMERAN – MASADA – DEAD SEA – TEL AVIV Drive through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level.  Stop at Qumeran to visit the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.  Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada.  Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 AD.  Descend by cable car.  Continue to the Dead Sea and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea with therapeutic effects. Overnight in Tel-Aviv.

TEL AVIV Enjoy this day at leisure to explore on your own.

CAESAREA – MEGIDDO –  DRUZE VILLAGE – HAIFA  Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region.  See the excavations of the Crusaders’ city and the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue.  Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system.  Continue to Daliat-el-Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.  Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa bay and the Golden domed Bahai shrine and gardens.  Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.

SAFED – GOLAN HEIGHTS  Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will 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 the Golan Winery for a tour and wine tasting.  Proceed to “Golan Magic” for a multimedia presentation of the area and its history. Overnight in a Kibbutz guesthouse.

SEA OF GALILEE – NAZARETH – TEL AVIV  Start the day with a visit to Nazareth.  Visit  the Church of Annunciation and continue to Tiberias. Visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter.  Visit Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount.  Drive, via Beit Shean, to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

TEL AVIV – HOME  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.