Treasures Of The Holy Land

Israel conjures up the breathtaking beauty of its hills and valleys, the eerie stillness of the Dead Sea, and the ancient walls and pathways of Jerusalem. Embark of a Journey of discovery through Jaffa and modern Tel Aviv, and jump back in history in Betlehem and Old Jerusalem. Venture into the Judean Desert, and after a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Masada, take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.

Starting at $2,199

Day 1: Meet at Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to a hotel in Tel Aviv. Enjoy dinner out after checking in at the hotel. An evening drive brings you to the ancient Jaffa — once the only entry port to the land of Israel. Jaffa is a microcosm encircled by the modern city of Tel Aviv, but its character remains intact and it is perfectly preserved as a result of a massive and detailed restoration project that took place in the 1960s. Continue your drive through modern Tel Aviv. Rothschild Boulevard is known for its 1930s Bauhaus buildings and the extraordinary balconies that lend Tel Aviv its White City nickname. Tel Aviv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching the seafront promenade and the lively port area, visit one of the many trendy cafés and restaurants and absorb the atmosphere before returning to the hotel.
Hotel: The Carlton Tel Aviv or similar 

Day 2: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity -- built above the place where Jesus Christ is said to have been born. Next, leave Bethlehem and head back to Jerusalem. From Mount Scopus, you'll take in a magnificent view over the Golden City with its Temple Mount. Walk through the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of all Nations. After lunch, begin your walking tour on Mount Zion. This is the hill on which the city of Jerusalem is perched. Visit the Room of the Last Supper and walk by King David's Tomb. Enter the Old City via Zion and upon reaching the restored Jewish Quarter, visit the 2nd-century Roman Cardo. Here you will see the walls of the 2nd Temple of Jerusalem. Proceed through the colorful bazaar to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dinner will be served after you check in at your hotel, followed by a drive around the magnificently illuminated Old Town walls. You'll stop at the Dung Gate for a moonlit visit to the Western (Wailing) Wall — the last vestige of the ramparts that surrounded the Holy Temple of the Jews built by King Solomon. After your visit and a chance to touch one of the ancient stones, return to your hotel and overnight in Jerusalem.
Hotel: Orient Hotel or similar.

Day 3: After breakfast, drive to the lowest point in the World, you’ll descend 1,400 feet to the lowest place on the surface of our planet — the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert. On your way, you will pass by Jericho and Qumran, stopping to take a picture of the cave where the first Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Continue driving along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Visit the Masada Fortress, located a little to the north of ancient Sodom. The mountain fortress of Masada looms high above the Dead Sea’s desolate landscape. A cable car will convey you to the summit for a walk around the site of this last stand. Among the fascinating sights are the wall, bathhouses, upper palace, synagogue, church cisterns, western palace and Roman ramp. Re-board the coach and drive to Ein Bokek in time for lunch at a hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. After lunch, take a swim in these waters that are so mineral-rich, you can’t sink. Following your Dead Sea experience, you will return to your hotel in Jerusalem and have dinner.
Hotel: Orient Hotel or similar.

Day 4: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to your ship waiting at Haifa port.

May 11, 2023 Pre-Cruise (May 14, 2023 cruise date)

August 10, 2023 Pre-Cruise (August 13, 2023 cruise date)

September 7, 2023 Pre-Cruise (September 10, 2023 cruise date)

Day 1: Leave the ship in Haifa and drive to Nazareth. Visit the Church of Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church built, according to tradition, over his carpentry shop. After a delightful lunch served on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, you'll drive by the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave his Sermon. At Capernaum, visit the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught, as well as St. Peter's house. Visit the Yardenit baptismal site by the Jordan River; then drive down the Jordan Valley and through the Judean Hills to Jerusalem. Dinner will be served after you check in at the hotel, followed by a drive around the magnificently illuminated Old Town walls. You'll stop at the Dung Gate for a moonlit visit to the Western (Wailing) Wall. After your visit and a chance to touch one of the ancient stones, return to your hotel and overnight in Jerusalem.
Hotel: Orient Hotel or similar.

Day 2: After breakfast, drive to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert. On your way, you will pass by Jericho and Qumran, stopping to take a picture of the cave where the first Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Continue driving along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Visit the Masada Fortress, located a little to the north of ancient Sodom. The mountain fortress of Masada looms high above the Dead Sea’s desolate landscape. A cable car will convey you to the summit for a walk around the site of this last stand. Among the fascinating sights are the wall, bathhouses, upper palace, synagogue, church cisterns, western palace and Roman ramp. Re-board the coach and drive to Ein Bokek in time for lunch at a hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. After lunch, take a swim in these waters that are so mineral-rich, you can’t sink. Following your Dead Sea experience, you will return to your hotel in Jerusalem and have dinner.
Hotel: Orient Hotel or similar.

Day 3: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. Next, leave Bethlehem and head back to Jerusalem. From Mount Scopus, take in a magnificent view over the Golden City with its Temple Mount. Walk through the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of all Nations here, and after lunch, begin your walking tour on Mount Zion. This is the hill on which the city of Jerusalem is perched. Visit the Room of the Last Supper and walk by King David's Tomb. Enter the Old City via Zion and upon reaching the restored Jewish Quarter, visit the 2nd-century Roman Cardo. Here you will see the walls of the 2nd Temple of Jerusalem. Proceed through the colorful bazaar to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue your walk through the Christian Quarter to the Jaffa Gate, where your coach will drive you to Tel Aviv. Enjoy dinner out and then an evening drive brings you to ancient Jaffa. Continue your drive through modern Tel Aviv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hotel: The Carlton Tel Aviv or similar 

Day 4: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Ben Gurion Airport for your journey back home.

May 14, 2023 Post-Cruise (May 7, 2023 cruise date)

August 13, 2023 Post-Cruise (August 6, 2023 cruise date)

September 10, 2023 Post-Cruise (September 3, 2023 cruise date)

Please note: Modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The Bethlehem part of the tour will be guided by a Palestinian guide. You will need your passport to enter Bethlehem. Important: It is each guest's sole responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in mid-cruise adventures or overnight journeys, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your overland adventure or overnight tour, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. The Journey rates include 5-star hotel accommodation on a double room basis in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, airport assistance and transfers, transportation by A/C bus, all entrance fees indicated in the itinerary, licensed English-speaking guide, one lunch in Jerusalem, one lunch at the Dead Sea, one dinner in Tel Aviv, and water on the transportation. Rates do not include gratuities or personal expenses.