43 activitati in Tel Aviv, ISRAEL

Our tour begins on the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago. Then we take the winding road down to the Kidron Valley giving us a view of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested the night before his crucifixion and we also see the Church of All Nations or the Basilica of the Agony. In the valley we can see the ancient burial tombs of Absalom and Jehoshapat, Benei Hezir and the tomb of Zechariah. We enter the Old City through the Zion Gate into the Armenian Quarter and continue on to the Byzantine Cardo. This was the main street through Jerusalem 1,500 years ago, later under Moslem rule it was left unused and then during the Crusader period the street was once again a busy thoroughfare. Today after extensive excavations, which are ongoing, specialty stores are open where Crusader stores once stood. Going through the Jewish Quarter we reach the most holy site in the Jewish faith, the Western Wall. Here Jews from around the world come to pray and put prayer notes between the wall's stones. This 2,000 year old wall was part of the outer supporting walls of the holy Second Temple which was destroyed in AD70. We continue on to the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Sorrows where Jesus walked towards his crucifixion. Along the way we pause at several Stations of the Cross and finally we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The basilica is constructed on the site where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and within the church is his burial tomb. The Byzantine church has been renovated, rebuilt and expanded over the years; today it is a vast and ornate place of worship. To end our tour we take a walk through the busy markets of the Old City where you can buy unique souvenirs from the City of Gold.

Our tour begins on the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago. Then we take the winding road down to the Kidron Valley giving us a view of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested the night before his crucifixion and we also see the Church of All Nations or the Basilica of the Agony. In the valley we can see the ancient burial tombs of Absalom and Jehoshapat, Benei Hezir and the tomb of Zechariah. We enter the Old City through the Zion Gate into the Armenian Quarter and continue on to the Byzantine Cardo. This was the main street through Jerusalem 1,500 years ago, later under Moslem rule it was left unused and then during the Crusader period the street was once again a busy thoroughfare. Today after extensive excavations, which are ongoing, specialty stores are open where Crusader stores once stood. Going through the Jewish Quarter we reach the most holy site in the Jewish faith, the Western Wall. Here Jews from around the world come to pray and put prayer notes between the wall's stones. This 2,000 year old wall was part of the outer supporting walls of the holy Second Temple which was destroyed in AD70. We continue on to the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Sorrows where Jesus walked towards his crucifixion. Along the way we pause at several Stations of the Cross and finally we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The basilica is constructed on the site where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and within the church is his burial tomb. The Byzantine church has been renovated, rebuilt and expanded over the years; today it is a vast and ornate place of worship. To end our tour we take a walk through the busy markets of the Old City where you can buy unique souvenirs from the City of Gold. Point of interest Byzantine Cardo Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jewish Quarter uslim Quarter Via Dolorosa Western Wall Jerusalem Christian Quarter Armenian Quarter

We leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem, the City of David. This was the home town of King David's father (Samuel I 16:1) and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph. We cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the 4th century and later expanded during the 6th century. We can still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor. We enter the Basilica of the Nativity through a low doorway the "Door of Humility"; on the walls there are faint golden mosaics and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men). We exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From the Church of St. Catherine we descend to grottos which are connected to those beneath the Church of the Nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels including the Chapel of the Innocent dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16); the Chapel of Joseph and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin. Our final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible tells us that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night and the angel told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today a tent-shaped chapel stands here; the chapel was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ.

On our journey south of Jerusalem we see the Inn of the Good Samaritan, then as we descend even further we stop at the mark indicating that we are now going below sea level. We have a clear view of Jericho in the distance, where Jesus cured the blind and where Joshua and his troops caused the great city walls to fall (Joshua 6). At 400 meters below sea level we reach the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea. For thousands of years people, including Cleopatra, have known the therapeutic powers of this area and the sea itself. Being further from the sun than any other point on Earth, the harmful sun rays are filtered out making it safe for those suffering from skin ailments to expose their skin and enjoy some of the suns more positive qualities. The air is dry and non-allergenic meaning that your body is enjoying the benefits of the Dead Sea internally as you inhale the revitalizing air. Then there is the black mud, nature's natural facial and body mask. We have the opportunity to smother some of this mineral rich mud onto our skin and benefit from its therapeutic qualities. We can also take a swim in the sea where the highly saline water prohibits any living creature from inhabiting the water, hence the "Dead" Sea. Minerals like magnesium are farmed from these waters and used in medicines and cosmetics around the world. We spend some time relaxing on the Dead Sea beach and floating in the water while surrounded by the most magnificent views of the cobalt blue water and the Moab Mountains in the distance. On our return journey back to Jerusalem we pass the Qumran caves where the 2000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

As we stand above the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives we see the Old City and the Temple Mount where once stood Solomon’s Temple, destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 Before Christ, and the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 Before Christ. Below us we see the Garden of Gethsemane; the Church of All Nations and the Kidron Valley with its ancient Jewish burial tombs. Entering the Old City via the Zion Gate we pass through the Armenian Quarter on route to the Jewish Quarter and the 1500 year old Byzantine Cardo. Partially destroyed and unused during the Moslem conquest it had a brief new lease of life during the Crusader period. The excavated Crusader shops are now modern stores. We stop at the Kotel; the Western Wall where Jews have prayed since the destruction of the Temple in 70 Before Christ. Built by King Herod it was a supporting wall enclosing the Temple Mount area. The Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of the Cross, is the route many pilgrims follow on their way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the church built on the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and his burial tomb. Although the Byzantine church was partially destroyed during the Persian and Moslem conquests the rebuilt and redesigned Crusader Church preserved much of the earlier church. We exit the Old City via the market and the Jaffa Gate for a short tour of the new city. A visit to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Museum, reveals artifacts and photographs documenting the discrimination, persecution and finally the annihilation of Jewish communities across Europe. It also honors those righteous among the nations who risked their lives while trying to save Jews. Others On Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, when the Holocaust Museum is closed, the tour will include a visit to the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane and to King David's Tomb and the Hall of the Last Supper on Mount Zion.

We leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem, the City of David. This was the home town of King David's father (Samuel I 16:1) and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph. We cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the 4th century and later expanded during the 6th century. We can still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor. We enter the Basilica of the Nativity through a low doorway the "Door of Humility"; on the walls there are faint golden mosaics and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase "Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men). We exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From the Church of St. Catherine we descend to grottos which are connected to those beneath the Church of the Nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels including the Chapel of the Innocent dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16); the Chapel of Joseph and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin. Our final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible tells us that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night and the angel told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today a tent-shaped chapel stands here; the chapel was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ.

We begin our tour by traveling passed Herzliya and Natanya and continue north along the coastal road parallel to the Mediterranean, we turn inland and drive through the Valley of Armageddon (Revelations 16:6), from here we can see Megiddo. On our way towards Nazareth we visit the Mt of Precipitation (Luke 4:28-30). In Nazareth we visit the Church of Annunciation which was constructed on the spot where Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would soon be with child (Luke 1:26). Next door we find the Church of Saint Joseph built on the site where Jesus' father, Joseph had his carpentry. We depart Nazareth and travel to the Sea of Galilee on the way we pass Cana where Jesus turned water into wine. (John 2:1-12). At the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes we visit Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here we see the home of Peter and the Church of the Multiplication. (Mark 6:30-44) We travel along the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the sea and walked on water. (Mark 4:35-41, 6:45-52) Across the water we can see the Golan Heights forming a beautiful backdrop as we pass the city of Tiberias which was settled more than 2000 years ago and named after the Roman Emperor Tiberias. We reach the southern region of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee and where Jesus may have been baptized. Here it is possible to participate in a baptismal ceremony in the very same river that Jesus did so many years ago. (Mark 1:9-11) As we head south on our return journey we see Mount Tabor where the Transfiguration took place. (Matthew 17:1-9) Start/opening time From Sunday to Thursday: 9am - 9:40am Friday and Saturday: 8:45am - 9:15am End/closing time 5pm - 6pm

This Jerusalem Old and New Tour starts on the Mt. of Olives with stunning views of Jerusalem’s skyline. In the distance is the Old City and Temple Mount where the golden dome of the Dome of the Rock offers the perfect photo-op. Looking down we see a 3,000 year old Jewish cemetery. As we leave the mount we pass the Garden of Gethsemane; the Church of All Nations and Kidron Valley, site of ancient Jewish tombs. Our tour of old Jerusalem begins as we pass through the Zion Gate into the Armenian Quarter of the Old City. The tour continues to the Jewish Quarter were we see the 1,500 year old Cardo, an excavated Byzantine street. Later Crusaders added stores flanking the Cardo and today modern stores fill the Crusader structures. The tour continues to the Western Wall, a sacred Jewish site. The Western Wall was part of the original Second Holy Jewish Temple and the only part to survive destruction in 70AD. On the tour you can join others from around the world and place a prayer note between the stones of the wall. The tour of old Jerusalem takes you along part of the Via Dolorosa; this is the route Jesus took as he carried his cross towards Calvary. At the end of the Via Dolorosa is the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This 4th century church holds the site where Jesus was crucified and Christ’s burial tomb. Today the church has more than 30 chapels and precious religious relics. The tour takes a lunch break and then visits the Old City’s Middle Eastern bazaar. We leave the Old City and travel through the new modern city of Jerusalem. Instead of ancient structures and religious landmarks new Jerusalem holds modern-day wonders. We make our final stop at Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum. At Yad VaShem you can see a vast collection of historic photographs, authentic artifacts, documents, video testimonials by Holocaust survivors and memorials to those that lost their lives. Others On Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, when the Holocaust Museum is closed, the tour will include a visit to the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane and to King David's Tomb and the Hall of the Last Supper on Mount Zion.

Before entering Jerusalem Old City we take in the view of Jerusalem’s skyline from the Mt. of Olives. We can see beyond the Old City walls to the Dome of the Rock. Descending the mount we pass the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations and Kidron Valley where there are centuries-old monumental Jewish tombs. We pass the Dormition Church and arrive on Mt. Zion. We visit the Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. We pass through the 500 year old Old City walls by way of the Zion Gate and into the Armenian Quarter. At the Jewish Quarter we see the Byzantine-era Cardo and stop at the sacred Western Wall. The tour retraces Jesus’ footsteps along the holy Via Dolorosa to the beautiful Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This ornate 4th century church holds the site of the crucifixion, Christ’s burial tomb and countless religious relics. Our final stop is at the colorful Old City bazaar.

On our journey south of Jerusalem we see the Inn of the Good Samaritan, then as we descend even further we stop at the mark indicating that we are now going below sea level. We have a clear view of Jericho in the distance, where Jesus cured the blind and where Joshua and his troops caused the great city walls to fall (Joshua 6). At 400 meters below sea level we reach the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea. For thousands of years people, including Cleopatra, have known the therapeutic powers of this area and the sea itself. Being further from the sun than any other point on Earth, the harmful sun rays are filtered out making it safe for those suffering from skin ailments to expose their skin and enjoy some of the suns more positive qualities. The air is dry and non-allergenic meaning that your body is enjoying the benefits of the Dead Sea internally as you inhale the revitalizing air. Then there is the black mud, nature's natural facial and body mask. We have the opportunity to smother some of this mineral rich mud onto our skin and benefit from its therapeutic qualities. We can also take a swim in the sea where the highly saline water prohibits any living creature from inhabiting the water, hence the "Dead" Sea. Minerals like magnesium are farmed from these waters and used in medicines and cosmetics around the world. We spend some time relaxing on the Dead Sea beach and floating in the water while surrounded by the most magnificent views of the cobalt blue water and the Moab Mountains in the distance. On our return journey back to Jerusalem we pass the Qumran caves where the 2000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

We begin our tour by traveling passed Herzliya and Natanya and continue north along the coastal road parallel to the Mediterranean, we turn inland and drive through the Valley of Armageddon (Revelations 16:6), from here we can see Megiddo. On our way towards Nazareth we visit the Mt of Precipitation (Luke 4:28-30). In Nazareth we visit the Church of Annunciation which was constructed on the spot where Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would soon be with child (Luke 1:26). Next door we find the Church of Saint Joseph built on the site where Jesus' father, Joseph had his carpentry. We depart Nazareth and travel to the Sea of Galilee on the way we pass Cana where Jesus turned water into wine. (John 2:1-12). At the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes we visit Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here we see the home of Peter and the Church of the Multiplication. (Mark 6:30-44) We travel along the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the sea and walked on water. (Mark 4:35-41, 6:45-52) Across the water we can see the Golan Heights forming a beautiful backdrop as we pass the city of Tiberias which was settled more than 2000 years ago and named after the Roman Emperor Tiberias. We reach the southern region of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee and where Jesus may have been baptized. Here it is possible to participate in a baptismal ceremony in the very same river that Jesus did so many years ago. (Mark 1:9-11) As we head south on our return journey we see Mount Tabor where the Transfiguration took place. (Matthew 17:1-9) Start/opening time Pick up time (from Sunday to Thursday): between 9am and 9:40am. Pick up time (Friday and Thursday): between 8:45am and 9:15am. End/closing time Between 5pm and 6pm

From the elevated position on the Mount of Olives we have a panoramic view of the Holy City of Jerusalem. We look out beyond the Jewish cemetery on the mount's slopes towards the Temple Mount where the Second Temple once stood until it's destruction in 70AD. Our drive along the Kidron Valley takes us past an ancient cemetery and at the foot of the mount we see the burial tombs of Absalom, King David's 3rd son; Zechariah, a First Temple priest and the tomb of the sons of Hezir. We also have a view of the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. We reach Mount Zion where we visit the Tomb of King David. Within the tomb is David's cenotaph covered with a velvet cloth with embroidered symbols of a lyre and crown. Men and women sit in separate areas in this holy Jewish site where they can recite prayers facing the cenotaph. We continue our tour into the Old City through the Zion Gate and into the Jewish Quarter where we see a complex of four Sephardic synagogues which date back to the 17th and 18th century. The Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue, Istanbuli Synagogue, Emtsai Synagogue and the Eliahu Ha'Navi Synagogue were found desecrates, burnt and in disrepair when the Israelis reclaimed Jerusalem following the Six Day War. The historic buildings have since been fully renovated and restored. Our next stop is at the Byzantine Cardo, once the main thoroughfare of the city, today we can see the findings of ongoing archaeological excavations and in part of the restored Cardo, ancient Crusader stores are used for modern shops. Through the Jewish Quarter we pass the excavated foundations of an ancient wall which stood 2,700 years ago during the reign of King Hezekiah (Is 22:10). We go beneath the present day streets to discover the 2000 year old Herodian mansions. The original mosaics and the ritual bath can be seen clearly. The complex of mansions gives great insight into the lifestyle at that time. We arrive at the Kotel, the 2000 year old Western Wall, once part of the outer walls of the Second Temple which stood on Temple Mount until the Temple's destruction in 70AD. Here you'll have a chance to place a prayer note between the stones of this ancient wall. We exit the Old City through the Dung Gate where we can explore the excavation site of the City of David which dates back 3000 years. We can marvel at the ingenuity of the Canaanites and Hezekiah who constructed tunnels to bring a water supply to the people within the city walls. These tunnels are described in Chronicles II 32:2-4 and in Kings II 20:20 – "…the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and conduit, and brought water into the city…" We rest at the Spring of Gihon and contemplate that it was here that Zadok the priest anointed Solomon king of Israel. (Kings I 1:38-39). Languages English

Our tour starts on the Mount of Olives were we visit the Church of the Ascension. The church marks the spot where Jesus ascended to heaven and there is a rock with an imprinted footprint thought to be where Jesus stood before his ascension (Luke 24:50 – 51). The original church built here was in 390 but most of the chapel building we see today is from the Crusader period (1150). Nearby is the Church of the Pater Nostre (Sanctuary of the Eleona), on this spot Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. There are plaques on the walls with the Lord's Prayer written in more than a hundred languages. We see a Crusader cloister and the grotto where Jesus would have taught. This is also where Jesus told his disciples of the eminent destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd coming. From the Mount of Olives we look out over the City of Gold across the ancient Jewish cemetery and to the Old City and Temple Mount beyond. We begin to descend the mount pausing at the Dominus Flevit (the Lord Wept). It was here that Christ cried as he envisioned the destruction of Jerusalem. The Dominus Flevit was designed by architect Antonio Barluzzi to resemble a teardrop. Through the window above the altar we can see the Old City where the Second Temple once stood. A little further along we get to the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. It was here that Jesus prayed before his arrest (Mark 14:32-46). The church was funded by a number of nations which each have their coat of arms displayed in decorative glass on the ceiling. The entrance is through tall columns which support a mosaic showing Jesus as the connection between God and man. We cross the Kidron Valley and arrive at the Lion's Gate of Jerusalem's Old City. We see the pools of Bethesda as mentioned in the Gospel of John. We visit the Crusader Church of Saint Anne constructed above a grotto thought to be where Jesus' mother Mary was born. In the Convent of the Sisters of Zion we enter the cellars to see the water cistern dating back to the Second Temple era. We see the Lithostratos, engraved Roman flagstones, which are part of extensive archaeological findings beneath the convent. It is believed that here Pontius Pilate stood in judgment of Jesus in the courtyard of Praetorium. From here we set out along the Via Dolorosa retracing the route Jesus took as he carried his cross towards his crucifixion. We see the Stations of the Cross where Jesus stopped along the Way of Sorrows and finally we reach the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It was here that Jesus was crucified on Golgotha and Christ's burial tomb is within the church. The vast Byzantine basilica has many alters and five of the Stations of the Cross are within the church. Languages English

Our tour starts on the Mount of Olives were we visit the Church of the Ascension. The church marks the spot where Jesus ascended to heaven and there is a rock with an imprinted footprint thought to be where Jesus stood before his ascension (Luke 24:50 – 51). The original church built here was in 390 but most of the chapel building we see today is from the Crusader period (1150). Nearby is the Church of the Pater Nostre (Sanctuary of the Eleona), on this spot Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. There are plaques on the walls with the Lord's Prayer written in more than a hundred languages. We see a Crusader cloister and the grotto where Jesus would have taught. This is also where Jesus told his disciples of the eminent destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd coming. From the Mount of Olives we look out over the City of Gold across the ancient Jewish cemetery and to the Old City and Temple Mount beyond. We begin to descend the mount pausing at the Dominus Flevit (the Lord Wept). It was here that Christ cried as he envisioned the destruction of Jerusalem. The Dominus Flevit was designed by architect Antonio Barluzzi to resemble a teardrop. Through the window above the altar we can see the Old City where the Second Temple once stood. A little further along we get to the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. It was here that Jesus prayed before his arrest (Mark 14:32-46). The church was funded by a number of nations which each have their coat of arms displayed in decorative glass on the ceiling. The entrance is through tall columns which support a mosaic showing Jesus as the connection between God and man. We cross the Kidron Valley and arrive at the Lion's Gate of Jerusalem's Old City. We see the pools of Bethesda as mentioned in the Gospel of John. We visit the Crusader Church of Saint Anne constructed above a grotto thought to be where Jesus' mother Mary was born. In the Convent of the Sisters of Zion we enter the cellars to see the water cistern dating back to the Second Temple era. We see the Lithostratos, engraved Roman flagstones, which are part of extensive archaeological findings beneath the convent. It is believed that here Pontius Pilate stood in judgment of Jesus in the courtyard of Praetorium. From here we set out along the Via Dolorosa retracing the route Jesus took as he carried his cross towards his crucifixion. We see the Stations of the Cross where Jesus stopped along the Way of Sorrows and finally we reach the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It was here that Jesus was crucified on Golgotha and Christ's burial tomb is within the church. The vast Byzantine basilica has many alters and five of the Stations of the Cross are within the church. Languages English

From the elevated position on the Mount of Olives we have a panoramic view of the Holy City of Jerusalem. We look out beyond the Jewish cemetery on the mount's slopes towards the Temple Mount where the Second Temple once stood until it's destruction in 70AD. Our drive along the Kidron Valley takes us past an ancient cemetery and at the foot of the mount we see the burial tombs of Absalom, King David's 3rd son; Zechariah, a First Temple priest and the tomb of the sons of Hezir. We also have a view of the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. We reach Mount Zion where we visit the Tomb of King David. Within the tomb is David's cenotaph covered with a velvet cloth with embroidered symbols of a lyre and crown. Men and women sit in separate areas in this holy Jewish site where they can recite prayers facing the cenotaph. We continue our tour into the Old City through the Zion Gate and into the Jewish Quarter where we see a complex of four Sephardic synagogues which date back to the 17th and 18th century. The Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue, Istanbuli Synagogue, Emtsai Synagogue and the Eliahu Ha'Navi Synagogue were found desecrates, burnt and in disrepair when the Israelis reclaimed Jerusalem following the Six Day War. The historic buildings have since been fully renovated and restored. Our next stop is at the Byzantine Cardo, once the main thoroughfare of the city, today we can see the findings of ongoing archaeological excavations and in part of the restored Cardo, ancient Crusader stores are used for modern shops. Through the Jewish Quarter we pass the excavated foundations of an ancient wall which stood 2,700 years ago during the reign of King Hezekiah (Is 22:10). We go beneath the present day streets to discover the 2000 year old Herodian mansions. The original mosaics and the ritual bath can be seen clearly. The complex of mansions gives great insight into the lifestyle at that time. We arrive at the Kotel, the 2000 year old Western Wall, once part of the outer walls of the Second Temple which stood on Temple Mount until the Temple's destruction in 70AD. Here you'll have a chance to place a prayer note between the stones of this ancient wall. We exit the Old City through the Dung Gate where we can explore the excavation site of the City of David which dates back 3000 years. We can marvel at the ingenuity of the Canaanites and Hezekiah who constructed tunnels to bring a water supply to the people within the city walls. These tunnels are described in Chronicles II 32:2-4 and in Kings II 20:20 – "…the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and conduit, and brought water into the city…" We rest at the Spring of Gihon and contemplate that it was here that Zadok the priest anointed Solomon king of Israel. (Kings I 1:38-39). Points of interest Byzantine Cardo City of David Jewish Quarter King David’s Tomb Sephardi synagogues Western Wall Jerusalem Mount Zion Languages English

We leave Tel-Aviv and travel up the Mediterranean coast, on the way we pass Herzilya and Natanya before reaching our first point of interest Caesarea. The city of Caesarea was constructed under Herod and named after the Roman Emperor, Caesar. From what remains of the ancient city we can see that it was a prosperous and luxurious city. Among the archaeological excavations we can see gateways, a moat and well preserved walls and rooms. There is a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater which is still used today for performances by Israeli and international artists. The Roman remains were preserved for centuries by the sea sand which covered and protected the stones. Next to the amphitheatre is part of what was once a hippodrome. We can see the remains of a Roman Temple which stood above the port overlooking the busy commercial ships which carried treasures from the east and the Nabatean caravans which were on route to Rome. Following the Romans the city stood neglected for centuries until the Crusaders arrived but in the years after the Crusaders the city once again sank into oblivion. We continue driving north passing through Haifa where we stop to see the breathtaking Baha'i Shrine and gardens. The terraced gardens cascade down the mountain towards the city below, each of the 19 terraces bursts with colorful flowers and landscaped designs. Our next stop is at Rosh HaNikra, the most northerly point along Israel's Mediterranean coast. We descend by cable car into the network of limestone grottoes created by the constant bombardment of waves against the rocks. On our return journey south we stop at Acre (Akko), the largest Crusader city in the country. The city is extremely well preserved and you can't help being impressed by the incredible architecture and how it has survived. Part of the city is alive with markets and people still living in the ancient buildings. We see the walls and moat which was reconstructed and repaired by El Jazzar at the end of the 1900s. The mighty walls prevented even Napoleon conquering the city. We can see the Crusader remains, the prison used under Turkish rule and the gallows which were used under the British Mandate to hang Jews who broke the British law limiting Jewish immigration to Palestine following World War II. Languages English guide will be available on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday Spanish guide will be available on Tuesday German and French guide will be available on Friday and Sunday