Classic Israel

Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Galilee & Safed plus Eilat & Red Sea optional extension

NEW: Prices now INCLUDE airline taxes & fees
Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance Classic Israel
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Jerusalem
3	Old City of Jerusalem
4	New City of Jerusalem
5	Masada & Dead Sea
6	Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Jordan Valley, Beit She'an, & Beit Alpha
7	Sea of Galilee, Golan, & Safed
8	Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Megiddo, & Tel Aviv
9	Tel Aviv
10	Depart Israel
Eilat & the Red Sea Extension
10	Tel Aviv & Eilat
11	Eilat
12	Eilat & Frankfurt/Vienna
13	Return to USA

Departs	Newark (EWR); other gateways on request
Highlights	Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Megiddo. Shrine of the Book, Masada, the Dead Sea & Sea of Galilee. Optional Eilat, Red Sea & Petra extension
Included Features	Round trip flight from Newark to Tel Aviv via Lufthansa, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees 8 nights accommodation in Deluxe hotels 8 buffet breakfasts, 1 lunch & 4 dinners All group transfers and group transportation Comprehensive touring program, including entrance fees Professional, English-speaking tour manager Optional extension to Eilat

There's nothing like setting foot in Israel, foundation of three world religions and one of the most dynamic, modern nations on earth.

We have been sending travelers on fun, educational, exciting and safe tours of Israel for more than a quarter century, and that knowledge and experience makes our Israel tours special. Our itinerary is exciting and comprehensive, featuring guided tours of the most important Biblical sites that you've come to see. You won't find any optional excursions here, because everything you should see is already included in our program as part of the low tour price.

Every departure of this guided Israel tour is escorted throughout by a carefully selected teacher-guide who knows and loves the land and will make the Land of the Bible come alive just for you. Every hotel has been selected for its location, comfort and service, and every day of your itinerary has been carefully designed to ensure your experience in Israel is the very best possible! If you have dreamed of understanding and experiencing more about the origins of faith, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and spiritual renewal in Israel, Land of the Bible.

Dates, Prices & Options

Tour prices have increased by $20 due to an airline fuel surcharge on Apr 14, 2011.

Coming from somewhere else? Ask us about availability and prices for flights from other cities.

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to extend your stay up to 30 days later than the scheduled dates above. Ask us about availability, prices and details.

Other gateways via alternate carriers are upon request at supplement in price and subject to confirmation.

The July 23 departure departs from JFK.

The Eilat Extension cost may vary, if flights are not available in the class of service on which we have based our tour. Please call for the actual price for your departure date, which will be determined by availability of seats and available class of service at the time of reservation.

Transfers: Transfers for this tour are provided on a group basis only. For land-only passengers or for passengers deviating in any way from the group program, transfers are not provided. Individual, private transfers can be arranged at a supplement in price. Taxis and other forms of transportation are also available and may cost less than private transfers. If you wish to arrange private transfers, please request this service at the time of reservation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Departure on the first leg of your overnight flight to Israel via scheduled jet service.

Day 2: Tel Aviv, Israel. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Meet your guide who will assist you with customs formalities and escort you to your waiting touring coach. Transfer to Jerusalem, stopping at the Haas Promenade for a view of the city below. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation with your guide. Dan Panorama Jerusalem (D)

Day 3: Old City of Jerusalem. Today, visit the walled city of Jerusalem, which is divided into the Christian, Jewish, Armenian and Muslim Quarters. In the Christian Quarter, visit the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walk through the restored Jewish Quarter and Cardo, an ancient shopping street filled with modern day stores. Visit the Western Wall, the last remnants of the Second Temple and explore the Rabbinical (Kotel) Tunnels. (B)

Day 4: New City of Jerusalem. Start the day at the newly renovated Israel Museum and home of the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed; as well as the model of the city during the Second Temple period. Continue to Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust.  Stop at Mount Herzl National Military Cemetery, where Israel's leaders and soldiers are buried.  Drive to the Latrun Tank Museum, just outside of Jerusalem, to learn more about the Israeli Army. Return to Jerusalem. (B)

Day 5: Masada, Dead Sea. Depart Jerusalem, descending through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea. Along the way, stop at Genesis Land, for a unique experience of Biblical Hospitality.  You may even get a chance to ride a camel! Arrive at the Dead Sea, at 1,365 feet below sea level is the lowest point on Planet Earth. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada.  Ascent and descent via cable car. Experience the historic fortress of Masada where, after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., Jewish resistance continued against Rome. Continue to your hotel for overnight, and relaxation at the hotel's spa. Daniel Hotel Dead Sea (B,D)

Day 6: Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Jordan Valley, Beit She'an, & Beit Alpha. This morning, head north through the Jordan Valley.  Visit the extra-ordinary site of the Greco-Roman city, destroyed by an earthquake in 749AD. Today, Beit She'an is a thriving modern city. Drive to Kibbutz Beit Alpha, to view the remains of an ancient synagogue with an amazing mosaic floor, including a zodiac pattern. Arrive at your hotel in Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Leonardo Plaza Tiberias (B,D)

Day 7: Sea of Galilee, Golan, & Safed. Start the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, the site of a Byzantine synagogue believed to be the site of St. Peter's House. Ascend to the mystical Kabbalistic city of Safed, and explore the art galleries and synagogues. Drive through the Golan Heights to Har Bental and visit the former Syrian fortifications. Return to Tiberias. (B)

Day 8: Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Megiddo, & Tel Aviv. Depart for Megiddo, also known as the Biblical Armegeddon, and the inspiration for James Michener's great novel, The Source. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Megiddo's twenty major strata contain the remains of around 30 different cities. Stop in one of the nearby Druze Villages and learn about their unique culture. Enjoy some shopping for souvenirs and gifts, as well as lunch. Drive to the Mediterranean coast and visit Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea. View the beautifully restored theater. The audio-visual presentation will bring the ancient harbor city to life. Continue south along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to Tel Aviv. Dan Panorama Tel Aviv (B,L)

Day 9: Tel Aviv. This morning, visit Tel Aviv, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nick-named The White City. Take part in a walking through the bustling colorful Carmel Market, filled with fresh produce; and Neve Zedek, one of the first neighborhoods of the modern city of Tel Aviv, now an artists' colony with many restaurants. Visit ancient Jaffa, and walk through the winding streets filled with art galleries and cafes. Enjoy the views of the Tel Aviv coastline from the central square. Later, drive through the tree-lined boulevards of Tel Aviv, and see the world's largest concentration of Bauhaus Architecture. Pass by at Rabin's Square and the memorial to Yitzhak Rabin. Pass through Dizengoff for some people watching. Balance of the day at leisure for some last minute shopping, or stroll the beautiful Tayelet (Promenade) along the beach front. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a typical local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 10: Tel Aviv/USA. Early morning transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and board your return flight to the USA, arriving later this afternoon. Or, continue on our extension Eilat on the Red Sea.

Eilat & the Red Sea Post-Tour Extension

Plus Petra Optional Day Tour

Israel's wonderful Red Sea resort of Eilat is only a one hour flight from Jerusalem. But you may as well be a whole world away. Here, at the southern tip of Israel, you'll enjoy the warm, calm waters of Israel's most popular vacation destination. One of the world's best coral reefs is located here, and you can scuba dive, snorkel, dive with dolphins and even take an evening camel safari into the desert. The lost city of Petra in Jordan is a short drive from Eilat, and during your stay you will be able to take part in a full day tour to this fascinating red rose city.

Day 10: Tel Aviv and Eilat. Transfer to the airport this morning for your short flight to Eilat on the Red Sea. Transfer independently to your centrally located hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Take the opportunity to visit the Underwater Observatory to see the extensive and magnificent corals and under-sea life of the Red Sea, or simply relax and enjoy the pool at your hotel. Dan Panorama Eilat (B)

Day 11: Eilat/Petra Optional Tour. Enjoy the day at leisure or take advantage of a wonderful day tour to Petra. Early this morning we'll cross into Jordan at the Arava border and drive to the Nabatean capital of Petra, a secret and mystical city carved more than 2,000 years ago in pink sandstone. After a tour of the ancient city, including a portion on horseback, we board our bus and return to Israel, arriving in Eilat for overnight ($260 plus $50 visa fee at border). (B)

Day 12: Eilat/Afternoon Departure. After a leisurely breakfast, transfer independently at midday to the airport for the short flight to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv where you'll board your flight to Frankfurt, Vienna or other European transit city, the first leg of your return trip to the USA. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel near airport, via hotel shuttle bus. (B)

Day 13: Europe/USA. Transfer back to the airport via hotel shuttle bus to board your continuing flight to the USA, arriving later today.

Note: The Eilat Extension cost may vary, if flights are not available in the class of service on which we have based our tour. Please call for the actual price for your departure date which will be determined by availability of seats and available class of service at the time of reservation.

Booking & Travel FAQs

Shop & Compare

Our tours may look similar to others you've seen, but we invite you to shop & compare. There are important differences that make Friendly Planet tours the best you can find.

No Compromise on Quality: Despite our extraordinary prices, there are no compromises on our Israel tours. In all three cities, you'll stay in Superior First Class, centrally located hotels that are noted for their amenities and service.

Included Features: Your transfers as well as important visits to the major sites around the Galilee, and even a boat crossing of the Sea of Galilee, are all included, not expensive extras as in other tours.

Credit Cards or Cash: Whether you pay by check, money order or your favorite major credit card, your tour price on this tour is the same. No extra cost to charge your dream vacation to Israel.

Personal Service: Most important of all, the extra ingredient that makes our tours stand apart from others—the wonderful, personal attention you'll receive from our friendly staff in the USA and our representatives in Israel —is completely free of charge. Compare our Israel programs to others, feature for feature. You'll see for yourself that ours are the very best value for money you'll find anywhere

read more Testimonials