Highlights of Israel - 8 days

Highlights of Israel - 8 days

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8 Days From

$2555

Highlights of Israel - 8 days

8 Days Starting and ending in Tel Aviv

Visiting: Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Galilee, Haifa

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2323/HOI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 45

Age range:

HHL, BBL & HIJ tours allow children aged 12+

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Interests:

Cultural

From: $2555

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

COACH TOUR: From the vibrant coastal city of Tel Aviv, spend 8 days exploring the incredible highlights of Israel. Travelling inland and head for the centuries old city of Jerusalem, where you can see, smell and touch the history that has shaped it, as well as the birth place of Jesus, Bethlehem. Look out across the Sea of Galilee and rise to the top of Mount Carmel in Haifa. Visit the Crusader Castle at Caesarea and end the tour back in Tel Aviv.

Highlights

  • Jerusalem - Discover the highlights of New and Old Jerusalem, including the Wailing Wall, Temple Mount, Yad Vashem, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • The Dead Sea - Relax in the therapeutic waters of this salty body of water and slap on some of the mineral-rich mud

  • Bethlehem - Visit the birthplace of Jesus Christ and see the Church of the Nativity as well as Rachel's Tomb

  • Tel Aviv - Explore this cosmopolitan coastal city on a city tour, with free time to see the city at your own pace

  • Sea of Galilee - Tour the biblical sites of Capernaum and Tabgha and join an optional sailing trip

  • Masada - Take the cable car to the hilltop ruins of King Herod's fortress, listed by UNESCO and boasting great views of the Dead Sea

  • Caesarea - See the Roman Theatre and the Crusader Fortress, another masterpiece of King Herod

  • Haifa - Marvel at the beautiful gardens and panoramic views from the Bahai Shrine on the slopes of Mount Carmel

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Tel Aviv

Location: Tel Aviv

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Metropolitan

Sunday. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.





Renowned for its hedonistic nightlife, this dynamic city also offers beautiful beaches, art galleries and markets. And with a variety of trendy bistros, high-end restaurants and delicious street food stalls, there's plenty to choose from, for dinner.

Day 2: Dead Sea

Location: Dead Sea

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Grand Court

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Tel Aviv - Beer Sheba - Masada - Dead Sea - Jerusalem (West Bank). Set off from Tel Aviv, and drive south past the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon to the Negev capital of Beer Sheba. After a short visit, we continue via Arad to the Masada Fortress which sits atop an isolated rock cliff and was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Ascending by cable car to the fortress offers incredible views of the Dead Sea and at the top explore the excavations of Herod’s Palaces, the synagogue and the bathhouse. Later, we descend to the lowest place on Earth to float in the famously buoyant, salt-laden water of the Dead Sea. From the Dead Sea we journey to Jerusalem, passing by the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Judean Desert enroute. Spend the evening at leisure.

Day 3: Jerusalem

Location: Jerusalem

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Grand Court

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today's sightseeing tour of Jerusalem New City starts at the Israel Museum which houses The Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book. Continue to visit the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, which dates back to the time of the Second Temple. The next stop on our tour of the New City is Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre. Founded in 1953, Yad Vashem started as an organization committed to documenting the memory of Holocaust victims. The new museum was opened in 2005 and has 9 galleries of interactive historical displays, all of which are informative, moving and vital to a continued commemoration of those that lost their lives during one of history's darkest periods.





This afternoon we visit the picturesque village of Ein Karem, which was the birthplace of John the Baptist. Next, we drive to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity before returning to Jerusalem for the night.

Day 4: Jerusalem

Location: Jerusalem

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Grand Court

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Step back in time on a tour of Jerusalem's revered Old City today. Enter through one of the Gates to the walled Old City, to visit the renewed Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Temple Mount and the colourful souk. Then, we walk along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Stations of the Cross enroute to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the world's holiest Christian shrines and the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Continuing your tour, we visit Mt Zion and the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Continuing to the Mount of Olives you'll have a spectacular view of this holiest of cities, a place where the three religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity have tussled for power of the city for centuries.





Next, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas betrayed Jesus, before travelling to Downtown Jerusalem to explore bustling Mahane Yehuda, which is Israel's largest open market.

Day 5: Nazareth

Location: Nazareth

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Tiberias, Nazareth or Haifa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Beit Shean - Golan - Tiberias. Bid farewell to Jerusalem and drive north past Jericho, which is considered to be the world's oldest city. Travelling through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean, see the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman city before continuing up the Golan Heights, where we will enjoy an Israeli wine country experience. Here, we will tour the winery, learn about the wine production process and even indulge in some wine tasting.





Afterwards, we travel through the Golan, spotting its Druze villages, former Syrian fortifications and panoramic views of Mount Hermon and into Syria. As we descend through the picturesque Hula Valley, our route leads us to Tiberias, nestled along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Renowned as one of the four holy cities in Judaism, it was within these very walls that the Jewish Talmud, the cornerstone of Jewish religious law, was compiled.

Day 6: Galilee

Location: Galilee

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Tiberias, Nazareth or Haifa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Following the scenic shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, our journey proceeds to the historic site of Capernaum, where the ruins of an ancient synagogue stand as a testament to the rich history of the region. From there, we ascend to the Mount of Beatitudes, a revered location associated with the transformative 'Sermon on the Mount.' Our path then leads us to Tabgha, where tradition holds the ground for the profound 'miracle of the loaves and the fish.'





An optional boat excursion awaits, inviting travelers to sail across the waters of the Sea of Galilee, enveloped by an ambiance that has remained remarkably unchanged over 2000 years (book and pay locally).





Our journey then carries us to Nazareth, a city steeped in biblical significance, where we pay a visit to the hallowed Church of the Annunciation and other sacred Christian sites.

Day 7: Haifa

Location: Haifa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Grand Beach

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Galilee - Acre - Haifa - Caesarea - Tel Aviv. After breakfast, we drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre where you'll explore this old Crusader stronghold and its medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, the largest city in northern Israel which dates back over 3000 years. Sightseeing here includes the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Bahai Shrine and the magnificent gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel which are spread over 19 terraces, the highest of which is the Persian Gardens where you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and Haifa Bay.





Travelling down the coast to reach Caesarea, we’ll see the Roman Theatre and Crusader Fortress at what is known as the “masterpiece of Herod the Great”. Then, continue our journey to Tel Aviv and end the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv and the ancient port of Jaffa.

Day 8: Tel Aviv

Location: Tel Aviv

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sunday. Arrangements come to an end after breakfast and onward transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport. Alternatively extend your stay to enjoy more time in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, please enquire.





For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    4 star

  • Breakfast daily and 6 dinners

  • 7 nights 4 star hotels

  • Entrance fees for all included sightseeing

  • Touring - Masada, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Ein Karem, Beit Shean, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa and Tel Aviv

  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Israel's wine region

  • Escorted by an English speaking driver guide

  • All transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicles

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8

  • This coach tour is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, not solely On The Go. You will join travellers from a number of different operators, some staying in different hotels for sightseeing each day

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow USD$5-7 per day, per traveller for your guide and USD$2 per day, per traveller for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture

Age Policy

All Handpicked tours allow children aged 12+ (charged as an adult)

Accommodation

Hotel Metropolitan



Within easy walking distance from major city attractions, Hotel Metropolitan is a modern hotel with excellent amenities. Guest rooms are designed in a contemporary style with soft furnishings and stylish en suite bathrooms. The hotel also has an onsite bar and cafe serving food throughout the day. In the summer head to the outdoor pool with sundecks - the perfect way to start the day!



Perfectly located in the centre and very heart of Tel Aviv.





Grand Beach Hotel



Located just a few minutes walk from Tel Aviv's golden beaches, the Hotel Grand Beach offers a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere. Guest rooms are modernly furnished and include free Wi-Fi. With a number of excellent eating options including a lavish buffet in the 'Jerusalem' dining room. The roof top pool is another highlight affording stunning views of the seafront and the city and is a great place to cool off!



Perfectly located close to the sea front and the bustling city centre with lots of restaurants and cafes nearby.





Hotel Grand Court



Centrally located. the Hotel Grand Court is a very modern hotel and an excellent base for exploring the holy city. Guest rooms are bright and well furnished with free Wi-Fi throughout. The Garden Court is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast al-fresco. There is also a refreshing outdoor pool to relax in or by (open April - September).



Perfectly located just a short walk from the Old City.





Ramada by Wyndham Jerusalem



Conveniently located near the entrance to the city with plenty of museums and shopping close by and the Old City just a short 15-minute taxi drive away. This comfortable hotel offers spacious and bright guest rooms and has a wide range of amenities including free WIFI and a hearty Israeli buffet breakfast. During your spare time unwind in the saunas or go for a swim in the indoor or seasonal outdoor pools.





Lake House Hotel



The Lake House Hotel is located near to the historic centre of Tiberias and the majestic Golan Heights, set on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Guest rooms are contemporary in design equipped with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The hotel features a large collection of facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the exciting view of the Sea of Galiee. Lake House hotel has a fantastic variety of dining options. The Lobby Bar and restaurant offer fine dining with rich and varied menus.





The Hotel Royal Plaza



Located on the outskirts of Tiberias, the Hotel Royal Plaza is a modern hotel offering a tranquil atmosphere in an unbeatable location. Guest rooms are warm, inviting and tastefully furnished. Meals are served in the bright and airy dining room and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The onsite Royal Spa Health Club is a great place to relax and get some pampering. The outdoor pool offers a cooling respite form the Israeli heat.



The property is located opposite a well-maintained public beach, situated just outside of Tiberias.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8

  • What is the maximum group size?

    45

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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