The Golden City of Israel

Start your thrilling adventure with a flight from the UK to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, a comfortable transfer awaits to escort you to Jerusalem, where a luxurious 6-night stay at the Bat Sheva Hotel will be the perfect home base for this unforgettable journey. Then, as the sun sets, enjoy an evening welcome dinner, where the delectable flavors of Israeli cuisine set the stage for the captivating experiences that lie ahead.
(Flight Included | Airport Transfer | D)

Begin the day by immersing yourself in the Christian heritage of Jerusalem. Stroll through the ancient streets of the Christian Quarter, where numerous churches, monasteries, and hostels have served pilgrims for centuries. Explore the medieval citadel and the Tower of David Museum, which stands on the site of King Herod’s palace and showcases the city’s rich history from its Canaanite origins to modern times. Then, walk along the Old City ramparts, constructed by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, offering a unique perspective on the city’s layout.

Navigate the labyrinthine Muristan, an area that was once home to a crusader hospital run by the Knights Hospitaller. Next, explore the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a sacred site built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century to mark the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Next, relish the exclusive access to the rooftop Ethiopian monastery, Deir al-Sultan, a secluded enclave that dates back to the 13th century. After visiting the Roman-Byzantine Cardo, the city’s main thoroughfare some 1,500 years ago, and the monumental Damascus Gate, find solace at the serene Garden Tomb, a 19th-century alternative site for Jesus’ burial.

The journey continues to the enchanting town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, according to the Gospels. Visit the Shepherd’s Field, where angels are said to have announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds, and the Church of the Nativity, the oldest Christian church to still function. Conclude the day with a delightful visit to a winery for a taste of the region’s exquisite wines, reflecting the millennia-old viticulture traditions of the Holy Land.
(B)

Ascend the Mount of Olives, a site of immense religious significance since biblical times and home to the world’s oldest continually used cemetery. Take in the breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem before visiting the striking Russian Orthodox Church of St Mary Magdalene, a 19th-century church built in the Muscovite style with golden onion domes. Next, discover the Church of All Nations, completed in 1924, and its mesmerizing blue, green, and gold mosaics that depict scenes from the Gospels.

Pass through St Stephen’s Gate (Lion’s Gate), built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, to enter the Old City walls and venture to Herod’s Gate, a 16th-century entrance leading to the Muslim Quarter. Explore St Anne Monastery, a Crusader-era church that marks the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary, and the Monastery of the Flagellation, which is said to mark the place where Roman soldiers flogged Jesus. Then, stand beneath the Ecce Homo Arch, a 2nd-century Roman triumphal arch that possibly marked the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.

Experience the awe-inspiring Temple Mount, a site sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and once home to the First and Second Jewish Temples. After, you can marvel at the iconic Dome of the Rock, a 7th-century Islamic shrine built on the Foundation Stone that holds significance in all three Abrahamic religions. Admire the smaller Dome of the Chain, a 7th-century open-air structure with intricate geometric patterns, and the Marwani Musalla, a vast underground prayer hall. Gaze upon the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the outside, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and the third holiest site in Islam.

(B)

Begin the day at Mount Zion, a hill just outside the Old City walls that holds religious and historical significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Next, visit King David’s Tomb, a site traditionally believed to be the burial place of the biblical King David, and the sacred Hall of the Last Supper, or Coenaculum, which is said to be the location of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.

Explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, home to numerous synagogues, yeshivas, and archaeological sites. Admire the renovated neo-Byzantine Hurva Synagogue, originally built in the 18th century and reconstructed in 2010. Discover the Broad Wall, a massive 8th-century BCE defensive structure assumed to be part of the fortifications built by King Hezekiah. Then, visit the Wohl Archaeological Museum in the Herodian Quarter, an underground complex that reveals the wealthy homes of Jerusalem’s elite during the Second Temple period.

Delve into history at the Burnt House, a 1st-century home destroyed during the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Next, explore the original 12th-century Crusader walls of St Mary of the Germans, a testament to the city’s medieval past.

The day’s journey culminates at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and a remnant of the Second Temple, and the Western Wall Tunnel, an underground passage that reveals the full extent of the ancient Wall. Conclude with a visit to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and the Davidson Center, an interactive museum that showcases the city’s rich history.
(B)

Embark on a voyage to Herodion, a fortress palace built by King Herod the Great atop a desert hill. Explore the remains of the palace, which include a bathhouse and an elaborate water system.

Continue to the ancient oasis of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world to be continuously inhabited, with a history of more than 10,000 years. Discover the fascinating archaeological site of Hisham’s Palace, an early Islamic hunting lodge featuring stunning mosaic floors and a bathhouse with elaborate frescoes. Venture to the Monastery of the Temptation, a cliffside Greek Orthodox monastery that marks where the devil tempted Jesus during his 40 days of fasting.
(B)

Discover the treasures of Jerusalem’s New City, starting at the Israel Museum, the nation’s largest cultural institution. Housing over 500,000 artifacts, the museum boasts an extensive collection of biblical and Holy Land archaeology, including the renowned Dead Sea Scrolls displayed in the iconic Shrine of the Book.

Next, marvel at the captivating Rockefeller Museum, established in 1938 and featuring artifacts from regional archaeological excavations. After, experience Jerusalem’s iconic YMCA, a symbol of unity and peace, showcasing a unique blend of Byzantine, Romanesque, and neo-Moorish styles. Conclude the day with a memorable evening farewell dinner.
(B, L, D)

Savor the final moments of leisure in the morning before bidding farewell to the enchanting city of Jerusalem. In the afternoon, transfer to Tel Aviv airport to board the return flight home to the UK. As the plane soars into the skies, treasure the unforgettable memories of this life-changing adventure through the timeless city of Jerusalem.
(Flight Included | Airport Transfer | B)