GALILEE AND GOLAN
Departure Days: Daily except Thursday & Saturday
Duration: 3 days
A brief overview of the tour
This package includes 3 daily tours to Israel's country side with accommodation on B&B basis in an Israeli Kibbutz resort. Visit the ancient ports of Caesarea and Acre, Bahai gardens in Haifa, limestone grottoes of Rosh Hanikra, View Armageddon site and Mount Tabor – transfiguration site. Visit Capernaum – city of the Christ, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Ascend to the Golan Heights to visit Katzrin – the capital of the Talmudic Golan, view the roman bath in Hamat Gader, the Syrian fortifications and ascend to mount Bental to see Kuneitra valley.
Important and useful notes
- Price includes accommodation per person in a double room on B&B basis.
- Single supplement $50 per person per night (100$ during High season).
- High season supplement $25 per person per night.
- The sequence of the days, pick up times and hotel accommodation are subject to change.
- View useful, relevant notes on each route by clicking on the Tour Itinerary tab.
A detailed description of the tour
Leaving Tel Aviv we pass Herzliya and Netanya, as we travel north along the scenic coastal plain and then turn eastwards through the plain of Armageddon (Rev 16:16), with a view of biblical Megiddo. (II Ch. 35:20-27)
At ancient Katzrin we explore the excavated and partially restored remains of a typical large village of the Mishnah and Talmud period (first to fifth century), its synagogue, its homes and its olive press. The black basalt rock is testimony to extinct volcanoes on the heights.
On Mount Bental we explore the former Syrian fortifications, bunkers and trenches taken by Israel during the Six Day War in 1967. In the distance is the Syrian city Kuneitra and in the foreground the camp of the Canadian contingent to the UN forces supervising the cease-fire between Israel and Syria, brokered in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War and never broken. The Syrian capital Damascus is a mere sixty kilometers away hence Syria’s reticence to break the cease-fire. The route we travelled today is more than likely the one used by Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:1).
- 05:50 am transfer from Jerusalem to join the tour in Tel Aviv.
- Please be at your pick up point on time. There might be some delay (up to 20 minutes) due to traffic or other operational issues
- Airport drop off is available for additional 60$ per person.
- Tour is required a minimum number of participants.
- Change of vehicle required for transfers of pick up / drop off destinations to save time, avoid traffic and delay!
- Hat and comfortable shoes required.
- Business class - small groups in luxury van / minibus.
We travel north along the scenic coastal plain or HaSharon area and then turn eastwards through the plain of Armageddon (Rev 16:16), with a view of biblical Megiddo. (II Ch. 35:20-27) As we make the ascent to Nazareth we briefly stop at the Mount of Precipitation (Luke 4:28-30).
Our first stop in Nazareth is at the beautiful Church of Annunciation built on the site where the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary (Luke 1:26ff). Adjoining it is the Church of St. Joseph, recalling the carpentry where Jesus and Joseph worked.
As we leave Nazareth on the way towards the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, we pass Cana, site of the first wonder performed by Jesus, the turning of the water to wine. (John 2:1-12). On the sea front, at the foot of Mount Beatitude, we visit both Capernaum, home of Peter, and the Benedictine Church commemorating the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish. (Mark 6:30-44)
Continuing along the shores of the Sea of Galilee we recall how Jesus calmed the stormy waters and walked on them. (Mk 4:35-41 and 6:45-52). With the Golan Heights in the background, we pass modern Tiberias, built on the ruins of the city built two thousand years ago and named in honour of the Roman emperor Tiberius.
On the southern end of the Sea of Galilee, at Yardenit, there may be an opportunity for those so desiring to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. (Mk 1:9-11) On our return journey we will pass Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration (Mat 17:1-9)
- 05:50 am transfer from Jerusalem to join the tour in Tel Aviv.
- Airport drop off is available for additional 60$ per person.
- Please be at your pick up point on time. There might be some delay (up to 20 minutes) due to traffic or other operational issues
- Change of vehicle required for transfers of pick up / drop off destinations to save time, avoid traffic and delay!
- Modest dress required for holy sites.
- Business class - small groups in luxury van / minibus.
- Baptisim available in Jordan river for additional cost, Bathing suit is recommended
As we depart Tel Aviv, travelling along the Mediterranean coast we pass the modern towns of Herzliya and Netanya and stop at ancient Caesarea.
Built by Herod and dedicated to the Roman Emperor, Caesar, it had every luxury to be found in a Roman city. The magnificent theatre, well preserved by the sea sand which covered it through the centuries it was not in use, has been restored and is in use throughout the summer. Alongside it is the partially preserved hippodrome. Above the port, specially constructed to serve the many ships carrying the treasures of the east, brought across the desert by Nabatean caravans, to Rome, are the remains of the Roman temple.
Virtually abandoned for centuries Caesarea gained a new burst of life during the Crusader period before sinking into oblivion. The gateway, moat and walls are well-preserved.
As we pass through Haifa we make a brief stop to admire the gold topped Bahai shrine surrounded by the well-groomed gardens and the breathtaking view of the bay and port area.
Continuing northwards we stop at Rosh HaNikra and take the cable car down to the spectacular grottoes and marvel at nature as we walk through caverns forged by the pounding waves. Our final stop is at Acre (Acco). The largest of the Crusader cities in the Land of Israel, Acre is well preserved and we cannot fail to be impressed as we see the enormous columns and stroll from chamber to chamber. Even the public toilet has survived!!
The walls and the moat, restored and rebuilt by El Jazzar at the end of the 18th century withstood the attempt of Napoleon Bonaparte to conquer the city and forced him to return from whence he came. Atop of the Crusader remains is the Turkish prison, with the gallows later used during the British Mandate to hang Jews opposed to the British policy limiting Jewish immigration from Europe after WWII .
- Tour 142: 05:50 am transfer from Jerusalem to join the tour in Tel Aviv.
- Change of vehicle required for transfers of pick up / drop off destinations to save time,avoid traffic and delay!
- Please be at your pick up point on time. There might be some delay (up to 20 minutes) due to traffic or other operational issues
- Airport drop off is available for additional 60$ per person
- Business class - small groups in luxury van / minibus.
