Grand Israel: Tel Aviv, Galilee, the Dead Sea & Jerusalem

Today you explore vibrant Tel Aviv and ancient Jaffa. You take in Tel Aviv's golden beaches and boulevards, its remarkable 'White City' of Bauhaus architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its creative neighbourhoods, and explore the vibrant Carmel Market, alive with colour, spices and food. You wander the ancient port of Jaffa, one of the oldest in the world, with its winding stone lanes, artists' quarter, harbour and beautiful coastal views. You dive into Tel Aviv's world-class food scene, from market stalls to fine dining. The vibrant, cosmopolitan energy and beauty of Tel Aviv are captivating. As the day ends, you relax and enjoy the city. This evening, savour Tel Aviv's superb dining and lively atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey up the beautiful coast to the Galilee.

Today you journey up the spectacular Mediterranean coast to the green Galilee. You explore the magnificent Roman ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great, with its theatre, hippodrome and harbour beside the sparkling sea. You continue to Haifa, where the breathtaking Bahai Gardens cascade down Mount Carmel around the golden-domed shrine, a serene UNESCO World Heritage Site, and may visit the atmospheric Crusader city of Akko. As you travel north, the landscape becomes green and beautiful, the hills and valleys of the Galilee. You arrive in the beautiful Galilee, set around the shimmering Sea of Galilee, as the sun sets. As the day ends, you settle into your Galilee accommodation, immersed in the gentle beauty of the region. Relax this evening by the peaceful Sea of Galilee, savouring the beauty of the north.

Today you follow in the footsteps of Jesus around the beautiful Sea of Galilee. You visit Capernaum, where Jesus based his ministry, the Mount of Beatitudes, where he gave the Sermon on the Mount, and Tabgha, of the loaves and fishes, and take a peaceful boat ride on the tranquil sea. You visit Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, exploring the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation, and the river Jordan, perhaps at Yardenit. The combination of profound biblical significance and gentle, green beauty is deeply moving. Along the way you take in the beautiful landscapes of the Galilee. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation, moved by the beauty and significance of the Galilee. Relax this evening by the peaceful sea, savouring the beauty of the north.

Today you explore the dramatic Golan Heights and mystical Safed. You journey up into the dramatic Golan Heights, a beautiful region of volcanic hills, plateaus and gorges, taking in striking landscapes and sweeping views, perhaps visiting a green nature reserve with waterfalls, and enjoy a superb wine tasting at one of the Golan's excellent wineries. You visit Safed (Tzfat), perched high in the Galilee hills, the historic centre of Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah, wandering its atmospheric old town of cobbled lanes, ancient synagogues and blue doorways, and its vibrant artists' quarter. The combination of dramatic scenery, fine wine and mystical heritage is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your Galilee accommodation. Relax this evening, savouring the beauty of the north and the fine wines of the Golan. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the Dead Sea and Masada.

Today you journey south to the Dead Sea, visiting Masada. You travel down the Jordan Valley, perhaps stopping at ancient Beit She'an's spectacular Roman ruins, as the green landscape gives way to the stark, beautiful Judean desert. You reach Masada, the great flat-topped mountain fortress rising above the Dead Sea, ascending by cable car to explore Herod's extraordinary mountaintop palaces and the moving site of the rebels' tragic last stand, with breathtaking desert views. You then descend to float effortlessly in the mineral-rich Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, amid stark desert beauty, and settle into your Dead Sea resort with its mineral spa. As the day ends, you relax amid the desert stillness, perhaps enjoying a spa treatment. Relax this evening by the Dead Sea, savouring the remarkable desert landscapes and experiences of the day.

Today you explore the desert further and journey up to Jerusalem. After a relaxed morning at the Dead Sea, perhaps a final float, you visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and may take in the ancient oasis of Jericho or the desert monastery landscapes. You then journey up through the Judean desert to Jerusalem, the golden, holy city, arriving as it takes on its evening glow, perhaps with a first panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, gazing over the Old City and its golden Dome of the Rock. As the day ends, you settle into your Jerusalem hotel, filled with anticipation of exploring one of the most extraordinary cities on earth over the coming days. Relax this evening in the holy city, savouring its extraordinary atmosphere. Rest well, ready to immerse yourself in the sacred Old City tomorrow.

Today you immerse yourself in the sacred, atmospheric Old City of Jerusalem, one of the most extraordinary places on earth, holy to three faiths. With your expert guide, you walk the Via Dolorosa, the path of Jesus's final journey, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. You stand before the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, and gaze upon the magnificent golden Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, sacred to Islam and Judaism. You wander the labyrinth of ancient stone streets and bustling bazaars of the four quarters, immersed in millennia of history and living faith. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, profoundly moved by the sacred heart of Jerusalem. This evening, perhaps experience the atmosphere of the Old City or the lively Mahane Yehuda market.

Today you explore more of Jerusalem's extraordinary heritage. You visit the moving Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, a profound and essential experience, and the Israel Museum with its Dead Sea Scrolls and model of ancient Jerusalem. On the Mount of Olives, you take in the sweeping view over the Old City and visit the Garden of Gethsemane, amid ancient olive trees, and the beautiful churches of Jesus's final days. You visit Mount Zion, with the Room of the Last Supper and King David's Tomb. The layered history and faith are profoundly moving. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, moved and enriched. This evening, savour the atmosphere of the holy city, perhaps at the Western Wall as evening falls. Rest well, for tomorrow you visit Bethlehem.

Today you visit Bethlehem and explore more of Jerusalem's ancient wonders. You cross into Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, descending to the silver star that marks the sacred spot, and take in Manger Square. Returning to Jerusalem, you explore its ancient wonders in more depth, perhaps the City of David archaeological site and Hezekiah's Tunnel, the Western Wall tunnels, or the ramparts and quarters of the Old City. Your guide brings the extraordinary layers of history and faith vividly to life. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, deeply moved by the sacred sites you have experienced. This evening, savour the atmosphere of the holy city, perhaps a special dinner in Jerusalem. Rest well, ready for a final day exploring the extraordinary city.

Today you enjoy a final, flexible day in extraordinary Jerusalem, exploring at your own pace with your guide or independently. You might revisit favourite sites in the Old City, explore quarters and markets you have not yet seen, visit further museums, the vibrant Mahane Yehuda market, or the modern city, or simply soak up the extraordinary atmosphere of Jerusalem. You might shop for souvenirs, Armenian ceramics, olive-wood carvings, spices and crafts, in the bazaars. This flexible day lets you savour Jerusalem in depth and reflect on the extraordinary grand journey you have made across Israel. As the day ends, you gather your impressions of this remarkable land. This evening, savour a final dinner in the holy city, reflecting on the extraordinary depth of history, faith, landscape and culture you have experienced across Israel. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in Jerusalem, perhaps a last quiet moment at a sacred site or in the Old City, you journey back to the coast and Ben Gurion Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced Israel in full, vibrant Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean coast, the green Galilee in the footsteps of Jesus, the dramatic Golan and mystical Safed, the Dead Sea and Masada, and the sacred heart of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The images stay vivid long after you land, the golden Dome of the Rock, the prayers at the Western Wall, the peaceful Sea of Galilee, the float in the Dead Sea, and the layered faith and history of this remarkable land. Israel packs astonishing depth into a small country, and having experienced it in full at a considered pace, you depart with the definitive experience of the Holy Land, already reflecting on one of the most remarkable journeys of your life.