Israel Private Shore Excursions

Tour description

Upgraded Israel One-Day Shore Excursion – Jerusalem & Bethlehem: 

This shore excursion can be taken from the ports of Ashdod, Haifa, and Eilat and is unquestionably our most popular.

You’ll start your tour in Jerusalem with a panoramic view of the Holy City from the Mount of Olives. A leisurely walk will take you down through the old Jewish cemetery to the Garden of Gethsemane with its millennia-old olive trees and the Church of all Nations. From there we continue to the famous “Wailing Wall”, the last remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple Mount. Then, conditions permitting, we’ll ascend to the Temple Mount itself, where we’ll see the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque. Following this we’ll stroll through the Muslim Quarter and the colorful “Suq” (Bazaar) following the stations of the “Via Dolorosa”, the “Way of the Cross” according to Christian tradition. The Way of the Cross concludes at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. We’ll end the Old City portion of the tour in the Jewish Quarter, including Mount Zion which features King David’s Tomb and the traditional site of Jesus’ Last Supper. 

In the afternoon we’ll drive to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity – the birthplace of Jesus. This church is the oldest existing church where services have been continuously held dating back to the days when St. Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine, built the first of the many churches she commissioned in the early 4th century. Time permitting, we’ll continue from there to the Milk Grotto Church where Mary fed her son before heading back to your original port of disembarkation. For those interested we can enjoy local beer tasting in Bet Sahur (for an extra charge).

Private shore excursion: Tel Aviv-Jaffa & Jerusalem 

“Don’t miss the elegant mix of the ancient and modern in Israel!”

Tel Aviv-Jaffa – Your guide will pick you up and take you along the Mediterranean coast where, according to Greek myth a sea monster sent by Poseidon was slain, with his head falling into the sea to become a large rock formation just offshore from Jaffa. But the Greek myth is just the beginning of the history of Jaffa. The port of Jaffa was also visited by, among others, the rich and wise King Solomon, the prophet Jonah, and St. Peter who had his famous vision of the clean and unclean foods there. Napoleon Bonaparte even captured the city in 1799. From Jaffa we’ll then drive through the pulsatingly vibrant city of Tel Aviv, before ascending to the Holy City – Jerusalem!

Jerusalem – You’ll start your tour in Jerusalem with a panoramic view of the Holy City from the Mount of Olives. A leisurely walk will take you down through the old Jewish cemetery to the Garden of Gethsemane with its millennia-old olive trees and the Church of all Nations. From there we continue to the famous “Wailing Wall”, the last remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple Mount. Then, conditions permitting, we’ll ascend to the Temple Mount itself, where we’ll see the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque. Following this we’ll stroll through the Muslim Quarter and the colorful “Suq” (Bazaar) following the stations of the “Via Dolorosa”, the “Way of the Cross” according to Christian tradition. The Way of the Cross concludes at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. We’ll end the Old City portion of the tour in the Jewish Quarter, including Mount Zion which features King David’s Tomb and the traditional site of Jesus’ Last Supper. 

In the afternoon we’ll drive through Jerusalem’s New City, driving past the Knesset building housing Israel’s parliament and the peculiar white dome of the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum. Then we’ll take a pleasant walk through the picturesque village Ein Karem, where according to tradition John the Baptist was born. A scenic road, through the wood-covered Judean Hills, takes us back to your port of disembarkation.

Private shore excursion: Jerusalem & Dead Sea 

(**Alternatively, guests may choose to visit Bethlehem instead of the Dead Sea**)

“Join us & explore the best of Israel!”                                           

Jerusalem – You’ll be picked up by your guide at the port and driven up through the Judean hill country to the Holy City – Jerusalem! Once in Jerusalem, you’ll start your tour with a panoramic view of the Holy City from the Mount of Olives. A leisurely walk will take you down through the old Jewish cemetery to the Garden of Gethsemane with its millennia-old olive trees and the Church of all Nations. From there we continue to the famous “Wailing Wall”, the last remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple Mount. Then, conditions permitting, we’ll ascend to the Temple Mount itself, where we’ll see the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque. Following this we’ll stroll through the Muslim Quarter and the colorful “Suq” (Bazaar) following the stations of the “Via Dolorosa”, the “Way of the Cross” according to Christian tradition. The Way of the Cross concludes at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. We’ll end the Old City portion of the tour in the Jewish Quarter, including Mount Zion which features King David’s Tomb and the traditional site of Jesus’ Last Supper. 

The Dead Sea – In the afternoon we’ll drive through the Judean desert to the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea. Here you’ll relax and reflect on the experiences of the day while floating in the healing waters of the world-renowned Dead Sea. At the end of the day our guide will return you to the port of your disembarkation.

Daily upgraded Shore Excursion to Akko (Acre) and Safed (Tzfat) 

“A Day-Tour of History & Mystery in Galilee”

Akko – Once you’ve completed the disembarking formalities to enter Israel your guide will pick you up at the port and drive you along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to visit the ancient seaside city of Akko (Acre). For thousands of years, this city has maintained its character and there are a host of extraordinarily well-preserved sites in Akko, a fact which ultimately led it to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will visit the “Knights Halls” that was built by the Crusaders and subsequently remained buried underground, fully preserved all the way up to their roofs! We will also visit the Turkish “Hammam” (bathhouse) where we will hear “The Last Bath-Attendant” recount to us the history of the city through a re-telling of some of its legends and myths. Then we’ll visit the Oriental Bazaar with its odors and colors of the East, the ancient port, and more…

Safed – Leaving Akko/Acre we’ll drive through a landscape of scattered Arab villages, where Jews, Christians, Druze, and Muslims live together, ascending to the holy city of Tzefat (Safed), the center of Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah. We’ll breathe its unique spiritual atmosphere, listen to its many legends, and visit some of its most enchanting synagogues. Safed’s special spiritual atmosphere brings inspiration to many artists who have their galleries there and delight in talking about the mystical meaning of their art.

At the end of the day, you will be driven back to your port of entry.

Biblical One-Day Tour of  Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee 

“Jesus was here!”

After completing the disembarkation formalities your guide will welcome you and accompany you to Nazareth. There you will visit the glorious Basilica of the Annunciation, standing right on the House of Mary, where Jesus spent most of his life. Surprisingly, this is a modern church, built in the 20th Century by the Catholic Church near the ancient site of Mary’s Well where according to the Orthodox tradition the Annunciation took place. A short drive through the Land of Galilee brings us to Cana, where according to Christian tradition Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding. We’ll stroll through Cana’s main street where local merchants offer “Cana Wine” and visit one of the three churches commemorating this event.

Driving a bit further through the Galilee we’ll see, resplendent below us, Lake Kinnereth, the famous Sea of Galilee. On the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the lake, we’ll explore the special church built by the Italian architect Barluzzi as well as the panoramic view over the Sea of Galilee. We’ll also visit the archaeological excavations of Capernaum where the healing of St. Peter’s mother-in-law took place and visit St. Peter’s House and its well-known 3rd-4th-century synagogue, built on the foundations of a synagogue from the time of Jesus. We’ll also see the reconstructed Church of the Multiplication with its unique mosaic floor, dating back to the 6th Century AD. At the end of the day, you’ll be dropped off back at your port of entry.

Notes:

1. As we visit some of the holiest places of the various religions respectful, modest clothing, is required. This means that both men and women will be expected to cover both their knees and shoulders for entrance to the sites.
2. All tours can be conducted from either the port of Ashdod and the port of Haifa.