Israel and Petra Tour

Meet your private Israeli driver-guide. Walk through Tel Aviv’s ‘White City’ with its profusion of 1920s and 30s Bauhaus architecture and discover the bustling Carmel food market where you can enjoy tasting Israeli delicacies. This afternoon, explore Herod the Great’s port city of Caesarea Maritima where Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect of Judea, once lived, before driving into the scenic green hills of the Upper Galilee.

The spiritual mountain town of Safed – the centre of the mystical Kabbalah – will be your destination this morning. Walk through Safed’s cobbled streets, visit ancient synagogues, then drive on to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit Capernaum, an ancient fishing village where a house turned into a church is believed to be that of St. Peter. Next, continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Complete the day with a scenic walk or an optional sunset boat excursion on Israel’s largest lake.

The imposing natural bastion of the Golan Heights is today’s destination. On reaching the slopes of Mount Hermon, visit Nimrod, the largest Crusader-era castle in Israel, dating back to the 13th century. Then, sample the wares of an artisan Golan winery. Nearby, the dormant volcano of Mount Bental offers glorious views over the surrounding countryside and across Syria. When your sightseeing is complete, drive to the Eternal City of Jerusalem.

Held sacred by three major religions, the Eternal City of Jerusalem is one of the holiest, most complex and fascinating cities in the world – a place that literally effervesces with faith, passion and history. On today’s full-day guided tour of the Old City, you will visit the Mt of Olives, see the Dome of the Rock and the Western (Wailing) Wall, walk in the footsteps of Christ along the Via Dolorosa to Calvary, gaze on the Room of the Last Supper at Mount Zion and more…

A short drive this morning will bring you to Bethlehem and the Byzantine-built Church of the Nativity. Here, within the Grotto of the Nativity, a silver star marks the place where Jesus was born. Next, visit Manger Square, then return to Jerusalem, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax or explore independently. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Old City.

Transfer to Tel Aviv, fly to Eilat, cross into Jordan and drive onto the stunning desert valley of Wadi Rum. Described by TE Lawrence (of Arabia) as being ‘vast, echoing, and God-like’, the scenery of Rum is sometimes likened to the surface of the moon. On arrival, take a 90-minute jeep safari in Wadi Rum before continuing to Petra.

Discover the stunning ruins of the ‘rose-red’ city of Petra with your guide. The morning’s journey will take you through the hairline crack in the rock known as the ‘Siq’ to the stunning Treasury. Then walk down the collonaded street, look up at the Royal Tombs, and view the rock-cut theatre. This afternoon, choose to climb up the Monastery or hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice

A morning’s drive through the plains of Moab and along the Dead Sea’s eastern shore will bring you to your Dead Sea resort. After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, float in the Dead Sea and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Sunset over the hills surrounding Jerusalem is a special sight on your final evening.

A private transfer will bring you to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.