Upon arrival to Tel Aviv Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative, who will guide you to pick up your luggage, after which you will be escorted via customs to where your personal driver will transfer you to your luxury accommodation in the heart of the Old City.  UNESCO listed Jerusalem, one of the world’s oldest and most holy cities with a fascinating mix of cultures and flavours.   It is home to Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians.   Relax and enjoy the incredible views of Jerusalem’s Old City Walls, have a swim in the pool or take a leisurely stroll in Yemin Moshe neighbourhood. 

Today you will explore the extraordinary Old City.

Walk down the Palm Sunday Road to see the Church of Dominus Flevit and the Church of all Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane.  Enter the old city via the Armenian Quarter and onto the Jewish Quarter.  Stroll the Roman Cardo, see the Broad Wall (First Temple period) the Herodian Mansions and the Burnt House. See the Hurva Synagogue and the four Sephardic Synagogues from the 16th Century, restored after the 1967 war.  Place a note at the Western Wall. Walk through the Arab Quarter and continue on to walk the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, finishing at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Climb the rooftops of the city, browse artifacts in a roman shopping street and hear about the significance of the city for the different religions.

Today we will start with a drive to see the new part of the city of Jerusalem. Drive by the Knesset (parliament) building and stop at the Big Menorah, where you will see carved the 12 tribes of Israel. See the Israel’s Supreme Court.  Experience a moving visit to Yad Vashem – the Jewish people’s memorial to the six million lives lost in the Holocaust, etablished in 1953, located at the foot of Mt Herzl.  Explore the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book with a display of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and featuring a collection of nearly 500,000 objects which include art, Judaica and ancient artifacts from Israel and beyond.  From here, continue to Bethlehem (subject to security clearance) – the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.  Time permitting – Continue to the nearby village of Ein Kerem birthplace of John the Baptist and visit the site of the visitation of Mary and Elizabeth mother of John.

Travel through the desert to Qumran on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea.  On the way stop for a panoramic view of Jericho, the oldest city in the world.   Visit the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada and learn about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters. Israel’s foremost archaeological park. Ascend by cable car for a thorough visit that gives insight to the rituals, politics and culture of the people who inhabited this desert fortress.  Visit fortress built by King Herod, where the Zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palace, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings.  Spend some time swimming at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.  Famous for its unique mineral makeup and salinity and its legendary healing qualities.  Return to Jerusalem.

This morning you are transferred to the Airport for your departure flight.