Pre Tour 1

Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Massada & Jerusalem

October 29 – November 1, 2015 (4 days tour) 
For more information, please contact Delphine at delphine@ortra.com   
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Arriving to Tel Aviv city.
Overnight – Savoy Hotel in Tel-Aviv or similar 4-5 Israeli star hotel.

 

Thursday, October 29, 2015

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby. 
Then, drive north along the coastal road to Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital and port; enjoy a walking tour of the theatre and the archaeological ruins and excavations. Continue your tour to the Lower Galilee. 
Stop in Haifa, the greatest harbor of Israel, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee from the summit of Mount Carmel. Visit the German Colony and view the magnificent Bahai Gardens. 

Lunch on route

The tour continues to Acre where we will discover the old Crusader underground city. This city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and was one of the region's most important cities in ancient times. Acre still holds remnants of the Crusaders, the Ottomans, and even Napoleon, who once tried to conquer this walled city. 

Dinner & Overnight – in one of the hotel in Galilee 

        

 

Friday, October 30, 2015

After breakfast drive north to Safed: a visit to the city of Safed (Tsfat) - with its magnificent mountaintop setting and fresh, clean mountain air, is a heavenly experience.  
The ancient Galilean city is the highest city in Israel, and commands a breathtaking view of the Galilee. Safed is a picturesque city of spiritual people and artists, wrapped in mysticism and mystery, and steeped in sacred atmosphere

Then, proceed with the Visit of the visitor center of the Golan Heights winery followed by a wine tasting of their premium wines

For lunch, enjoy a St Peter Fish in a restaurant.

In the afternoon, proceed to the lake of Tiberias, also named Sea of Galilee . 

Stop to Capernaum the town reported to have been the home of Jesus and visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and St Peter’s home .

Continuation to Tabgha to visit the Church of Multiplication of l oaves and fishes to discover its 4th century mosaic floor.

Have a panoramic outstanding view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of the Beatitudes.


Dinner & Overnight – in one of the hotel in Galilee 

       

 

Saturday, October 31, 2015

After breakfast, drive through the moonscaped Judean Desert down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (almost 400 meters below sea level).
Driving by Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. 

Then visit of Masada. Ascend by cable car to the top of the mountain to marvel at King Herod’s desert fortress-palace and last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against Roman domination in 73 CE.

Visit of the Kibbutz Ein Gedi.
Ein Gedi is a lush oasis set between the harsh Judean Desert and the sterile Dead Sea. Below the craggy cliffs, nestling in the rocky canyons of Nahal David and Nahal Arugot are seemingly miraculous fresh water springs flowing into clear streams and waterfalls, all that is needed to bring this corner of the desert to life.
In the afternoon, leisure time to have a floating bath in the Dead Sea. 

Drive to Jerusalem 
 

Overnight in Jerusalem in one of the hotels 

      

 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Start the day at the Mount of Olives, with a magnificent panoramic and famous view of the Old City  
Stop at the Garden of Gethsemane and its beautiful Church of Agony situated in the Valley of Josaphat. 

Continue to Mount Zion - the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper (coenaculum).

Enter the Walled City through the Roman Cardo,the ancient Roman and Byzantine main street,  to reach the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall which is the most sacred sites in Judaism.

Lunch in a restaurant

Then walk the path of Via Dolorosa through the Muslim & Christian quarters, to the Holy Sepulcher.
At last, walking through the Armenian quarter.

Free time for shopping at the Souk of the Old City. 

Departure for Tel Aviv 


       

 

The registration for the pre conference tours will be opened until October 1, 2015

After this date we will not be able to guarantee participation.
Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants

Single Room: US$ 1100 per person

Double Room: US$ 825 per person 


Rates include:
* October 29-31 - 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Galilee
* October 31-November 1st – 1 night accommodation in a 4-stars hotel in Jerusalem
* 3 breakfasts at hotel 
* 2 dinners at hotel (in Galilee) 
* 4 lunches on route
* Service charge & taxes
* Deluxe air-conditioned bus and licensed English-speaking guide
* Entrance fees to sites.

Rates do not include:
* Accommodation on October 28, 2015
* Dinner on 31 October 
* Tips & other personal expenses.