We recently designed a sophisticated and in-depth private guided tour with a focus on Christian history and cultural heritage in Israel for our clients. Our clients received VIP assistance, they were greeted at the tarmac and escorted through customs. They spent each night in luxurious accommodations with preferential rooms and special benefits in Jerusalem, Galilee and Tel Aviv.
They spent each day with a private guide, private driver and luxury transportation. Each day was tailored based on their personal style, interest, and preferences.
Upon arrival, enjoy VIP airport assistance before being transferred to Jerusalem.Built entirely from white stone, Jerusalem glows and changes from white to pink to rose to gold with the changing of the light. Your expert private guide will bring the beautiful city and its incredible, multi-layered history alive. Of immeasurable religious, historic and archaeological importance, the entire Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa and the Western Wall, including the excavation tunnels under the Western Wall. Explore the narrow streets, twisting alleyways and airy plazas, ancient synagogues and churches, and bazaars and boutiques of the Old City’s Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters. See the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion and walk upon the old city ramparts. Visit Jerusalem’s most important museums, such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum and the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Perhaps also see the Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital.
One day, enjoy a tour of the Machane Yehuda Market with a culinary expert guide. Sample local culinary specialties such as burekas (flaky filled pastries), chocolate rugelach and halvah and shop for regional staples such as tahini, za’atar, dried fruits and nuts. Alternatively, with an expert Palestinian guide, enjoy a private excursion to Bethlehem to tour the Church of the Nativity or to Jericho, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Perhaps also visit Ein Kerem, a charming village outside Jerusalem regarded as the birthplace of John the Baptist.
Another day, enjoy a private excursion to the Dead Sea. En route, visit Masada, a historic mountaintop fortress. Visit a beach on the Dead Sea and, if desired, relax in the salt and mineral-laden water, famous for its buoyancy and therapeutic qualities. Also enjoy spa access and a buffet lunch at a nearby hotel. If desired, you might also like to opt for a hike in the lush Ein Gedi oasis or perhaps visit Qumran, an archaeological site surrounding the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
If desired, we can arrange many special interest activities around Jerusalem, such as a cooking class with a local chef, touring the ancient City of David, joining an archaeological dig, walking through the city’s ancient underground water tunnels, specialized shopping or exclusive meetings with local religious experts, geo-political experts, chefs, artists, fashion designers, winery owners or even former Israeli operatives.
Continue to the Galilee region. En route, stop at Qasr al Yahud, a site along the Jordan River consider to be the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Enjoy flexible private touring around the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Tiberias and Lake Kinneret), an area renowned for its beautiful landscapes and proximity to important historical and biblical sites. Visit important historical and biblical sites such as Capernaum, Mount of the Beatitudes, Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes and Kibbutz Ginosar and the Yigal Alon Museum. Others important Christian sites in the region include the Church of the Transfiguration; Zippori archaeological site; Magdala, an archaeological site that scholars believe was the hometown of Mary Magdalene; or one of the most likely locations of Bethsaida, the home town of apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip. You may also choose to visit a local kibbutz or the ruins at Beit Shean, first settled 7,000 years ago. Or, perhaps enjoy active pursuits such as hiking in one of the region’s many nature reserves or a four-wheel drive excursion in the demilitarized zone along the Syrian border. Other options include browsing art galleries in Rosh Pina, sampling wines at local vineyards, geo-political touring, kayaking on the Jordan River or having lunch at a local Druze home. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange specialty activities in the region, such as a baptism ceremony in the Jordan River.
Next, enjoy flexible touring en route to Tel Aviv. Visit Kafr Kanna (Cana) to see the small Franciscan Wedding Church where, according to tradition, Jesus turned water into wine, and Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, to see the Basilica of the Annunciation. Other options include Safed (Tfzat), one of the four holy cities of the Talmud and the birthplace of Kabbalah, the ancient city of Akko (Acre), the ancient ruins at Megiddo and Caesarea or Haifa and the Baha’i Gardens.
Conclude in Tel Aviv, a vibrant city on the Mediterranean Sea coast. During private touring, experience the best of Israel’s largest city: the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, UNESCO-listed Bauhaus architecture, Old Jaffa, the Carmel Market, and museums such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art or the Design Museum Holon. Additional options in Tel Aviv include specialized shopping or strolling the port district or fashionable HaTachana. During free time, perhaps spend time on the beach, shop in the city’s markets and leisure districts and enjoy the city’s excellent restaurants.
Overview:
Day 1 Arrive to Jerusalem
VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 4 nights
Day 2 Jerusalem
Full-day private tour including the Stations of the Cross and other touring focused on Christian history and cultural heritage
Day 3 Jerusalem, Masada & the Dead Sea
Private excursion to Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea
Day 4 Jerusalem & Bethlehem
Morning private excursion to Bethlehem, Jericho and/or Ein Kerem. Afternoon private tour
Day 5 Jerusalem – Galilee
Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with touring en route
Day 6 Galilee – Nazareth – Tel Aviv
Full-day private tour with focus on Christian history
Day 7 Galilee – Nazareth – Tel Aviv
Private transfer to Tel Aviv for 2 nights, with touring en route
Day 8 Tel Aviv
Private transfer to Tel Aviv for 2 nights, with touring en route
Day 9 Tel Aviv
Full-day personalized private city tour
Day 10 Tel Aviv
Day at Leisure
Day 11 Depart Tel Aviv
Private airport transfer & assist
Hotels:
Jerusalem:
Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, King David Hotel or The American Colony Hotel
Galilee:
Setai Galilee or Scots Tiberias Hotel
Tel Aviv:
The Norman, The Jaffa Hotel, Setai or The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya
Inclusions:
Get in touch to discuss your personal style and preferences.
