Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Masada, 2 Days

 Day 1: Jerusalem and Bethlehem

This tour takes you to the most sacred Christian destinations in the world – Jerusalem and Bethlehem. We start on Mount Scopus with a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Then we pass the Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations and Kidron Valley to reach the Old City. In the Jewish Quarter, we visit the Byzantine Cardo and the Western Wall. Following the Via Dolorosa where Jesus walked bearing his cross, we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This 12th-century church holds the site of the crucifixion at Calvary and the place of Christ’s burial tomb. Leaving Jerusalem we make our way to Bethlehem. We arrive at Manger Square and visit the Basilica of the Nativity that holds the Grotto of the Nativity where Jesus was born and see the original excavated mosaic from the 4th century when St’ Helen built the first church. If possible, we will visit chapel caves beneath the Church of Saint Catherine. As we leave Bethlehem we drive back to the hotels.

 Day 2: Masada and the Dead Sea

This tour heads to southern Israel through the Judean Hills and past the Inn of the Good Samaritan. We pause at sea level for an unforgettable photo-op then continue our descent further and further down beneath sea level towards the iconic Dead Sea. Our first stop is at Masada where we take a cable car to the plateau summit and tour the remains of Herod’s 2,055 year old palace fortress. We see remarkable structures including palaces and a bathhouse. From Masada the tour takes you past the desert oasis of Ein Gedi and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We spend the rest of the day relaxing on one of the Dead Sea beaches. You can float in the salty-water that is 8.6 times more saline than the ocean creating natural buoyance. Use the Dead Sea mud as a natural skin mask and soak up the glorious Dead Sea sun.