Israel Prelude Escorted Group Tour (Limited to 28 People)

 

If you have limited time to spend in Israel, our 9-day Israel Prelude escorted group tour is perfect for you. You’ll visit all of Israel’s top sites without compromising on the quality of your experience. Start your journey in Tel Aviv, called the ‘Mediterranean Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times. Be introduced to northern Israel’s spectacular landscapes and religious significance. Explore Jerusalem with its rich history and staggering beauty, stroll through the ancient cobbled streets in the Old City, tour the holy sites and visit some of Jerusalem’s museums.

Tour highlights:
  • Enjoy a morning walking tour in Tel Aviv.
  • Tour Acre – a former crusader town that was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
  • Descend by cable car to see the underwater grottoes in Rosh HaNikra.
  • Explore Safed – one of Judaism’s holy cities, where the Kabbalah was developed in the 16th century.
  • Explore Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee and explore the ruins of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 5th-century.
  • Visit a former Syrian army bunker in the Golan Heights and learn about the strategic importance of the region.
  • Enjoy wine tasting at a Golan Heights winery.
  • Tour Beit Shean, the largest excavated Roman city in the Middle East.
  • Join a night tour of “illuminated” Jerusalem.
  • See the traditional Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper in Mt. Zion.
  • Visit the Western Wall, the only remaining portion of the Second Temple.
  • Walk through the extraordinary Hasmonean Tunnel that runs under the Old City of Jerusalem.
  • Visit the Israel Museum, ranked among the leading art and archaeology museums worldwide.

Request information

 

Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem

Tour Departs on: Thursdays
Tour Includes
  • Professional Tour Director
  • Choice of Deluxe Hotel Plans
  • 5 Days of Comprehensive Sightseeing
  • Walking Tour of Tel Aviv
  • Arrival and Departure Transfers with Special Assistance (international flights)
10 Meals
  • Daily Israeli Buffet Breakfast
  • Friday Dinner Get-together in Tel Aviv
  • Dinner in Haifa
  • Lunch at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv
  • Restaurant Dinner in Jerusalem
Special Features
  • Tour the Israeli Museum at the Rabin Center
  • Dinner and special presentation in Haifa
  • Descend to the Underwater Grottos at Rosh Hanikra
  • Enjoy wine tasting at a local Winery
  • Visit an Army Bunker in the Golan
  • Tour the spectacular FOZ Heritage Center
  • Night Tour of “illuminated” Jerusalem
  • Tour Herodian Mansions or Hasmonean Tunnel
  • Sound & Light Show in Jerusalem
  • WiFi enabled buses and Free WiFi at all hotels
  • Tips to all restaurant staff

Thursday: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Israel.

Friday: Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport; Special meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel in trendy Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beach. Balance of the afternoon at leisure in the “city that never sleeps”. Tonight, Get Together Dinner. (D)

Saturday: Tel Aviv

Morning walking tour with the group guide through the city’s well known streets including Dizengoff Square ending at Ben Gurion House, former residence of the First Prime Minister. Or, take the optional full day tour of Masada and the Dead Sea ($160 per person based on locally scheduled bus tour). (B)

Sunday: Tel Aviv/Haifa

Depart Tel Aviv. Drive to the extraordinary Israeli Museum at the Yitzhak Rabin Center chronicling the life of the late Prime Minister and the development of the State of Israel. Continue to ancient Caesarea; explore the Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive 2,000-year-old theater (still in use!) and aqueduct. Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and view Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port city of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mt. Carmel. Evening: Enjoy Dinner and a special cultural presentation (subject to minimum 10 tour participants). (B.D)

Monday: Haifa

Begin the day with a view the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine and visit the breathtaking “hanging gardens,” – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along the coast to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the magnificent underwater grottoes. Time to enjoy some fine wines at a local winery. Then, continue to the timeless Crusader city of Acre; walk through the subterranean city and bazaars that recall the colorful Middle Ages. Free evening to enjoy a stroll under the Carmel skies and the glow of this beautiful port city. (B)

Tuesday: Haifa/Jerusalem

Depart Haifa en route to Safed, one of Judaism’s holiest cities, where the Kabbalah was developed in the 16th-century; visit the ancient synagogues and the charming Artists’ Quarter. On to Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, to see the fantastic ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 5th-century. Ascend the strategic Golan Heights and learn about the 20th century battles that protected Israel’s future. Continue for a visit to a former Syrian army bunker at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israelis together; view the fertile valleys below as you tour the kibbutz and enjoy a late lunch in the communal dining room. Then drive south and rise through the mountains to “golden” Jerusalem, stopping first for a blessing and a toast to our arrival in the eternal city. Overnight in Israel’s capital. (B.L)

Wednesday: Jerusalem

Drive to Hadassah Medical Center to the see the sublime Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, with its Children’s Pavilion and Avenue of the Righteous. Then, to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s founders and heroes. Pass the post-modern Supreme Court and the Knesset (Parliament) en route to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time to walk through the New Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem. Evening: Night Tour of illuminated Jerusalem followed by a Restaurant Dinner and the “Night Spectacular” Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum (weather and schedule permitting). (B.D)

Thursday: Jerusalem

Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the traditional Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City to the restored Jewish Quarter; walk along the Cardo, the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Walk to the Western Wall, last remnant of the Second Temple. View the Dome of the Rock. Proceed through the extraordinary Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting) or tour the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; stroll through the exotic bazaars with their wondrous aromas. End today with a visit to the fabulous Friends of Zion Heritage Center celebrating the Christian heroes who have contributed to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The cutting edge technology is amazing. Or, an optional visit to Bethlehem may be arranged. A free night tonight. The shops are open late as it’s the start of the Israeli weekend. Enjoy the many eateries along the outdoor Mamilla Mall, Ben Yehuda Street, or the “Tachana”. (B)

Friday: En Route

Transfer to the Airport for your international departure flight; special assistance is provided for check-in services.

LAND PRICES PER PERSON Prices in USD
HOTEL PLAN CORAL RUBY TURQUOISE PEARL AMBER GOLD OPAL EMERALD
Tel Aviv Herods (EBL) Sheraton Grand (DSV) Carlton (P-E) Carlton (P-E) Sheraton Grand (DSV) David Kempinski (DSV) Dan (DCL) Dan (E)
Haifa (Dlx, Bayview) Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel (E)
Jerusalem Dan Panorama (D-E) Inbal (DNC) Inbal (DNC)        Orient (OE) David Citadel ■ David Citadel ■ King David ▲ King David (DOC)
2024 Departure Dates Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single
May 9*, 16, 23   $4135   $5665   $4300 $6030 $4400 $6225 $4330 $6085 $4430 $6340 $4770 $7015 $4925 $7215 $5520 $8295
May 30   4125 5645 4230 5865 4330 6065 4365 6135  4450  6365  4770 7015  4925  7215  5520 8295
Jun 13, 20   4130 5655 4440 6280 4520 6450 4365 6135  4465  6395  4770 7015  4925  7215  5520 8295
Jun 27   4120 5635 4365 6125 4445 6300 4300 6010 4345 6145 4645 6765  4755  6890  5320 7920
Jul 4, 18   4040 5470 4215 5820 4295 5995 4300 6010 4345 6145 4645 6765  4590  6575  5155 7600
Aug 1, 22   4050 5495 4250 5890 4330 6065 4300 6010 4345 6145 4605 6675  4590  6575  5155 7600
Aug 29, Sep 5, 12, 19   4050 5495 4215 5820 4295 5995 4300 6010 4345 6145 4585 6640  4590  6575  5155 7600
Oct 24   4130 5655 4250 5890 4330 6065 4365 6135 4465 6395 4780 7040  4750 6870  5330 7880
Oct 31  4130 5655 4250 5890 4330 6065 4365 6135 4465 6395 4770 7015 4925 7215 5520 8295
Nov 7, 14   4130 5655 4250 5890 4330 6065 4365 6135 4345 6145 4645 6765  4925  7215  5520 8295
Nov 21  3970 5330 4175 5750 4255 5925 4290 5995 4270 6005 4515 6500 4855 7070 5415 8095
Dec 12  3850 5090 4080 5555 4220 5850 4230 5870 4160 5775 4460 6390 4290 5995 4825 6965
Dec 19  4075 5550 4305 6015 4450 6310 4450 6310 4420 6310 4785 7050 4775 6915 5350 7960
Dec 26   4075 5550 4155 5710 4295 6005 4450 6310 4245 5950 4610 6695  4610  6610  5175 7630
2025 Departure Dates
Jan 2, 16, Feb 13   3850 5090 4115 5625 4160 5730 4170 5745 4160 5775 4520 6515  4195  5805  4700 6685
Feb 27   4045 5485 4220 5830 4265 5940 4300 6010 4315 6085 4585 6640  4270  5950  4800 6885
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27   4050 5495 4250 5890 4330 6065 4365 6135 4345 6145 4585 6640  4590  6575  5155 7600
Apr 24*   4080 5545 4335 6070 4415 6240 4365 6135 4465 6395 4795 7065  4675  6735  5255 7790
May 1, 8, 15, 22   4130 5655 4335 6070 4415 6240 4365 6135 4465 6395 4805 7090  4925  7215  5520 8295
 

Tel Aviv:        (EBL) Exec. Sea View Room/Business Lounge Access   (DSV) Deluxe Sea View Room    (P-E) Premium Sea View Room/Exec. Lounge Access

(DCL) Deluxe Room, City Side/King David Crown Lounge Access    (E) Executive Sea Facing Room/King David Crown Lounge Access;  Executive Loung access in Haifa

NOTE:  Sea View Room at all hotels in Tel Aviv are Partial Sea View.

Jerusalem:  (D-E) Deluxe Room/Exec. Lounge Access   (DNC) Deluxe New City View Room   (OE) Orient Room/Exec. Lounge Access    (DOC) Deluxe Old City View Room

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     UPGRADES IN JERUSALEM (Per Room, Total Stay):

■ David Citadel: Upgrade from Superior Room to Deluxe Pool View/Partial Old City View Room $234

▲King David: On Opal Plan, upgrade from Standard Room to Deluxe New City View Room (Floors 1-4) $177

 

* Revised touring due to holidays.   Please inquire for Special rates for child or adult as third in room.

 

Tour is guaranteed on a minimum of 4 passengers. Should the tour fall below 4 passengers, you’ll be offered the option of touring by Share-a-car at a supplement of $495 per person (3 persons minimum).

 

FOR HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS ON OUR MIX & MATCH HOTEL PLANS, SEE PAGES 8-10. FOR TOURING BY PRIVATE CAR, SEE PAGE 34.

 

 

For Hotel Descriptions and details on our MIX & MATCH hotel plans, click here.

Do This Tour by Private Car.

HOTEL PLAN CORAL RUBY TURQUOISE PEARL AMBER GOLD OPAL EMERALD
Tel Aviv Herods (EBL) Sheraton (DSV) Carlton (P-E) Carlton (P-E) Sheraton (DSV) David Kempinski (DSV) Dan (DCL) Dan (E)
Haifa (Dlx, Bayview) Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel (E)
Jerusalem Dan Panorama (D-E) Inbal (DR) Inbal (DR)        Orient (OE) David Citadel ■ David Citadel ■ King David ▲ King David (DOC)
2023 Departure Dates Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single
May 11, 18*, 25, Jun 1   $3910   $5390   $3970 $5555 $4105 $5825 $4070 $5755 $4185 $6035 $4495 $6655 $4700 $6970 $5280 $8070
Jun 15, 22   3910 5390 4180 5970 4245 6100 4070 5755  4185  6035  4495 6655  4700  6970  5280 8070
Jun 29   3850 5270 3970 5555 4035 5685 4010 5635  4185  6035  4495 6655  4500  6575  5065 7630
Jul 13, 27, Aug 17, 24, 31   3835 5245 3970 5555 4035 5685 4010 5635 4050 5750 4360 6370  4385  6340  4935 7380
Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9   3910 5390 4075 5760 4140 5895 4070 5755 4185 6035 4495 6655  4700  6970  5280 8070
Nov 16   3835 5245 3970 5555 3985 5565 4070 5755 4015 5680 4325 6300  4235  6045  4775 7055
Nov 30   3635 4845 3800 5180 3910 5415 3935 5480 3895 5430 4185 6015  4080  5740  4600 6710
Dec 14   3635 4845 3975 5540 4085 5770 3935 5480 3975 5595 4265 6180  4080  5740  4600 6710
Dec 21   3855 5285 4060 5720 4170 5950 4145 5900 4135 5925 4490 6645  4545  6660  5110 7725
Dec 28   3710 4995 3885 5360 3995 5595 4005 5620 3895 5430 4250 6150  4235  6045  4770 7050
2024 Departure Dates
Jan 11, Feb 15   3635 4845 3850 5305 3850 5315 3825 5265 3895 5430 4185 6015  3990  5550  4485 6480
Feb 29   3835 5245 3970 5555 4035 5685 4070 5755 4050 5750 4305 6260  4065  5700  4595 6695
Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4   3835 5245 3970 5555 4035 5685 4070 5755 4050 5750 4385 6420  4385  6340  4935 7380
Apr 11   3835 5245 4040 5690 4105 5825 4070 5755 4050 5750 4385 6420  4385  6340  4935 7380
May 2*   3910 5390 4075 5760 4140 5895 4070 5755 4185 6035 4520 6700  4385  6340  4935 7380
May 9*, 16, 23, 30* RATES TO BE ADVISED
 

Tel Aviv:        (EBL) Exec. Sea View Room/Business Lounge Access   (DSV) Deluxe Sea View Room    (P-E) Premium Sea View Room/Exec. Lounge Access

(DCL) Deluxe Room, City Side/King David Crown Lounge Access    (E) Executive Sea Facing Room/King David Crown Lounge Access

NOTE:  Sea View Room at all hotels in Tel Aviv are Partial Sea View.

Jerusalem:  (D-E) Deluxe Room/Exec. Lounge Access (DR) Deluxe Renovated Room (OE) Orient Room/Exec. Lounge Access  (DOC) Deluxe Old City View Room

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     UPGRADES IN JERUSALEM (Per Room, Total Stay):

■ David Citadel: Upgrade from Superior Room to Deluxe Pool View/Partial Old City View Room $234

▲King David: On Opal Plan, upgrade from Standard Room to Deluxe New City View Room (Floors 1-4) $177

 

* Revised touring due to holidays.   Please inquire for Special rates for child or adult as third in room.

 

Tour is guaranteed on a minimum of 4 passengers. Should the tour fall below 4 passengers, you’ll be offered the option of touring by Share-a-car at a supplement of $495 per person (3 persons minimum).

 

FOR HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS ON OUR MIX & MATCH HOTEL PLANS, SEE PAGES 8-10. FOR TOURING BY PRIVATE CAR, SEE PAGE 34.

Click here to download a PDF version.

For Hotel Descriptions and details on our MIX & MATCH hotel plans, click here.

Do This Tour by Private Car.

LAND PRICES PER PERSON (USD) – PRELUDE – THURSDAY DEPARTURES

HOTEL PLAN CORAL RUBY TURQUOISE PEARL AMBER GOLD OPAL EMERALD
Tel Aviv Herods (EBL) Sheraton (DSV) Carlton (P-E) Carlton (P-E) Sheraton (DSV) David Kempinski (DSV) Dan (DCL) Dan (E)
Haifa (Dlx, Bayview) Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel Dan Carmel (E)
Jerusalem Dan Panorama (D-E) Inbal (DRPV) Inbal (DRPV)        Orient (OE) David Citadel ■ David Citadel ■ King David ▲ King David (DOC)
2022 Departure Dates Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Single
May 12   $3505   $4775   $3525 $4835 $3570 $4945 $3605 $5010 $3655 $5135 $3990 $5820 $4290 $6340 $4775 $7265
May 19 3540 4855 3560 4915 3665 5135 3700 5205 3775 5390 4110 6075 4420 6600 4935 7595
May 26, Jun 2*, 9 3540 4855 3700 5195 3785 5375 3725 5255 3795 5430 4110 6075 4420 6600 4935 7595
Jun 16, 23 3540 4855 3770 5335 3855 5515 3725 5255 3795 5430 4110 6075 4420 6600 4935 7595
Jun 30 3465 4700 3580 4950 3665 5135 3665 5135 3795 5430 4075 6000 4035 5810 4510 6735
Jul 14, 28, Aug 18, 25, Sep 1, 8 , 15 3475 4720 3560 4915 3645 5100 3665 5135 3675 5180 3955 5755 4035 5810 4510 6735
Oct 20, 27 3540 4855 3700 5195 3785 5375 3725 5255 3795 5430 4075 6000 4420 6600 4935 7595
Nov 3 3540 4855 3700 5195 3785 5375 3725 5255 3640 5110 3920 5685 4420 6600 4935 7595
Nov 10 3540 4855 3700 5195 3785 5375 3725 5255 3640 5110 3920 5685 3880 5525 4355 6430
Nov 17 3475 4720 3525 4845 3610 5030 3725 5255 3640 5110 3920 5685 3880 5525 4355 6430
Dec 1 3290 4355 3425 4635 3535 4880 3590 4980 3540 4895 3735 5310 3735 5215 4210 6140
Dec 15 3290 4355 3510 4795 3620 5040 3655 5115 3690 5205 3885 5620 3915 5570 4405 6530
Dec 22 3485 4735 3670 5120 3780 5635 3790 5380 3765 5630 3960 5775 4725 6285 4795 7305
Dec 29 3290 4355 3425 4635 3535 4880 3590 4980 3540 4895 3885 5605 3735 5215 4210 6140
2023 Departure Dates
Jan 11, Feb 16 3290 4355 3425 4635 3465 4730 3515 4835 3540 4895 3735 5310 3655 5070 4130 5975
Mar 2, 9, 16, 23 3475 4720 3580 4950 3665 5135 3725 5255 3675 5180 3905 5655 4035 5810 4510 6735
Apr 13* 3495 4765 3770 5335 3855 5515 3725 5255 3795 5430 4110 6075 4140 6020 4630 6975
Apr 20* 3540 4855 3770 5335 3855 5515 3725 5255 3795 5430 4110 6075 4350 6440 4870 7455
Apr 27, May 4 3540 4855 3700 5195 3785 5375 3725 5255 3795 5430 4110 6075 4420 6600 4935 7595
May 11, 18*, 25 RATES TO BE ADVISED

 

 

For Hotel Descriptions and details on our MIX & MATCH hotel plans, click here.

Do This Tour by Private Car.

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