Israel Outdoors

2 Tel Aviv  /  2 Sea of Galilee  /  2 Jerusalem

This 8-day itinerary takes you across Israel’s landscapes along the Mediterranean coast from Tel Aviv to Haifa then on to the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem. Explore Israel’s national parks, archeological sites and and float in the Dead Sea. You’ll spend most of your time outdoors, so remember to bring your sunscreen and a bathing suit!

Tour Highlights

  • Jaffa

  • Caesarea Roman Ampitheater and Aqueduct

  • Haifa

  • Bahá’í Gardens

  • Basilica of Annunciation

  • Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee

  • Mount of Beatitudes

  • Capernaum

  • Tabgha

  • Qaser el–Yahud

  • Beit She’an National Park

  • Qumran

  • Dead Sea

  • Old City Jerusalem

  • Wailing Wall

  • Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • Sound and Light Show at Citadel

  • 2 Informal Performances

  • 2 Performance Opportunities

Itinerary

8 Days / 2 Tel Aviv / 2 Sea of Galilee / 2 Jerusalem

Departure from the United States.

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. Meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel on Tel Aviv’s beautiful coastline. After check-in, enjoy a walking tour of Jaffa, an ancient port and one of the oldest cities in the world. First, you will visit the Visitor’s Centre complete with an archeological site and animation illustrating 5,000 years of history. Then, explore Jaffa’s boutique shops and restaurants during free time for lunch. Climb just a few steps to the top of Tel Yafo (Jaffa Hill) for a panoramic view of Tel Aviv and the coast. Enjoy a group dinner before returning to your hotel for a good night’s sleep!

Today, you will take a full day excursion to Caesarea and Haifa. Caesarea is an ancient port built by King Herod. Here, you will take a tour of the Crusader City, the reconstructed Roman Theater and the Roman Aqueduct. Continue on for a panoramic tour of Mount Carmel before heading into Haifa for lunch at your leisure. Reconvene as a group for a visit to the Bahá’í Gardens. Tonight, transfer to a local venue for your rehearsal and debut performance! Return to your hotel in Tel Aviv for the night.

This morning, depart for Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. En route, you will enjoy a panoramic tour near Mount Tabor. Continue to Nazareth. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. A visit to the Basilica of Annunciation is included, where Roman Catholic tradition says the Annunciation took place. An informal performance may be possible here today. Time for lunch at your leisure. Continue on coach to the Sea of Galilee. Tour around the lake including stops for sunset photo opportunities. Check in to your hotel situated on the lake and enjoy dinner nearby.

In the morning, you will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The boat will take you to Capernaum, an ancient Jewish fishing village where it is said that Jesus began his Ministry. Here you will see excavations of the ancient synagogue and the house of Peter Tabgha as well as the churches commemorating the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes and Peter’s Primacy (Mensa Christi). Continue on to the Mount of Beatitude where tradition says Jesus gave his famous Sermon on the Mount. Informal performance opportunity may be possible. (Optional: final visit to Qaser el–Yahud, the traditional baptismal site on the Jordan River). Return to your hotel in the evening for a group dinner.

Today, depart for Jerusalem! En route, you will visit the Roman Theater in Beit She’an National Park. Studies support findings that the city of Beit She’an’s occupancy dates back to the Late Neolithic or Early Chalcolithic periods. Since then, the city has played an important rule in history spanning many eras including the Roman era in which the Roman Theater was constructed. Continue on through Qumran, the famous archeological site near the Dead Sea. After your visit, you will have the incredible opportunity to float in the Dead Sea, a must for all outdoor lovers! Continue on to Jerusalem where you will enjoy a group dinner before checking into your hotel.

In the morning, meet your local guide for a tour of the city of David including the Western Wall tunnel. You will have time to visit the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall), the Pool of Bethesda and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where tradition says Jesus was resurrected.Visitors from all over the world come to kiss the Stone of Anointing and touch the Rock of Calvary. Enjoy lunch and free time to explore the city. In the afternoon, perform your final concert at a local venue. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner followed by a Sound and Light Show at the Citadel!

Return to the U.S.

Sample Customizations*

GENERAL CUSTOMIZATIONS

  • Add day(s)/Remove day(s)
  • Add overnight city (Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Eilat)
  • Add/Remove meals
  • Add/Remove a performance
  • Reverse Itinerary

ADD A MUSICAL HIGHLIGHT

  • See a Philharmonic Performance
  • Workshop with a local director
  • Joint Performance
  • Participate in the Sabbath
  • Backstage Tour of Israeli Opera

ADD AN ACTIVITY OR EXCURSION

  • Tel Aviv Museum of Art
  • Independence Hall Museum
  • Wine Tours
  • Visit Dome of the Rock
  • Mount Zion
  • Church of Mary Magdalene
  • Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
  • Islamic Museum
  • Dona Gracia Museum
  • Excursion to Jordan
*All customizations subject to operational feasibility and availability

Customize Your Tour

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