Hubby and I organized a land tour for our church group to Israel. The ten day trip started in Tel Aviv and ended in Jerusalem. What an amazing experience! February turned out to be a great time to travel to Israel. Other than a few flight delays traveling through Toronto in the middle of some winter weather, the climate o.k. We carried lots of layers. I only needed short sleeves when we were near the Dead Sea and Masada! Most of the time I dressed in a light weight, long-sleeved shirt with a zip up fleece over it, and I always wore khakis or jeans. When it was cooler or rainy, I layered my rain coat (and sometimes my waterproof wind pants) over all. A hat was a must – at Masada, a ball cap provided by our tour company was very helpful to shade the sun, and during the evenings and at Jerusalem, my handy toboggan really helped to keep my ears warm.
I know a lot of people don’t like to travel unless the climate is warm and dry. But, going during the winter avoids the oppressive heat, AND avoids the equally oppressive crowds, AND is much more affordable. It was pretty busy at many of the tourist sites, and traffic was sometimes quite heavy, but our guide said this was the slow season. I don’t think I want to go in the peak of tourist season!
Day 1: Leave Tennessee and arrive in Tel Aviv via Toronto
Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv – meet our tour guide and tour Joppa before checking in at Herods Hotel – Tel Aviv
Day 3: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Haifa for lunch and tour the Baha’i Gardens, Megiddo, Night time boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and check-in: Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias. for two nights.
Day 4: Banias Spring ( Caesarea Philippi), Tel Dan, St. Peter’s Fish Lunch, Church of the Multiplication, Church of Peter’s Primacy, Church of the Beatitudes, Capernaum
Day 5: Cana: Church of the First Miracle, Nazareth: Church of the Annunciation, Church of Joseph, Nazareth Village, Beth Shean, Dead Sea Check in at Daniel – Dead Sea Hotel.
Day 6: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Jordan River, Jericho and View of Mt of Temptation, Wadi Qelt, Check in Olive Tree Hotel – Jerusalem
Day 7: Bethlehem: Shepherd’s Field, Basilica (Church) of the Nativity, Israel Museum: Scale Model of Jerusalem during Second Temple Period, Shrine of the Book, Optional shopping and exploring in the Old City
Day 8: Via Dolorosa “Way of the Cross” Church of the Flagellation, Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb, The Great Synagogue, Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, Western Wall
Day 9: Pater Noster, Mt of Olives, Basilica of Gethsemene, Saint Peter in Gallicantu, Valley of Elah, Farewell Dinner at Notre Dame Jerusalem Center & Light Show
Day 10: Return Home