Tours to Israel » Туры » Grand Tour of Israel
Israel is a unique country, steeped in ancient history and legends. The Promised Land, bequeathed by God, has absorbed the heritage of many cultures, religions, and civilizations — from the Book of Genesis and the biblical patriarchs to Ancient Egypt and the Kingdom of Judea, from Ancient Rome and Byzantium to the Crusaders and the Ottoman Empire. Within the relatively small territory of Israel are concentrated some of the world’s greatest religious shrines, unique historical monuments, and extraordinary natural wonders.
Minor changes to the itinerary are possible and will not affect the overall program.
The receiving side reserves the right to replace the originally scheduled hotel with an equivalent hotel or one of a higher category.
The Sharon Coastal Plain and the Mediterranean Cities of Israel
The Roman Aqueduct in Caesarea — built by Roman slaves during the reign of Herod the Great in the final years BCE. The homes of Caesarea already had water supply and sewage systems, while the city also featured public baths — the famous Roman thermae. All of this required enormous quantities of fresh water, which was brought from mountain springs through this aqueduct, supplying the baths of Herod and the table of Pontius Pilate.
Zikhron Ya’akov — a picturesque town on the Carmel Ridge, one of the first modern Jewish settlements in Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel). Founded in 1882 with the support of Baron Rothschild and named in memory of his father, James. Jewish settlers from Romania established vineyards here and began producing wine. The town’s main street still preserves its historic houses with tiled roofs and traditional courtyards.
Rothschild Park — one of the most beautiful parks in Israel, laid out around the burial site of Baron Rothschild, the philanthropist who played a major role in supporting the return of the Jewish people to the Promised Land.
Haifa — the third-largest city in Israel, spread across the slopes of Mount Carmel. The world center of the Bahá’í Faith. The Bahá’í Gardens (“Persian Gardens”) are considered one of the wonders of the modern world — a unique architectural complex of extraordinary beauty and grandeur, created at the end of the 20th century.
Church of the Prophet Elijah — a Russian Orthodox church located on the grounds of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission on Mount Carmel. Consecrated in 1913.
Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”) — the headquarters of the Discalced Carmelite Order since the 19th century, built on the site traditionally associated with the cave of the Prophet Elijah. The monastery serves as a global center of Carmelite spirituality. The central part of the complex is the basilica, honored by the Pope with the title of “Mother Church” and recognized as the world center of the Carmelite Order.
Acre (Akko) — the city of the Crusaders. We will visit its underground tunnels, halls, and eastern bazaar on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The Old City is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the экскурсия we will also visit an ancient hammam (Turkish bath), see the city walls, the port, an ancient mosque, the Khan al-Umdan caravanserai, and walk through the narrow streets of the city that Napoleon himself failed to conquer.
Accommodation at a hotel in Nazareth.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Galilee — the land where Jesus lived and carried out His ministry.
Mount Tabor (in Hebrew Tavor, from the word tabur — “navel”) — the site of the Transfiguration of Christ, described in the Gospels. The mountain is crowned by two magnificent Monasteries of the Transfiguration — Orthodox and Catholic — each preserving in its own way the special atmosphere of this holy place. From here opens a breathtaking view over the Jezreel Valley.
Cana of Galilee — a small Arab village on the road from Nazareth to Tiberias, known from the Bible (John 2:1–11) as the place of the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle: turning water into wine. Visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George the Victorious, dedicated to the Savior’s first miracle.
Nazareth — the hometown of the Virgin Mary. Visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the site of the Holy Family’s home, and the Church of the Archangel Gabriel near Mary’s Spring.
An evening walk through Nazareth will immerse us in the unique atmosphere of the largest Arab city in Israel.
Discussion of the multicultural and multiethnic fabric of Israeli society.
Return to the hotel. Dinner.
Breakfast.
Ancient Megiddo — mentioned many times in both the Old and New Testaments and the only place in Israel referred to in the records of all the great powers of the ancient Near East.
Armageddon — known in Hebrew as Megiddo. This immense fortress-city was built by King Solomon, as mentioned in 1 Kings 9:15. According to the Book of Revelation (16:14–16), it is the site of the final battle between good and evil — angels and demons — at the end of time, where “the kings of the whole world” will gather.
Tel Megiddo National Park — a unique archaeological complex with a history spanning more than 7,000 years. We will see the ancient gates dating from 1550–1200 BCE, the remains of the fortress, the remarkable water system from the time of King Solomon, his stables, and the excavations revealing 26 layers of civilization.
13:30 — Visit to an Israeli family.
The hosts will share the story of their family and personal history, give us a small tour of their home, and invite us to lunch together.
Beit She’an — one of the oldest cities in Israel. The Talmud says: “If Paradise is in the Land of Israel, then Beit She’an is its gate.”
Here we will visit the Scythopolis National Park, built on the archaeological site of ancient Beit She’an. The complex includes a Roman theater, bathhouses, colonnaded streets such as the Cardo and Decumanus, ancient shops, and beautifully preserved mosaic floors.
Sha’ar HaGolan — a kibbutz whose name literally means “Gateway to the Golan.” Founded in 1930 by Jewish immigrants from Poland and Czechoslovakia near the Syrian border, it became an experiment in collective communal life: “from each according to ability, to each according to need.”
For more than a century, Israelis in the kibbutzim have sought to prove the resilience of this idea — while debating with God, defending themselves against enemies, surviving in the desert, and continually redefining the meaning of equality. We will learn about the history of the kibbutz movement and of Sha’ar HaGolan itself.
Accommodation at a hotel in Tiberias.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
The Sea of Galilee — the biblical name of the unique Lake Kinneret. This body of water is called a “sea” because of its immense historical and spiritual significance. It is also known as the Lake of Gennesaret, the Sea of Chinnereth, or the Sea (Lake) of Tiberias. It was along these shores that Christ began His preaching, and most of His disciples and followers came from the towns once located here. The Sea of Galilee also became the first place where Jesus revealed His miracles to the world.
Mount of Beatitudes — the site of the Sermon on the Mount and the place where the Twelve Apostles were chosen.
Panoramic view over the Sea of Gennesaret.
Capernaum — revered as the “City of Jesus.” According to the Gospels, this was the center of Christ’s ministry in Galilee, from where He went forth to preach throughout the region. We will see the House of Saint Peter, the Greek Orthodox monastery, and the Church of the Twelve Apostles.
Tabgha — the site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44).
Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes — the church’s main treasure is its restored 5th-century mosaics, a unique masterpiece of early Christian art. The mosaics depict animals and plants, including lotus flowers. In front of the altar is the famous mosaic showing two fish and a basket of bread.
Magdala — the birthplace of Saint Mary Magdalene. Recent excavations uncovered the remains of an ancient synagogue from the time of Christ, the town’s central square (agora), and a 6th-century monastery with a church.
The Russian Ecclesiastical Mission site in Magdala, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles, where according to tradition the Lord cast seven demons out of her (Mark 16:9). We will visit the church and the miraculous spring of Saint Mary Magdalene.
Lunch — featuring the famous “St. Peter’s Fish.”
Boat ride on the Sea of Gennesaret, where Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm.
Return to the hotel. Dinner.
Breakfast.
Safed (Tzfat) — the city of Jewish mysticism, with countless synagogues hidden among its narrow alleyways and art galleries infused with the spirit of Kabbalah, whose spiritual center Safed has been for the last five hundred years.
Visit to a winery in the Golan Heights with tasting of Israeli wines and a presentation about the winemaking process.
Nimrod Fortress — an ancient fortress located on a hill 800 meters above sea level in Upper Galilee, at the foothills of Mount Hermon above the Banias stream. Jews call it the Fortress of Nimrod in memory of the biblical king Nimrod, who according to tradition lived in these lands:
“Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord…”
(Genesis 10:8–9)
According to legend, the elder of Nimrod’s fortress once received Richard the Lionheart, and before his eyes ordered his own warriors to take their lives until Richard pleaded with him to stop.
Banias Nature Reserve — one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Israel, combining archaeological excavations with breathtaking scenery at the foot of Mount Hermon in northern Israel. One of its main attractions is a series of spectacular waterfalls. We will walk along a suspended trail above the canyon with its rushing waters.
Mount Bental — an ancient extinct volcano located directly on the border between Israel and Syria. From its summit opens a magnificent view over Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights.
Bental Memorial — a military-historical complex with an observation point situated at an altitude of 1,165 meters. The site includes defensive fortifications, bunkers, shelters, and a sculpture gallery created from the remains of Syrian armored vehicles.
Return to the hotel. Dinner.
Breakfast.
The Judean Desert — the place of Baptism and the “Desert of the Holy City.” Its name comes from Judea, the inheritance of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and later the southern Jewish kingdom. Since ancient times, this desert has served as a refuge for hermits and rebels alike. One of the earliest was the future King David, who hid here from the persecution of his father-in-law, King Saul. At the mouth of the Jordan River, John the Baptist baptized the people. Even before the rise of early Christianity, the Essenes sought purification and enlightenment in this desert.
Travel along the Jordan Valley toward Jerusalem.
Monastery of Saint George of Choziba — built near the cave of the Prophet Elijah. Here, according to tradition, Saint Joachim prayed for the gift of a daughter — the Virgin Mary. Today it is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Holy Land, with its cells, chapels, and churches built directly into the cliffs above a deep gorge.
Jericho — regarded as the oldest city on earth (11th–9th millennia BCE). A city of rises and falls, glory and shame, death and rebirth — an oasis in the midst of the desert.
Monastery of the Temptation (Qarantal Monastery) — built on the mountain where Jesus Christ withdrew into solitude and fasted for forty days. We ascend the Mount of Temptation and visit the monastery.
Monastery of the Prophet Elisha — a Greek Orthodox men’s monastery. Here stands the sycamore tree that, according to tradition, Zacchaeus climbed in order to see Jesus.
The Umayyad Palace in Jericho — the remains of one of the desert palaces of the first Muslim dynasty.
The Jordan River (Qasr al-Yahud) — immersion in the sacred waters at the traditional site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Gerasimus — one of the spiritual oases of the Judean Desert, founded by Saint Gerasimus in 455 CE. The church was built on the site of the cave where the Holy Family is believed to have taken shelter during the Flight into Egypt. Here is also kept the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary the Nursing Mother.
Meeting and lecture with Avraham Borschevsky, certified calligrapher and Guinness World Record holder. An engaging presentation on religion, history, Kabbalah, alphabets, Jewish traditions, and the art of calligraphy, including demonstrations of parchment manuscripts, quills, and traditional calligraphic techniques.
Accommodation at a hotel in Jerusalem.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Gethsemane — an area at the foot of the western slope of the Mount of Olives, in the Kidron Valley east of the Old City of Jerusalem, where many Gospel events took place. Here are located several important Christian sanctuaries: the Church of All Nations, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, and the Gethsemane Grotto.
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene — built in 1885 by order of Emperor Alexander III in memory of his mother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna, whose heavenly patron was Saint Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles. The holy relics of the New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna and her companion Sister Barbara are preserved here.
The Garden of Gethsemane is revered as the place where Jesus Christ prayed before His arrest on the night of His Passion.
The Tomb of the Virgin Mary — one of the greatest Christian shrines, where according to Sacred Tradition the Apostles buried the Most Holy Theotokos. Tradition dating back to the 4th century states that the Virgin Mary died in Jerusalem in the year 57 at the age of 72 and was buried in Gethsemane in the family tomb where her parents Joachim and Anna and her betrothed Joseph had also been laid to rest.
The Via Dolorosa (“Way of Sorrows”) is the path of Christ’s suffering from the place of condemnation to the site of the Crucifixion. Nine of the fourteen Stations of the Cross are located along the Via Dolorosa itself; the final five are within the territory of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the principal shrine uniting all Christian denominations. It is a vast complex built on the site of Golgotha, where according to Scripture Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
The Western Wall is part of the massive retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City, surviving after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. It is regarded as the holiest place in Judaism — a place of prayer where Jews mourn the destroyed sanctuary and pray for the rebirth of Israel.
Today more a hill than a mountain, Mount Zion became the symbol of the Promised Land for Jews throughout the world. After the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people, the name of this mountain became synonymous with “home” and the longing for return.
Among the most revered sites on Mount Zion are:
— the Tomb of King David
— the Room of the Last Supper
— the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu
— the Dormition Abbey of the Benedictine order.
The program begins near the Dung Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. At this hour, the plaza before the Western Wall fills with hundreds of worshippers representing many different traditions within Judaism. Everyone is dressed in festive attire and traditional head coverings, each group with its own distinct customs.
Afterwards, we proceed to a welcoming family home, where we will participate in the traditional Sabbath meal, celebrated according to all religious rituals and customs. The evening begins with the lighting of the Shabbat candles and the blessing over them. Traditional Sabbath dishes are then served, along with challah — the special braided Sabbath bread — and wine, as the joyful celebration of the “Queen Sabbath” begins.
Return to the hotel.
Breakfast.
Bethany — the village mentioned in the New Testament as the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha (John 11:1), where Jesus miraculously raised Lazarus four days after his death. It was also here that Christ stayed before His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The main site of veneration is the Tomb of Lazarus.
Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives (Imbomon) — built by Saint Helena Equal-to-the-Apostles between 330 and 378 CE on the traditional site of the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Inside the chapel floor lies a stone framed in marble and set into the natural rock. The stone bears a hollow in the shape of a human left footprint. Russian pilgrims traditionally called it “the Footprint of the Savior.”
Within the convent grounds is the place where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary stood during the Ascension, as well as the site of the First and Second Finding of the Head of John the Baptist. From the convent bell tower — known as the “Russian Candle” — opens one of the most majestic panoramas of Jerusalem.
This church stands on the place where Jesus paused before entering Jerusalem. By this time He had already been rejected in Nazareth, Chorazin, and Capernaum. Foreseeing what was to come, He stood on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple and wept over the fate of Jerusalem:
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it…”
(Luke 19:41–44)
Located on the Field of Blood, purchased with the thirty pieces of silver paid to Judas Iscariot.
One of the most famous monasteries in the Holy Land, also known as the Monastery of Georgian Glory or the Monastery of the Holy Cross. The great Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli once lived within its walls. According to ancient tradition, the tree used to make the True Cross once grew on this very site.
This village is associated with two major Gospel events: the birth of John the Baptist and the meeting of the Virgin Mary with the righteous Elizabeth.
In 1871, Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, purchased an olive grove in Ein Karem near Jerusalem. A women’s community was established there and officially became a convent three years later. On the convent grounds is also a cave church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Wadi Og — a dried riverbed stretching from Kibbutz Almog toward the Dead Sea. Along this scenic hiking trail, we will encounter ladders, climbs, and passages through narrow canyon sections.
Masada Fortress — built by King Herod the Great atop an inaccessible cliff and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It stands as a symbol of Jewish heroism during the Roman conquest of Judea. The defenders of the fortress, resisting the Roman army, chose death over surrender.
The Dead Sea — a unique natural health resort located 420 meters below sea level. Time for rest and swimming at a fully equipped beach.
Accommodation at a hotel in Bethlehem.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Church of the Nativity — one of the oldest churches in the Holy Land, built over the birthplace of the Savior. The main shrine of the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, located beneath the central nave. Near the southern entrance to the cave is the miraculous smiling Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God.
The Caves of the Holy Innocents and the Church of Saint Catherine.
The caves where Saint Jerome of Stridon, translator of the Holy Scriptures into Latin, lived and worked in ascetic devotion.
According to tradition, the Holy Family hid here during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt to escape the soldiers of King Herod. As the Virgin Mary prepared to feed the Infant Jesus, a few drops of her milk fell upon the dark stone, which immediately turned milk-white.
It was here that the Angel announced the Birth of Christ to the shepherds watching their flocks by night:
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…”
(Luke 2:8–20)
In the cave where the angels appeared are buried three shepherds — witnesses to the event — who wished to be laid to rest at the place where they had beheld the Glory of God.
An ancient Orthodox monastery in the heart of the desert, continuously inhabited for more than fifteen centuries, preserving its strict and unchanged monastic rule.
A women’s monastery founded in 476 CE by Saint Theodosius the Great near the cave where, according to tradition, the Magi rested on their return journey after worshipping Christ (Matthew 2:12).
Hebron — the ancient city of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and once the capital of King David’s kingdom.
Dedicated to the Holy Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Here stands the Mamre Oak, beneath which, according to tradition, Abraham welcomed the three angels who appeared to him.
The burial place of the Patriarchs in the ancient part of Hebron, where according to the Bible (Genesis 23; 49:29–32; 50:13) are buried Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob together with their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Temple Mount — the place where the Jewish Temple once stood and where today the holy sanctuaries of Islam rise. According to tradition, this is the site where God placed the Even ha-Shetiya — the Foundation Stone, the cornerstone of creation itself.
Temple Mount is identified with Mount Moriah, where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.
“Because you have not withheld your only son from Me, I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the seashore…”
On this mountain, during a devastating plague, King David saw an angel with a drawn sword pointing toward Jerusalem. Here he was instructed to build an altar to the Lord. When the sacrifice was offered, the plague ceased throughout the Kingdom of Israel.
The City of David is an archaeological park located on the site of ancient Jerusalem. Here remain ancient water systems, reservoirs, and tunnels from the Canaanite era and the period of the First Temple. Four thousand years ago, this was the stronghold of Zion conquered by King David. Here began the story of holy Jerusalem — destroyed and rebuilt through the centuries, yet never abandoned, just like the waters of the Gihon Spring, beside which the kings of David’s dynasty were anointed.
We will walk underground, knee-deep in water, through Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam, and then retrace the path of the ancient pilgrims ascending toward the Temple.
The Israel Museum houses one of the richest archaeological collections in the world, presenting unique exhibits devoted to the history of the Holy Land alongside masterpieces of classical and modern art.
In the Shrine of the Book, we will see the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, including Torah manuscripts written more than two thousand years ago and discovered in Qumran near the Dead Sea.
We will also view the famous scale model of Jerusalem and the Temple as they appeared during the time of Jesus Christ.
Mahane Yehuda Market — the vibrant heart of modern Jerusalem, overflowing with eastern aromas, flavors, and colors. It is the favorite marketplace of Jerusalem residents, where one can taste and purchase everything the Land of Israel has to offer. This first market outside the walls of the Old City appeared in the 1880s in one of Jerusalem’s new neighborhoods.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
A natural wonder hidden in the Judean Hills, where within a relatively small cave an astonishing variety of stalactites and stalagmites has formed over thousands of years.
An archaeological museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the grounds of the ancient cities of Maresha and Beit Guvrin.
Maresha was a flourishing Judean city during the First Temple period (3rd century BCE), while the Roman city of Beit Guvrin later arose upon its ruins. Beneath the hill on which the city stood lay soft chalk deposits, easily carved by human hands. Taking advantage of this, the inhabitants created an enormous underground city with streets, homes, reservoirs, quarries, storage chambers, olive oil workshops, dovecotes, prayer halls, and burial caves.
This subterranean world functioned for nearly 800 years. In the Hellenistic city that emerged on the site of Maresha, archaeologists discovered remarkable artifacts illuminating the history of Judea in the centuries before Christ.
Visit to the church built on the traditional burial place of Saint George the Victorious, the heavenly patron of Moscow.
The city of Lydda (Lod) is regarded as the birthplace of the Holy Great Martyr George.
Accommodation at a hotel in Netanya.
Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
Dinner and free time.
Breakfast.
Time to enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
Jaffa is one of the oldest cities in the country. In ancient times, it served as the principal Mediterranean port of the region. Its history stretches back to the eras of the Egyptian pharaohs and Roman rule.
We will immerse ourselves in the picturesque alleyways of Jaffa (Joppa), where according to legend Noah built his Ark and Perseus rescued Andromeda. Here, the myth of Andromeda stands side by side with the memory of the Apostle Peter and the house of Simon the Tanner.
We stroll through streets that remember Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, and Napoleon. Along the way we will explore numerous art galleries and the famous flea market.
The compound with the Church of Saints Peter and Tabitha stands on the burial place of the righteous Tabitha, whom the Apostle Peter raised from the dead (Acts 9:36). On the grounds remains the burial cave of Tabitha’s family, decorated with Byzantine mosaics.
Tel Aviv — in Hebrew, “Hill of Spring” — was originally founded as a Jewish neighborhood on the outskirts of ancient Jaffa before eventually merging with it. Today it forms the heart of a vast metropolitan area of more than a dozen cities. This thriving seaside metropolis is the business, cultural, and economic center of Israel, constantly growing and reinventing itself.
Neve Tzedek, founded in 1887, is actually 22 years older than Tel Aviv itself. It became the first Jewish neighborhood built outside the walls of Jaffa. The founders purchased empty land from Arab owners and built 48 houses — one for each family. Today, the district is considered one of the most fashionable and elegant parts of the city.
One of the most iconic streets in Tel Aviv, located in the heart of the White City. Rothschild Boulevard is both a commercial center with major financial institutions and a cultural hub with theaters and concert halls. The boulevard is lined with famous Bauhaus-style buildings, the architecture that earned Tel Aviv UNESCO World Heritage status.
The vibrant colors of seasonal fruits, the aromas of spices, and the pulse of modern city life come together at Carmel Market, one of Tel Aviv’s liveliest places.
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport.
