Classic Coastal Day Tour

Activities:

• The first stop of the day will be Caesarea.

• Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast - Caesarea, one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. A national park where amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences sit side by side. The city was initially built by King Herod in the 1st century BC, who dreamed of a major seaport to connect the Province of Judea with Rome. For this purpose, the king's men designed an entirely artificial harbor that was in use for about a Millennium. The city became a central city in Roman and Byzantine times as can be seen from the massive archeological remains on site. View the spectacular Roman amphitheater, still used as a performing venue today and the hippodrome that held 20,000 spectators for chariot races.

• Continue to Haifa or Akko - with time for lunch on your own.

• The Bahai Gardens-Haifa - The Baha'i religion originated in Iran in the 19th century with two "Devine Messengers" - the Bab ("The Gate"), and the Baha' U'llah ("The Divine Light"). The Baha'i suffered severe persecution and in 1850 the Herald of the Baha'i faith, The Bab, was executed by Persian authorities. As a result, the community's main prophet - Baha' U'lla - and his 19 followers fled to the Land of Israel, where they were able to operate under the watchful eye of the Ottoman governor. in the 1950's, the Baha'i decided to build their World Center in Haifa: incredible gardens stretch on 19 terraces from the top of Mount Carmel to the bottom, with a golden-domed Shrine in the heart of it - the burial place of the Bab. The Gardens were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.
  From the Louis Promenade, on the top of Mount Carmel, we will admire the stunning scenery. Nicknamed the Balcony of the Country, a 400 meter long promenade at the top of the Baha'i Gardens offers a view of the entire Haifa Bay, all the way to the border with Lebanon. This impressive spot offers a truly spectacular view, so have a camera ready!

• Wadi Nisnas - Haifa - Wadi Nisnas is one of Haifa’s most colorful neighborhoods, full of narrow streets, picturesque stone houses, and the Wadi Nisnas market. It is a mixed neighborhood that captures the nature and atmosphere of the city of Haifa - a city of many faiths and communities, that live alongside each other in an exemplary co-existence. The Wadi Nisnas market is the place to go and experience some of the local flavors: taste pastries, spiced tea, the best falafel in Israel, and strong Turkish coffee, along with other delicatessens and aromas that will have your mouth watering.

• Akko - The ancient city of Akko, on the Mediterranean, is one of the oldest ports in the world, a city shared by Jews and Muslims. Walk narrow streets past towering ramparts, deep moats, green domes, venerable synagogues, slender Muslim minarets, secret passageways. Discover the subterranean city built in the Middle Ages by the Crusaders beneath Akko. Learn about the city’s ancient history as well as its important role in Israel’s modern history.

• Akko - Visitor Center - Tour of town of Akko, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient port city built and influenced by the Crusaders, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and the British. Many tourists visit the Old City of Acre without realizing that there is a complete city beneath the ancient streets. The Acre Crusader City was built during the 12th century and destroyed in 1291 when the Mamluks conquered Acre and built their own city on the Crusader ruins. See some of the most impressive remains from the Crusaders era in the Knights' Halls, a fascinating series of gothic vaulted halls part of an enormous Fortress, built by the Knights Hospitaller (AKA Knights of Malta or the Order of Saint John) that vowed to assist and tend to the Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. The Crusader Tunnel subterranean passage would have originally connected the harbor with a Templar palace, providing a secret escape route to the sea in case of attack.

• Your last stop will be in Rosh Hanikra.

• Rosh Hanikra - Travel to Rosh Hanikra ("Head of the Grottos"), with the stunning chalk-white cliffs at Israel’s northernmost coastal border. Enjoy the view of the Mediterranean coastline stretched out before you, then take the cable car down beneath the cliffs to the grottos below and tour the system of underground marine caves eroded by pounding waves over thousands of years.