Price Range
From -/- per person
Starting at:
Ashdod
Ending at:
Ashdod
Blurb right here
A "must" tour in the celebrated Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem - birthplace of Jesus
• Holy sites in the Old city of Jerusalem - the Western Wall, the Church of Holy Sepulcher.
• A visit to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus.
Gallery of Trip
Celebrate Jesus’ life by visiting the cities of his birth and his crucifixion, with an abundance of holy monuments and historical landmarks.
Activities:
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Jewish Quarter - Walk into the Old City of Jerusalem through one of 7 gates in the wall surrounding the city, built in the 16th century by the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Walk through the Jewish Qaurter and visit the Western Wall (Hebrew: the Kotel), sacred because it is the last remnant of the Second Temple that was destroyed by the Romans. Feel the stones that have witnessed so much in the history of the Jews. Place your special and personal prayer in the cracks of the stones. See some of the remains uncovered during archaeological excavations confirming two thousand years of Jewish presence in the Old City.
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Arab Market - Browse in the famous Arab shuk (market) in the Muslim quarter. Check out the local humus and sweets, its many stalls sell spices, pastries, pottery, sheepskin, embroidered clothes and so much more. Meet store-owners whose stores have been in their family for generations. As we walk through the Muslim Quarter and into the Christian Quarter, we will follow some of the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. This is one of the most celebrated places on a Christian pilgrimage.
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Church of Holy Sepulcher - Continue into the Church of Holy Sepulcher, situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary. The Church contains the last five Stations of the cross including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. It was Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, that founded the first monumental Byzantine church here, at 326 AD, later to be rebuilt by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of the site so holy to Christendom.
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Bethlehem - Drive to Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus. View the Shepherd's Fields. You still are able to see the soot marks of fires that the shepherds lit to keep warm. Continue to the Manger Square which stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the church, proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth.
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FAQ
What clothes should I bring?
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Israel is a very informal country and the most formal you'll have to be is "business casual". Religious sites require long pants for the men and clothing that covers the knees and shoulders for the women. Men and women may be requested to cover their heads at Jewish and Muslim religious sites, while at Christian sites men are usually required to remove their hats. It's important to have comfortable walking shoes for the touring days. Summer in Israel is hot and during the peak months of July - September, it is very humid. Natural fibered clothes are best. We recommend bringing layered clothing as the night and day temperatures can vary greatly, regardless of season. The winter can be cold and wet, particularly in Jerusalem and the Northern part of the country. Bring long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, a warm coat / raincoat, as well as T-shirts - we do have lovely sunny days as well, even in the winter. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are highly recommended for all seasons.
What's the weather like in Israel?
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In Israel, the northern and coastal areas enjoy a Mediterranean climate, meaning summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool and rainy. Down south and in the east, it's much drier. Rainfall usually comes between October and early May, with the most rain falling from December to February.
It is always best to check the weather forecast beforehand.
Spring (late March – May): Daytime temperatures are generally very pleasant - around 65-70°F, though it can still be hot in some areas (such as the Dead Sea and Eilat). There is a slight chance of rain, but it doesn't happen often. It can be cooler in the evenings in the North and Jerusalem - approximately 45°F.
Summer (late May - late September): Temperatures are usually in the high 80s-90s. At this time of year, humidity will be highest in Tel Aviv and Tiberias. Other areas such as Jerusalem are drier and cooler, particularly at night. The desert, Masada and Eilat are extremely hot, but dry. It will almost never rain in the summer in Israel!
Fall (late September – November): Same as Spring, but the rain can begin towards the end of the season.
Winter (December - early March): Winter can be mild and sunny, or severe and overcast. There's often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow at times! Temperatures will be in the 50s-60s most places, but in the 40s in Jerusalem and the Galilee hills, and cold at night. Pack layers and be prepared for anything!
Weekly weather forecast
What is the situation with regard to COVID-19 in Israel?
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The rules regarding COVID-19 are fluid and change often, based on what is happening around the globe. We will continue to update you regarding current guidelines.
Currently, the State of Israel does not require one to present a COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test result in order to enter or leave the country. It is advised that you check with your airline to confirm their requirements, as they may differ. As of October 9, it is no longer required to complete an entry form to enter Israel.
Please note the following:
- Health Insurance It is a condition of your booking through Via Sabra / Israel4All, as well as the State of Israel, that you obtain travel health insurance which includes coverage for COVID-19. Please note that you may be denied boarding of your flight to Israel if you cannot show proof of this when you check in for your flight.
- Travel Insurance In addition, we strongly recommend that you purchase full travel insurance which includes coverage for ‘cancellation under any circumstances and for any reason’. It is recommended to purchase insurance as soon as the booking is made, as this coverage is often dependent on purchasing as close to the time of booking. You can purchase travel insurance through our partner, Travel Insured, an experienced company and one of the largest in the industry, through this link.
If I have a question while in Israel, who do I call?
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Via Sabra is on call for all of our clients touring in Israel. We take customer support very seriously and we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions while you are in Israel.
A list of phone numbers will be sent to you approximately 3 weeks before your trip. And, while we take pride in getting to know our guests personally over the course of a trip, we would also love to meet you before you travel with us. Click here to schedule a Zoom / phone call with our staff - a short introduction will go a long way!
Terms of Payment
Deposit is due immediately to secure the booking.
Balance for the trip is due no later than 60 days prior to the first day of trip. An invoice will be sent 90 days before the trip.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions here.
Please note:
- The itinerary is subject to change as a result of unforeseen changes from suppliers, weather, etc.
- This proposal is valid for 1 week for private clients, and 10 days for groups.
Cancellation Policy
Bookings can be cancelled within 48 hours AFTER REGISTRATION, with a full refund.
For cancellations made:
· Up to 60 days prior to departure, any payments above the deposit towards the trip will be refunded. The deposit is non-refundable.
· 60-30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded.
· 29-0 days prior to departure, the client will incur 100% of the cost of the tour.
All cancellation requests must be made in writing.
Starting at:
Ashdod
Ending at:
Ashdod
A "must" tour in the celebrated Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem - birthplace of Jesus
What’s Included
A private, licensed, English speaking tour guide and transportation
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Testimonials
“In 1968, I spent 2 wonderful months in Israel, and in 2018, with Via Sabra's invaluable help, I went back They helped us plan our 2-week trip, made hotel and even dinner reservations -- some amazing restaurants! -- and arranged 3 terrific one-day guides. Avihai Tsabari and his team made my return everything I had hoped it would be -- and more!
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Know before you go
Helpful articles from our Israel travel blog
