Israel Prelude
Israel Prelude
Israel Prelude

Israel Prelude

From: 
Regular price
$2,435.00
Sale price
$2,435.00

Easter and Israel Religious Holiday surcharges apply ( 01 -10 April & 05 Sep – 10 Oct 2023)

Private Holiday with group sightseeing
Guaranteed departure (min 2 pax)

Departs daily.

Day 1: Jerusalem

Welcome to Israel. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local operator (look out for your name on a sign) and then transferred to your Jerusalem hotel where accommodation is reserved for four nights. Remainder of day at leisure.

Day 2: Jerusalem – Old and New OR Jerusalem and Bethlehem Tour (B)

Explore the biblical and cultural highlights of Old and New Jerusalem. Start the tour with a panoramic view of the city from Mount of Olives. Explore the restored Jewish Quarter and visit the Cardo, an ancient Roman marketplace where you can still shop today. Stop at the Western Wall. Continue into the Christian Quarter and walk along the Via Dolorosa, following the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Continue in the afternoon for a moving visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. (On Saturdays visit Garden of Gethsemane and/or Mt. Zion to see the Room of the Last Supper and the Tomb of King David in place of Yad Vashem) Please note –Mount of Olives may be replaced by Mount Scopus.

OR

Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the recently excavated and restored Cardo, the Roman road. See the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Kotel, and continue to the Christian quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem for an overview of Shepherd’s field. Drive on for a visit to the Church of Nativity and Manger’s square. Return to Jerusalem.

NOTE: Passports and modest dress required. Tour subject to security clearance.

Day 3: Masada and the Dead Sea (B)

Depart Jerusalem and descend to the lowest place on earth. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to the rock fortress of Masada. Visit Herod’s palaces, dating back 2000 years. Learn about the zealots who defied the Roman Empire from this location. There is a chance to swim in the Dead Sea. The water is so rich in salts and minerals that you float!

Day 4: Nazareth  - Sea of Galilee (B)

Morning departure north to Nazareth, to see the town of Joseph and Mary. Visit the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to the Sea of Galilee via Canna to visit the ruins at Capernaum. Stop at Tabgha, where the Miracle of the Fishes and Loaves took place. Return via the Baptismal site at Yardenit.

Day 5: Departure

Transfer to airport for departure flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

  • Meeting assistance
  • Airport transfers as per the itinerary
  • English Speaking guide for all touring
  • A/C coach for touring in a group (for VIP tours, guaranteed small group of up to 19 pax)
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Tourist class hotel with private facilities
  • Entrance fees for the above mentioned sites
  • Taxes and service charges

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

  • International airfares
  • Optional tours and excursions
  • Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
  • Porterage
  • Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Departure taxes
  • Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
  • Visas (unless specified)
  • Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Jerusalem

Tourist Class - Jerusalem Tower / Park / Jerusalem Gate / Jerusalem Gold

First Class - Grand Court / Royale / Leonardo / Kings

Deluxe Class - Dan Panorama / Crowne Plaza

 

Israel is a country of pilgrimage for the three main religions of the world. It is a country where locals and those visiting have diverse political, cultural and religiously opinions. These generally reflect the cultural or religious belief of the person you are talking to. When travelling on tours please be aware that cultural sensitivities and attitudes of those on the tours, and those operating the tours may differ from those you personally have.

The majority of sights visited on tours have religious significance to more than one religion and denomination. The tours are generally non-denominational.

Visa procedure on entry into Israel - Electronic Gate Pass
It is essential that clients thinking of visiting Iran, Lebanon or Syria do not have a stamp showing entry into Israel.

For passengers who wish not to have their passports stamped with an Israel visa, Israel authorities have developed the “Electronic Gate Pass” as a substitute for the visa stamp. With the press of a button, a card is printed at the Border Control station and includes the principle details of the traveller as in the first page of the passport. Such details are picture, full name, date of entrance and type of visa.

The form may not be printed automatically by the agent in charge at the border control booth, so it is important that clients specifically ask for the card to be issued if they do not wish to have their passport stamped.

The Electronic gate pass is available at Ben Gurion Airport and at the various land crossings into Israel.

The card is a proof of tourist status and must be retained at all time by the tourist while in Israel.

It allows tourists to purchase goods and be exempt from VAT. When planning a purchase, the card must be shown (but not handed in) in order to receive tourist privileges such as return of VAT for hotel services, car rentals as well as at specially registered duty free shops throughout the country.

Arrival Transfers
If for any reason you do not meet your transfer representative, please approach the “SMILE” office which is located behind the information counter in the baggage reclaim hall. Please do not leave the baggage reclaim hall or pass through Customs before you meet our representative, as once you are outside it is very difficult to locate you.
Smile Airport Assistance: 972-3-975 4020


West Bank and Occupied Territories
Checkpoints and crossing into the West Bank and Occupied Territories: There are some travel restrictions in place in Israel, Sometimes access to attractions or cities may be restricted or limited by the security forces. These situations are outside the control of the operator and in the event of such circumstances they will endeavour to offer an alternative or reschedule a tour.

Bethlehem – Israeli guides and drivers may not be allowed to enter Bethlehem. Tours are generally operated by locals who also own their own local shops. We are reliant on using the locals for the tours and therefore spending part of the tour in a local merchant shop is part of the experience.
Old Jerusalem – Due to parking and road restrictions in Old Jerusalem transfers and sightseeing coaches have limited access. You may be required to walk a short distance to meet tours or transfers.

Hotels and Services in Israel :
Although Israel is considered a First World country, the standard of hotels and service especially in the tourist and first class categories are more reflective of the region. Breakfasts may be buffet or middle eastern breakfast (more like a continental breakfast with egg, bread and cheese). The demands on infrastructure in these regions are quite high and may lead to issues relating to maintenance or reliability of supply. Hotel staff whilst efficient may appear brusk and unwelcoming in comparison to other destinations.

Coach Tours:
Please note that Israel coach tours may operate with clients staying in different hotels in each location. People on the tours may also have different inclusions.

Hotels on Coach Tours:
Please use the hotel information on coach tours as a guide. In some cases these hotels are substituted for alternatives of the same or higher standard without notice.

Day tours in Israel
Most day tours in Israel operate from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Depending on which direction the tour is travelling you may have an early start. Transportation between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (vv) may be with a driver only.

Border Crossing Procedures
For full details on border crossing procedures please refer to the Innovative Travel Notes. Unsure you have some hard currency on hand to pay departure and or arrival taxes.

The Allenby Bridge Border Crossing from Jordan or Israel is the most difficult and inconsistent border crossing in the region. This border crossing may take between 1-3+ hours depending on the time and day of travel. This may cause problems in finding the transfer drivers as although they are prearranged drivers are limited in the time they are able to wait at the border.

If you are more than 90 minutes at the border it is important to contact the transfer driver on the number provided in your documentation to reconfirm the drivers location as they are unaware if you have already passed through immigration.

Dress Codes
Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.

 

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

Sold out
Sold out
Sold out
Sold out

Order a Brochure

Click to view our online brochures. We also offer printed brochures to order. Enquire here

Testimonials

Read testimonials from past Innovative Travellers whom we have helped to explore the globe.

Sign up for Emails

Click to sign up for our amazing email exclusive offers, free events, travel tips, and more.

Contact Us

Email: info@innovativetravel.co.nz

Tel: (03) 3653 910

NZ Toll Free: 0508 100 111

Aust Toll Free: 1800 157 163