The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future

11 days
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3.5/5 Great
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Group Tour
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Holy Land on an expedition inspired by the peace-building efforts of National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. Explore the City of David and Masada, glide across the Sea of Galilee, and discover Jerusalem through the eyes of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Hear a broad spectrum of narratives on thi...
From$5,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Meet artists and politicians, settlers and refugees, imams and rabbis.
    • Explore the archaeological wonders of Caesarea Maritima with National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beverly Goodman.
    • Enjoy a unique dual narrative provided by the Israeli and Palestinian peace builders who accompany the entire expedition.
    • Visit the Yad Vashem Memorial and hear a first-hand account from a Holocaust survivor.

What's this trip about?

    Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Holy Land on an expedition inspired by the peace-building efforts of National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. Explore the City of David and Masada, glide across the Sea of Galilee, and discover Jerusalem through the eyes of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Hear a broad spectrum of narratives on this program designed in partnership by Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityTel Aviv
End CityTel Aviv

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Religious
  • Holy Land

Destinations

  • Israel

Attractions

  • Bethlehem
  • Dead Sea
  • Jaffa
  • Jericho
  • Jerusalem
  • Jordan Valley
  • Mountaintop Refuge
  • Nazareth
  • Tel Aviv

Activities

  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Accommodations
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Educational materials
    • Pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary
    • All gratuities except those for train or ship's crew, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page
    • Transfers to and from group flights where applicable
    • Services of National Geographic experts and/or local guides, lecturers
    • Other staff; and taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1 & 2: U.S./Tel Aviv, Israel/Jerusalem

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: American Colony Hotel

Take an overnight flight to Tel Aviv, and transfer to Jerusalem. Relax at the hotel before our reception and welcome dinner tonight.

Day 3: Jerusalem

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: American Colony Hotel

Begin the day on the Temple Mount, capped by the shining cupola of the Dome of the Rock. Meet an imam from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, who will explain the importance of the holy site to Muslim...

Day 4: Jerusalem

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: American Colony Hotel

Just outside the Old City walls lies the City of David, thought to be the original capital city established by King David some 3,000 years ago. Venture into the archaeological site, and meet wi...

Day 5: Jerusalem

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: American Colony Hotel

Today, trace the turbulent history of the birth of the state of Israel. At Yad Vashem, Israel’s moving memorial to the Holocaust, meet with a Holocaust survivor for a personal glimpse into one...

Day 6: Bethlehem and the West Bank

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: American Colony Hotel

Travel to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc to hear the viewpoints of Israeli settlers. Continue to Bethlehem and meet with the mayor to learn about the city’s shrinking Christian populat...

Day 7: Jerusalem/Jericho/Dead Sea

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ein Gedi Boutique Hotel

This morning, meet with an environmentalist from Friends of the Earth Middle East whose efforts to foster Arab–Jewish cooperation through environmental stewardship were featured in th...

Day 8: The Jordan River Valley/Tiberias

Accommodation: The Scots Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Soar up the flank of Masada in a gondola and explore King Herod’s 2,000-year-old mountaintop refuge. Then follow the Jordan Valley north to the Roman city of Bet She’an to see its remarkably ...

Day 9: Galilee

Accommodation: The Scots Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Caesarea Philippi, a center of worship from the Hellenic age to the early Christian era. Explore the area as you wish this afternoon: follow a scenic trail to the Banias waterfall or en...

Day 10: Nazareth/Jaffa/Tel Aviv

Accommodation: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hear the perspective of an Israeli Arab Christian on the way to Nazareth, where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in the Middle East. On an excursion to the mo...

Days 11 & 12: Caesarea Maritima/Tel Aviv/U.S.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner ( Day 11), Breakfast (Day 12)

Accommodation: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel

Follow the coast north to Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s harbor city, and visit the ruins with geo-archaeologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beverly Goodma...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,995
Price per day$545
Single supplement (single occupancy)$1,995
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Air transportation and related fees
    • Activities noted as optional in the itinerary
    • Gratuities for train or ship’s crew
    • Passport, visa, and permit expenses
    • Medical expenses and immunization
    • Baggage/accident/cancellation insurance
    • Personal expenses
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

10 Breakfast,7 Lunches and 9 Dinner

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities

Petra, Jordan - Post-Trip Extension, 3 Days

Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-thelannat

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