Wonders of Israel: Holy Land Tours with Airfare - smarTours

Wonders of Israel

From
  • $2,299
    Tour Only
  • $3,499
    Flights Included
  • 11
    Days
  • Average Tour Review

TEL AVIV, NAZARETH, GALILEE, JERUSALEM, MASADA AND THE DEAD SEA

From dazzling Tel Aviv to the inspiring sights of 3,000-year-old Jerusalem, our enriching Israel tour with airfare included, reveals incredible beauty, history, and spirit—and our guides are passionate about telling its stories! Our Holy Land tour takes you from uplifting places of faith to the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. We also feature a tour of a traditional kibbutz, which includes a lunch and interesting lecture about their unique way of life. Enhance your tour with an optional extension to Eilat and excursion to Petra!

For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our “Before You Depart” section.

Learn more about Petra!

Want to take a virtual tour of Petra from your couch?

Did you know that you can make this tour private for your friends and family? Find out more about pricing and options for your group.

Itinerary at
a Glance

  • 2 nights in Tel Aviv
  • 2 nights in Galilee
  • 5 nights in Jerusalem
  • 4-night Eilat Extension (3 nights in Eilat, 1 extra night in Jerusalem)

Tour
Highlights

  • Tel Aviv
  • Basilica of the Annunciation (Nazareth)
  • Sea of Galilee
  • Golan Heights
  • The Western Wall (Jerusalem)
  • Church of Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem)
  • Mount of Olives (Jerusalem)
  • Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum)
  • Masada
  • Dead Sea
  • Eilat Extension with full-day excursion to Petra

Activity Level: Explorer 

Your Tour
Includes

  • Round-trip airfare from the NY Area (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
  • Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
  • All intra-Israel ground transportation and transfers
  • Accommodations at superior first-class hotels
  • 13 meals: 8 buffet breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 4 dinners (D)
  • Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees
  • English-speaking Tour Director throughout

EILAT EXTENSION INCLUDES:

  • Transportation to Eilat
  • 3 nights at a superior first-class resort
  • 1 night in Jerusalem
  • Daily full buffet breakfasts (B)
  • Excursion to Petra

Tour Itinerary

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Map

Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.

Depart from the U.S.

Depart for an overnight flight to Israel. Your tour includes airfare from the U.S.

*Passengers who did not purchase flights will join the tour in Tel Aviv on Day 2.

Arrive in Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! You’ll be greeted at the airport and escorted to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, which has made a name for itself with its exciting culinary scene, trendy culture, colorful markets and Mediterranean beaches. You’ll see Rabin Square and the memorial to Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the drive, which follows the seaside promenade, to our beach-facing hotel. 

Renaissance Hotel or similar

Tel Aviv/Jaffa

After a morning briefing, we’ll explore two of Tel Aviv’s unique neighborhoods. We’ll start with a guided walk of the beautifully restored Neve Zedek, a picturesque neighborhood dating back to the early 1900s. It feels a bit like southern France, with its narrow streets lined with Bauhaus and Art Deco buildings, galleries and great restaurants. After a free afternoon to delight in the seaside promenade or an outdoor café, we’ll gather for a tour of…

Caesarea/Haifa/Nazareth/Galilee

Today we’ll gain insights into Israel’s diverse history, religions and scenery as we leave Tel Aviv and travel north along the coastal road. Our first stop is ancient Caesarea, where we’ll dig into its amazing archaeological discoveries and see its ancient Roman port and aqueduct, Byzantine streets and Crusader ruins. The next leg of our journey takes us up scenic Mount Carmel for splendid bay views, as well as a visit to a Druze village’s…

Galilee/Optional Golan & Galilee Excursion

Enjoy the tranquil Sea of Galilee from two different perspectives: first, on a delightful boat cruise, and then from the Golan Heights, a volcanic plateau, which affords spectacular vistas. Here, we’ll tour a local winery and sample the wines. After lunch, our excursion continues to Safed, a center of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and a thriving artists’ colony, before returning to your hotel late this afternoon.

| Breakfast, Dinner

Capernaum/Tabgha/Beth Shean/Jerusalem

Our travels take us to Biblical sites, including Capernaum, home of the church believed to be built on the location of St. Peter’s house, and Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. In Tabgha, our new kibbutz experience will take place—tour a traditional kibbutz and then enjoy a lunch and interesting lecture about the community’s unique way of life. Later, we’ll proceed to Beth Shean to view the stunning remains…

Jerusalem

Count on emotions running high today because Jerusalem is a city that will lift your spirits, make you weep and leave an impression you’ll never forget. This holy city is unique in so many ways, and we’ll have the opportunity to see some of its storied sites with an expert local guide, including the Mount of Olives and Western Wall (Wailing Wall). We’ll also explore the Davidson Center, where fascinating multi-media exhibits—including a reconstruction of…

Masada/Dead Sea Excursion

We’ll see a symbolic site of Jewish cultural identity and experience a timeless therapy with a full-day excursion to Masada and the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth and containing a whopping 34% salt concentration! But first, we’ll drive along its shores past Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. In Masada, we’ll stop to ride a cable car up the mountain for a tour of a mountaintop fortress built by King Herod,…

Jerusalem

We’ll visit Yad Vashem—the moving, heartbreaking memorial dedicated to the remembrance of the Holocaust—tour the Israel Museum’s renowned Shrine of the Book, which houses the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls, and stroll through the peaceful Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. In the afternoon, enjoy free time or take an optional tour to Bethlehem, where you’ll visit the Church of the Nativity, or take part in a Shabbat dinner. See Optional Tours for more information on these two…

Jerusalem

Our exploration of Jerusalem continues with a guided walking tour of the Old City. Highlights include the colorful bazaar (where you’re sure to find unique souvenirs), David’s Citadel and the Tower of David Museum, which spans the entire history of Jerusalem. After a free afternoon, celebrate with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. 

| Breakfast, Dinner

Jerusalem/U.S. or Eilat Extension

After an early morning transfer to the airport, your Holy Land tour ends with your return to the U.S. Or add another chapter to your trip with the Eilat extension with Petra excursion.

*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights today, on Day 11, in Jerusalem.

Guided Tour Pricing

Prices and dates below include round-trip airfare from the New York area (EWR or JFK). Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination.

Depart Return Depart - Return Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Oct. 1, 2021 Flight included unless otherwise indicated. Reserve After
Oct. 1, 2021 Price Increase 		Select Tour
2022 2022 w/ eCheck Discount Sale After Sale
February 10 February 20 Feb 10 - Feb 20 $3,499 $3,599 $3,899

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March 3 March 13 Mar 3 - Mar 13 $3,499 $3,599 $3,899

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March 10 March 20 Mar 10 - Mar 20 $3,599 $3,699 $3,999

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April 28 May 8 Apr 28 - May 8 $3,799 $3,899 $4,199

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May 19 May 29 May 19 - May 29 $3,899 $3,999 $4,299

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September 8 September 18 Sep 8 - Sep 18 $3,699 $3,799 $4,099

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October 13 October 23 Oct 13 - Oct 23 $3,699 $3,799 $4,099

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November 10 November 20 Nov 10 - Nov 20 $3,799 $3,899 $4,199

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Make This Tour Private Request a Future Date

Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
2021 Departures Single room supplement is $849.
2022 Departures Single room supplement is $1,099.

EILAT EXTENSION:
Sep – Nov 2021 Departures: Add $999 per person double occupancy / $1,398 single.
Feb – Mar 2022 Departures: Add $999 per person double occupancy / $1,398 single.
Apr – Oct 2022 Departures: Add $1,129 per person double occupancy / $1,478 single.

If taking the included Petra excursion on the Eilat extension, a border crossing fee is required and can be paid at the border.

For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 800-337-7773.

Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.

Extended Tours

Overview: Eilat Extension

  • From approx. 999 Per Person

Add four locally hosted days in the sun-kissed resort of Eilat on the Red Sea. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a full-day excursion to world-renowned Petra!

Jerusalem/Eilat

After breakfast, travel to Eilat, Israel’s sun and beach destination. Located on the calm waters of another very salty sea, Israel’s southern-most city offers pure relaxation and exciting activities. Arrive at your resort hotel and enjoy free time to relax at the pool or on the beach, stroll along the seafront promenade and dine in outdoor cafés and restaurants. 

Caesar Premier Hotel Eilat or similar | Breakfast

Petra Excursion

Take an unforgettable full-day excursion to mystical Petra, Jordan. Built over 2,000 years ago as the Nabatean capital, Petra is one of the world’s most marvelously preserved archaeological sites. Join a local expert to explore the rose-colored city carved out of rock face and view the imposing facades of palaces, temples and tombs before returning to Eilat late today. *Please note: Jordan visa and border crossing fees are not included in the price and will…

Eilat

Today is all about soaking up Eilat’s famous sun and surf. Additional options are a visit to the Coral Reef Underwater Observatory, the Dolphin Reef (snorkel with dolphins!) or a jeep excursion to view desert wildlife.

| Breakfast

Eilat/Jerusalem

Today, travel back to Jerusalem where the remainder of the day is at leisure. 

Lady Stern or similar | Breakfast

Jerusalem/U.S.

After an early-morning transfer to the airport, your Holy Land tour ends with your return to the U.S.

*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights today, on Day 15, in Jerusalem.

Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.

Rates are in U.S. Dollars, payable in cash only, and are based on a minimum number of participants. Additional optional tours may be added for your enjoyment, and the optional tours listed below may not be available on all departure dates. Note that optional tours are nonrefundable.

Bethlehem/Church of Nativity Tour

  • Jerusalem
  • From approx. $30 Per Person

The Bethlehem tour will involve leaving the State of Israel and crossing the border into the Palestinian Authority. Once you arrive in the West Bank, you will be met by your Palestinian guide, who will accompany you on this tour. You will visit the Church of the Nativity, commemorating the birthplace of Jesus Christ, where you will see meticulously restored mosaics.

Illuminated Jerusalem with Festive Shabbat Dinner

  • Jerusalem
  • From approx. $55 Per Person

On this optional excursion, you’ll witness the beginning of the Sabbath services at the Western Wall before proceeding to the Hass Promenade for amazing views of Jerusalem and the illuminated walls surrounding the old city. End with a Shabbat dinner at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.

Shabbat of a Lifetime

  • Jerusalem
  • From approx. $73 Per Person
On this optional program, experience an authentic Shabbat evening at the home of a Jewish host family.. The evening includes a five-course meal featuring cuisine from a variety of communities from the Jewish Diaspora with explanations of Jewish customs. Enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Guests should observe the customs of Shabbat and refrain from using electronics during dinner. Shabbat meals start depending on sunset times which change throughout the year and the meal…

Reviews

Sandi F

Israel was our sixth and probably one of our best Smartours experiences. Our guide, Dan Ofri, who we hope will be our forever friend, managed to infuse history, spirituality, knowledge, kindness, joy and laughter into our lives on an hourly basis throughout the tour. We felt safely at home in this miraculous country that we’ve grown to love as our own thanks to Dan and the experience that he provided. We also had the pleasure of enjoying 2 weeks with a wonderful group of like minded people which always makes the trip so much better. Many thanks to The Smartours Team and to Dan Ofri for making this trip so unique and very special!

Bruce a

This’s was our first major tour since we generally like to “do our own thing”. Very glad we did it. Tour was extremely well organized, got to meet some great people that we hope remain friends, and learned much more than we would have on our own. Selection of sites covered most major attractions as advertised. Accommodations were fine, including Dan Panorama Hotels in Jerusalem and Eilat and Lavin kibbutz. Dan Olfri, our tour guide was super knowledgeable, personable and helpful. He always went the extra mile to be sure we were comfortable, safe and well informed. He even tolerated our general lack of ability to remember the large amount of information he presented. Tour price was reasonable compared to many others we explored but without any apparent drop off in quality or service. Provided meals were very good and Dan’s recommendations for restaurants were helpful. We would recommend SmarTours to others and will probably use them for other destinations as we go through our travel bucket list.

Patricia

The trip to Israel was very educational. Our tour guide, Jacov Kuchuk, was excellent! I was extremely disappointed that SmarTours would not upgrade our plane tickets to Comort+.

Anonymous

Our guide, Alan Gill, was outstanding. He knew everything about Israel and took us everywhere with skill and enthusiasm. He gave us all the inside information to experience Israel as a native and not a tourist. We had a great bus driver for all our needs and we saw all the highlights of Israel. Our hotels were great and so was the food. An extraordinary experience I will never forget. I recommend this particular trip with Alan.

Beth

The tour was absolutely wonderful. The sights were amazing but even better was our tour guide Adina. She was a walking encyclopedia with a terrific personality. If she didn’t know an answe she immediately checked it out. We can’t wait to return to Israel. Our only complaint was the unavailability of Masada which your company should have been aware of and this information passed on to us. Adina did substitute other sights so she adapted to the situation that your company should have been aware of. Our tour group got along beautifully and we are still in contact with many of them. Again please thank Adina for giving us an exceptional time in israel

Annette

Adina Mayer was packed with knowledge, history, bible. Her smile filled the bus!

Adrienne B

Too bad I cannot give this trip more stars, only 5 just is not enough. I have been thinking about what to write in this review ever since our tour began. I have been searching for just the right words and I have failed. There are no words to explain how much I learned, how many incredible experiences we had, how much we appreciated our free time to make our own plans. Our guide, Dan Ofri, filled our heads to overflowing with the spectacular history of this country. His awe at the sites, his joy and pride, and yes his tears at times, helped us to feel the life that inhabits this land. Thank you for a wonderful trip. Hotel choices placed us in just the right locale for our free time adventures... walkable or right near public transportation.This was our fourth Smartours trip and we are already planning our next adventure.

Carolyn

As always, we had a wonderful Smartours trip. This time we went to Israel. Our guide, Dan, was knowledgeable about the Jewish history and religion and, at the same time, read to is relevant passages from the New Testament. The Dan Panorama hotels were excellent and had amazing breakfasts with a wide selection of available items. I am so glad we went on this trip. I loved the optional Sea of Galilee tour. Swimming in the Dead Sea was an amazing experience. We will be heading to Machu Picchu, Equador, and the Galápagos Islands next. We can’t wait!

Barbara

I enjoyed touring Israel and seeing the many places that Christ when to including his birth place and his death and resurrection Would highly recommend it to anyone

Barbara

We had Dan Ofri fro our tour guide in Israel and he really knew his history. He was great and I would recommend him over and over again. Loved all parts of the trip including Jordan and the Dead Sea.

Lidia

The tour experience was good. Kibbutz not so great, not even a bar of soap in the bathroom. In Egypt bottle water was free every day, in Israel had to pay for every bottle. More dinners should be included, especially , after travelling to one destination and being on the bus all day,it would be nice to have the meal included at the hotel. Overall the trip was good. Gui Peretz the guide in Israel was excellent.

Barbara

Fantastic tour! Gai Perez is absolutely the best tour guide we’ve ever had on any trip. Amazing knowledge about the complete history of Israel going back to the beginning and such a passion for his country. Such a wonderful vacation we won’t forget.

Cynthia G

Let me start by stating that this was my second trip to Israel, the first occurred in 1988 and so many things have changed, but mainly for the better. My first trip was not with a tour group, so I was unsure if this would provide me with the same experience or better/worse. SmarTours made the trip easy, they met us at the airport and put us on a bus to Tel Aviv. They handled all of the luggage for the entire 2 week trip, getting it from the bus to the hotel room and vice/versa. Our tour guide Arie was amazing. From the first day he explained in depth what and how the trip would include and clarified where we would go and why. He and hotel staff would wake us every morning so that no one was late and everything was achieved in a timely manner. We traveled from Tel Aviv to Jaffe on foot and we were allowed a free afternoon and then dinner by bus with the whole group. We were a total of 34 people and each and every person was friendly, nice and interesting. The next day we went to Caesarea, Haifa and Galilee. In each and every place we went Arie provided us with enormous amounts of information and his knowledge and expertise was incredible. I had asked if there would be a quiz at the end of the tour and he laughed and said there should be. My friend and I went the next day on the optional Golan and Galilee excursion, which included a boat ride in the sea of Galilee and a stop in Safed, which was the highlight of the tour up to that time. The next day we traveled by bus to Capernaum and two other stops on the way to Jerusalem. The sites that we saw were all exceptional and our interest and awareness always increased with Arie's explanations and historic references helping to aide in our understanding of the full history and the who, what and where of each time period. That evening we arrived in the most amazing place in the world, Jerusalem. The old city is fascinating and with Arie's knowledge and descriptions so much had become clear to me that I didn't understand on my first visit. With SmarTours you see everything of importance and even other things that you don''t know is important until you have been there with someone who has the knowledge and expertise to teach you. The next day we went to Masada. It was late May and early June, but it was at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit but I didn't want to miss a bit so I kept going even though Arie continued to find shady places to see, hear and watch from. After Masada, we spent the afternoon at a hotel right next to the Dead Sea. It is true you cannot drown, but it is an unusual experience. The next day in Jerusalem we went to Yad Vashem. Even if you have been to another holocaust museum, this place will touch you deep in your heart and soul regardless of you religion or background. Arie let us visit this at our own pace and we had at least 3 hours and when we all met some went to Bethlehem and others went back to hotel for an afternoon at leisure and we sat by the pool. The last day in Jerusalem we went back to the old city and shopped. My friend and I decided early on that we would go to Eilat and visit Petra in Lebanon. So as people caught their planes home we drove to Eilat. That part of the trip was truly relaxing as the tour days often started early and went into the late afternoon. The trip to Petra was extraordinary. We had a different guide because Arie couldn't work in Lebanon, however, he took us to the Israeli border and met us when we returned. That day was excruciatingly hot but I made the 7 mile round trip primarily because I was continuously looking up and around at most amazingly shaped rocks and of course, the surprise! As I loved this trip so much , I took another SmarTours trip in September to Italy.

Karen C

I never went on a guided tour. As a matter of fact, I was totally against them. I loved researching and doing it all myself. I decided to take a Smartour trip to Israel because I didn't know how to speak or read Hebrew and I want d to safely see it all. We'll see it all I did. I saw Israel through the eyes and knowledge of our guide. Ari. This man was not only extremely knowledgeable, but was a passionate representative of his country. His treasure chest of facts, stories and geography made our trip come alive. He made us see things we may have never noticed or have known. I learned how to tell the different eras of construction, why certain ruins were placed where they were, what in setu means even though I can't spell it! Ari was entertaining and intense. He insisted we listen and watch his description and maps of various areas. He also took the time to take us to places that he didn't have too. He made this trip unforgettable! I hope to return to Israel and I will make sure he is my guide again so my family can experience this wonderful experience. To say I am satisfied is an understatement. I will be taking another Smartour in the near future. You have me hooked!

Roni E

An absolutely wonderful trip to Israel. While I was somewhat anxious about security I felt very safe wherever we went. Our guide , Dan Ofri, was precise in getting us to locations; considerate about all personal needs and health issues; willing to go the extra mile with individuals when needs arose; and was extremely knowledable about the history of the land and was able to impart his wealth of knowledge with ease, confidence and passion....a master teacher! You could not ask for a better guide to take you through the ages of Israel. The Hotels and Kibuttz Hotel were all excellent and accommodating and the food very good. It was also nice to have some free time to explore on your own. Dan was helpful with suggestions as to where to venture (and where not to) and also for restaurants. Our bus driver, Vladimir, I might add was an absolutely amazing driver in how he so swiftly maneuvered the purple bus in and out of the narrow and winding streets...Bravo! If you are hesitant to go on this tour...just go and you will have no regrets. A wonderful tour!
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