Israel, Petra and St Catherine tour. Visit the Middle East’s most important historical and religious sites of three diverse countries. This will be a journey where the magic never ends. Explore Israel’s holy sites plus Petra and the famous Monastery of St Catherine in Egypt. Book this tour and you will get more than just a vacation. Your tour takes you through thousands of years of history. Wander and explore the remnants of ancient civilizations and have shaped the world we live in today. A professional tour guide will take you to the places where Jesus lived and preached. Travel southwards to Eilat, a resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan. Visit Petra, dating to around 300 B.C. and once the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Continue your journey to the St. Catherine Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. This Greek Orthodox monastery is located at the very place where, according to the Old Testament, Moses received the Tablets of the Law. St Catherine is the oldest Monastery still in use.
At a glance
SUN | Arrive Tel Aviv. Meet and transfer to your hotel |
MON | Travel south to Beer Sheba, Masada & Dead Sea to Jerusalem |
TUE | New Jerusalem and Bethlehem Tour |
WED | Full day Old Jerusalem tour |
THU | Onwards to the Sea of Galilee |
FRI | Tour variousimportant sites around the Dead Sea |
SAT | Return to Tel Aviv via Haifa and Caesarea. Flight to Eilat |
SUN | Full day tour to Petra |
MON | Full-day tour to St. Catherine Monastery. Return flight to Tel Aviv |
TUE | Service ends with transfer to Tel Aviv Airport |
Highlights
> Visit Masada and the Dead Sea
> Spend two days in Jerusalem visiting all its major Christian sites
> Travel to Bethlehem and explore the Church of the Nativity and its Manger Square
> Travel to the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus performed many miracles (feeding 5000 people in Tabgha)
> Spend a day in Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site
> Cross the Sinai Desert south of Eilat through amazing desert scenery to St. Catherine Monastery
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Arrive Tel Aviv
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Tel Aviv / Beer Sheba / Masada & Dead Sea (B)
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Jerusalem (B)
- Start the day at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls, then a visit to the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the Second Temple.
- Enjoy Ein Karem; a picturesque village in the southwestern outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions since this is where according to tradition John the Baptist was born.
- Visit Yad Vashem the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953, located at the foot of Mt. Hertzl.
- Visit Bethlehem - the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.
- Return to your hotel in Jerusalem for overnight
Inclusions
- Sightseeing tours and intercity transfers as per itinerary in AC vehicle
- Arrival and departure Airport transfers
- 09 Nights’ Accommodation at selected hotels in double/twin sharing
- Meals: as mentioned
- Local English-Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
- Return flight Tel Aviv/Eilat/Tel Aviv
Exclusions
- International flights – Departure & Fuel taxes (Contact us for best airfares)
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel insurance
- Israel/Jordan/Egypt visa fee
- Tips
- Border taxes for Israel/Jordan and Israel/Egypt
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- Rate valid for travel between 11 OCT 20 and 28 FEB 21
High Season: 21 DEC 20 to 02 JAN 21
Contact us for alternative travel dates
Country information
Best time to go
Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the best time to visit Israel when temperatures are pleasantly mild throughout the country.
Israel food & drink
Food in Israel is of high quality, and of course and varies dramatically in price. Tel Aviv, Israel’s undeniable culinary capital, top restaurants are expensive, even by European standards, but most restaurants across the country are reasonable when you consider the quality and portion sizes. A main dish will cost around 15 USD. Street food is good and reasonably priced. Limonana is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink made up of icy lemonade and crushed mint leaves. Goldstar is a refreshing lager beer and can be found in every store and restaurants
Culture and Language
Israelis are very casual but are typically blunt and direct in speech, which could be interpreted as being rude. The expression “shalom” is very often used to say hello. Dress code is casual, but, when visiting holy sites modest clothing is required. Smoking is considered a violation of Shabbat. There will be a sign at your hotel or restaurant to remind you of the same. Do not ignore it. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages however English is widely spoken and used on street signs
Getting around
Taxis in Israel can easily be hailed on the streets. They are metered and a concierge at your hotel will arrange a taxi with a set rate for your next destination. Drivers are friendly and talkative and will freely discuss any topic. Make sure that your driver is familiar with your end destination. Egged is the largest bus Company in Israel. Tel Aviv boasts a convenient bus system, Look out for the DAN buses in town and the Egged coach on the outskirts of the city. You can buy multiple passes or a day pass. Busses do not run on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays. Car rental may also be an option of getting around the country. Highways are modern and well maintained. The signage is in English. Street parking is free unless indicated by a “No parking” sign or a curb marked with red and yellow.
Tipping
The basic rule is 12-15% in restaurants and cafes. This is often added to your bill. If you join a group tour, plan on tipping between $ 10-12 per person per day for the guide and around $ 5 for the driver
Traditional dishes
Borekas: pastries can be filled with cheese, potatoes, or vegetables.
Baba Ganoush: a tangy eggplant spread
Falafel: deep-fried chickpea balls, often served in pita bread
Hummus: mashed chickpea spread, hummus can be served in many ways and is a staple in Israeli households
Shwarma: Sliced grilled meat served in pita bread with salad