Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: treasures of ancient israel tour at Haifa

The capital city of Israel, Jerusalem is also renowned as the cradle of Judaism and Christianity, and home to some of the most iconic, important and revered religious sites in the world. Watch the ancient beauty and history of Israel unfold during this panoramic three night journey that includes a visit to Nazareth, Yardenit Baptism Site, Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea.

Ancient Treasures of Israel

Duration: 2 Days/1 Night

Departs from: Haifa

Re-join ship: Ashdod

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing.  

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90days prior the sailing date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment.  Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 120 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Israel. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Israeli Shekel (ILS); local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in larger shops and hotels.

DAY ONE - Nazareth/ Yardenit/ Jerusalem

Transfer from the pier in Haifa to Nazareth via private coach

After disembarking the ship in Haifa, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive through the Jezreel Valley to Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. Also called the 'City of Annunciation', Nazareth is where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, telling her that she would bear the Son of God.

Visits to the Church of Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church

Visit the Church of Annunciation, built over an ancient house believed to be Mary's house, where Mary is said to have lived and where she received Gabriel's message. Continue on to St. Joseph's Church, dedicated to the earthly father of Jesus, built where Joseph's carpentry workshop is believed to have stood, according to tradition. Below ground level, an important Judeo-Christian baptismal basin is preserved.

Yardenit Baptism Site

From here, re-board your private coach and continue on to the Yardenit Baptismal Site by the Jordan River.

Lunch, Drive down the Jordan Valley and through the Judean Hills en route to Jerusalem

Next, proceed for a delightful lunch served at a restaurant on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After lunch,  re-board your private coach for a drive down the Jordan Valley and through the Judean Hills en route to Jerusalem.

Upon arrival, continue to the Mount Scopus for a magnificent view over the Golden City.

Jerusalem Old City

After entering through the Jaffa Gate, your walking tour passes by the bazaar, the Christian Quarter and part of the Via Dolorosa. Amongst the sites you will view is the golden-topped Dome of the Rock. A visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is also included. Perched on Golgotha Hill, the church marks the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

At the conclusion of your visit, head to the Hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner. After dinner drive around the illuminated walls and monuments of Jerusalem, including a visit to the Western (Wailing) Wall. This is the last vestige of the ramparts that surrounded the Holy Temple. Observe the crowds who come to pray by the ancient stones.

Overnight in a Executive Room at the Mamilla Hotel - Jerusalem

Please note: Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts are not permitted, and bare shoulders and midriffs must be covered.

DAY TWO - Ashdod/ Masada/ Dead Sea

Breakfast/check-out/ Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea en route to Masada, and a tour of the Masada Fortress

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 2-hour transfer to the Judean Desert, along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Upon arrival, visit the Masada Fortress, located a little to the north of ancient Sodom. This mountain fortress looms high above the Dead Sea's desolated landscape, and has often been described as the most spectacular archaeological site in Israel. Here, King Herod built a luxurious here refuge complete with magnificent palaces, swimming pools and excavated rock cisterns to supply water. Around 73 A.D., after a long Roman siege, more than 950 Jews took their own lives at Masada rather than face a future of slavery.

Cable-car-ride to the summit of the Masada Fortress, and a guided walk around this historic site

A cable car transports you to-and-from the summit of the Masada Fortress for a walk around the site of this last stand. Among the fascinating highlights to see are the wall, bathhouses, upper-palace, synagogue, church cisterns, western palace, Roman ramp, and a swimming pool.

Lunch at local restaurant/hotel, with some free time for swimming

Following your visit, board the cable car for the ride back down from the summit, then re-board your coach and descend more than 1,400 feet (about 427 metres) to the Dead Sea; the lowest place on the surface of our planet. Upon arrival at Ein Bokek, proceed for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant/hotel, nestled on the shores of the Dead Sea. After lunch, some free time is made available to relax with use of the hotel's beach, spa, showers, lockers, and towels. You can sunbathe, take a stroll on the beach, and/or a relaxing swim in these waters that are so mineral-rich, you cannot sink.

Transfer to the pier in Ashdod, and your ship

At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your private coach and commence the approximately 2.5-hour transfer to the pier in Ashdod. Upon arrival, embark the ship.

Please note: Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts are not permitted, and bare shoulders and midriffs must be covered.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone, rocky, sandy, grassy, slippery, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and board/de-board the cable car, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sneakers, flip-flops, sun protection, swimwear, a sweater or light jacket, raingear, an electric socket convertor that fits Middle East plugs, a camera, and local currency for purchases from the ship; avoid wearing sandals, as most of the sites visited are dusty. Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts are not permitted, and bare shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Guests must carry their passport and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary; the description provided is an example of the program. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.  

Programme Includes:

• One-night stay in an Executive Room at the Mamilla Hotel - Jerusalem
• One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner with drinks included
• Church of Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church in Nazareth
• See of Galilee and Jordan Valley
• Some of the oldest olive trees in Jerusalem
• Visits to the Room of the Last Supper and King David's Tomb
• Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
• Western (Wailing) Wall visit, with an opportunity to observe the faithful touching the stones
• Cable-car-ride to-and-from the summit of the Masada Fortress
• Lunch at Herods Dead Sea Hotel, with free time for swimming in the Dead Sea
• All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.