Israel Holiday Tours

Investigate Israel's political, religious and ancient history while absorbing the surroundings of a legendary country where the cities’ ages are measured in millennia rather than years.

The troubles of Israel’s recent past are evident in sites such as the Syrian bunkers on the rocky Golan Heights, but are outweighed by the overwhelming wonders of the landscapes and the ingrained holiness in the everyday lives of its people. Touring the Judean mountains contrasting with the desert, you’ll see gilded temples dotted between severe skyscrapers in some of the oldest towns in the world.

For a heady mix of modern metropolis and sacred shrines, your first stop should be Jerusalem. Between the busy bazaars and buzzing avenues inside its golden limestone walls, faith has an expected powerful presence in the city and you’ll witness endless Biblical spots. Don’t miss: Mount of Olives, via Dolorosa (this marks the route Jesus took to his crucifixion), the Tomb of King David, Mount Zion (the location of the Last Supper), the Wailing Wall, King Solomon’s temple, the Dome of Rock and Temple Mount (where God is believed to have created the first man).

If you can bear to pull yourself away from the enigmatic sanctity of the capital, faithful fascination can be unearthed in Capernaum or Tzfat; both have many ancient synagogues. Also visit Bethlehem and its famed Church of Nativity, Nazareth, which proudly possesses the Church of Annunciation, as well as Acre, which holds the crypt of St.John and an incredible underground crusader city.

Sun worshippers will be impressed by the West coast which is home to glamorous beach resorts which gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea. Tel Aviv is the king of this region and the main financial and commercial centre for the country. It has high-end shopping that would rival New York and enough captivating culture in its markets, museums, galleries and theatres to match the whole of Europe. The night life and beaches in this modern city make for a youthful and energetic buzz that is contagious whatever your age; despite its cool demeanour, the city is actually a world heritage site too. Falafael counters and Arabic restaurants are never far away once it’s time to satisfy your palette after a long day exploring.

In the South lies glorious Eilat, the lowest spot on earth and perfect for unwinding as you float in the mineral and salt saturated Red Sea. If you prefer to admire the world from higher up, make your way to Haifa on impressive Mount Carmel, the third largest city in the country. The view here allows you to witness the wild blue skies and seas contrast with the feral desert and mountain browns of this glorious country.