Things to do in Northern District

See the famous sites of Israel on a day tour from Tel Aviv. Visit Nazareth, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, and more. Benefit from hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned coach. Take part in a baptismal service on the Jordan River and see the Church of St. Joseph's Carpentry.  Your journey begins by traveling along Israel’s scenic coastal plain via the plain of Armageddon to Nazareth. In Nazareth, visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph's carpentry. Traveling on, see the Mount of Beatitudes and Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha. Be amazed by the famous Sea of Galilee and the ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum and the city of Christ. Finally, overlooking Tiberias, visit the site of baptism on the Jordan River, where you can have a baptismal service. Return to Tel Aviv driving along with the view of Mt. Tabor, the site of transfiguration.

Spend a day exploring Israel’s beautiful Mediterranean coast on this full-day tour departing from Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Netanya. Let an expert guide take you on a climate-controlled bus to visit ancient cities and monuments along the coast. Begin by discovering the harbor city of Caesarea. Witness an ancient Roman city filled with ruins, including one of the largest amphitheaters built in the Roman era. Next, journey to Haifa to visit the Baha’i Gardens. Tour the Baha’i gardens with their stunning terraces, known as one of Israel’s top attractions. Take the opportunity to photograph the UNESCO-protected gardens before continuing on to Rosh Hanikra. Once there, explore the area’s limestone grottoes and white-chalk cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. From the cliffs, peek over the border into Lebanon before continuing to Acre, in the north. Conclude your experience in Acra's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Marvel at its impressive city walls, charming port, and oriental bazaar. Learn about the ancient city’s fascinating history from your guide as you wander historic streets known to the Greeks, Byzantines, and, Ottomans.

After being met by your guide at the Haifa cruise port you will take a pleasant drive north to Galilee. The journey takes you past the Jezreel Valley, known as biblical Armageddon. Our first stop is in Nazareth where Jesus spent the first years of his life. Tour the magnificent Church of Annunciation that marks the site where Mary first learned of her future son. Then explore the 1st-century grotto dwelling under Saint Joseph’s Church. According to tradition, Mary, Joseph, and their son Jesus may once have lived here. As the tour leaves Nazareth we see Mary’s Well then continue past Kfar Kana, the biblical town of Cana. Here Jesus changed water into wine. The tour takes you to the edge of the Sea of Galilee, and the Mount of Beatitudes. Here you can picture Jesus preaching to his followers. Visit the Beatitudes Church that looks out over the Sea of Galilee. The tour continues to Tabgha, a small village by the water. Here we tour the Multiplication Church where Jesus miraculously shared five loaves and two fish between thousands of followers. The next stop is in Kfar Nachum (Capernaum). This is where Jesus spent most of his ministry. After a lunch break at a Galilee restaurant, we stop on the banks of the River Jordan, at Yardenit. If there is enough time you may be baptized at this traditional baptismal site. The tour makes its way south passing the twin peaks of the Horns of Hattin, where Saladin famously defeated the Crusaders in 1187. At the end of the tour, you’ll be returned to the port in Haifa in time to board the cruise ship and continue your adventure.

Enjoy a day exploring some of the most significant holy sites in Israel on an excursion by bus from Jerusalem. The guided tour sets out from the city early in the morning and drives along the scenic coast via Tel Aviv and the plain of Armageddon to Nazareth. Arrive in Nazareth and visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Church of the Annunciation. The largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East, the Church of the Annunciation is, according to tradition, the scene of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary.  Continue onwards via Kafr Kanna to view the Mount of Beatitudes and Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha. Set on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, you will stop to view the sea, and continue to the nearby ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum. Visit Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, considered one of the 4 Holy Cities of Judaism, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed. Drive to the Jordan River at Yardenit, where guests are invited to receive an optional baptismal service. Return to Jerusalem via a scenic route that takes in views of Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration.

Explore Bethlehem, Jericho, and the Jordan River in one comprehensive day tour that visits each historic location with a guide. Starting in Bethlehem, visit the Church of Nativity, which houses the grotto (the birthplace of Jesus). While in Bethlehem, stop in front of the famous Banksy hotel for a quick photo op. Purchase souvenirs from a local artisan shop before enjoying a short presentation about craftsmanship and arts in the area. During the presentation, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Depart from Bethlehem and travel down towards the city of Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley. In Jericho, enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the valley from a cable car as well as a guided tour of the Mount of Temptation. While in the area, you’ll take a quick stop at the Gallery of Temptations, with the chance to sample halva, local dates, and other sweets before heading east towards the Jordan River. Stop at Qasr el Yahud baptismal site overlooking the Jordan River, the site where it is believed Jesus was baptized.  

Israel has been home to some of the most influential thinkers in human history. Today, you can explore the homeland of Jesus in an exciting and revelatory day trip from Jerusalem. You will depart from Jerusalem on the coastal road through the lower Galilee. Once you arrive in Nazareth, you will walk the same streets that Jesus did as a child and young adult, forming his ideas on life and humanity. Your guide opens the world to you as you explore the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Both are pilgrimage sites that you will be humbled by. From here we head on to Kana and the lovely resort town of Tiberias. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for lovely landscapes including the Capernaum – an ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. We will then continue to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, right at the foot of the Golan Heights. This area leads to the Baptismal site where the Joran River and Sea of Galilee meet to flow into the Dead Sea.

The tour departs from Tel Aviv in the early morning and travels north along coastal roads with stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea. Pass by the cities of Hertzilya and Natanya before turning inland to travel through the Plain of Armageddon as mentioned in the Book of Revelations. As you continue through the landscapes, keep a look out for Megiddo, the site of an ancient Biblical city, before arriving at the southernmost point of the Sea of Galilee. Enjoy a pit stop to stretch your legs and admire the view that stretches out from Kinneret against the backdrop of Golan Heights. Cross the Jordan River next, at the foot of Golan Heights, and pass through Hamat Gadar as you begin the ascent. Journey through the luscious green countryside until you reach the Shalom Observatory, where you can admire another stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. Travel on to Katzrin where excavations have uncovered a village from the Mishnah and Talmud periods, and learn about the archaeological findings that include a synagogue, houses, and an oil press. As you explore Katzrin, also known as the Capital of the Golan, learn about how since the Middle Bronze Age the location has been occupied by the Romans, Mamluks, Ottomans, and even the French. Visit the Golan Antiquities Museum next, and admire an array of findings from Golan Heights and the archaeological site in Katzrin. Learn about the displays within the museum thanks to informative audiovisual presentations as well as insightful information about Gamla, the historic Second Temple era Jewish city which has also been excavated nearby. Continue onto Mount Bental to see what remains of Syrian fortifications, bunkers, and trenches that were captured by the Israeli’s in the Six Day War of 1967. From here, see how close Syria is as you look down on the city of Kuneitra which has been protected by Canadian UN forces since 1974.

Take a day to explore the city of Jericho. Learn the historical significance of this ancient city and its biblical role. Climb the Mount of Temptation by cable car and witness stunning views. Visit the Jordan River and see where Jesus was baptized before ending the day bathing in the Dead Sea. Find yourself amongst a biblical story in the city of Jericho. Learn how the city walls fell in the Battle of Jericho and visit the ancient sycamore tree that Luke climbed for a chance to see Jesus over the crowd. Admire Elisha's Spring, the fresh-water source that has nourished the city for thousands of years. Explore the original Jericho settlement that dates back to 9000 BC and see up-close a Neolithic watchtower. Continue with a cable car ride up the Mount of Temptation, biblically known as the place where the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Admire the Greek Orthodox monastery there, which seems to defy gravity on the precarious cliffs. Arrive at the Jordan River, said to the be the location where John baptized Jesus. Learn of the thousands of visitors seeking baptism in the same place and how it may be where the Israelites crossed into the Promise Land. End a perfect day relaxing at the Dead Sea. Float in the water that has 8.5 times more salt than the ocean. Lather your skin with mineral-rich mud and soak up the sun on the beach before heading back to Jerusalem.

Embark on a comprehensive full-day tour of the West Bank of the Jordan river to discover the rich history behind this region. Beginning with the ancient baptism site of Qasr el Yahud on the banks of the Jordan river, you'll be able to visit the marble steps leading into the river, said to be the very place where Jesus was baptized. Move on to the the city of Jericho itself, the oldest city in the world, where you will visit the ruins of ancient Jericho and view the nearby Mount of Temptation in the adjacent hills.  Continue to Ramallah and walk the streets of this modern city and see life in the big city in the West Bank. The tour will head to Manara Square, the thriving commercial district, and visit Yasser Arafat's tomb.  The final stop of the day is the holy sites of Bethlehem, with a visit to the Nativity Church and ending with a visit to the Separation Wall.

Depart Tel Aviv and travel up the Mediterranean coast, passing by Herzilya and Natanya on the way. Arrive at the first point of interest, the city of Caesarea which was constructed under Herod and named after the Roman Emperor, Caesar. From what remains of the ancient city learn about how it was a prosperous and luxurious city. Among the archaeological excavations, see gateways, a moat, and well-preserved walls and rooms. Visit the perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater which is still used today for performances by Israeli and international artists. Head over to part of what was once a hippodrome and the remains of a Roman Temple which stood above the port.  Continue driving north passing through Haifa where you will stop to see the breathtaking Baha'i Shrine and gardens. Stroll through the terraced gardens which cascade down the mountain towards the city below. See how each of the 19 terraces bursts with colorful flowers and landscaped designs. Next, stop in Rosh HaNikra, the most northerly point along Israel's Mediterranean coast. Descend by cable car into the network of limestone grottoes created by the constant bombardment of waves against the rocks. On the return journey south, stop at Acre (Akko), the largest Crusader city in the country. Admire how the city is extremely well preserved and be impressed by the incredible surviving architecture. Part of the city is alive with markets and people still living in the ancient buildings. See the walls and moat which was reconstructed and repaired by El Jazzar at the end of the 1900s. Find out about how the mighty walls prevented even Napoleon conquering the city. Finally, see the Crusader remains, the prison used under Turkish rule, and the gallows which were used under the British Mandate to hang Jews who broke the law limiting Jewish immigration to Palestine following World War II.