Type: Antiquities, Christian and Jewish Heritage, Culture, Scenic Drive, Walking
Length: 10 Hours
Walking: Medium
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Driver Guide
Language: English

Haifa Shore Excursion - This tour explores Jerusalem's Jewish and Christian Quarters including sites such as the Wailing Wall and Temple Mount, the Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, plus Israel's official memorial to victims of the Holocaust. It's a very full day packed with many important sites.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Haifa, you depart for the Mount of Olives where you enjoy a panoramic view of Jerusalem's old city and also the Judean Desert. From here you can understand how Jerusalem got one of its earlier names, Zion, which comes from a word meaning desert.

Next you drive to the old city where you visit Mount Zion, King David's tomb, the Last Supper hall, the Cardo (ancient market street), the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. Also known as the Kotel, the Western Wall is the most visited site in Israel. The wall is located at the foot of the Temple Mount and dates from the end of the Second Temple period, being constructed about 19 BC by Herod the Great. The remnants of this ancient wall surrounding the Jewish Temple's courtyard is one of the most sacred sites in Judaism, other than the Temple Mount itself.

Free time for lunch (meal not included) is provided.

This afternoon you visit the Christian Quarter where you have a chance to walk the Via Dolorosa. This is the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion. For many Christians, this is the most meaningful part of their visit to Jerusalem. You also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher which is known as the site where Jesus was crucified and is said to contain the place where he was buried. You also see Jaffa Gate, the main entrance into the old city, and the Arab Market which is a very popular shopping market.

Later in the day, you visit Yad Vashem, which is Israel's official memorial to victims of the Holocaust. Included at the site are The Holocaust History Museum, the Museum of Holocaust Art, an Exhibitions Pavilion and Synagogue. Please note that the Holocaust History Museum does not permit entrance to children under the age of 10 years old, including babies.

Late this afternoon you return to the pier in Haifa.

Exemption from Paying Israel VAT taxes