The Independent Travel Reader Offers

Seven nights from only £1,189 per person

Selected departures from September to November 2012

Nestling between Europe, Africa and Asia and at the heart of the ‘fertile crescent’, lies Jerusalem, the world’s cradle of civilisation. This remarkable area probably has more monuments, historical buildings and influences of more civilisations, religions and empires than probably anywhere else on earth! Fought over by countless generations, it has seen the clash of civilisations and religions since the dawn of history itself. The Canaanites, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Saracens, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the British: all have ruled here and all have left remarkable footprints. Ancient without a doubt, when the Romans arrived, there had already been a sophisticated society here, which rivalled their own, for 700 years. We also visit Caesarea, one of the three most important ports in the ancient world, plus the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada where the final battle of the first real revolt in the Roman Empire took place. It was in the decades leading up to the revolt that Jesus carried out his ministry and we’ll visit all the major sites associated with him, from his birth in Bethlehem, to his early years in Galilee and the final acts around Jerusalem.

As we visit the shores of the sparkling Mediterranean to the fertile valleys of the north, the great inland lake that is the Sea of Galilee, to the desert landscapes of the south and the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea, our tour will cover an extraordinary panorama. Equally enthralling are the many cultures that, despite what we regularly hear in the news, manage to live and work together. From the black-robed orthodox Jews, secular Israelis and the many Arab-Israelis, life may not always be straightforward but there are many positive elements where real progress has been made in recent years. So come with us and discover what makes the ‘Promised Land’ such a remarkable and totally unique place to visit.

Fully escorted price includes:

Return scheduled flights to Tel Aviv
Seven nights in four-star hotels with dinner
Guided tour of Caesarea, ancient Roman capital of Judea
Walking tour of Acre, the only fully-preserved crusader city in the world
Visits to Capernaum, Tabgha and Masada
Boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee
Visit the serene site of the Sermon on the Mount and the Church of the Multiplication
See Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation
Guided visit to the holiest site in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
See the famous Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall, holy sites of Islam and Judaism
Visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity
Walking tour of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem
Visits including the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and Shrine of the Book
See the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Yad Vashem, the moving memorial to the Holocaust
Stay on the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth
Porterage of one item of luggage per person
Escorted by our experienced tour manager
The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room
Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £329 per person
Please note visits to certain sites, such as Bethlehem, may be dependent on the prevailing security situation

Visa and Health Matters:

UK passport holders do not require a visa, but other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations at least a month before departure.