All Encompassing Israel: A Grand Tour from North to South

What to expect on this itinerary
Discover paradise on the Red Sea shores and unique utopic valleys in Galilee during your custom tailored grand tour of Israel. Let the rich minerals in the soil of the Dead Sea soothe your skin. Dig your toes into the soft, gold sand of Tel Aviv’s beaches. Follow the gilded hues of Jerusalem stone to the remains of the Second Temple and framed walkway of Via Dolorosa, the path Christ walked to his crucifixion. From sampling olives fresh from the orchard to wines produced from verdant vines, you will discover ancient history and gorgeous landscape, vibrant culture and welcoming ambiance spanning the whole of Israel.
Customizable Itinerary
Tel Aviv – Magnificent Beginnings
The city of Tel Aviv rises along the edges of the Mediterranean Sea. The promenade stretches for nine miles until it reaches the historical port of Old Jaffa. Locals bask in the endless sunlight on the soft, gold sand beaches. The aisles of the outdoor Carmel Market overflow with colorful fresh produce, from radishes to zesty oranges. The air fills with an aroma of blending spices displayed in sacks along family-run stalls. The Old City fills with chic cafes emanating the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The windows look out to the shoreline and the spires of the Franciscan architecture of St. Peter’s Church.
Your flight lands at Ben Gurion International Airport outside of the city. Your private transfer meets you upon your arrival and escorts you to a luxurious hotel in offering views of the golden coastline. Your guide meets you in the lobby, eager to lead you through an introductory tour of the city’s vibrant streets and historical destinations. Thought provoking murals drape the walls of unsuspecting apartment buildings, creating outdoor galleries depicting political messages or dreamlike landscapes. You reach the neighborhoods, adding to the lush nickname of the “White City,” named for the 4,500 Bauhaus-style structures. The facades contain rounded pillars and balconies, offering a sense of serene European ambiance amongst the bustling streets of Israel’s largest city.
What's Included:
Galilee – Touching History and Grace
Galilee – Spiritual Samples
Galilee – On the Trail of the Past in Galilee and Nazareth
Jerusalem – Visiting the City on the Hill
Jerusalem – From a Different Perspective
Jerusalem – Salty Shoreline and Open Caves of the Dead Sea
Jerusalem – City on the Hill at Leisure
Eilat – On the Road to the Red Sea
Eilat – An Israeli Riviera
Tel Aviv – Returning to the Beachside City
Tel Aviv – Departing the Grand Tour
Trip Highlights
- Visit the famous sites of Old Jerusalem on a private guided tour, including the Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Linger in the soothing, buoyant waters of the Dead Sea while visiting a luxury spa along the celebrated lakeshores
- Visit the scenic oases along the Galilee to sample a selection of wines produced on a charming vineyard
- Explore the Negev Desert while touring Timna Valley, home to the stunning multi-colored rock formations of King Solomon’s Pillars
- Bask in the beauty of the Red Sea while snorkeling along the utopic Coral Beach Nature Reserve
- Traverse the thought-provoking exhibits of Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, part of Jerusalem’s New City
- Venture across the desert ridges of Qumran to view remnants of the ancient city and the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered
- Uncover the gorgeous remnants of the Byzantine and Roman-era churches, along with a 6th-century synagogue at Beit Alpha
- Walk along the ancient Roman and Herodian city of Caesarea on the coastal plains near Haifa
Detailed Description
The splendors of Israel incorporate captivating tales and marvelous scenery, connecting Roman ruins to Jewish traditions, Christian churches, and historical vineyards. Your 12-tour encompasses Israel’s variety, taking you along the desert hills and magnificent cliffs, to the briny waters of the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The journey begins with your arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Your private transfer meets you at customs and escorts you into Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city. After checking into your luxurious hotel overlooking the coastline, you meet with a local guide to enjoy an introductory tour of the city’s vibrant culture and artistic streets.
The next day, you venture out of Tel Aviv and into the Galilee region. Visit the historic cities of Caesarea and Megiddo before meeting with a local Druze community. In Haifa, you ascend Mount Carmel for stunning views of the bay and Baha’i Gardens. Traverse Galilee, beginning with the town of Safed. Explore the synagogues and culture connected to Kabbalah before visiting the Golan Heights and the town of Quneitra. Enjoy the lush landscape of a local winery to sample the delicious flavors of the terrain.
You then continue your journey around the Sea of Galilee, this time venturing into the town of Tiberias to view the ancient Church of St. Peter. Continue to Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel before visiting the Beit She’an Archeological Park to view the historic Beit Alpha Synagogue. Transfer to Jerusalem to experience the preserved ancient history at Mount Zion and along the 2,000-year-old main street of the Cardo. Tour the Jewish Quarter to see the Western Wall and continue through Via Dolorosa in the Christian Quarter before visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Next, your guide leads you through the New City of Jerusalem, viewing Chagall’s stained glass windows and Yad Vashem. Traverse the galleries of the Israel Museum and the Knesset parliament building.
Next, you can linger in the waters of the Dead Sea and explore the ruins of Qumran, along with the caves that once held the Dead Sea Scrolls. Take a cable car to the top of Masada for a remarkable tour of the ancient hilltop fortress before returning to Jerusalem for the evening. The day is at your leisure to enjoy Jerusalem’s day of rest. You could stroll along the open city, following the historic ramparts or enjoy the churches in the Armenian Quarter. The following day, your private transfer escorts you south to the Israeli Riviera at Eilat, stopping in the Negev Desert to visit the stunning landscape of the Timna Valley. Once in Eilat, you can experience the beauty of the Red Sea at the Underwater Observatory, one of the largest aquariums in the world.
Spend a day at your leisure to indulge in the wonders in and around Eilat. Enjoy snorkeling along the Coral Beach Nature Reserve or hike the Mount Zefahot Trail for a panorama of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Your private transfer leads you north the following day, passing through the Ramon Crater and the Kibbutz Sde Boker en route to Tel Aviv. Visit a local Bedouin community for a camel excursion and a cultural lunch before visiting the Air Force Museum. On the final day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$7,800 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 158 reviews
The staff at Zicasso's tour agency were easy to work with. They really listened to what I wanted to achieve on my trip, were flexible, allowed me to voice my opinion, and were very respectful of my budget. The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly, and concerned. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to visit Israel and neighboring countries. They were very professional and personable.
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Our travel agent was very attentive and prompt in helping us plan a trip to Israel. Sadly, we were unable to travel to the country because of the conflict in the region. She informed us of the cancellation while we were on the Nile River with another tour company.
In spite of very poor internet access, our travel agent helped us arrange a trip to Greece instead.
She has been very helpful in securing a refund for the canceled trip.
We highly recommend Zicasso’s company!
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Our organizer made the trip special and safe for us in countries with questionable safety. He was there every time we reached out and did all he could, from picking the best tour guides to ensuring we were comfortable.
We are so glad we did the trip, but cannot believe we visited Israel just before this horrible war.
We have recommended them to friends and family.
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When I contacted Irene to plan my family vacation I had no idea what to really expect when we arrived in Athens. What we received was more than I could have possibly imagined. Irene and Odysseas met us at the airport with hugs and enthusiasm. Every detail of our trip was planned and printed out for us. We were given phones in case we needed to contact them. Everything was explained in detail --before we could think of it, it was already planned! The guides she chose for our excursions were on time, knowledgeable, and gave us the best tours we could have asked for. This was a trip of the lifetime and Irene and her team did not disappoint! When I plan a return trip to Greece, Irene will be the FIRST person I call!
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We had an amazing trip. Kirsty and the travel agency were a joy to work with and made the entire process of planning what was a complicated trip seem effortless. From the very beginning, Kirsty listened to our goals, understood our limitations, and was able to create an incredible itinerary. Even when we had an unexpected life event and had to pivot our trip slightly, she took it in her stride and made the necessary changes without hesitation. Trying to visit three countries in one trip seemed ambitious, but with Kirsty's oversight, it happened.
With the exception of the transfer from the Israeli border to the Jordan border, all were seamless. The people we interacted with through the arrangements made by the travel company were wonderful. We did not have a single negative interaction with any of our drivers, guides, or aides at the transfer points. I would highly recommend this travel company.
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We had a fantastic time exploring Israel with our guide from the travel agency, Nathan! We learned much about Israel's rich history, culture, and people. Our agent expertly planned our trip based on our requests and interests, and each day our itinerary included interesting and thoughtful sites and tours.
We were surprised to find out that Nathan would be with us on each of our guided days since that had not been our experience on other trips. We are so glad that he was. It felt like we were traveling with an old friend who wanted us to have the best time and knew all the best places to take us to, to be sure that we did not miss them. Nathan is an excellent, knowledgeable driver and guide! He is a true Israelite, eager to share his love of Israel, its people, and its history with us. He did so in a warm and inviting manner while also giving us time to explore on our own.
The travel agency helped to arrange each facet of our trip, including our arrival and departure from Israel, which were notably efficient and greatly appreciated.
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