Jerusalén (Haifa)

The Judaean Desert and the old quarter of Jerusalem are home to some of Israel’s holiest sites and provide telling windows into the past. Ascend to the summit of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Jewish patriots once defied the Roman army. Float in the remarkably salty Dead Sea, learn about the famed biblical scrolls found nearby and stand in awe before the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple. Sacred sites are just as plentiful in Bethlehem, especially the Church of the Nativity.

This overnight program is conducted with luxury vans or mini busses holding no more than 6-7 guests and a guide in each vehicle.

Tenga en cuenta lo siguiente: There is a substantial amount of activity, including a lot of walking and some steep steps to negotiate. The sights on this tour are also not wheelchair accessible and therefore the program is not available to guests utilizing a wheelchair or for those guests with walking difficulty or other mobility concerns. When visiting the religious sites, your head must be covered, and conservative attire is required. No se permiten pantalones cortos ni camisas sin mangas.

DÍA 1

Depart from the port of Haifa and travel through the dramatic landscape of the Judean desert descending 3,600 feet toward the Dead Sea— the lowest point on earth. Your first stop will be at breathtaking Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is also one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Israel.

Here, you will ascend by cable car to the summit of the mountaintop fortress, which was built by Herod the Great. Plenty of time will be allowed to explore the magnificent ancient ruins, which include Herod’s three-tiered palace, the synagogue, baths, defending walls and water cisterns, which are still considered an engineering feat.

After a morning of extraordinary vistas, you will be treated to a buffet lunch. Following the meal, you may experience the exquisite sensation of floating effortlessly upon the sea’s buoyant waters. With more salt and minerals than any other body of water in the world, the Dead Sea is considered to be a natural health and beauty spa.

The afternoon continues with a picturesque drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran and the Qumran Visitor’s Center for a short refreshment break. It was here in 1947 that a Bedouin shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known biblical manuscripts in the world.

Departing Qumran, you will ascend into the Judean Hills, sighting Jericho to the north as you make your way to Jerusalem for an overnight stay. Upon arriving at your hotel, you will have time to freshen up before dinner at your hotel.

Aviso: Walking atop Masada is on mostly natural earthen surfaces with loose stones at times. Guests with mobility concerns are able to use the cable car however may experience difficulties in exploring Masada as the ground is uneven. Guests wishing to swim should bring a swimsuit. A towel will be available at the facility. Guests taking part in any water activities may do so at their own risk and responsibility. The order of sites visited may vary.

DÍA 2

Following a buffet breakfast at your hotel, you will head to the Mount of Olives. From this vantage point high above the city, you will have the opportunity to take in the breathtaking view of Jerusalem’s urban landscape.

Next, you will begin a walking tour of the Old City. Entering via the Jaffa Gate, you will walk past some of the most sacred sites in religious history. Your route will flank the colorful bazaar and pass the Christian Quarter, part of the Via Dolorosa and the golden-topped Dome of the Rock, the third-holiest site in Islam. You will then view the famous Western Wall, the holiest site in the Jewish world. También visitaremos la Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro. Ubicada en una colina conocida como Gólgota, la iglesia marca el sitio de la crucifixión, sepulcro y resurrección de Jesús.

Afterwards, you will stop for a buffet lunch at a restaurant in the Old City. Later, you will proceed through the Judean Hills to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, located on the desert rim. Upon arriving, you will visit the renowned Church of the Nativity, built over a grotto that is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Finally, enjoy a relaxing drive to the pier in Ashdod.

Aviso: Esta parte de la excursión incluye largas caminatas y a veces el terreno es desparejo. While passing through the Old City, it is imperative to always follow your guide as this is also a bazaar and can be busy. Be aware that there are steps to negotiate when visiting the church.

Land Program Step by Step

el orden de los sitios visitados puede variar para evitar que se llenen demasiado. Program details and timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. The Destination Services team will provide a final itinerary with up-to-date details once you board the ship. Please carefully review the final itinerary for amendments.

Día 1

7:00am Depart Haifa and drive to the desert- short restroom stop in Qumran Visitor's Center

10:30am Visit the Masada Fortress

12:30pm Drive to your lunch venue at the Dead Sea

Option to swim in the Dead Sea

3:30pm Drive towards Jerusalem

5:30pm Arrival in Jerusalem- check in at your hotel - time to freshen up before dinner

7:00pm Dinner at your hotel

Overnight at The David Citadel or similar hotel

Día 2

Desayuno en el hotel

8:30am Meet in the hotel lobby

Drive to the Mount of Olives for panoramic views over the Old City

9:30am Drive into the Old City

9:45am Walking tour of the Old City

11:45am Drive to lunch venue

12:00pm Lunch buffet

1:00pm Drive to Bethlehem

1:30pm Visit the church and shopping stop for 30 minutes

4:30pm Drive to the ship in Ashdod

Pronóstico del tiempo

Average High: 78Fº and average low: 60Fº.

Nights in may are usually a little cooler.

Qué debe traer

Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and flat, comfortable walking shoes

Moneda

La moneda oficial de Israel es el nuevo shéquel israelí (NIS)

Electricidad

The Israeli power supply is single-phase 220 volts at 50 Hertz. La mayoría de los tomacorrientes en Israel cuentan con tres agujeros, pero muchos funcionan con los enchufes europeos de dos agujeros. Los visitantes que deseen utilizar máquinas de afeitar, planchas de viaje y otros electrodomésticos pequeños pueden necesitar transformadores y adaptadores. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor if you have electric devices.

Alojamiento

The David Citadel

King David St 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel

Teléfono: +972 2-621-1111

* Solo ofrecemos hoteles diferentes en situaciones imprevistas. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.

Requisitos de Documentación y Visa

Visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country. Please check visa regulations for your nationality with the Israeli Consulate in your country of residence.

El programa incluye:

•One-night stay at The David Citadel or similar hotel – Superior double room

•One breakfast, two buffet lunches and one dinner - lunch includes bottled water and 1 glass of wine per person. Dinner includes unlimited mineral water, local wine or beer and a soft drink or juice per person

•All transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program

El programa no incluye:

•Any meals and drinks not specified above

• Propinas a guías y choferes

• Servicios imprevistos del hotel, incluidos el minibar y el servicio a la habitación

Aviso: Los programas terrestres que incluyen numerosos días en la costa incluyen actividades prolongadas y aquellos de duración más corta ofrecen, en general, actividades más moderadas. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. Es posible que haya que subir escaleras o escalones. Se les recomienda a los huéspedes que estén en silla de ruedas o que tengan problemas de movilidad que consulten con la línea de cruceros con anticipación para comprobar si alguna parte del programa de excursión no es apta según su situación particular.

Todos los programas terrestres cuentan con capacidad limitada y están sujetos a disponibilidad. Los programas que no alcanzan la cantidad mínima de participantes requerida están sujetos a cancelación. Los precios publicados también están sujetos a cambios que dependen del aumento de los costos del transporte, de los servicios terrestres o de la fluctuación de la moneda. Después de la compra, el precio está garantizado y no está sujeto a cambios. Los programas por tierra durante el crucero deben comprarse hasta 60 días antes de la fecha de partida. Las cancelaciones realizadas 60 días o menos antes de la fecha de partida están sujetas a una multa por cancelación del 100%.