Jerusalem (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.

Bitte beachten Sie: 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. Shorts und ärmellose Hemden sind nicht erlaubt.

TAG 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.

Hinweis: 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.

TAG 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. Außerdem wird die Heilige Grabeskirche besucht. Hoch oben auf dem Hügel Golgatha markiert die Kirche die Stelle, an der Kreuzigung, Begräbnis und Auferstehung Jesu stattfanden.

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.

Hinweis: In diesem Abschnitt des Ausflugs werden bei den Spaziergängen größere Entfernungen zurückgelegt, teilweise über unbefestigten Boden. 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

Die Reihenfolge der besuchten Sehenswürdigkeiten kann abweichen, um Verkehrsstaus zu vermeiden. 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.

Tag 1

07:00 Uhr Depart Haifa and drive to the desert- short restroom stop in Qumran Visitor's Center

10:30 Uhr Visit the Masada Fortress

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

Option to swim in the Dead Sea

15:30 Uhr Drive towards Jerusalem

17:30 Uhr Arrival in Jerusalem- check in at your hotel - time to freshen up before dinner

19:00 Uhr Dinner at your hotel

Overnight at The David Citadel or similar hotel

Tag 2

Frühstück im Hotel

08:30 Uhr Meet in the hotel lobby

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

09:30 Uhr Drive into the Old City

09:45 Uhr Walking tour of the Old City

11:45 Uhr Drive to lunch venue

12:00 Uhr Lunch buffet

13:00 Uhr Drive to Bethlehem

13:30 Uhr Visit the church and shopping stop for 30 minutes

16:30 Uhr Drive to the ship in Ashdod

Voraussichtliches Wetter

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

Nights in may are usually a little cooler.

Was Sie mitbringen sollten

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

Währung

Die offizielle Währung in Israel ist der Neue Israelische Schekel (NIS)

Stromspannung

The Israeli power supply is single-phase 220 volts at 50 Hertz. Die meisten Steckdosen in Israel sind für Stecker mit drei Stiften ausgelegt; viele funktionieren aber auch mit europäischen Steckern mit zwei Stiften. Gäste, die Rasierapparate, Reisebügeleisen und anderen kleine elektrische Geräte benutzen möchten, benötigen unter Umständen einen Wandler sowie einen Adapterstecker. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor if you have electric devices.

Unterkunft

The David Citadel

King David St 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel

Telefon: +972 2-621-1111

* Eine Änderung der Hotels findet nur in unvorhergesehenen Fällen statt. 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.

Erforderliche Papiere und 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.

Das Programm für die Gäste enthält:

•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

Nicht im Programm für die Gäste enthalten:

•Any meals and drinks not specified above

• Trinkgelder für Fahrer und Fremdenführer

• Sonstige Ausgaben im Hotel, einschließlich Minibar und Zimmerservice

Hinweis: Mehrtägige Landausflüge umfassen in der Regel ausgedehnte und längere Unternehmungen, während kürzere Ausflüge ein moderateres Programm bieten. 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. Gelegentlich wird auch Treppensteigen verlangt. Rollstuhlfahrer und Gäste mit eingeschränkter Mobilität wenden sich bitte im Voraus an die Kreuzfahrtgesellschaft und erkundigen sich, ob die gewünschten Ausflüge ganz oder nur teilweise für ihre individuelle Situation geeignet sind.

Alle Programme an Land sind beschränkt und gelten vorbehaltlich der Verfügbarkeit. Programme, bei denen nicht die Mindestanzahl an erforderlichen Teilnehmern erreicht wird, können gestrichen werden. Die aufgelisteten Preise unterliegen Änderungen aufgrund von unerwartet eintretenden Kostensteigerungen für Transport, Landprogramme und Währungsschwankungen. Einmal erworben, ist der Preis garantiert und unterliegt keinen weiteren Änderungen. Überlandprogramme während der Kreuzfahrt sind spätestens 60 Tage vor dem Start der Kreuzfahrt zu buchen. Stornierungen, die 60 Tage oder weniger vor dem Abfahrtsdatum erfolgen, unterliegen einer Stornogebühr von 100 %.