(Communicated by the Government Press Office)
March 9, 2000
The Israel Ministry of Tourism cordially invites you to tour the Holy
Land during your visit. We are offering a number of routes on different
dates. To confirm your participation, please complete and return the
form.
Please note that due to the limited number of spaces available on the
tours, we ask that your reservation be final.
The tours will be in English and where possible, translation into
Italian will be available.
"Plant A Tree in the Holy Land" Ceremony possible on some tours.
The tours are free of charge and include: guide, travel and entrance
fees to sites. The tours do not include meals.
To register, please contact Naomi Rosenberg at the Tourism Ministry at
02-5678728, 02-6233686 (Fax) or naomir@tourism.gov.il.
Please note:
Thursday, March 16, 2000: Tours 1-2-3A, are available.
Departure from The Israel Government Press Office at 08:30 A.M.. located
at: Beit Agron, 37 Hillel St., Jerusalem
Return: Around 17:30 P.M.
Monday, March 20, 2000: Tours 1-2-3A, are available.
Departure from The Israel International Convention Center:
Communication and Press Center entrance at 08:30 A.M.
Return: Around 17:30 PM.
Tuesday, March 21st, 2000: Tours 3B - 4 available.
Departure from The Israel International Convention Center:
Communication and Press Center entrance at 08:30 A.M.
Return: Around 15:00 PM.
Itinerary No 1 : Nazareth - Tiberias and Sea of Galilee.
Drive to Nazareth in the Lower Galilee, town of Jesus' childhood - visit
the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary's Well, St. Joseph's Church and
market.
Continue to Tiberias the capital of the Lower Galilee, founded by
Antipator, King Herod's son, named for Tiberias, Emperor of Rome, on the
shore of Sea of Galilee(Kinneret).
Visit some of the sites around the Sea of Galilee including:
The Mount of Beatitutes, site of the Sermon on the Mount
Capernaum with the synagogue where Jesus preached
Tabgha with its churches commemorating the miracle of Loaves and
Fishes.
Itinerary No 2 : Caesarea - Carmelite Monastery - Muhraka - Akko
Drive to Caesarea, former Roman Capital on the Mediterranean. View the
reconstructed Roman Theatre and the Crusader city as well as the Roman
Aqueduct.
Continue to Carmelite monastery of St. Elijah - on Muhraka (Keren
Carmel) - traditional site of Elijah's fight against the prophets of
Ba'al.
Proceed to Akko (St. Jean d'Acre) - the ancient Phoenician and Crusader
sea port. Tour the Old Walled city including Knights' Halls and
Fishermen's Port.
Itinerary No 3 A : Dead Sea - Qumran - Massada
Drive to the Dead Sea shore - the lowest place on earth.
Visit Qumeran, ruins of ancient Essenes settlement in whose nearby caves
the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Proceed to Massada - ruins of Herod's mountaintop fortress and last
stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 CE.
(ascend and descend by cable-car)
Itinerary No 3 B: Dead Sea - Qumran - Massada
Drive to the Dead Sea shore - the lowest place on earth.
Visit Qumeran, ruins of ancient Essenes settlement in whose nearby caves
the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Stop at the Siesta Beach for a dip in the Dead Sea.
Itinerary No 4 : Jerusalem - Yad Vashem - Holy Land - Ein Karem
Drive to Jerusalem - the capital of Israel and the Holy City for the
three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Continue to Yad Vashem - National Memorial and Museum of the
Holocaust, including: the Valley of the communities and the Hall of
names of Holocaust victims.
Proceed to the Holyland Hotel - Model of Jerusalem from Second Temple
period (Jesus' time)
Drive to Ein Karem village, traditional birthplace of John the Baptist
and see the Church of the Visitation.
Please visit the special Government Press Office Papal Visit website for
further updates: http://www.papalvisit.gov.il.
Go to form.