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A spiritual tour exploring the origins of Christianity, following the footsteps of Jesus in Old Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Highlights
- Christian Quarter- following Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Garden of Gethsemane
- Western Wall (Kotel) – holiest site for the Jewish people.
- Bethlehem: Church of Nativity and Manger Square- the birthplace of Jesus.
Overview
A spiritual, scenic and historically rich day tour into the origin of Christianity. The tour connects the two ends of Jesus’s life – his birth and his Crucifixion.
Today, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are two vibrant, colorful cities in which ancient and modern mix almost nonchalantly on a daily basis. Located just an hour’s drive from Ashdod and only 15-20 minutes’ drive from each other, the two cities are ideal for a shore excursion from the port of Ashdod.
Tour Description
Our tour guide and mini-bus will meet you outside the reception hall of the Ashdod port, once your ship is docked and according to the time stated after you have booked your tour. We will leave the port and drive towards Jerusalem, all the while our tour guide will begin unraveling Israel’s rich history.
Our tour in Jerusalem begins with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city from the Mount of Olives, including the famous Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock.
Next, we will pay a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane where, according to the New Testament, where Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Then, we will enter the Church of all Nations, where Jesus prayed before his arrest.
We will enter the Old City through one of its various gates and visit the Jewish, Christian and part of the Muslim Quarter. We will go through the stations of the cross and the Via Dolorosa and enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was crucified, buried and according to some traditions, later resurrected.
We will continue to the Western Wall (Kotel), the holiest site for the Jewish people and the only remain left from the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AC.
We will walk through the narrow alleys of the Old City and if time permits, have some free time to shop in the local market.
For lunch, you will enjoy one of the local restaurants and shortly after we will get back on our mini-bus and continue our journey.
The second part of the tour will take us to Bethlehem. For this part of the tour, there will be a local, English speaking Palestinian guide showing you around the city. In addition to its spiritual significance, Bethlehem is also a vibrant West-Bank city.
*Please note: it is required to have your passport when visiting Bethlehem.
Keep in mind that you will be taken to a souvenir shop in Bethlehem as part of the tour, but you are in no manner required to purchase souvenirs or locally produced goods.
At the heart of our visit to Bethlehem is the visit to the Church of Nativity and Manger Square, the birthplace of Jesus.
Finally, we will head back to the port in time for your cruise departure or overnight stay.
Included in the tour:
- Luxurious, new, comfortable and air-conditioned mini-bus.
- Top-rated, licensed tour guide with expertise in local history, culture, and nature.
- A small group of 6-16 persons.
- Entrance fees.
Not Included in the tour:
- Food and drinks: you will have the option to lunch at local restaurants (budget of 35-70 NIS per person).
- Tips to guide and driver.
- Other personal expenses.
Additional Information
The tour will last between 8-9 hours long.
You will be walking roughly 2 kilometers while climbing stairs in the Old City and touring Bethlehem, so wearing comfortable walking shoes is a must.
Please dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) when visiting the Holy Sites of Jerusalem.
Beware that some places in the Old City might not accept credit cards. You will be able to change money or use foreign currency in some shops.
The drive to Jerusalem can take up to 1 hour, depending on traffic.
Travelers with special needs, (i.e. limited mobility and wheelchair-bound persons) must inform us prior to booking their excursion.
The tour itinerary might be adapted or subject to change due to limitations of arrival/departure of your ship.
Contact Information
14 days prior to your arrival, you will receive your detailed time schedule and more detailed tour information. If you need additional assistance, our office tour manager is available anytime, please do not hesitate to contact us via:
Email: info@israelcruiseexcursions.com
Phone (also for WhatsApp messages): (+972)54-9301499
Arrival and Meeting Point
Once you book your tour, the tour departure time will be stated on your booking confirmation. Upon arrival at the dock in Ashdod, you will meet our tour guide outside the Reception Hall. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name.
The tour guide and driver will guarantee that you make it back to the port in time for your cruise departure or overnight stay. During the tour, our guide will be in touch with ports and ships authority and will be informed and updated of an unlikely event.
Money in Israel
The Israeli currency is the shekel (NIS). We recommend going to www.xe.com for the most up to date exchange rate closer to departure.
You should be able to exchange money on your cruise ship, but also once you arrive at the port there will be a money exchange counter. We recommend walking around with at least some cash since there might be certain places on our tour that do not accept credit cards.
What to Bring
Here are some basic packing tips for your day tour. If you have more specific questions, please contact us directly.
Weather during the summer is hot during the day (26-32 C/ 80-90 F) and gets cooler in the evenings.
Recommended on all tours to bring a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen.
We recommend bringing a small travel bag to store extra clothing and personal belongings.
We are doing quite a lot of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Booking The Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour
The coastal shore excursion from Ashdod is available for all cruise ships that dock in the port of Ashdod throughout the year.
We are doing our best to meet the growing demand for our tours and we will open new groups on request, however, we do urge you to book early and secure your place, especially during peak seasons.
Cancellation Policy
Up to 14 days before the tour there will be no cancellation fee, except for a $10 processing fee.
7-13 days before the tour, there will be a 25% cancellation fee, with the additional $10 processing fee.
2-6 days before the tour, there will be a 50% cancellation fee.
48 hours prior to departure, there will be a 100% cancellation fee.
*If there is an unforeseen circumstance, such as your ship does not dock in our port or for any sort of security reason, you will be refunded the full amount.
We Accept The Following Payment Options
