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Join the most comprehensive Jerusalem shore excursion from Ashdod
Highlights
- The Mount of Olives – panoramic view of ancient and modern Jerusalem.
- Christian Quarter – following the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
- Tasting local cuisines of Jerusalem.
- Wailing Wall (Kotel) – the most sacred worship place for the Jews.
- Jewish Quarter.
- Yad Vashem – Holocaust Museum.
Overview
Jerusalem is located just 64 km (40 miles) from Ashdod which makes it a perfect destination for a one-day shore excursion. From a panoramic view of the Old and New Jerusalem, we will embark on a half-day walking tour into Old Jerusalem. We will visit all the major sites including Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Jewish and Christian Quarters, Church of Holy Sepulcher, markets and more.
In the early afternoon, we will head to the new part of Jerusalem, drive by the new neighborhoods, the Israeli parliament, the Israel Museum and end with a visit to Yad Vashem.
Tour Description
Our tour guide and mini-bus will meet you outside the reception hall in Ashdod on the time stated during your booking and based on your ship’s arrival. 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 magnificent panoramic view of the entire city from the Mount of Olives, including the famous Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock.
From there we will descend in a scenic road to visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. We will then drive through the Valley of Kidron and enter the old city through one of its eleven gates.
We will walk through Via Dolorosa, the same path where Jesus walked on his way to his crucifixion and follow the different stations of the cross ending with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Church of Resurrection)- the site described in the New Testament as Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and later buried.
We will continue to explore the Christian quarter. Next, we will break for lunch where you will be able to choose between various local cuisines and some free time to shop in the market.
After lunch, we will head to the Jewish quarter and explore its two levels- the current level which was mainly restored after the 1967 war, and the ancient 2000-year-old level, which consists of fascinating ruins from the Second Temple period that were mostly destroyed during the Roman siege of 70 AD.
Our next stop will be the Wailing Wall (Kotel), the holiest site for the Jewish people and the last remains from the once magnificent Second Temple located on Temple Mount.
Departing the Old City through the Jaffa Gate, we will continue to the last part of our tour, which consists of driving through the new parts of Jerusalem. We will drive by some of the well-known buildings, institutions, and neighborhoods including the Knesset – The Israeli Parliament and the Supreme Court. We will pass by the Israel Museum, home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Books.
Our last stop will be at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. Yad Vashem is located on Mount Herzl, alongside Israel’s National Cemetery. The museum features memorials and historical facts of the Holocaust and recognizes the Righteous Gentiles who aided the Jews against Nazi oppression.
Finally, we will head back to the port in time for your departure or for your overnight stay.
Included in the tour:
- Luxurious, new, comfortable and air-conditioned mini-bus.
- Top-rated, licensed tour guide with expertise in Jerusalem history and culture.
- A small group of 6-16 persons.
- Entrance and audio guide for Yad Vashem.
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 (at your own discretion).
- Other personal expenses.
Additional Information
- The tour will last between 8-9 hours long.
- You will be walking roughly 2 kilometers and climbing stairs in the Old City, 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.
- Travelers with special needs, (i.e. limited mobility and wheelchair-bound persons) must inform us prior to booking their excursion.
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. The good news is that humidity is minimal in Jerusalem.
- 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.
- Since we will be visiting some sacred sites in Jerusalem, it is worth reminding that the custom in Israel is to keep knees and shoulders covered in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter and in the Christian holy sites.
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Booking The Jerusalem Tour
The Jerusalem 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
