Tours for Groups

NEW! Highlights of the Holy Land with Tel Aviv – 8 Days

Prices from £2,399 pp

Single Supplement £709

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Explore a wide range of historical sites touching on the history and archaeology of both and old and new testament.
Two nights in bustling Tel Aviv with visits to the ancient port town of Jaffa, founded by Noah's son Japhet
Two nights in Tiberius on the shores of the sea of Galilee
Three nights in Jerusalem, in a 4* hotel just outside the old city.

This pilgrimage is a new addition to McCabe's programme in the Holy Land and offers a chance for pilgrims to not only immerse themselves in the biblical sites, but to also experience the modern culture of Israel and Palestine. We begin in Tel Aviv, on the sea-front, close to the old port town of Jaffa where we explore old testament sites and get a taste of this vibrant city. On the way to Lake Tiberias we stop in Haifa with its Ba'Hai Gardens as well as the Mt Carmel National Park allow an excellent prelude to the transformative sights and sites that follow.

As with all McCabe pilgrimages, this tour is fundamentally an exploration of the life of Jesus. The rest of our days are dedicated to following the footsteps of Jesus and the apostles as we take in the sea of Galilee, River Jordan, Mount of Beatitudes and Bethlehem, with our pilgrimage culminating in three nights in the Holy city of Jerusalem.

In addition to a plethora of bibical sites we include cultural experiences such as tour the vibrant Carmel market and cooking class in Tel Aviv. We will also arrange worship at local sites and churches in consultation with each group's priest and/or tour leader.

This tour is a wonderful introduction to all aspects of the Holy Land and would be suitable for any church group wishing to explore the diverse history and culture of the region in a relatively compact but still relaxed eight days.

Below is a sample itinerary. Do contact us to discuss arrangements for your group. At the end of the itinerary also see other suggestions that may be of interest to create a special individual itinerary.

Itinerary is based on an early morning flight departing Heathrow at approximately 07:00. This is also possible on an afternoon flight with a late evening arrival in Tel Aviv. Flights are available direct from Heathrow, Gatwick (seasonal), Luton, Dublin and Manchester. Heathrow flights operate daily. Other airports operate schedules a few times a week which may require additional overnight stays in the Holy Land.

The 'from' price is based on a departure in January to mid-February, June or November to mid-December at currently quoted room rates and flight prices which can change subject to season and availability.

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Itinerary

Fly to Tel Aviv (D)

Itinerary is based on an early morning flight departing Heathrow at approximately 07:00. This is also possible on an afternoon flight with a late evening arrival in Tel Aviv. Flights are available direct from Heathrow, Gatwick (seasonal), Luton, Dublin and Manchester. Heathrow flights operate daily. Other airports operate schedules a few times a week which may require additional overnight stays in the Holy Land.

Morning: meet your Group Leader and check-in for your flight to Tel Aviv.

Afternoon: arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport and be met by your expert local guide who will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in Tel Aviv for a two-night stay.

Evening: dinner in the hotel. Late evening arrivals will be offered a cold platter served in the room.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Tel Aviv city tour - Carmel Market tasting tour (B, L, D)

Morning: a city tour of Tel Aviv starting in Jaffa to explore the stony walkways and beautiful port overlooking the Tel Aviv skyline, with its art galleries and historic stone buildings. Jaffa is perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean and named after Japhet - one of Noah's three sons who founded the city after escaping from the flood. Visit Neve Tzedek, a neighborhood known for its chic boutiques and whimsical buildings.

Afternoon: enjoy a cooking class and food tour of the Carmel Market. Take in the sensory delights of this vibrant market teeming with flavors, and continue onto a graffiti tour of Florentin’s street art. Learn of the rich history of the formation of Tel Aviv along the way. Make notable stops at sites like Independence Hall and Rabin Square to better understand this iconic city.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Caesarea - Haifa and Mt Carmel (B, D)

Morning: depart Tel Aviv and travel to Caesarea built by the Romans and enlarged under Herod. Ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and modern residences sit side-by-side. Continue to Haifa. Set upon Mount Carmel its scenery and terrain is stunning. The city’s crown jewel when it comes to tourism is undoubtedly the Bah’ai Gardens. These beautiful gardens are a place of pilgrimage for members of the Bah’ai faith. They sit on terraces sloping down Mount Carmel towards the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. At the bottom of the gardens is Haifa’s German Colony. The area’s famous for its pretty streets of restored templar-era buildings.

Afternoon: after free time in Haifa continue to beautiful Mt Carmel with its Druze villages and lush vegetation and the home of Elijah's challenge. After continue to Tiberius and check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Evening: dinner in the hotel

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Golan, Capernaum Mount of Beatitudes and Galilee cruise (B, L, D)

Morning: travel to Upper Golan and Banias National Park for a short walk to the Banias Waterfall that provides water to the River Jordan. Mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, under the name of Caesarea Philippi, as the place where Jesus confirmed Peter's confession that Jesus was the Messiah. After, continue to Capernaum where Jesus lived after being driven from Nazareth and also the home of the disciples Peter, Andrew and Matthew and where several healings took place.

Afternoon: lakeside worship at Tabgha the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes where Jesus fed the 5,000. Here we visit the Church of St. Peter's Primacy, the location of Jesus' reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles. After an included lunch in a local restaurant continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, followed by a relaxing cruise across the Sea of Galilee on a traditional wooden boat. A great time to contemplate the path you have followed these last days.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Nazareth and the Jordan River Baptismal site (B, D)

Morning: depart Tiberias for Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where Mary the mother of Jesus was first visited by the Angel Gabriel. It is Nazareth where Jesus spent most of his life, and the surrounding region of Galilee where he spent most of the few short years of his ministry. Later we visit Cana where the miracle of the turning of water to wine is said to have taken place.

Afternoon: continue to the Jordan River Baptismal site and visit where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Then onto Qumran, located on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert, known as the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Pass by Jericho on route to Jerusalem where you check-in to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Jerusalem - Mount of Olives, City of David and Mount Zion (B, L, D)

Morning: a moving start to the day at The Mount of Olives with many biblical and historical connections as well as being a sacred burial place. It leads to a panoramic view of Jerusalem and the Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus frequently went with his disciples to pray and, on the night before his crucifixion, was arrested.

Afternoon: after an included lunch continue to visit the City of David Hill and National Park, Hezekiah's Tunnel and Mt. Zion; the highest point in Jerusalem. After, continue to the Upper Room (Cenacle) considered to be the site of the Last Supper and where Jesus appeared twice after his resurrection. We finish at the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, dedicated to the episode from the New Testament known as the Denial of Peter.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Jerusalem and Bethlehem (B, D)

Morning: walk through the Zion Gate to visit the Church of St Anne and the pool at Bethesda, identified as the scene of one of Jesus’ miracles, the healing of the paralysed man who had waited for 38 years for someone to help him into the pool “when the water is stirred” — an event believed to have curative powers. After, we stroll the Via Dolorosa “the sorrowful way” in which Jesus travelled on the day of his crucifixion from the judgement seat of Pilate to Mount Calvary. Your guide will give a fascinating insight and pause some of the fourteen stations of the cross and describe the incidents that took place.

Afternoon: after free time for lunch journey to the Shepherds Fields and join together in worship at the site where an angel of the Lord came and said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy’. A thoroughly moving experience. Visit the Basilica of the Nativity in Manger Square, the oldest complete church in the Christian world, which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It replaced the original church of Constantine the Great, built over the cave venerated as Christ’s birthplace, and dedicated in AD 339.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Israel Museum, Elah Valley - return flight (B)

Morning: depart Jerusalem for Tel Aviv Airport to visit The Israel Museum. The focus of the museum is on the art, Judaica and ancient artifacts of the Land of Israel and beyond, featuring the most extensive holdings of Biblical and Holy Land archeology in the world. The museum has a collection of nearly 500,000 objects, representing a full scope of world material culture.

Afternoon: continue to the Elah Valley. The valley was of great strategic importance—a corridor from the coastline up through the center of Judah and its stronghold cities: Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jerusalem. It was also the setting for the epic biblical battle between David, the future King of Israel, and Goliath, a Philistine giant from Gath. After continue to the airport, check-in for your return evening flight and bid farewell to your local guide and the Holy Land.

Evening: return arrival in the UK.

Itinerary is based on an evening flight arriving late evening in the UK.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS FOR YOR GROUPS HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE

There are a number of things that we can offer to the main tour programme to create your groups individual experience in the Holy Land. Some may require additional night stays and always subject to availability. When contacting us do enquire. Some suggestions would be...
- Worship opportunities with local communities
- Stay a night in a Bedouin camp
- Visit a Druze community
- Spend Sabbath dinner with an Orthodox Jewish Family and be welcomed into their home
- Stay in a Kibbutz near Galilee instead of Tiberias
- Stay in Bethlehem instead of Jerusalem
- Visit and swim in the Dead Sea
- Add a stay in Tel Aviv
- Visit of McCabe Educational Trusts sponsored projects

Essential Information

Included excursions

Tel Aviv old port city of Jaffa (Yafo)
Ancient Roman port of Caesarea
Haifa and the Ba'Hai Gardens
Banias Nature Reserve and the Golan Heights
Capernaum and the Mensa Christi Church
Tabgha - site of the feeding of the 5,000
Mount of Beatitudes - site of the Sermon on the Mount
Sea of Galilee cruise
Nazareth and Basilica of the Annunciation
Jordan River Baptismal site
Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Dead Sea
The Mount of Olives
Old Jerusalem, Jewish Quarter and Western Wall
Guided stroll of Via Dolorosa "the sorrowful way"
The Shepherds Fields with worship
Bethlehem - Basilica of the Nativity
Israel Museum
Elah Valley

Optional excursions

None! All excursions, entrance fees and extras as listed above and below are included.

Included extras

Hotel baggage porterage
Local guide and drivers’ gratuities
All restaurant and hotel gratuities
Other small local gratuities
Personal audio guiding system

Included meals & drinks

Meals: half-board and three lunches. One lunch will be your tasting tour of Tel Aviv's Carmel Market and the other two lunches will be in local restaurants. Dinners, for the most part, will be in your hotels.

Drinks: juices and tea or coffee are available with all breakfasts. All other drinks will be at your own expense.

Our team in The Holy Land

This itinerary includes a qualified local guide to bring the holy sites and ancient wonders to life. They will be staying with you and escorting you throughout.

Your journey

Direct flights to Tel Aviv are available from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Dublin.

UK regional flights to Heathrow as well as flight seat upgrades for additional comfort and ease through the airport can also be arranged on all El Al, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways flights from Heathrow.

Flights from Gatwick, Luton and Manchester are with easyJet and do not always operate daily so some itineraries may need to be longer to allow for this.

Flight times from the UK to Tel Aviv are approximately five hours and mostly daytime flights arriving in the mid to late afternoon or evening into Tel Aviv.

The transfer from Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem is approximate 90 minutes and to Tiberias approximately two and a half hours.

Your hotels

TEL AVIV: GRAND BEACH HOTEL (4*)

Located in a prime location, the heart of the bustling city of Tel Aviv, the Grand Beach Hotel offers you spacious rooms, stylish urban design, and the unmatchable sensation of a truly relaxing vacation. Enjoy the warm beaches of Tel Aviv, only a few minutes away from the exciting Carmel Market, prestige restaurants and cafes, leading clubs and bars, shopping and cultural centers, and so much more. Experience the Tel Aviv lifestyle firsthand!

Hotel facilities: outdoor rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace, bar, lounge and restaurant.

Your room: all come equipped air-conditioning/ heating, mini-bar, safe, iron and ironing board and complimentary WiFi.

Your bathroom: shower over the bath tub, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

TIBERIAS: EMILY’S BOUTIQUE HOTEL (4*)

Situated just 100 metres from the shores of the Sea of Galilee and just a 10 minute stroll to the Old City Bazaar and harbour area with its café’s and boutique shopping area. Emily’s Boutique |Hotel

Hotel facilities: outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, private chapel, bar, lounge and restaurant.

Your room: all come equipped with balcony, air-conditioning/ heating, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary WiFi.

Your bathroom: shower over the bath tub, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

JERUSALEM: ST. GEORGE HOTEL (4*)

Situated in East Jerusalem just 500 metres from the Damascus Gate and Sha’ar Shkhem Square ideal for accessing the old city of Jerusalem and many of the major religious sites are within walking distance, as are the main shopping centers of East and West Jerusalem. The hotel has the only rooftop swimming pool in the city centre.

Hotel facilities: outdoor rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace, bar, lounge and restaurant.

Your room: all come equipped with air-conditioning/ heating, mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary WiFi.

Your bathroom: shower or bath tub on request, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Practical information

Single supplements and 'twin to share' rooms

Where possible we try to keep single supplements to a minimum. We charge the basic price and accommodate your member with a person of the same sex from your group who has requested shared accommodation. If we do not find someone to share with them, they will be accommodated in a single room at only 50% of the usual single room supplement. For single travellers who do require single accommodation this should be requested when booking and, if available, the normal supplement will be payable.

Entry requirements

Passports should be valid for at least six months after the time of travel and a visa is issued free of charge to UK passport holders on entering Israel. There are currently no further requirements for entering the Palestinian territories. Non-British passport holders should consult the McCabe office as they may be required to apply in advance for a visa. No inoculations are essential, but we advise travellers to consult their GP regarding personal requirements.

For the latest and most up to date travel advice including entry requirements please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office travel advice website.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Health & wellbeing

If you haven't had a booster in the last ten years it is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Vaccination, Covid-19 and health information can change so please contact your local health care provider for the most up to date information. We will send up to date information on entry requirements with your final paperwork approximately 14 days before departure.

Adequate insurance cover will be required for all hospital emergencies and doctors’ visits.

Climate

Israel has a warm, sunny and dry climate. The weather is often sunny and clear in Israel. It is one of the least cloudy and least rainy regions on Earth.

The peak season is March, April and May when temperatures are on average in the low 20’s and Autumn (September, October and November) when temperatures are in the high 20’s in the center of the country. Temperatures are generally higher in the south of the country and the Galilee area. Winters are milder so the lower seasons of November, December, January and February will still be much warmer that the UK. Hotel and flight prices at these times are better and offer a greater value for money tour for your group.

Israel is hot in the summer months with average temperatures across country over 30C.

Clothing

Israel is more liberal than its neighbouring countries, but you should dress inconspicuously and avoid wearing clothes that could be regarded as provocative (e.g. very short skirts, skimpy shorts, strappy tops where shoulders are exposed and low plunging neck lines). Shorts and t-shirts are fine as long as they are not too short and skimpy. Swimwear around hotel pools is perfectly acceptable. For some church visits legs and arms are required to be covered but a headscarf is not necessary, and you will find next to no other restrictions elsewhere throughout your holiday in the Holy Land.

We recommend you take clothing for spring/summer weather and a couple of warmer items such as a fleece or sweater for the evenings when it may be a bit cooler. Sports shoes with fairly thick cushioned soles for uneven pavements are also recommended.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking (and stairs) involved on a daily basis on this pilgrimage so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guide will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up then please make sure you tell them so they can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Whilst this is not a trekking or adventure holiday there will be some walking required where you may be on your feet for up to 90 minutes at some ancient sites and must be able to walk up to a mile as well as climb two to three flights of stairs. The paving may not always be smooth and seating not always available.

Travel insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

You can read McCabe reviews on the AITO website here

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Dates

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