A TOUR LIKE NO OTHER WITH BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGIST JOHN SODE-WOODHEAD
About the tour
The IEF DISCOVER ISRAEL TOUR is a unique blend of archaeological insight, Biblical sites and Israel’s beautiful culture. Each year, the tour is freshly designed so that travellers see new places. As a biblical archaeologist and licensed tour guide who has spent much of his life in Israel, John will lead you on a journey you will never forget.
Each year, we aim to offer two tours in April and November. We offer tours for both smaller and larger groups. Generally, we work with a company called Immanuel Tours, which has been operating in Israel for more than 50 years. With this combined experience, you will see the sites you visit in a new and exciting way.
More about the tour
Why Discover Israel?
Israel is a beautiful country full of rich history and Biblical significance. The land is full of variety and during the tour you will see beautiful vistas with mountains and valleys, deserts and waterscapes, ancient cities and new developments. The rich Jewish and Arab cultures are both very welcoming and traditional. You will enjoy the sites and flavours of two cultures living side by side in this Holy Land.
What makes this tour?
Each tour led by John, has a unique flavour. John carefully selects the itinerary in a way that each tour has a different focus and even if you have been to Israel before, you will experience something new.
IEF works alongside Immanuel Tours in Israel to make the tours possible. They have been welcoming tourists for more that 50 years and we love working alongside their team. They are responsible for booking the hotels and other tour related needs.
Our aim is to keep the cost of the tour under £2,000. Depending on exchange rates and hotel rates, the cost can vary from year to year. After you register your interest in joining a tour, we will communicate the details of each specific tour.
The IEF Discover Israel package includes
- Government licensed English speaking tour guide.
- Sightseeing according to itinerary, possibly subject to change. Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach. Entrance fees are included.
- 8 nights hotel accommodation.
- Meal arrangements: Half Board (breakfast & dinner at hotels).
- Tips for hotels, guide, and driver.
- Immanuel Tours welcome kit: map, hat, backpack.
- Pilgrim certificate.
Rates do not include
- Flights to and from Tel Aviv.
- Medical coverage, COVID cover for testing or quarantine, travel insurance and all related matters.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Single room supplement.
- Lunches unless specified.
- Any required visa costs or arrangements. Please consult your countries embassy for more details.
- Any services not mentioned above.
An example of an Itinerary is below.
Day 1 – Arrival in Israel
– Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport – transfer to our hotel in Netanya for dinner and overnight at Residence Hotel.
Day 2 – Caesarea – Megiddo – Mt.Gilboa
– First, today we visit Caesarea Maritima. We continue to Megiddo, the Har-Mageddon of the Book of Revelation. Continue to Mt. Gilboa and the Jezreel Valley. Arrive at our hotel, Ein Gev Holiday Resort at the Sea of Galilee, in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – Mt. Arbel – Magdala – Nazareth
– Begin the day at Mt. Arbel. Visit the Magdala archaeological site. Drive to Nazareth, where we shall visit Nazareth Village, Church of Annunciation, the market and Mt. Precipice. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Sea of Galilee – Golan Heights
– We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the site of Capernaum before we drive north through the Hula Valley to Tel Dan and the Golan Heights. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Dead Sea – Masada
– We drive south through the Jordan Valley. First stop is Qasr El Yehud baptismal site on the Jordan River. Continue to the Dead Sea. Visit Massada. Continue to Ein Gedi National Park. Swim in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Kalia
Day 6 – Jerusalem
– We drive to Jerusalem. Start at Mt. Olives, walk down Palm Sunday Rd., visit the Gethsemane Garden. Visit the City of David. Hezekiah’s Tunnel. We visit the Yad Vashem holocaust museum. Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book. Dinner and overnight at Prima Vera Hotel
Day 7 – Old City
– Enter the Old City from Jaffa Gate. Visit Mt. Zion and the Jewish Quarter. Time at the Western Wall. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – Negev Desert
– We check out from our hotel. First stop today is the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Golgatha. We leave Jerusalem and drive through the Elah Valley to the Negev Desert. Drive south to Ramon Crater. We visit Ein Avd at the National Park before driving to Tel Aviv for our last night in Israel. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at the 7even hotel in Tel Aviv.
Day 9 – Departure
– After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our departure flight.
During a tour, all details are subject to change.
Participant Registration
For each tour, please click on the link below to register your interest and to ask any initial questions.
Contact John regarding the tour in April.
Contact Angus regarding the tour in November.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Beginning January 1, 2025, all travellers entering Israel will need an Entry Visa (ETA).
How to Apply for an ETA:
The only official website to apply for an ETA is here.
For detailed information and a list of required documents, refer to this PDF if you have any other passport it is your responsibility to ensure you have the right visa arrangements in place. You are responsible to make sure you have at least 6 months left in your passport on the date of your return to the UK or Switzerland.
Insurance
You must have full travel insurance covering COVID-19, cancellation, loss of personal effects, and most importantly medical costs. Evidence of this must be provided along with final payment.
Safety
UK Foreign and Commonwealth office, and the Swiss Foreign Ministry guidance will be consulted as necessary and any actions consequent on this will be reviewed with Immanuel Tours. Tour Participants will be kept informed. Issues will be handled according to recommendations of the UK Foreign and Common Wealth office and the Swiss Foreign Ministry.
Typical weather to expect in April and November is a very comfortable 18-25C. You may find the odd shower or two, so layers are advisable.
You will visit many different sights, so it is important to pack comfortable clothes and shoes for walking (some of the trails will be uneven). On this discovery tour, you will need to be physically able to access sites by uneven trails and walk for some distance to ensure you get the most out of your time in Israel. Please note that some of the religious sights will require you to cover your shoulders and knees.
In Israel, people dress casually. There may be some occasions when you might get wet during the day, so please bring appropriate footwear and clothing.
Swimming will be possible in different locations, so please do bring swimwear and a towel. Layers are advisable due to changeable weather.
Please feel free to ask any questions about what to bring.
COST
We aim to keep the cost of the tour under £2,000. Depending on exchange rates and hotel rates, the cost can vary from year to year. After you register your interest in joining a tour, we will communicate the details of each specific tour with you.
PAYMENT
After registering your interest, we will be in touch regarding payment. There is an initial payment of £100 to secure your place, followed by the remaining payment in full.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding payment.
ROOMS
If you are travelling alone and wish to share a room, there are double and a limited number of triple rooms available. Also, there are a small number of single rooms, you would need to add a single room supplement (amount set by the hotels) to your cost should you prefer to have a room on your own.
The overall cost for the tour may be reduced if more people join. Please share and invite your friends to join you on a tour that you will always remember!
