“What a trip! Leading up to visiting Israel we were excited with anticipation, but boy did it exceed anything we had imagined. Our tour guide CJ was outstanding. He broke down the Jewish culture, past and modern history, biblical connections/application, and geography of Israel at every site. It was just so awesome with how many sites and artifacts we were shown and how seamlessly our trip was organized. Throughout the week we were taken well care of. We stayed in very nice hotels, ate great food, and enjoyed a comfortable, air-conditioned bus driven by our expert driver, Happy. Happy made sure we stayed hydrated and took extra special care of us in keeping us safe. CJ and Happy complemented each other wonderfully. With packed days of touring, we enjoyed restful evenings. We also felt safe and secure throughout our travels, allowing us to delve fully into what we were learning and what God was teaching us about Himself.
Besides enjoying CJ and Happys sense of humor, we quickly experienced camaraderie between the rest of our group, which made little things like traveling, eating, and taking pictures fun. Thank you all for loving on us; we thank God for you and this short time we were able to connect. And most importantly we thank God as we recognize all the lessons we learned along the way. He definitely used this trip to reveal new things to us as we learned more about the Bible, God, and ourselves.
Thank you and many Blessings,
Jeanne Jackson
What’s Included
- Airfare from group departure city
- All Transfers
- Baggage Handling
- Breakfast & Dinner Daily
- Entrance Fees to all Sites
- Gratuities
- Itinerary as per Description
- Premium Accommodations
- Professional Tour Guides
- Transportation by Deluxe Motor Coach
Schedule
Day 1 Depart USA
Relax and rest on your flight from the USA.
Day 2 Arrive in Rome
Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport airport the group will be met by a tour escort (who will accompany the group throughout). Transfer to Hotel in Rome. Welcome dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Rome
Full day Vatican Musuems with Sistine Chapel, St. Peter Basilica, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain Pantheon and Navona Sp.
Day 4 Imperial Rome
Full day Imperial Rome including: Baths of Caracalla (out side), the Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, Colosseum inside (not guaranteed) Arch of Titus, Arch of Constatine, St. Peter in Chain, Capitolium and Piazza Venezia.
Day 5 Rome to Florence
Morning departure to Florence, on route stop to Assisi for tour of Basilica St. Francis, Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli. Free time for lunch (not included). Continue to Florence. Dinner at hotel or local restaurant. Overnight.
Day 6 Florence
Walking guided tour through the center of Florence: Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Baptistry “Doors ofParadise”, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Fontana del Nettuno , Ponte Vecchio and the Market. Visit the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s David along with his Unfinished Artworks, the Pietà and the Slaves. Free time for lunch during the tour. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel
Day 7 Pisa and Lucca
Today, enjoy a tour to Lucca and Pisa. Lucca is a peaceful place with narrow lanes that wind among the medieval buildings, opening suddenly to reveal churches, tiny piazzas, and many other reminders of the city’s long history, including a Roman amphitheater. This town is well known for its magnificent 16th and 17th century ramparts, which having remained intact, encircle its narrow streets which are lined with many medieval buildings. In the afternoon, we continue to Pisa to see its incredible Leaning Tower. It is 14 feet off center at the top because of settling after construction was started in 1173. Your visit of Pisa will also include a sightseeing tour of Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles, to see the Baptistery and Duomo (entrance included); all are fine examples of the Pisan-Romanesque architectural style.
Day 8 Tuscani
Today will board the bus to visit the visit a Chianti Wine Farm where you will enjoy a wine tasting and cooking class. Late in the afternoon travel back to Florence (B,L).
Day 9 Venice
Departure to Venice, on route stop in Modena for a Balsamic vinegar tasting and lunch at local restaurant. Arrive in Venice late in the afternoon and transfer by watertaxi to your hotel
Day 10 Venice
After breakfast, leave the hotel by bus and transfer to Venice center by private boat. A two-hour guided tour will take you to St Mark’s Square and Basilica. (outside) Clock Tower (outside view) and Grand Canal, Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sights. Free time for lunch. Remainder of the day at leisure. Return to Venice Mestre by private boat. Farewell Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Return to USA
Return to the USA
HOST CONTACT INFO
NAME: Dr. Mike Alexander
PHONE: 843-997-4143
EMAIL: mike@travelwithfriends.com
FIRST PAYMENT: 05/12/2024
FINAL PAYMENT: 06/11/2024
Jeanne Jackson
This was my first time to Isreal, and it was such a fantastic trip due to our guide Adam and our driver Money Mike! Adam is so knowledgeable and was really able to make each site come alive for me. We had a really large group, and I am sure that Adam felt like he was “herding cats” all week, but he kept us together and moving through the areas while sharing so much information. With Mike’s driving and sense of humor, I felt very safe even though the streets sometimes seemed way too narrow for all of the buses and cars! The team of Adam and Money Mike were fabulous, and I would highly recommend them!!
Adrienne Carter
If you’re doing the Holy Land Tour, there’s no question in which company to choose - it’s Travel With Friends! The entire trip was very well planned and wasted no time in getting us in and out of sites while beating the crowds. Ibrahim was a phenomenal guide! He was personable, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable in the Bible and history of the land. Will definitely do this trip again and go through Travel With Friends!
Ellie Hill