Israel is a spectacular travel destination with endless attractions, natural wonders, and historic landmarks. And if you want to discover the Holy Land comfortably without being jostled by large tour groups or conned by small-time “guides” then you should opt for a luxury private tour.
With one of the Israel private tours, you’ll be able to see the country but avoid the unpleasantness of planning your logistics or standing in line for tickets. Instead, your guide will handle all the little details for you. You will also have a much better understanding of the sites you visit. During your downtime, you can relax in luxury hotels, pampering spas, and gourmet restaurants.
So what does a private luxury tour of Israel’s historic sites look like? Firstly you’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking certified and experienced tour guide. He or she will be at your disposal whenever you need them. Secondly, you’ll be transported from site to site in a luxury vehicle with air-conditioning. And in the Middle East A/C is important! Once you reach the historic sites, you can walk straight in, without lining up with the masses. And once inside, your knowledgeable guide will fill you in on the significance of the site. Of course, this list of historic sites in Israel is just a taste of what awaits you on a luxury private tour of Israel.
This huge palace complex was built over 2,000 years ago on the summit of a rock outcrop overlooking the Dead Sea. Thanks to its remote location the site has been well preserved and you can still see the Roman bathhouse, palaces, storerooms, guardhouse, and cisterns. Visitors take a cable car 1424ft (434m) to the plateau summit to reach Masada's ruins. About 100 years after Herod built his palace, Masada was the site of a historic stand-off between the Romans and the Jews. It has remained a symbol of national pride and courage for Israelis.
This 4th-century church in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City is the most sacred Christian site in the world, together with the site of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The awe-inspiring church was built to mark the site of Christ’s crucifixion and burial. The Holy Sepulchre lies at the end of the Via Dolorosa, and the final 5 Stations of the Cross are within the church. A private tour guide will help you navigate the cavernous church that covers more than 53819 square feet (5,000m²) and holds numerous small chapels and shrines belonging to different denominations.
The Western Wall (Wailing Wall or Kotel) is all that remains of the Second Temple that stood on Temple Mount until 70 AD. As such it is Judaism’s most sacred site. Jews come from across the globe to pray at the Kotel. Even if you are not religious or not Jewish, you will feel the spirituality at the Western Wall. And all visitors are welcome to place a prayer note between the massive stones of the wall. Your tour guide can explain the customs and etiquette for approaching the Western Wall.
Behind the Western Wall is Temple Mount where the Dome of the Rock, and Al-Aqsa Mosque stand. There are specific times when non-Muslims can visit Temple Mount, and there is a required dress code. Temple Mount is an iconic historic site and the Dome of the Rock in particular is breathtaking.
You will fall in love with the authenticity of Acre’s Old City which stands on the edge of the sea surrounded by massive walls. It is a living city which means that the houses are still lived in, the vibrant market is used by locals for their regular shopping, and the mosques, churches, and synagogues are still in use. Let your private guide take you through the narrow lanes, and even below ground to the remains of a Crusader city.
Herod the Great built a seaport at Caesarea, and an entire city grew up around the port. There are remains from other eras but the Roman city is phenomenal. You can walk among the various Roman structures, and see the surviving aqueducts, the remains of the hippodrome, and the fully preserved amphitheater. It is essential to have a guide if you want to understand the structures in Caesarea National Park.
Just like the historic sites, you will enjoy a visit to Israel’s museums more if you have a private guide. Some of the museums are vast and others have signage only in Hebrew which makes a guide even more of an asset. The following list is just a sample of the excellent museums in Israel.
This massive museum covers numerous genres of art, ancient archaeological exhibits, and cultural artifacts. The museum has temporary and permanent exhibits, as well as outdoor exhibits on the museum grounds. Alongside the Israel Museum is the Shrine of the Book, which holds the remains of the Dead Sea Scrolls. If you visit the Israel Museum without a private guide you are likely to get lost or miss the most important exhibits.
At ANU you can learn about the various Jewish communities and traditions from around the world. The museum tells the story of the Jewish people past and present through authentic artifacts, and using the latest museum display technology.
Israel’s Holocaust museum and memorial to those who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazis is one you will never forget. There are collections of authentic artifacts, documents, and historic photos from the Holocaust. As well as art by Holocaust survivors and a memorial to the 1.5 million Jewish children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Perhaps the most moving exhibit is the collection of video testimonials by Holocaust survivors.
Here you can see some of the rich Islamic art from the region. It houses Islamic ceramics, jewelry, pottery, textiles, and religious objects. The permanent collection tells the cultural story of Islam and the art that has resulted from this culture. The museum is spread over six galleries and holds temporary exhibitions of Islamic art from all eras including contemporary Islamic art.
