Tanakh (Tanach): Off the Beaten Path Tour

Pick up from your hotel

Ayalon Valley (can combine it with the Tank Museum of Latrun)

• Where one of the greatest miracles in world history happened when the sun stood still for 36 hours
• One of the most impressive victories for the Maccabees (of Chanukah fame) happened here 
• For more on this beautiful site, check out this article I wrote: Ayalon Valley

Kever (tomb of)  Dan ben Yaakov (Jacob's Son)

Tel Gezer

• City built by Shlomo HaMelech aka King Solomon (we will actually see it’s remains)
• Tanach says this ancient city was a wedding gift from Pharoah for his new son in law when he married Bat (daughter of) Pharoah
• This place was one of the main bases for the Greeks in their fight against the Maccabees
• One of the oldest Hebrew inscriptions ever was found here
• For more on this incredible site, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Gezer
   

            Some of the other sites we can visit include:

Tzora (Zorah) and Eshtoal

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• Where the “Spirit of Hashem rested on Shimson ((Samson)
• We will see the Altar of Manoach (Shimson’s father)
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Zorah

Kever Shimson (Samson) and Manoach

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• View of Timna where Yehuda (Judah) met Tamar
• See where Shimson (Samson) fought the lion

Tel Beit Shemesh

• Largest First Temple era water system outside of Yerushalayim. We will have the option to descend into it. Place where Hashem send a plague when the Mishkan (Tabernacle) passed through here after being with the Philistines for 7 months 
• Border between the tribes of Yehuda (Judah) and Dan
• Was one of the Levite cities
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Beit Shemesh 

Biblical Jarmuth (Tel Yarmut) 

• Site of one of the world's oldest palaces.
• The city waged war on Joshua and was soundly defeated. 
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Jarmuth

​Tel Azekah 

• See the place where Dovid HaMelech (King David) and Goliath had their fateful encounter.
• We will walk into the dry river bed to see the smooth stones David used against the giant.
• Was the third to last place destroyed by Babylonia (Jerusalem of course being the last) 
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: David and Goliath Battle Site

Biblical Museum of Natural History

• Learning about the animals of Tanach (the Bible). 
• Lots of touching and feeling opportunities. 
• For more on the exotic animals of Israel, check out these articles I wrote:  Top 5 incredible animals you didn't realize once roamed Israel  &  Top 5 incredible animals you didn't realize are still found in Israel's Wild 

Tel Lachish 

• Was the second most important city in Judea (after Jerusalem) during the time of the First Temple period
• Was destroyed first by Assyria. 
• In Sennacherib's (the King of Assyria) palace was found and he had a relief of the Lachish battle showing the siege ramps (which are still noticeably visible at the site)
• After being rebuilt, it became the second to last city destroyed by Babylonia (Jerusalem was the last)
• We will see very impressive ruins and views
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Lachish

Givat Yona (Ashdod Port Lookout)

• Gorgeous panoramic view of Ashdod including it’s port (Israel’s Largest), the Judean Mountains, Ashkelon and more.
• According to tradition, this may be the burial spot of Yona HaNavi (Jonah the prophet)
• Was a Philistine Stronghold 
• For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: The Hill of Jonah

Tel Gat (Biblical Gath)

• Birth place of the world's most famous giant Goliath (an inscription with his name was found here)
• We will see the massive city gate which was clearly built for giant people
• King David fled here to escape the wrath of his father in law Shaul HeMelech (King Saul) and feigned insanity
• For more on this rarely visited treasure, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Gath

                  Tour package options: ​
 

* Full day tour includes your private tour guide, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. Admission & car rental is extra (for no extra charge, we can take care of those logistics for you). Bring as many participants as you would like. This full day option costs $650.
 

**Full day tour includes your private tour guide, private driver, vehicle, pickup/drop off at your door,, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. Starts at $1095  (dependent on size of vehicle needed). Admission extra (but minimal).