SUNDAY, DAY 1 - DEPART U.S.
MONDAY, DAY 2- JERUSALEM
Welcome to Israel! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. Time to relax before this evening’s lovely Welcome Dinner. You’ll have a short briefing on your program and then a stroll through the Ben Yehuda promenade with its sidewalk cafes and local handicrafts. D
TUESDAY, DAY 3- JERUSALEM
Enter the gates of the Old City to the Jewish Quarter. Walk along the Cardo, the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem, for a timely, guided introduction to the history of Israel and the region. Visit the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago! On to the Davidson Center; you’ll see a fantastic computer imaging presentation of the Temple Mount some 2000 years ago. Continue through the amazing Southern Wall Excavations and then stop at the Kotel (Western Wall), Judaism’s holiest site. End the day walking back in time through the Rabbinical (Hasmonean) Tunnel (schedule permitting) under the Temple Mount, another monumental achievement of the ancient Israelites who inhabited Jerusalem thousands of years ago. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BD
WEDNESDAY, DAY 4 - JERUSALEM
Begin the tour today at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial; lecture followed by a tour of the Museum and the Children’s Memorial. Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous and to the Valley of the Lost Communities. After a special "Izkor" (memorial service), visit Mt. Herzl, the Military Cemetery where Theodore Herzl and many of Israel's great statesmen are buried. Plant a tree (time permitting) in a nearby JNF Forest. Then continue to the City of David, once capital of the Israeli kingdom where you’ll see a 3-D presentation. Explore the excavations; Warren’s shaft and learn about Jerusalem’s water supply in ancient times as you walk through the waters at the bottom of Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Shiloach Pools. Later, meeting and rehearsal with the Rabbi for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah families and celebrants. Evening is free to discover the nightlife and the great culinary options this city has to offer.
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THURSDAY, DAY 5 - JERUSALEM
Visit the famous Absalom Caves; see the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. Continue via the Elah Valley, where David fought Goliath, to Beit Guvrin for another day of shared family experiences and fun. Participate in a real archaeological dig! Visit the unique man-made Caves at Maresha where Jewish warriors lived and hid; Drive west to Latrun and the Armoured Corp Museum, site of many critical battles; climb onto the tanks and learn about the battles that secured the road to Jerusalem. On your return to Jerusalem, we’ll stop for dinner at a local restaurant with a Mediterranean flavour. This evening is not to be missed! Experience the amazing Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum.
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FRIDAY, DAY 6 - JERUSALEM
Begin the day at Ammunition Hill to learn about the 1967 battle that resulted in the unification of Jerusalem. Drive by the Supreme Court and the Knesset (Parliament) to the Israel Museum; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book. On to the colourful open-air market at Machane Yehuda. Then, participate in a Jewish-themed Treasure Hunt at the picturesque neighborhood of Nahlaot. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Before sunset, join Friday evening prayers at the Western Wall and watch the procession of Yeshiva students dancing their way to the Kotel to greet the Sabbath. Tonight, Traditional Shabbat Dinner at the hotel.
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SATURDAY, DAY 7- JERUSALEM
If you wish, attend morning Shabbat services at the Great Synagogue. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy this endlessly fascinating city or time to visit family and friends. Dinner on own. B
SUNDAY, DAY 8 - Dead Sea
Early this morning bid farewell to Jerusalem as you begin another exciting day. Travel through the Judean Desert with its beautiful rock formations and enchanting shapes to the lowest spot on earth – the Dead Sea. View Qumran on the way, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Arrive at Ein Gedi; hike through this enchanting oasis and waterfalls. Part of the afternoon will be spent relaxing at your hotel and floating in the Dead Sea – coat yourself with the famous black mud. It’s good for you! Late afternoon, we’ll travel further into the desert to meet Bedouins at Honokdim Farm. Test your camel riding skills and experience a Bedouin “Hafla” Dinner while you enjoy their unique hospitality and learn of their customs and traditions. Overnight at the Dead Sea.
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MONDAY, DAY 9 Masada/Tiberias Bar & Bar Mitzvah Day!
Mazel Tov! Today will be a most unforgettable day! Cable car to the top of the heroic heights of Masada, the last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Join together with our Rabbi at Masada’s ancient synagogue for a compelling Bar/ Bat Mizvah ceremony. Then, tour Herod’s palace, the bathhouse, the water system and storage rooms. Continue up the Jordan Valley and stop at Beit Shean, an ancient city from the time of King Saul; see the excavated remains of a Roman city. On to Sachne to bathe in the refreshing fresh water spring. Time permitting, visit Kochav Hayarden to explore the fine crusader fortress and enjoy the spectacular view of the Jordan Valley. Proceed to Tiberias for Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
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TUESDAY, DAY 10 - Galilee/golan
This morning, everyone gets a chance to test their target shooting skills at Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar. Then, continue to the ancient, sacred city of Safed; explore the galleries in the charming artist’s colony and the small synagogues. Visit an Army Base; chance to observe the equipment upfront and speak to the soldiers in a real combat unit who defend the northern border of Israel. And a change of pace – you’ll have a chance to visit the Naot Shoe factory for some “kosher” shoes. On to Kibbutz Manara for a cable ride taking you to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view. This evening, a sumptuous dinner at Decks Restaurant and boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Tiberias. BD
WEDNESDAY, DAY 11- Golan and Upper Galilee
Travel to Mt. Ben Tal at the Israel/Syrian border for a view of Kuneitra and beyond the border into Syria. On to Tel Dan to walk the nature trail along Dan, the largest source of the Jordan River. Then more fun as we take a jeep tour into the Golan Heights. You’ll also test your kayaking and rafting skills on the Jordan River and on the Omega. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
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THURSDAY, DAY 12 - Tel Aviv
The day begins at Mitzpe Hoshaya where the children can experience donkey riding, participate in cheese making and bread baking. Afterwards, on to Haifa to view the magnificent Bahai Temple and Gardens. Visit a Druze Village before continuing to Caesarea to explore the astounding Roman Amphitheatre and the Hippodrome – see “history come to life” at the Multi-Media Show. You’ll be able to “speak” to King Herod and many of the rulers of that era and others who shaped history 2000 years ago. Proceed to your hotel in vibrant Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea. Evening: Festive Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Dinner at your hotel. Bar/Bat Mitzvah children will be presented with a special certificate from the Government of Israel. BD
FRIDAY, DAY 13 - TEL AVIV
Start the day with a visit to the Diaspora Museum for a special family discovery; the children will have a special role in learning about the “Routes of the Roots.” Continue to Machon Ayalon to visit the pre-state underground Ammunition Factory. On to Jaffa, the old port city where we’ll stroll through the winding alleyways stopping at some of the unique shops and galleries. Continue to Independence Hall and feel the excitement of Ben Gurion where, in May 1948, he declared the establishment of the state of Israel. Walk through the Carmel Market to lively Nachlat Benyamin with its delightful cafes and craft stalls – the place to be on Friday afternoon! Tonight, Traditional Shabbat and Farewell Dinner at the hotel. BD
SATURDAY, DAY 14 – TEL AVIV
Day at leisure to enjoy all of the delights of this seaside city. Evening transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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SUNDAY, DAY 15 - EN ROUTE
Arrival in the US
Note: Itinerary details subject to change.
