TUESDAY, DAY 1 – EN ROUTE
WEDNESDAY, DAY 2- JERUSALEM
Welcome to Israel! Drive 3,000 feet high into the Judean Hills to the Golden City of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. Early evening briefing on Israel and your special program, followed by a Welcome to Israel get-together.
THURSDAY, DAY 3- JERUSALEM
Morning visit to the Hadassah Hospital and see the Chagall Windows, before continuing to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust; visit the Museum, Children’s Pavillion and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous. Then to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s military heroes and visit the Mt. Herzl Museum. Drive via the Supreme Court Building and the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time to walk through the Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; and see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem Tonight, see the illuminated walls of the Old City en route to a restaurant for dinner.
FRIDAY, DAY 4- JERUSALEM
Drive to Mt. Zion, traditional site of King David’s Tomb. Visit the restored Jewish Quarter (its Cardo was Roman “heart” of Jerusalem), and the Davidson Center. Visit the excavated Herodian Mansions, intact after 2,000 years, and descend to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, Or (depending on accessibility) the extraordinary Western Wall Tunnels. Walk along the ancient Via Dolorosa, which traverses the city’s ancient bazaars. Tonight welcome the onset of Shabbat at the Western Wall, followed by Shabbat dinner at your hotel.
SATURDAY, DAY 5 – JERUSALEM
Attend services, if you wish, then a late morning walking tour to charming Yemin Moshe, the first Jewish neighborhood outside the Old city, Visit the fascinating Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem in the Old Citadel.
SUNDAY, DAY 6- JERUSALEM-DEAD SEA-MASADA
Descend through the stark Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, lowest point on earth. Ascend Masada by cable car; tour the remains of Herod’s palace-fortress, where zealots chose suicide over surrender. Continue to the Dead Sea shore, for a wonderful lunch and afternoon as guests of an elegant Dead Sea spa-hotel! Float in the Dead Sea, or enjoy the sauna, pool and Jacuzzi. Return to Jerusalem feeling 20 years younger!
MONDAY, DAY 7- GALILEE-TIBERIAS
Drive to the military junction at Latrun, once the border with Jordan. See the French Trappist Monastery and visit the Tank Division Memorial. Continue to Beit Shearim, recently chosen as a protected site by the U.N. Explore its vast cemetery and its agricultural cooperative settlement (Moshav) Continue to Nahalal, Israel’s first Moshav settlement and birthplace of Moshe Dayan. After lunch, continue to Tiberias, one of the four holy cities of Judaism, on the Sea of Galilee. Tonight, Argentinean-style Dinner in a delightful waterside restaurant.
TUESDAY, DAY 8- TIBERIAS
This morning visit the vast Roman city of Bet Shean, including the reconstructed public buildings from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Then, ascend the monumental Golan Heights for a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee and surrounding areas. Arrive at Kibbutz Kfar Haruv, settled by Americans and Israelis together and meet kibbutzniks over lunch. Drive to Katzrin, and the Golan winery. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
WEDNESDAY, DAY 9 TIBERIAS-HAIFA
See the 4th century synagogue at Capernaum, before continuing to Safed, one of Judaism’s four holy cities to wander its winding lanes to ancient synagogues and artists’ studies. Continue to Acre, the ancient port immortalized by the Crusaders, the Turks and the British. See the underground Crusader City, the Mediterranean battlements and the exotic markets, then onto Haifa, draped up the slopes of Mount Carmel. Tour the magnificent Bahai Gardens and see the restored Templar Colony. Evening at leisure.
THURSDAY, DAY 10 – HAIFA-TEL AVIV
Visit Atlit Camp, where the British incarcerated the Holocaust survivors. Drive to the nearby Druze village of Ussafiyeh for an authentic Druze lunch then onto Caesarea, with its Roman Theatre, Crusader Fortress and newly opened multi-media center. History will come alive at this newest attraction! Continue to Tel Aviv, Israel’s bustling metropolis. Tonight, discover the vibrant Tayelet promenade abuzz with cafes, entertainment and crowds.
FRIDAY, DAY 11- TEL AVIV
Visit the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, an extraordinary exhibition of 20 centuries of Jewish wandering. Pass by Rabin Square, the memorial to Israel’s assassinated prime minister en route to Machon Ayalon for a fascinating glimpse into the activities of the organization known as the Haganah. Continue to the old port city of Jaffa, magnificently restored. Spend the balance of the afternoon at lively Nachlat Benjamin with its delightful cafes and crafts stalls – the place to be on a Friday afternoon! Shabbat Dinner.
SATURDAY, DAY 12- TEL AVIV
A delightful leisure day. How about participating in Israeli folk dancing on the Tayelet? Late afternoon Bon Voyage Get-Together caps an exciting and unforgettable visit to Israel. LM
A transfer is provided to Ben Gurion Airport only for the midnight flight back to the U.S.
If taking the Eilat Extension - overnight in Tel Aviv
Passengers on flights departing after Midnight on El Al
Late evening transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.
At Ben Gurion Airport, enjoy the comfort of the Dan VIP Lounge while you await your flight's departure. Please be sure to check on boarding time of your flight with the hosts at the lounge as no announcement is made within the lounge area.
Passengers on morning flights on El Al
SUNDAY, DAY 13: En Route
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. At Ben Gurion Airport, enjoy the comfort of the Dan VIP Lounge while you await your flight's departure. Please be sure to check on boarding time of your flight with the hosts at the lounge as no announcement is made within the lounge area.
Eilat Optional Extension
Double occupancy, $600.00; single, add $300.
SUNDAY, DAY 13 – EILAT
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Eilat. Taxi independently to your gorgeous oceanfront hotel. A delicious leisure day waits.
MONDAY, DAY 14 – EILAT
Full day at leisure to explore, perhaps take an optional tour to Petra.
TUESDAY, DAY 15 – EILAT
Day at leisure. Check out is scheduled at Noon. Early afternoon transfer independently by taxi to the airport for your flight to Ben Gurion. Shuttle from the two terminals is available for your continuing flight. At Ben Gurion Airport, enjoy the comfort of the DAN VIP Lounge while you await your flight's departure. Please be sure to check on boarding time of your flight with the hosts at the lounge as no announcements are made within the lounge area.
WEDNESDAY, DAY 16 - EN ROUTE
Arrive in the US
*Itinerary items subject to change.
