Day 1, Monday – Israel Pilgrims El Al flight to Israel
Day 2, Tuesday – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1) Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion airport by your ITC guide See the famous Rappaport sculpture, “Scrolls of Fire,” an artistic rendition of Jewish and Israeli history (time permitting) Ascend to Jerusalem and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem Hotel check-in Welcome dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 3, Wednesday – Jerusalem of Old The day begins with a drive along the pre-1967 border of Jerusalem, continuing to the historic Mt. Scopus Enter the Old City of Jerusalem via the Zion Gate Experience time for prayer and reflection at the Kotel (Western Wall) Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized “walk” through the ancient Temple Mount at the Davidson Center In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones Travel through time at the lively Jerusalem Time Elevator multi-media production for an colorful overview of Jerusalem history Meet with the rabbi at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah service Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 4, Thursday – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics? Early departure for the ascent by cable car to the mountain fortress of Masada for a tour of this amazing excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Join together in Masada’s ancient synagogue for a compelling Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi nature reserve and hear the biblical story of kings David and Saul that took place there “on site” Enjoy a dip in the amazing Dead Sea Delicious group dinner at Little Italy dairy restaurant
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 5, Friday – Those Who Made a Difference Take in a truly special multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the new Herzl Exhibit (based on availability) At the Har Herzl Military Cemetery honor the memory of Israel’s fallen heroes, who have given their lives to establish a secure Jewish homeland. We’ll visit the resting places of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, and Yitzhak Rabin Visit the unforgettable Memorial Museum and Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem (age 12 and over only). Walk through the haunting Valley of the Communities and participate in a moving “Yizkor” service; younger children enjoy a visit to Jerusalem’s wonderful Biblical Zoo Visit the colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat Our preparation for Shabbat takes us to the Kotel to welcome the Sabbath - an experience that will live on in your memory for years to come We share in a delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 6, Shabbat – Shabbat in Jerusalem Explore the wonderful fortress that houses the Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David to learn about the history of Jerusalem throughout the ages. Walking tour through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City Afternoon at leisure for Shabbat rest or time to visit with family and friends Free evening “out on the town” in Jerusalem
Day 7, Sunday – Northern Journey Depart for our trip to Israel’s north At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, climb on the tanks and learn about the battles that secured the road to Jerusalem Plant a tree in Israeli soil, in honor or in memory of a loved one Tour the remarkable excavation of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, many residences, amphitheatre, etc. Continue northeast, and stop to swim in the wondrous natural pools at Sachne, fed by underground springs Enjoy a Lake Kinneret boat ride followed by a delicious lakeshore dinner at Decks Restaurant
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias
Day 8, Monday – In the Footsteps of the Kabbalah Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat Gain a deeper understanding of the Golan Heights. Hear the story of the most expansive land battle in the world, which took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War Take an exciting jeep ride through the Golan, off the beaten track Enjoy gliding down the Jordan River in a kayak Dinner at the kibbutz
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias
Day 9, Tuesday – Many Layers of History Travel to the Crusader City of Acco; visit a “cool and creepy” Crusader Fortress and the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; walk through Acco’s underground tunnels to the port Visit the wonderful excavations of ancient Caesaria, including an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct and the newly-opened multi-media center, where ancient history comes to life Travel south, to Tel Aviv, and enjoy the colorful Nahalat Binyamin crafts market (time permitting) Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (based on availability) Free evening in Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Day 10, Wednesday – Foundations of the Modern State At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute Uncover actual artifacts as you participate in an ongoing archeological dig – the “Dig for a Day” program at Tel Maresha. “Cave crawl” also available for the adventurous Enjoy a farewell dinner party at the hotel
Those on the 11-day tour depart for the airport – the memories stay with you forever!
If continuing on to Eilat you will stay overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 11, Thursday – Arrive home. Start planning your next trip to Israel with ITC! **Please look below for Eilat Tour information.**
Eilat Optional Extension
Making the 11 day tour 15 days---plus an optional 1 day tour to Petra, Jordan. 5 Star Accommodations- Meals as listed
Thursday, Southern Trails The Valley of The Statues & Timna Park After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Tel Aviv and transfer to Tel Aviv Domestic Airport for your flight to Eilat. After landing at Eilat Airport you will be met by ITC representative and transferred to your Hotel. Hotel check-in and free time to prepare for your unique desert experience. Enjoy a special afternoon jeep safari to Eilat wilderness (summer departure at 4 pm): This tour is a perfect combination of desert jeep safari and the beauty of Timna Park. On this tour we are heading north along the Arava valley through salt pans were we can see a lot of water birds like Flamingos. From there we drive to the Valley of The Statues where the natures sculpt the sand stone into beautiful shapes. In the Timna Park we visit Solomon Pillars, Mushrooms, Chariot carvings, and old copper mines. During the tour at the Timna Park, we stop in a Bedouin tent to enjoy the famous hospitality and drinks.
Return to your hotel for Overnight
Friday, The Red Sea Board a luxury touring yacht for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for those who would like to get “up close and personal” with the most exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world On this cruise will take you sailing along the Jordanian water border with Israel, and then southwards to the Taba border with Egypt. A B.B.Q. lunch is served on deck accompanied by a variety of Mediterranean salads, rice, fresh bread, wine and fruit juice. The ship then moors at Eilats southernmost beach and you will have time for swimming and snorkeling - or for a real treat, order water sports or, an introductory guided scuba dive at a minimal extra cost. Prépare for Shabbat Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Eilat
Shabbat, Shabbat in Eilat Enjoy a day & evening at leisure on Eilat’s gorgeous beaches Or- Petra excursion –visit the Nabetean city (extra charge) Our Petra excursion is from 7am to the evening. You need to apply for this extension in order to book your trip to Petra. We will secure your Jordanian Visa’s
Overnight: Eilat
Sunday, Desert History Morning at leisure to sample the delights of Eilat, including water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, or even a swim with the dolphins (extra charges may apply for some of these activities) Early afternoon hotel check-out for flight to Tel Aviv Depart for Ben Gurion Airport for your international flight to the USA
Monday, A Temporary Departure Return to USA Begin planning your next Israel trip with ITC Tours!
