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Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport. Our tour opens in Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the Land of Israel. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available). Witness the moving declaration of the State at Independence Hall. Visit the lovely, historic Tishbi Winery (near Binyamina) and enjoy a tour, wine-tasting, and lunch. Continue to Tiberias on the shores of Lake Kinneret.
Hotel check-in and dinner, overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum Hotel, Galilee.
Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Judah the Prince; discover ancient beauty and evidence of a community in which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully. Explore the synagogues, courtyard, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Meet with a Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations. In Tiberias, visit Dona Gracia House to become acquainted with the fascinating life of this 16th century Jewish heroine.
Enjoy a delicious lakeshore dinner at Decks, overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum Hotel, Galilee.
Travel to the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan. Enjoy a walk through the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and hear the biblical stories of kings David and Saul "on site".
Hotel check-in and dinner, overnight: Isrotel, Dead Sea.
Early departure for Masada. Ascend by the cable car for a tour of these magnificent excavations; discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Return to our hotel to enjoy its spa facilities, pool, and the amazing Dead Sea. Travel northwest for the ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem; recite the shehehianu blessing with Rabbi Kapitulnik. Hotel check-in and welcome Shabbat at a scenic overlook or a choice of synagogues.
Shabbat dinner at the hotel, overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
Shabbat services at HUC (if available) or a choice of neighborhood synagogues. Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Enjoy a special walking tour in Jerusalem's Old City, created by the WUPJ's Salz Institute for Progressive Judaism and guided by the Book of Psalms with Rabbi David Wilfond. Shabbat rest then Havdalah under the stars with Rabbi Kapitulnik.
Free evening in Jerusalem, overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
Tour David's City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and a 3-D presentation; enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah's water tunnel (strap-on water shoes and flashlights needed). In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones. Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and experience a multi-media, virtual tour of the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, followed by free time for dinner (on one's own) at the new Mamilla Mall.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Visit the new, state-of-the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Take in a special multimedia presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplisments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit. At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired our state. Walk through colorful, bustling Machane Yehuda open-air market - am yisrael hai!.
Free evening in Jerusalem, overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem that took place here. Visit Lifeline for the Old, a moving crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly. Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel's justice system. We conclude our tour at the Knesset Menorah for a "Kodak moment" in view of Israel's center of government. Free time for final shopping, packing. Farewell dinner at Ima Kurdish Restaurant.
Depart for airport (those leaving tonight) Jerusalem
Return to the USA, begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Kapitulnik and ITC Tours! Extenison: Day of Leisure.
Eilat/Petra extension: 17 - 20 June 2010
Airport transfer for domestic flight to Eilat. Spend the day at leisure sampling the delights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, your hotel's pool and spa facilities, water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, a swim with the dolphins, or scubaand "snuba"-diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply for some of these activities).
Overnight: Herod's Hotel, Eilat
Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing decorated red rock formations of the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordan at the Arava crossing and travel to the Red Rose City by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its treasury, the Roman theatre, and the impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City; buffet lunch included. Return to Eilat. Welcome Shabbat on the beach. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Herod's Hotel, Eilat
Board a luxury touring yacht at the Eilat marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for those who would like to get "up close".Late afternoon departure on domestic flight to Tel Aviv.
Board trans-Atlantic flight to USA
Itinerary is Subject to Change |
