Sunday, 27 June - USA Departure

Overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 28 June - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)

Morning arrival in Israel, to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative (today's program depends on arrival time) Take part in the mitzvah of leket, as you harvest crops to be distributed to the poor at Table to Table Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute
Proceed to Tel Aviv
Hotel check-in followed by rest and a Yemenite welcome dinner at Maganda
Overnight: Sheraton Moriah Hotel, Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 29 June - Foundations of the Modern State

17 Tammuz
Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the new multi-media Palmach Museum (9 am-conf.; age 6 and over) Visit Beit Issi Shapiro in Ra'anana (request lunch there) At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State - requested 14:30 Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market, and see modern Tel Aviv in action AND/OR Tour Old Jaffa, where many early immigrants began their lives in Israel, including browsing through the colorful outdoor mid-eastern market, shuk hapishpishim Enjoy time for a Mediterranean swim
Free evening in the "Big Orange"
Overnight: Sheraton Moriah Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 30 June - Ascent to Jerusalem

Take in a breathtaking view of the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been dumped into Emek Tzurim from under the Temple Mount Free time for lunch (on one's own) in the Cardo, followed by a tour of the alleyways and rooftops of the Old City and entrance to the Herodian Mansions In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones
Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Thursday, 1 July - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?

Early departure for the ascent by cable car to Masada. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site" Stop for a dip and mud baths at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea Take a jeep ride off the beaten track through the Judean Desert, returning by jeep to Jerusalem For those opting to remain in Jerusalem today: transportation to the Dead Sea to join in the jeeping will be arranged by ITC at additional cost, based on numbers of people in the vehicle
Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Friday, 2 July - Those Who Made a Difference

Visit the newly-opened state-of-the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem (age 12 and up only); alternative interactive children's tour available on site Visit the multi-media Herzl Exhibit, where the Father of Modern Zionism and his untiring quest are "brought to life" before your eyes (12:15)
Walk through Har Herzl Military Cemetery
Visit colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market - am yisrael hai!
Shabbat candle-lighting at the hotel
Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Plaza
Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 3 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem

Parashat Pinhas
Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided) Enjoy Shabbat lunch at the apartment of Nancy Ordway Take a Shabbat walking tour through fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods Havdalah with Rabbi Plavin, followed by a free evening in Jerusalem
Evening option: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum (not included in tour price)
Overnight: Har Tzion Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 4 July - Layers of History

Visit Lifeline for the Old, a moving crafts workshop that employs Jerusalem elderly. Enjoy shopping for unique hand-crafted Judaica items in their store Depart for Israel's northern coast Enjoy a tour and lunch with wine-tasting at the historic Tishbi Winery in Binyamina Walk down to the harbor and see the impressive amphitheatre of ancient Caesaria Participate in a special seminar on Arab-Jewish coexistence in Israel's north with the Givat Haviva seminar center, including strategic overviews and a visit to an Israeli Arab village Proceed to the sparkling port city of Haifa for a panoramic bus tour of the city
Hotel check-in and dinner
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Monday, 5 July - The Northern Mediterranean Coast

Visit historic Acco, a city of three religions, including your choice of: a "cool and creepy" Crusader Fortress; a multi-media exhibit about Acco's years of Muslim rule at the Turkish Baths; the beautiful Mosque of Jazzar; the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; the unique Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts (number of stops depends on time available) Boxed lunch in Acco from "Sandwich Guys" (or similar) Take the cable car to the mesmerizing ocean grottos of Rosh Hanikra, at Israel's border with Lebanon Take a swim at Achziv Beach on the Mediterranean coast
Enjoy a delicious Lebanese dinner at Twins
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Tuesday, 6 July - In the Footsteps of Pioneers and Mystics

Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat Tour the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, through which tens of thousands of migratory birds pass and other species roam; experience the new Ophoria Interactive Experience, connecting birds, water, and the Zionist endeavor Stop for lunch (on one's own) in the mall in Kiryat Shmoneh Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Banias Nature Reserve Travel to the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did
Return to Haifa for a free evening, dropping some people off at Hadar HaCarmel on the way to the hotel
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Wednesday, 7 July - Northern Communities

View the spectacular Bahai Gardens and learn a bit about the Bahai faith and its utopian vision 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 Go back to the time of the Mishnah with hands-on activities, including a donkey ride and a mishnaic period lunch in a tent at Kfar Kedem Visit Yemine Orde to see the special work they do with Israeli teens from disadvantaged backrounds Travel to Jaffa, with some time to walk around there before the final banquet (time permitting) 8 pm Farewell banquet at a Jaffa restuarant
Depart for the airport (1 am flight)

Thursday, 8 July - A Temporary Departure

Arrive in USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Plavin and ITC Tours!

• The tour includes hotel stays at the Moriah Hotel on the beach in Tel Aviv, the beautifully renovated Turkish period Mt. Zion Hotel in Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel at the top of the Carmel Mountain range overlooking Haifa Bay.
• The itinerary will be custom designed to fit our group. It is appropriate for both first-timers and those returning to Israel.
• The trip feature visits that were not included in the previous ten TBS trips to Israel. New visits may include a Yemenite dinner at Maganda in Tel Aviv, hands on dig through archeological matter from the Temple Mount, sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, walking through the underground Roman water system of ancient Caesaria, lunch and wine tasting at the historic Tishbi winery in Binyamina, visit to an Israeli-Arab village followed by a seminar on coexistence in Israel’s north, the new Ophoria Interactive Experience at the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, visit to the quaint town of Rosh Pina, Twins restaurant – authentic Lebanese cuisine on Moshav Shechenya in the Galil, and more.
• Old favorites will of course not be neglected.
• The land package price will include: round trip bus transportation to airport, nine nights at deluxe hotels, super deluxe air-conditioned motor coach, ten days of touring with hand-picked tour guide (tip included in price) and daily legendary Israeli buffet breakfast, five dinners and three lunches.

• Pricing: Land Package (based upon 25 or more participants) $2500 per person in a double room
• Non-BSBI member $100 surcharge Single supplement $775
• Third person under 18 in triple room subtract $593
• Round trip airfare NY/Tel Aviv $1050-plus tax and fuel surcharge*
• *currently $426. Airport tax and fuel surcharge are subject to change - we will notify all who deposit trip before there are any increases in tax or fuel surcharges - decrease in these charges will be applied if applicable