Sunday, July 25 - Israel Bound!

Depart on overnight flight to Israel

Mon, July 26 - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)

Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport met and assisted by your ITC representative (today's program depends on arrival time)Travel to Tiberias.Hotel check-in - Enjoy the warmth of the sun along the Kinneret/or enjoy the hotel pool, recharging your batteries for this evening's boat ride & dinner at the Pagoda Restaurant.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel (formerly Sheraton), Tiberias

Tuesday, July 27 - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers

Buffet breakfast at the hotel - Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Meet with Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations. Enjoy cheese-tasting at Meiri Cheeses, located in a Tzefat heritage building. Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep (Shvilim), off-the beaten track, and stop to look down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did. Ascend to the peak of Har Bental, where you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today's geo-political reality. Enjoy a free evening on the Tiberias promenade/ optional: enjoy a dip in the hot spring pools at Hammei Teveria.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Wednesday, July 28 - The Mediterranean Coast

Buffet breakfast at the hotel - Continue north to Acco, a city of three religions. Visit 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 - ITC "scavenger hunt" activity available (number of stops depends on time available) Take the cable car to the mesmerizing ocean grottos of Rosh Hanikra, at Israel's border with Lebanon. Glide down the Jordan River in a kayak. Upon returning to Tiberias, visit the tomb of Moses Maimonides, famous medieval Torah scholar and physician. Enjoy a delicious lakeside dinner at Decks Steak Restaurant.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Thursday, July 29 - The Jordan River Valley

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Bid farewell to the Galilee as we plant a tree in Israeli soil in honor or in memory of a loved one. Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan Stop to visit with the Rabbis' family at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu Light lunch (on one's own) in Beit Shean Mall. Group may split: Tour the remarkable excavation of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, many residences, and amphitheatre OR Swim in the wondrous natural pools at Sachne, fed by underground springs (towel needed) Travel south for the ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening in Jerusalem (dining suggestions and assistance with reservations to be provided)
Overnight: Jerusalem

Friday, July 30 - Those Who Sacrificed

Visit the state-of-the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem (age 12 and up only); alternative interactive children's program available on site. Visit the Herzl Exhibit, where the Father of Modern Zionism and his untiring quest are "brought to life" before your eyes At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired - and continue to acquire - our state. Walk through colorful, bustling Machane Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat services at Robinson's Arch. Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Optional: Walking tour to Meah Shearim.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Shabbat, July 31 - Shabbat in Jerusalem Parashat Ekev

Buffet breakfast at the hotel - Shabbat services with Rabbi Sherman at the Great Synagogue. Shabbat lunch at the hotel with Rabbi Johnny Porath. Shabbat walking tour past the Montifiore Windmill to the Museum of Jerusalem at David's Citadel for a wonderful presentation of the history of the city. Walk the Ramparts Walls and then continue the walk through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem's Old City. Free evening out on the town in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, August 1 - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?

Early departure to ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Spend some time today at a Dead Sea resort hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch, and the amazing Dead Sea. Optional excursion: Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site". Enjoy a camel trek through the desert, a delicious dinner and, the hospitality of Abraham at Eretz Bereisheet.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Monday, August 2 - Jerusalem of Old

Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at Robinson's Arch, the "Conservative Kotel" (if applicable) 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. Go way back in time to King David's Jerusalem in David's City and enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah's water tunnel (strap-on water shoes and flashlights needed) Free time for dinner (on one's own) Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Tuesday, August 3 - Foundations of the Modern State

Buffet breakfast at the hotel (later start this morning) Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the recently opened multimedia Palmach Museum. Enjoy a delicious Yemenite dinner at Maganda. Evening: Tour the shops, art galleries, and winding streets of Old Jaffa, where many early immigrants began their lives in Israel.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday August 4 - Digging Israel

At the "Dig for a Day" program at Beit Guvrin, have a hands-on experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an ongoing archeological dig; "cave crawl" also available for the adventurous. Visit the community of Elkanah and enjoy lunch there. Tour Jerusalem's "City Lines," including Gilo (intifada), Abu Tor (a divided neighborhood), Ramat Rachel (1948 and today), view Security Fence in East Jerusalem (time permitting) Stop for a "Kodak Moment" at the Knesset Menorah and recall the many stories from Jewish history that are sculpted on it Free evening in Jerusalem OR Evening program with a Jerusalem Masorti congregation.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Thursday August 5 - Defenders of the Land

Spend this morning taking pride in Israel's soldiers at a visit to a military base (to be arranged by Rabbi Charles Sherman) Free afternoon for final shopping and to explore Jerusalem on one's own. Early evening hotel check-out Farewell dinner at Olive and Fish (meat)
Bid farewell to Jerusalem at the Kotel and then depart for the airport

Friday, August 6- A Temporary Departure

Return to the USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Sherman and ITC Tours!

Itinerary is Subject to Change

• Roundtrip Air - LAX-TLV-LAX 11 Nights Hotels including late check out
  David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem, Moriah Plaza Hotel Tiberias
  
• 11 Days of touring with one of Israel’s best tour guides - Super Deluxe Air Conditioned Motor Coach
  Daily buffet breakfasts, 5 weekday dinners, Shabbat dinner, Shabbat lunch, as per itinerary
  
• Welcome Orientation, Israel's north, Elkana, Druze community in Ossafiya, Tzefat, Kabalistic,
  
• Golan Heights by jeep, Har Bental, Tiberias promenade, Acco, Crusader Fortress, Turkish Baths,
  
• British prison, Tunisian Synagogue, Rosh Hanikra, Kayaking on the Jordan River, Plant a tree in Israeli soil,
  
• Kinneret Cemetery, Rachel the Poetess, Naomi Shemer, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah service,
  
• Israel's border with Jordan, visit Rabbis' family at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, Beit Shean, Sachne, Yad Vashem,
  
• Herzl Exhibit, Har Herzl Machane Yehuda, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat walking tour, David's Citadel,
  
• Dead Sea Spa, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Camel trek, Moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at Robinson's Arch,
  
• Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, walk, David's City, Hezekiah's water tunnel,
  
• The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Ayalon Institute,
• Independence Hall, Palmach Museum,
  
• Old Jaffa, Dig for a Day, Jerusalem's "City Lines," Israel Museum, Model of Jerusalem,
  
• Knesset Menorah, Meet Israel's soldiers, Military base, Time for shopping
  
• Informative ITC full-color Israel source book - adults' and children'

• (Check payment) Land Only package only $2895 -
  Round Trip Air **EL-AL Air LAX $1690* inc Tax and Fuel added to land package
  
• Child, age 2-12 as third person in a triple room: subtract $940 - Single Supplement $990
  
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah, age 12-13 as third person in a triple room: subtract $1010
  Child, 14-18 as third person in a triple room: subtract $820
  
• Plus Tips for Guide,Driver, Restaurants and Porterage $165
  
• Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharge are Subject to Change until purchased **
• Delta/ELAL SYR-JFK-SYR
  
• All pricing has been discounted 4% based on check payment - additional 4% charged to use credit cards