| ITINERARY |
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| Day 1 |
Tel Aviv- Jerusalem
Arrival at Ben-Gurion airport in Tel-Aviv – welcome to Israel! We go directly to Jerusalem, starting this exciting day at Mt. of Scopus, the perfect spot overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, where we will be briefed on this ancient city's history. Our tour today follows the 3,000 years of Jewish existence in this eternal capital, starting at the site where it all began: the City of David, the ancient capital of King David. We will explore its complicated undersurface water system, trying to picture the daily life of the citizens of the Israelite kingdom. Climbing up in time and altitude, we enter the walled city to visit the Western Wall (Kotel). Holiest site for Jews, this place marks the heart and soul of Jerusalem, Israel and the Jewish people around the globe. We shall experience the place in a very personal way, and contemplate its meaning for us as Jews. A few stairs will lead us directly to the Jewish Quarter, wandering around the little stone-made alleys, visiting some of its most interesting sites, such as the Cardo - an active 1600-year old shopping boulevard and the Sephardic synagogues. Early bed-time is highly recommended today… |
| Day 2 |
Jerusalem
The starting point today will be Yad-Vashem, the national holocaust memorial. It is said on Yad-Vashem, that: "you can see Israel without Yad-Vashem, but you can not understand Israel without Yad-Vashem". A powerful, if not indelible, impression is guaranteed. Also, if you know of any relatives lost during the Holocaust, bring their details with you, and commemorate their names and memory. And in a sharp turn from Yad-Vashem to a more lightweight way, let's spend a short time in the scenery romantic ancient village of Ein-Karem, followed by a visit at the Hadassah hospital, where the famous Chagall's glass windows are shown. Our next stop is at the Israel Museum, watching one of Israel's most exceptional archeological finds – the Dead-Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Books, oldest manuscript of the original Torah, dating back 2000 years. |
| Day 3 |
Jerusalem
Back at the old city this morning, we visit the undersurface foundations of the Western Wall at the remarkable Kotel Tunnels where the base stones of the Herodian Temple are revealed deep down underground. Continue walking through the famous oriental Market where smells, sights, and sounds blend together, creating a powerful oriental experience. Good place for shopping, but don't forget to bargain… Also, be ready for an exciting family mission – surprise!
The second part of this day will be dedicated to one theme: love. Men and women have been living here for 30 centuries, leaving their footsteps of romance, cheating, and historical affairs over the houses and alleys of this city. We will trace them back from Kind David and his son Solomon, through the prophets, the crusaders' knights, Arab rulers, and modern pre-state Israeli soldiers and writers. This tour will take us through the old and new neighborhoods, uncovering the amazing human mosaic that creates Jerusalem. We shall visit the ultra-orthodox Me'a She'arim ("Hundred Gates"), cozy Nachlaot, colorful market of Machane Yehuda, Nachalat Shiv'a, and (time and energy permitting) exotic Yemin-Moshe. |
| Day 4 |
Jerusalem- Dead Sea- Eilat
After check-out we leave Jerusalem, descending through the ancient biblical "Jericho Road" eastbound to the lowest place on earth – the Dead-Sea. We make our first stop at "Genesis Land" – a remote tent situated in the midst of a biblical desert landscape, where we will be meeting Abraham and Sarah for ancient Hebrew hospitality. We will also be taken to an unforgettable Camel Tour near the cliff of a canyon! We then drive through Kumeran – the site where the Dead-Sea Scrolls were found (remember from day #2?), and reach Massada. This world-known site takes us back in time to the dramatic events that took place on this mountain 2000 years ago, when 960 Jewish men, women and children took their last stand against the Roman army. We will examine their story from a different viewpoint, exploring the religious beliefs and the circumstances that led these brave people to make such an extreme decision. And now - the ultimate relaxation time! Let's give our body and soul the best treatment nature can offer, with the special minerals of the lake and spa spoiling our skin and soul, and the luxury hotel-restaurant arousing our stomach…. Later in the evening, when our bodies are filled with new energy from the lowest place on earth, we continue our journey south to Eilat.
Let's enjoy some dancing and dynamic nightlife, at this lively City of Freedom! |
| Day 5 |
Eilat- Petra
We spend this day in Petra, Jordan – one of the wanders of the world, an entire city carved in stone. We will be shocked when we see the giant rock appearing all of the sudden….
Returning to Eilat in the evening. |
| Day 6 |
Eilat- Tel Aviv
We will spend the first few hours of the day at leisure in Eilat, enjoying the Sun, the beach, and the spectacular underwater wildlife (no guide at this part of the day).Fly to Tel-Aviv in the afternoon where we re-unite with our guide, and visiting the not-to-be-missed colorful market of Nachalat Benjamin. Than we proceed to the Galilee Mountains, for the northern part of our journey. |
| Day 7 |
Tel Aviv- Kinneret Lake- Katzrin- Banias- Metula
Driving towards the east side of the Kinneret Lake (Sea of Galilee), we will climb the Golan Heights for an overlook from the "Peace Vista" over the beautiful valley and lake below us. The Golan Heights are among the best areas in the world for wineries, and thus some of the local wines are prize winners world-wide. We shall visit "Château Golan", a boutique little winery and enjoy its products.
Continue to the Golan's major city – Katzrin, where we are going to visit a Talmudic village and an ancient synagogue from the 4th century and then drive to the Israeli-Syrian border, climbing on one of the military fortifications to gain better understanding of the local geo-political situation.
On for a short hike at the Banias national park – one of the 3 streams that create the Jordan River, a place of water and beautiful wild nature.
Ending this exciting day at Metula, an old farmer's village, situated literally on the Lebanese border. This is a good place to understand the challenges and complexity of living at the 'corner' of the country. |
| Day 8 |
Zafed- Gish- Peki’in- Ein-Hod
Today we are about to explore the amazingly mixed and diverse culture and ethnic groups pf the Galilee, starting with a spiritual journey at Zafed, the town where the Kabbalah faith originated. We will tour the mysteries of this area with a Kabbalist Rabbi, who will show us how the special spiritual atmosphere of the Upper Galilee Mountains generated the Jewish Mysticism.
Continue to the Christian-Arab village of Gish, where a local lady will open her home for us and share the secrets of the local cuisine as she bakes her traditional cookies.
Our next adventure is at the Druze village of Peki'in, visiting a one of a kind factory of natural soaps. This factory was founded by "Grandma Gamila", an old Druze woman with no official education, based on the knowledge of medicinal plants she gained as a child from her ancestors. The village is also a unique settlement where Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze have been living together for 20 centuries.
It’s time now to say goodbye to the Galilee Mountains, and start our way back south, to our hosts for the night, at the beautiful artists colony of Ein-Hod, where we will enjoy the welcoming home-hospitality and interesting time with the owners, both artists. Be ready to open up!...
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| Day 9 |
Ein-Hod- Zichron-Ya’acov
After we take a short walking tour of Ein-Hod, we leave for Zichron-Ya'acov, to hang around dozens of beautiful galleries and coffee shops.
Transfer to the airport – Shalom from Israel, and come again soon!
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| WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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A private high-level guide for all touring days with a car, including all vehicle-related costs, |
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Accommodation in double room in 4* hotels including breakfast, |
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Admission tickets to all sites visited during the tour, |
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Supplement will be charged for high and peak seasons – August, Jewish Holidays, and Christmas Break. Tours on these dates will be quoted on a per-case |
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Transfers and domestic flights as applicable, |
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| WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED |
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Anything not stated as included. |
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Border taxes with Jordan which should be paid in cash directly at the border, where applicable, |
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Dinners and Lunches daily, |
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International flights, |
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Personal expenses, |
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Tip for the guide, |
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| DEPARTURE DATES |
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01.11.2009 to 01.11.2010 (Departs Everyday). |
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| USA & CANADA |
1-800-4902-079 |
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| AUSTRALIA |
1-800-283-879 |
| UK |
0-800-107-7831 |
| Worldwide |
+90-212-328-1212 |
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