| Thursday, March 25
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| USA Departure
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| Friday, March 26 – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
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| Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by your ITC representative
Our tour begins this morning as we depart the airport for Israel’s north (today’s program depends on arrival time of group flight)
At Kibbutz Ein Shemer, enjoy hands-on group activities that simulate the life of Israel’s early kibbutz pioneers, such as baking bread in their original wood-burning oven, pitching a tent, building a mosaic floor, and solving early kibbutz members’ dilemmas
Meet members of Israel’s Druze community in Dalyat al Karmel, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality for lunch
Continue to Tiberias for hotel check-in and rest
Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Tiberias
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| Shabbat, March 27 – Shabbat in Tiberias
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| Morning at leisure
Shabbat lunch at the hotel
Walk to Dona Gracia House to become acquainted with the fascinating life of this 16th century Jewish heroine and Tiberias financial leader, via dramatic story-telling and an opportunity to try on period clothing
Evening: Spend some time soaking in the hot springs of Hammei Teveria, an ancient Roman spa
Overnight: Tiberias
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| Sunday, March 28 – In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
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| Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat
Travel to the Golan Heights by jeep, off the beaten track, and stop to gaze 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 boat ride on Lake Kinneret and a delicious lakeshore dinner at Decks Steak Restaurant
Overnight: Tiberias
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| Monday, March 29 – The Jordan River Valley
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| Travel south, along Israel’s border with Jordan. Stop at the ancient Beit Alpha Synagogue to examine its striking mosaic floor; enjoy a short, amusing film about plans to renovate this ancient synagogue two millennia ago. Tour the remarkable excavation of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheatre. Continue south for the ascent to Jerusalem
Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem. Hotel check-in. Moving Passover Seder and sumptuous seder feast at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Tuesday, March 30 – Passover Pilgrimage in Jerusalem
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| Yom Tov
Walk into the Old City, as our ancestors did for the three pilgrimage festivals. Visit the Kotel, where the ancient Temple once stood and the holiest site to Judaism today
Continue our walking tour through the Jewish quarter, the colorful Arab shuk (market) and the Old City’s Christian, Armenian, and Moslem Quarters
Free time to rest and swim
Afternoon walking tour to Nahlaot, one of Jerusalem’s first neighborhoods outside of the city walls
Free evening to enjoy Jerusalem night life
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Wednesday, March 31 – Jerusalem of Old
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| Walk alongside the Kotel’s massive foundation stones in the Kotel Tunnels
Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and experience a multi-media, virtual tour of the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center
Free time for lunch and shopping in the Jewish quarter
Learn about Jerusalem of King David’s time in David’s City and enjoy sloshing through Hezekiah’s water tunnel (strap-on water shoes, flashlight, and shorts needed)
Dinner at Jerusalem Restaurant
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Thursday, April 1 – Foundations of the Modern State
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| At the “Dig for a Day” program at Beit Guvrin, uncover actual artifacts as you participate in an ongoing archeological dig. Spelunking (cave crawling) also available for the adventurous
Proceed to Tel Aviv
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 new multi-media Palmach Museum (if available)
Delicious dinner in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Friday, April 2 – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
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| Early departure for the ascent by cable car to the mountain fortress of Masada. Tour this amazing excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times; take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration
Enjoy an unforgettable dip in the Dead Sea
Walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi nature reserve and learn the stories of kings David and Saul that took place there
Join with thousands of others welcoming the Sabbath at the Western Wall
Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Shabbat, April 3 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
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| Visit the wonderful Jerusalem Museum and at the Tower of David for a fascinating overview of the history of Jerusalem
Take a walking tour through Ketef Hinom, Mishkenot She’ananim, and Yemin Moshe – historic neighborhoods near our hotel
Shabbat lunch at the hotel
Shabbat rest or time to explore the city on your own
Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Sunday, April 4 – Those Who Sacrificed
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| Visit the new, state-of-the-art Memorial Museum at Yad Vashem (age 12 and over only). Walk through the haunting Valley of the Communities and participate in a moving “Yizkor” service; alternative, interactive tour available for younger children on site
Take in a truly enjoyable multi-media presentation about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the newly-opened Herzl Museum
Visit the colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for the Festival
Delicious holiday dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Jerusalem
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| Monday, April 5 – Final Yom Tov of Passover
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| Day at leisure to rest and explore Jerusalem on one’s own
Optional: Visit the new Shrine of the Book, the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem, the Weisbord Pavillion (modern art), and the Children's Wing and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden at the Israel Museum
Depart for the airport
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| Tuesday, April 6 – A Temporary Departure
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| Return to the USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with ITC Tours!
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