Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach,
Opening ceremony, Old Jaffa, Independence Hall, Ancient Caesaria, Galilee. Lake Kinneret,
Grave of Rabbi Akiva, Ancient city of Tzippori, Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton, Mystical city of Tzefat,
Tiberais Water Sound and Light Show, Port city of Haifa, Spectacular Bahai Gardens,
Wine tasting at Tishbi Winery, Israel’s Druze community, Israel’s border with Jordan,
Fascinating agricultural bio-tour, Ascent to Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem,
Optional Shabbat Walking tour, Havdalah with Rabbi Linson, The Night Spectacular,
Tower of David Museum, Israeli Knesset, Herzl Museum, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Yad Vashem,
Jewish Quarter, Kotel Tunnels, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center,
Inn of the Good Samaritan, Masada, Amazing Dead Sea, Supreme Court,
Israel Museum, Home hospitality with a Tekoa family,
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun !
Sunday, 28 April – USA Departure
Monday, 29 April – When You Come Into the Land (Deut 26:1)
Afternoon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport to be
met and assisted by your ITC guide. Opening ceremony and
tour of Old Jaffa, where many early immigrants began their
lives in Israel. Hotel check-in, rest.
Welcome dinner at a Yemenite Restaurant
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Tuesday, 30 April – Foundations of the Modern State
At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration
of the State. Travel north along the Mediterranean
Coast. Visit the wonderful excavations of ancient Caesaria,
including an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct and the
newly-opened multi-media center, where ancient history
comes to life. Proceed to the Galilee. Take in a beautiful
view of Lake Kinneret from the grave of Rabbi Akiva; study
some of his Torah on site. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Evening option: Hear about the challenges of establishing
and maintaining a kibbutz in the Galilee from a member of
Kibbutz Lavi.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias (deluxe rooms)
Wednesday, 1 May – In the Footsteps of Sages, Pioneers, and Mystics
Visit the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori;
discover the ancient beauty and evidence of a community in
which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully. Take a seminar-
tour of Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton, as you explore
dilemmas faced by kibbutz members in its period of revival;
lunch in the kibbutz dining room. Tour the courtyards, synagogues,
and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Evening:
Free time for dinner (one one’s own) in Tiberias, followed by
the new Bellagio-style Water Sound and Light Show on the
Tiberias Boardwalk.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias
Thursday, 2 May – Haifa and the Carmel Mountains
Travel to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Walk down
through the spectacular Bahai Gardens to see the Bahai
Temple and learn a bit about their faith and unique utopian
vision. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting over lunch at the lovely
Tishbi Winery. Meet members of Israel’s Druze community;
hear about their fierce patriotism and enjoy their warm
hospitality.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias
Friday, 3 May – The Jordan River Valley and the Ascent to Jerusalem.
Travel along Israel’s border with Jordan
Take a fascinating agricultural bio-tour at Kibbutz Sde
Eliyahu, a pioneer in organic farming and biological pest control
methods. Continue south for the ascent to Jerusalem
Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem
and the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives
Hotel check-in. kabbalat Shabbat at Masorti congregation
Moreshet Yisrael. Shabbat dinner at the Fuchsberg Center
for Conservative Judaism
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Shabbat, 4 May – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Parashat Behar-Behukotai. Shabbat services at the synagogue
of your choice . Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at
the hotel. Shabbat rest. Walking tour through a choice of
fascinating Jerusalem neighborhoods. Havdalah with Rabbi
Linson. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the new
sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, with
free time for dinner (on one’s own)
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel,
Sunday, 5 May – Those Who Made a Difference
Tour the Israeli Knesset, for a focus on Israel’s political
system. Take in a truly enjoyable multi-media presentation
about the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the
newly opened Herzl Museum (if available) OR Take a sobering
walk through the history of the Jewish State at the
Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Visit the new state-of-the-art
Memorial Museum, Children’s Memorial, and Valley of
the Communities at Yad Vashem. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday, 6 May – Jerusalem of Old
Travel through many centuries as you tour the Jewish
Quarter of Jerusalem including free time for lunch (on
one’s own) In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Kotel’s
massive foundation stones. Explore the Southern Wall
Excavations and learn more about the ancient Temple Mount
at the Davidson Center. Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel , Jerusalem
Tuesday, 7 May – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Stop at the Inn of the Good Samaritan to view a fascinating
museum containing mosaic floors from ancient Jewish
and Samaritan synagogues and churches in the region
Ascend Masada by cable car for a tour of this magnificent
excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced
by its Jewish population during Roman times
Enjoy a dip in the amazing Dead Sea
Return to Jerusalem for a free evening
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Wednesday, 8 May – In the Footsteps of Judges and Prophets
Tour the architectural wonder of the Supreme Court building
and focus on Israel’s justice system. At the Israel
Museum, tour the new Shrine of the Book; the newly
reopened Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period;
art, archeology, and Judaica exhibits; Billy Rose Sculpture
Garden. Enjoy a tour of the special community of Tekoa,
once home to Amos the Prophet, and home hospitality for
coffee and cake with a Tekoa family. Farewell dinner at
Olive and Fish Restaurant. Depart for the airport
Thursday, 9 May – A Temporary Departure
Return to the USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi and Sima
Linson and ITC Tours!
Eilat Extension: 8 – 13 May
Wednesday, 8 May – Remaining in Israel!
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Thursday, 9 May – The Delights of Eilat
Morning airport transfer for domestic flight to Eilat to be met and
assisted by ITC hostess. 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 scuba- and “snuba”-diving to get up
close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply
for some of these activities)
Dan Panorama Hotel,
Friday, 10 May – The Red Sea
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 and personal” with the most exquisite
coral reefs and tropical fish to be found in the world
Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Shabbat, 11 May – Shabbat in Eilat
Day at leisure in Eilat - Shabbat lunch at the hotel
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Sunday, 12 May – Sun and Fun
Mid-morning hotel check-out - At leisure in Eilat. Late afternoon
transfer Eilat Airport for domestic flight to Tel Aviv.
Evening departure
on overnight flight to USA
Monday, 13 May – Homeward Bound Arrive in USA
Itinerary subject to change
Itinerary
