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USA Departure - Overnight flight to Amsterdam
Morning arrival in Amsterdam, to be met and assisted at the airport by your ITC representative. Guided visit to the Jewish Historical Museum, comprised of four interconnected Ashkenazi synagogues. Visit includes the Portuguese synagogue. Visit the famous Anne Frank House - Enjoy dinnerat Cafe Kokadorus, a Dutch kosher-style dairy restaurant Depart for the airport - Overnight flight to Israel Monday, 27 December - When You Come Into the Land Very early morning arrival in Israel to be met and assisted by your ITC representa-tive at Ben Gurion Airport. Proceed to Tel Aviv for hotel check-in, rest. Late break-fast at the hotel. Visit the new Yitzhak Rabin Center, a state-of-the-art presentationon the history of the State of Israel and the life of this special leader. Enjoy animpressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available) OR Climb down into the amazing underground,pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. Welcome dinner at Maganda Yemenite Restaurant.
Overnight: Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv
Group may split: At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State OR Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Visit the Holon Museum to experi-ence "Dialogue in the Dark" or "Invitation to Silence," a fascinating simulation of whatit feels like to be blind or deaf. Travel toward Israel's north. Please choose one forthe group: See ancient history come to life at the newly-opened multi-media centeragainst the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphithe-atre and aqueduct OR Visit the excavations of ancient Megiddo, the site of many keybattles from Bible times to the modern period, due to its strategic location. Walkthrough its fascinating ancient aqueduct. Meet members of Israel's Druze communityin Dalyat al Karmel, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism,and enjoy their warm hospitality OR (tomorrow) Visit the Druze town of Peki'in; meetthere with local entrepreneurs to hear about life in Peki'in today. Continue to thelovely northern coastal city of Nahariah for hotel check-in. Free evening on the Nahariah Promenade.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Nahariah
Participate in a special seminar on Arab-Jewish coexistence and the implications of the security fence in Israel's north with the Givat Haviva Seminar Center, including strategic overviews and a visit to an Israeli Arab village. Take part in a creative educational seminar at newly revived Masorti Kibbutz Hanaton, including lunch in the kibbutz dining room. Late afternoon:Visit the very active Masorti community, Hakehillah Masortit Hakrayot; meet with Rabbi Mauricio Balter to hear about the many and varied activities staffed by hundreds of volunteers from this congregation in both the Jewish and Arab local communities. Evening visit to a children's home in Kiryat Bialik, supported by Hakehillah Masortit; dinner there with the children.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Nahariah
our the synagogues, courtyards, and alleyways of the mystical city of Tzefat, including free timefor shopping. Meet with a Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewishmysticism through the prism of his creations. Travel to the Golan Heights, and stop togaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did. At Kibbutz El Rom, see originalfootage from the brave Valley of Tears Kahalani battle, which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. Return to Nahariah for a group dinner at Bordo (dairy).
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Nahariah
Take a panoramic bus tour of the sparkling port city of Haifa, including views of thespectacular Bahai Gardens. Please choose one for the group: Enjoy a walk through theoutdoor co-existence art exhibit by local Jewish, Muslim, and Christian artists aroundthis year's December holidays theme in the Wadi Nis Nis market in Haifa OR Explorethe fascinating sarcophagi of Beit Shearim, where sages from the Mishna were onceburied; optional: study Mishna in small groups by candlelight in the ancient catacombsusing ITC's interactive discussion guide. Travel south for the ascent to Jerusalem.Gaze upon the Temple Mount from the Tayelet, as did Abraham at the dawn ofJewish history; take in the breathtaking view. Hotel check-in to prepare for Shabbat.Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch or at a synagogue of your choice (a range ofsuggestions, walking instructions to be provided) Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Shabbat services at asynagogue of your choice. Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Shabbat rest. Havdalahwith Rabbi Allen. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound andlight show at the Tower of David Museum, followed by free time for dinner (on one's own) at the new Mamilla Mall.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones OR Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; visit the Coptic Village, ArmenianQuarter, and Arab Market. Please choose one for the group: Tour David's City, themost ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including the newest discover-ies OR Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized "walk"through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. Free time for lunch (on one'sown) in the Jewish Quarter. Stumble across many authentic archeological finds in ahands-on dig through archeological matter that has been dumped into Emek Tzurimfrom under the Temple Mount OR At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkersand a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War bat-tle for Jerusalem that took place here. Free evening in the German Colony or on theBen Yehuda Pedestrian Mall.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital and take pride in the wonderful work done there, sometimes under tremendous pressure. Visit the newly-opened state-of-the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired -and continue to acquire - our state. Take in a truly enjoyable multi-media presentationabout the life of the Father of Modern Zionism at the new Herzl Museum Free evening in Jerusalem
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Depart for the Dead Sea Region - Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi NatureReserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site" Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terribledilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Enjoy a dip, mud baths,and hot showers at Mineral Beach on the amazing Dead Sea. Return to Jerusalem fora farewell dinner at Olive and Fish Restaurant.
Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, JLM
Very early morning departure to Ben Gurion Airport (those leaving Israel today)
Arrive in USA
Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Allen and ITC Tours!
Eilat/Petra Extension: 5 - 9 January 2011
Airport transfer for domestic flight to Eilat - Spend the day at leisure sampling thedelights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, your hotel's pool and spa facilities,water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, a swim with thedolphins, or scuba- and "snuba"-diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coraland fish (extra charges apply for some of these activities)
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Early departure for Petra to explorethe amazing decorated red rock formations of the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordanat the Arava crossing and travel to the Red Rose City by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tourits treasury, the Roman theatre, and the impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City; buffet lunch included.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Board a luxury touring yacht at the Eilat marina for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available forthose 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
Early evening departure for domestic flight to Tel Aviv.
Board trans-Atlantic flight to USA from Ben Gurion Airport
Arrive in USA Begin planing you next trip with Rabbi Allen and ITC Tours |
