Israel Family Celebration (12 days)
Jerusalem
Israel – 12 days / 11 nights Family Celebration sample Itinerary
Highlights: Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Masadah, Jordan River, Beit She’an, Tiberias, Golan Heights, Galilee, Sefat, Rosh Hanikra, Haifa, Tel Aviv
Day 1
Arrival in Israel, Jerusalem
Welcome to Israel, transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel and the ancient capital of Biblical Judea. Jerusalem is a religious and spiritual center for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Based on arrival time a self guided option will be provided.
After a short tour return to the hotel and prepare for a walk to the “Kotel,” the Western Wall, where you will have the opportunity to participate in a special Shabbat service.
* Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 2
Jerusalem
Meet your guide at the hotel and start your day with a visit to the Tower of David Fortress – one of the most beautiful and original locations for a museum anywhere in the world and the best introduction to 4,000 years of Jerusalem’s rich and colorful history. Continue with a short walk on the Old City Walls offering a magnificent view of the old and new city on your way to the Jewish quarter. From there stroll around the Arab market, the “Shuk” and visit Mishkenot Shaananim, the first Jewish neighborhood outside the walls.
* Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 3
Jerusalem
Today you will continue the extraordinary exploration of Jerusalem, the old and new.
Start the day with a visit to Yad VaShem Museum – the memorial to the Holocaust and a visit to Mt. Herzl, Israel’s Military Cemetery and the resting place of Theodore Herzl. At Mt. Herzl, you will view an audio visual show and learn about the beginning of Zionism and visit the tomb of Herzl and other famous Israeli leaders such as Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin. From there visit the Knesset – Israeli Parliament on your way to Givat Hatahmoshet, the site of one of the fiercest battles of the 1967 wars. There you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the modern Jerusalem before its reunification in 1967.
* Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 4
Bar / Bat Mitzvah Service – Jerusalem – Old City
Begin your day with the extraordinary experience of being called to the Torah by the Western Wall, the holiest place for the Jewish people. Surrounded by your family, Ethan will be called to the Torah. Ethan’s family will have the opportunity to participate in Torah reading and Aliyot. This extraordinary experience will continue with a visit to the Western Wall Tunnel and Ir David – City of David (where you will head underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations at the site). Here, while exploring the recently excavated fortresses and passageways, visitors relive King David’s conquest of the city as described in the 2nd Book of Samuel. Just before leaving Jerusalem you will have the opportunity to walk in one of the ancient underground tunnels (Nikbat Hashiloah). Continue east and start your drive through the Judea mountain and desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Arrive at the Dead Sea in late afternoon and enjoy swimming (floating) and “mudding” and the unique Dead Sea experience.
* Overnight in the Dead Sea area.
Day 5
Dead Sea – Masada
Begin ascending Masada, on the east side, by walking up the snake route or riding the cable car to marvel at King Herod’s desert fortress, palace and last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Roman domination in 73 CE. Descend by cable car and continue to Ein Gedi, a nature reserve where you will hike up to two waterfalls (choice easy or moderate hike).
Option: Descend via the footpath on the west side. Continue by a combination of jeep and camel back, to the Bedouin village of Hanokdim for a festive lunch and learn about Bedouin life (summer 2011 schedule not available yet).
* Overnight at the Dead Sea.
Day 6
Jordan Valley, Sea of Galilee
Start the day with a drive north along the Jordan River and stop for a view of “Kumeran” where the ancient “Dead Sea scrolls” were found. Visit the caves and learn about this historical discovery. Continue north to Beit She’an, an extraordinary excavation of an ancient Roman city. At Beit She’an, relive the glory days of the Roman Empire at this site which contains some of Israel’s most spectacular archaeological finds – the remains of a large amphitheater, a Byzantine era colonnaded street, ritual baths, a pottery workshop, a basilica, a Roman temple and more. After lunch visit and swim at the Sahne, a natural pool fed by a hot water spring in Beit She’an Valley. Time permitting, visit Nahaharayim, the site of an old hydro electric water station on the Jordan River and learn about the history of the Jordan Valley.
* Overnight in a Kibbutz Guest house or Tiberias.
Day 7
Golan Heights
Tour the Golan Heights. Start your day with a hike to the Meshusim Pool (the Octagon Pool) and enjoy a swim in this unique shaped natural pool. Continue with a visit to Mount Bental and discover first-hand the strategic importance of the area as you climb the Heights and “capture” a former Syrian bunker, affording you a bird’s-eye view of Israel’s expansive Hula Valley below, once a constant and easy target for Syrian mortars and heavy artillery. Visit “OZ 77,” a memorial site and audio visual show with live footage commemorating one of the most important battles of the Yom Kippur War. Visit a Druze village and learn about the unique sect.
* Overnight in a Kibbutz Guest house or Tiberias.
Day 8
North of Galilee, Tzefat, Agam Ahulah
A scenic route will take you to the Jewish mystical city of Tzefat (Safed), one of the four holy cities in Israel and once the seat of the Kabbalists (the mystics). Continue north along the Israel Lebanon border. Explore Agam Ahulah a natural reserve and learn about the long history of drying the basin and floating it again to preserve the natural life. End the day rafting down the Jordan River.
* Overnight in a Kibbutz Guest house or Tiberias.
Day 9
Rosh Hanikra, Haifa, Caesarea
Start your day with a drive to Rosh Hanikra, the summit of a mountain cliff on the coast of the Upper Galilee at the Israel-Lebanon border. Descend by tram to visit the unique grottos carved in the rock by the lapping of the waves. Continue south to the city of Haifa and visit the Bahai Temple and Gardens. From there continue south on the coastal highway to Caesarea, an ancient port city that was the largest city in Palestine during the Roman Period. End your day in the early afternoon in Tel Aviv, the commercial and entertainment capital of Israel. Tel Aviv is the first Hebrew City established in 1909 along the Mediterranean Sea.
* Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 10
Tel Aviv
Begin with a visit to the Palmach Museum, an amazing audio visual exhibit describing the Palmach, one of the pre-state army units. Visit Independence Hall and continue to the town of Rehovot 35 minutes south of Tel Aviv and visit Ayalon Institute, an underground bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British. After dark, walk or cab to Jaffa (now part of Tel Aviv) which served as an ancient Israelite port during the reign of King Solomon. Enjoy dinner and visit the many galleries.
* Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 11
Tel Aviv
At leisure in Tel-Aviv – beach, shopping, attractions. Suggested attractions and activities for the kids will be provided.
* Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 12
Tel Aviv
At leisure in Tel-Aviv
Morning or early evening private transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for a flight back to New York.