Day 1
Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Arrive at the Ben-Gurion Airport by Tel Aviv, where your Guide will meet you. Transfer to your Hotel. Dinner and Introduction to your tour by your guide.Overnight in or by Tel-Aviv.
Day 2
Jaffa- Caesarea Maritima– Mt. Carmel- Akko– Tzefat
We start our Jewish oriented tour with a stroll through the renovated alley-ways of Old Jaffa, the ancient port-city that gave birth to “The First Hebrew City” – Tel Aviv. Jaffa is one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land: Through its port, the Cedar trees for Salomon’s Temple were brought, the prophet Jonas tried to flee God, and in Jaffa the first pioneers embarked to resettle the Land of Israel. Today Jaffa’s renovated alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. We drive to Caesarea Maritima, the magnificent port-city built by King Herod the Great. In Caesarea, we visit the well-preserved Roman antiquities. We continue our drive along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea to the modern port-city Haifa, situated on the slopes of the evergreen Mt. Carmel. The view from this mountain is famous for its beauty. Drive to the oriental city of Akko(Acre), where the Crusaders built their most important port. We can still visit the very well-preserved “Knights Halls” under the living oriental Bazaar with its colors and odors of the East. In the afternoon we ascend to the holy city of Tzefat (Safed), the center of Jewish Mysticism, Kabbalah. We breathe its special, spiritual atmosphere, listen to its many legends, and visit some of its enchanted synagogues. Then we drive down from the Mountains of Galilee to our hotel in Tiberias.
Day 3
Golan Heights- Ancient- Qatzrin- Dead Sea
We ascend to the Golan Heights, where we visit Ancient Qatzrin, where a Talmudic village was reconstructed. Ancient Qatzrin is also famous for its synagogue. From here we drive to the Quneitra Observation Point. Here we can take a look over the Syrian Border, and hear about the current situation in the Golan. From here we drive to the south, to our hotel by the Dead Sea. We will not miss, of course, some floating (not swimming!) on the Dead Sea, the deepest point on earth! Overnight by the Dead Sea.
Day 4
Massada -Ein Gedi- Jerusalem- Mt. of Olives
Climb (by cable-car…) the famous cliff-fortress of Massada, where Herod the Great built a magnificent palace in the middle of the desert. Massada was then used as a fortress by the Jewish “Zealots” who fought, few against many, against the pagan Roman Empire. Their heroic struggle became a symbol for the modern State of Israel. We walk through the Oasis of Ein Gedi, known since the days of King David. Ein Gedi, where four springs with fresh water meet the desert sun, is a place to enjoy the rich and unique flora and fauna that such an oasis can offer. We walk to the waterfall and back to the bus. From here we ascend to The Holy City, Jerusalem! We start with a panoramic view of the city from the Mt. of Olives Ridge. After an introduction to Jerusalem, we drive to our hotel in the Holy City, where we will spend 3 nights. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 5
“Chagall Windows”- “Yad Vashem”- “Menorah” –Machane Yehuda Market
In the morning we head to the famous “Chagall Windows” in the synagogue of the Hadassah Hospital in Ein Karem. Then we visit “Yad Vashem” – the National Holocaust Memorial, ending with a visit at the “Menorah” by the Knesset, symbolizing the strength of Israel’s spirit over all those who tried to break it with physical power. Time permitting; we visit the model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period at the Holy Land Hotel. At the end of this day we can experience the turmoil of last shopping for Shabbat at the Machane Yehuda Market, and maybe even participate at the “Kabbalat Shabbat” (Welcoming of the Sabbath ceremony) by the Western Wall. Festive Shabbat-Meal and Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6
Mt. Zion– King David’s Tomb- Zion Gate- Jewish Quarter– Western Wall
Today’s program is designed to suit Sabbath-Observers. We will accommodate you in a hotel near the Old City so that you can participate in the following program without desecrating the Shabbat.
We start at Mt. Zion, where we visit King David’s Tomb. Then we enter the Old City through the Zion Gate. We visit the Old and New sites in the rebuilt Jewish Quarter, and try to experience its special Shabbat-Atmosphere, which, of course, also includes a Shabbat-prayer at the Western Wall! The Shabbat-Afternoon is planned to be at leisure. Farewell Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7
Departure
Transfer to the Ben-Gurion Airport and flight back home.
