14 Day In-depth Jewish Heritage Tour

⬤Day 1. Arrival

⬤Day 2. Old City of Jerusalem

⬤Day 3. New City of Jerusalem

Visit Meah Shearim and learn about the unique lifestyle of the ultra-orthodox. Drive by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and see the Menorah with the Biblical emblems. Next visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the new Holyland model – a miniature replica of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Drive to Mount Herzl, the military cemetery, and to the newly renovated Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Visit the ammunition hill, a former Jordanian army stronghold, conquered by the Israeli army in the Six-Day War and converted into a national memorial site and museum. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

⬤Day 4. En route to Galilee

We begin our day at Caesarea, where we visit the newly excavated Hippodrome and experience the exciting multimedia presentation that communicates through historical characters and follows the history of this fascinating city. After a stop for lunch at a Druze Village, continue to Haifa to view the Baha’i Gardens from the German Colony and then to Kibbutz Degania, where at the “Court Yard” we will hear about the life in this first kibbutz ever built. Kibbutz for dinner and overnight. After dinner, meet with Kibbutz members to learn about this fascinating kibbutz. Then dinner and overnight in Kibbutz.

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Day 5. Galilee/ Golan

We drive north to ascend to the Golan Heights. We begin at the Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River. We continue to Mt. Ben Tal to experience a great view of the Golan and across the border of Syria. Continue to visit an Army base and see soldiers at the front line. Then to Katzrin, the capital city of this region. We visit the local winery where some of the best Israeli wines are produced. We drive to Safed, the city of Kabala, to visit the ancient Synagogues and the artist colony. Proceed to Hemdat Yamim to the home of Isaak Tavior for a piano concert and a relaxing afternoon before returning to Lavi. Traditional Friday night dinner will be served at the kibbutz hotel then overnight in Kibbutz.

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Day 6. Shabbat

Free day for relaxation. Breakfast at the hotel. Optional Shabbat worship services. Lunch on your own and leisure time afternoon. Then dinner and overnight in Kibbutz.

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Day 7. En route to the Dead Sea

After a short visit in Tiberias, head south to Beit Shean – the largest Roman city built in the region which was destroyed by an earthquake and since then was never inhabited. Continue along the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea to check into our spa hotel and spend a few hours enjoying the salt pools, the black mud, and saunas. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the Dead Sea.

⬤Day 8. En route to Eilat

Early morning we ascend Masada by cable car. Visit the palace and the cisterns and learn about the Jewish zealots that fought the Romans before being defeated. We drive south En route to Eilat. Continue to Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel. On the way, we stop at the Solomon Pillars. Check into the hotel and enjoy the free evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Eilat.

⬤Day 9. Eilat

Half-Day Tour of Eilat and vicinity. Visit the Underwater Observatory. Enjoy the sun and the sea and do your shopping in this VAT-free zone. Those who wish to visit Petra will have to book prior to the tour. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

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Day 10. Tel Aviv

Early morning breakfast at your hotel. Check out and drive to Sde Boker, the burial place of the first Israeli Prime Minister – David Ben Gurion, and on to Mitzpe Ramon for a lunch break and to view the largest crater on the earth. Continue via Beer Sheba the Capital city of the Negev. Check-in at your hotel in Tel Aviv.

⬤Day 11. Day tour in Tel Aviv

Today we visit Machon Ayalon the ammunition factory that operated secretly before the War of Independence. We see the renowned Weizmann Institute and visit the Science Park nearby. Visit Independence Hall, where the establishment of the state of Israel was declared. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tel Aviv.

⬤Day 12. Tel Aviv

Breakfast at your hotel. We visit the Old Jaffa and the ancient biblical port. We will continue by bus through Rothschild Boulevard. We will Visit the Nachalat Binyamin (the arts and crafts open market), with its restored buildings and sidewalk artists, and continue onto the colorful Carmel Market and then to Sheinkin, a trendy Tel Aviv shopping street. (Optional: Take part in an active dig at the Beit Guvrin caves south of Beit Shemesh and prepare to get your hands dirty as you uncover pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2,300 years ago. Lunch on your own. Drive-in through the Ella valley the place where David and Goliath have fought each other. Return to Tel Aviv.) Enjoy a traditional Friday night dinner. Then overnight at the hotel in Tel Aviv.

⬤Day 13. Shabbat in Tel Aviv

A free day for worship and relaxation. For those interested, join a half-day walking tour of the “White City” – Tel Aviv was declared by the UN as one of the 100 most important heritage sites for its many buildings using Bauhaus architecture. Tel Aviv's Bauhaus architecture district is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and led to Tel Aviv's other name, the ‘White City. The evening is free for shopping in the many malls and for enjoying the nightlife. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tel Aviv.

⬤Day 14. Departure