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2012
Thursday, December 20 - Israel Pilgrims
• Flight to Israel
Friday, December 21 – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
• Arrive in Israel – group meeting and transfer to Jerusalem
(For individual arrivals not on arrival day, hotel transfer can be arranged by ITC; not included in tour cost)
• Hotel check-in with time to relax before this evening’s program (begins at 3:45 pm) and delicious dinner
• A Shabbat welcome experience that will live on in your memory for years to come as we come together in the Old City of Jerusalem to walk to the Kotel to join the thousands gathering there
• Enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel followed by a “getting-to-know-you” session
• Overnight: David Citadel, Jerusalem
Shabbat, December 22 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
• Explore the wonderful fortress that houses the Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David to learn about the history of Jerusalem throughout the ages.
• Walking tour through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City
• Afternoon at leisure for Shabbat rest or time to visit with family and friends
• Delicious group dinner at Olive and Fish
• Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum
• Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday, December 23 – Jerusalem of Old
• The day begins with a drive along the pre-1967 border of Jerusalem, continuing on the historic Mt. Scopus
• Enter the Old City of Jerusalem via the Zion Gate
• Experience time for prayer and reflection at the Kotel (Western Wall)
• Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized “walk” through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center
• In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall’s massive foundation stones
• Meet with the Rabbi at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah service
• Free evening in Jerusalem
• Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday, December 24 – Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
• Early departure for the ascent by cable car to the mountain fortress of Masada for a tour of this amazing excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Join together in Masada’s ancient synagogue for a compelling Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony
• Spend some time today at the Isrotel Dead Sea Resort Hotel, enjoying its spa facilities, lunch and the amazing Dead Sea
• Enjoy a camel trek through the Judean Desert and biblical hospitality with a delicious dinner in Abraham’s tent
• Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Tuesday, December 25 – Those Who Made a Difference
• Visit the unforgettable Memorial Museum and Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem (age 12 and over only); optional Biblical Zoo visit for younger children (must be accompanied by an adult, not included in tour price)
• At the Har Herzl Military Cemetery honor the memory of Israel’s fallen heroes, who have given their lives to establish a secure Jewish homeland. We’ll visit the resting places of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, and Yitzhak Rabin
• At the “Dig for a Day” Program at Beit Guvirn, have a hands-on experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an ongoing archaeological dig; “cave crawl “ also available for the adventurous.
• Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem
Wednesday, December 26 – Layers of History
• Plant a tree in Israeli soil, in honor or in memory of a loved one (Aminadav Forest)
• 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
• At Kibbutz Ein Shemer, enjoy hands-on activities that simulate the life of Israel’s early kibbutz pioneers, such as baking in a wood oven, pitching a tent, building a mosaic floor, solving early kibbutz members’ dilemmas, etc.
• Enjoy a special dinner at Decks Lakeside Restaurant
• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel
Thursday, December 27 – In the Footsteps of the Kabbalah
• Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat
• Meet with a Tzefat Kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the Golan Heights. Hear the story of the most expansive land battle in the world, which took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
• Take an exciting jeep ride through the Golan, off the beaten track
• Enjoy a delicious dinner at Suzanne Bistro on the Golan Heights
• Special evening swim arranged for our group at the hotel
• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel
Friday, December 28 – Foundations of the Modern State
• Travel south to the Tel Aviv region
• Climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute
• At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State
• Walk through Tel Aviv’s colorful Nahalat Binyamin crafts market (time permitting)
• Enjoy Shabbat dinner at the hotel
• Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Shabbat, December 29 – Shabbat in Tel Aviv
• Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Tel Aviv on your own. Most museums are open today
• Evening: Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner and party at the hotel
• Those on the 11-day tour depart for the airport – the memories stay with you forever! (late check-out today)
• Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv (15-day tour)
Sunday, December 30 – Eilat Adventure
• After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Tel Aviv and transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for your domestic flight to Eilat.
• Upon landing at Eilat Airport you will be met by ITC representative and transferred to your Hotel.
• Hotel check-in
• Enjoy a special visit to Eilat’s Underwater Observatory, one of the largest seaquariums in the world, built into a gorgeous coral reef (transfers included)
• Free time for a swim at your hotel’s beautiful beach or pool
• Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat
Monday, December 31 – The Red Sea
• Board a luxury touring yacht 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.
• Dinner at the hotel
• Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat
Tuesday, January 1 – The Delights of Eilat OR The Wonders of Petra
• 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 (extra charges apply for some of these activities)
OR
• Our excursion to the Nabatean City of Petra is from 7 am to the evening (extra charge). You need to apply for this extension in order to book your trip to Petra. We will secure your Jordanian visas in advance.
• Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat
Wednesday, January 2 – Sun and Fun
• Morning at leisure in Eilat
• Late afternoon flight to Ben Gurion Airport for your international flight to the USA
Thursday, January 3 – A Temporary Departure
• Return to USA
• Begin planning your next Israel trip with ITC Tours!
*Itinerary Subject to Change
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