Join RENAISSANCE VILLAGE ISRAEL TOUR October 27- November 9, 2011 "Sojourners in the Land of Promise" (Hebrews 11:9)

Tour Highlights
Round trip Air from EWR or PHL Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel - round trip bus to airport  one of Israels Top Tour Guides and Drivers will be with you the entire trip Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eilat, Kibbutz Lavi Tiberias, All Breakfasts and Dinners as per itinerary, Welcome Orientation, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Tel Aviv's Bauhaus Historic District, Neve Tzedek, Ancient Caesaria, Israel's Druze community, Dalyat al Karmel, Haifa Bay, Summit of Mt. Carmel, Bahai Gardens, Mary's Well and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Mystical city of Tzefat, Golan Heights, Ancient Capernaum Synagogue, Sea of Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes, Site of the Sermon on the Mount, Israel's border with Jordan, Beit Alpha Synagogue, Old City of Jerusalem, Haas Promenade, Gordon's Cavalry, Garden Tomb, Israel Museum, Chagall Windows, Hadassah Hospital, Holocaust Memorial Museum Yad Vashem, Grotto at Gethsemane, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, David's Tomb, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Ancient Roman Cardo in today's Jewish Quarter, Welcome the Sabbath with thousands of others at the Western Wall (Kotel), An Inspirational Pilgrimage and Much Much More!!!

  Itinerary

Thursday, 27 October - Israel Pilgrims
El Al flight to Israel from Newark Airport

Friday, 28 October - When You Come Into the Land (Deut.26:1)
Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion airport by your ITC representative. Transfer to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in and Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Shabbat, 29 October - Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Enjoy a day and evening at leisure to walk along the boardwalk and explore Tel Aviv on your own. Most art museums and galleries are open today.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Sunday, 30 October - Foundations of the Modern State
At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of State. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum. See Tel Aviv's Bauhaus architecture and walk though the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, a UNESCO Heritage site. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Monday, 31 October - Layers of History
Drive north along the Mediterranean coast Visit the wonderful excavations of ancient Caesaria, including an impressive amphitheater and aqueduct and the newly opened multi-media center, where ancient history comes to life. Meet members of Israel's Druze community in Dalyat al Karmel, shop in their colorful market, hear about their fierce patriotism, and enjoy their warm hospitality. Take in a wonderful overview of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee from the summit of Mt. Carmel. Visit the spectacular Bahai Gardens. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Tuesday, 1 November - The Galilee and the Golan Heights
Visit Mary's Well and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Ascend the Golan Heights and stop to gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy Eli Cohen revealed their secrets. Proceed to our kibbutz hotel for check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Tiberias

Wednesday, 2 November - Sea of Galilee and Jordan River Valley.
Enjoy a boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) Proceed to the excavations of the ancient Caperneum Synagogue on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the focal point of Jesus' ministry. At the Mount of Beatitudes, stand at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. Travel south along Israel's border with Jordan. Stop at the ancient Beit Alpha Synagogue to examine its striking mosaic floor; enjoy a short, amusing film about plans to renovate this ancient synagogue two millennia ago. Ascent to Jerusalem - Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, standing where Abraham stood at the dawn of Jewish history; take in the breathtaking view. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem

Thursday, 3 November - Jerusalem
We begin our day at Gordon's Cavalry and the Garden Tomb. Visit the Israel Museum including the Shrine of the Book and the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period. Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, JLM

Friday, 4 November - Jerusalem of Old
We begin our day with a visit to the garden and grotto at Gethsemane. Enter the Old City and explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Visit David's Tomb and the site of the Last Supper. Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walk along the ancient Roman Cardo in today's Jewish Quarter. Welcome the Sabbath with thousands of others at the Western Wall (Kotel). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 5 November - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Depart for the Dead Sea Region. Visit the excavation of Kumran, home of the mysterious ancient sect that authored the Dead Sea scrolls. Ascend 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. Stop for a dip in the amazing Dead Sea.
Overnight: Dan Panorama, Jerusalem

Sunday, 6 November - Beersheva, Sde Boker, Mitzpeh Ramon, Eilat.
Optional early morning church services, based on availability. Travel south and enter the Negev Desert. Visit Israel's Air force Museum near Beersheva to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Please choose one for the group: Visit the fascinating Jo Alon Museum of Bedouin Culture near Lahav for an in-depth introduction to this desert culture, some Bedouin hospitality, and a light lunch OR Visit Ben Gurion's Hut in Sde Boker for personal insight into the life of this outstanding Zionist leader and Israel's first prime minister. Continue south, stopping at Mitzpeh Ramon to gaze into the Ramon Crater, an other-worldly geological wonder. Proceed to the resort city of Eilat. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Monday, 7 November - The Delights of Eilat
Enjoy a day at leisure on Eilat's gorgeous beaches. Optional Petra excursion (not included in tour price): Early departure for Petra to explore the amazing decorated red rock formations of the ancient Nabateans. Enter Jordan at the Arava crossing and travel to the Red Rose City by bus (approx. 2.5 hours). Tour its treasury, the Roman theatre, and the impressive caves and rock formations of this Nabatean City; buffet lunch included.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Tuesday, 8 November - The Red Sea
Board a luxury touring yacht at the Eilat marina 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.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat

Wednesday, 9 November - A Temporary Departure
Early morning domestic flight to Tel Aviv. Depart for USA from Ben Gurion Airport Begin planning your next Israel trip with Travel Plaza

Itinerary Subject to Change