Wednesday, 29 June - Israel Bound!
Depart LAX overnight flight to Israel
Thursday, 30 June - Israel Arrival!
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. Welcome dinner at Maganda (Yemenite)
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tel Aviv
Friday, 1 July - Israel History
Buffet breakfast at the hotel - Visit the new Rabin Center for a high-tech presentation on the history of the State of Israel and the life of this special leader. Visit the Carmel Market and funky Sheinken Street Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Enjoy a Mediterranean swim. Kabbalat Shabbat in the Tel Aviv Port with thousands of Israelis. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tel Aviv
Shabbat, 2 July - Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure in Tel Aviv to relax on the beach and enjoy free Israeli dancing on the boardwalk.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tel Aviv
Sunday, 3 July - Foundations of the Modern State
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Explore the cobblestone streets and art galleries of Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the Land of Israel Visit the Jaffa Museum. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. At the Hagana Museum, learn of the many achievements of this pre-State fighting force. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tel Aviv
Monday, 4 July - The Mediterranean Coast
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. See ancient history come to life at the newly-opened multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheater and aqueduct. 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. Hotel check-in, Mediterranean swim, and dinner.
Overnight: Leonardo Hotel, Haifa
Tuesday, 5 July - The Northern Mediterranean Coast
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Take the cable car to the mesmerizing ocean grottos of Rosh Hanikra, at Israel's border with Lebanon In historic Acco, visit the "cool and creepy" Crusader Fortress and the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; a multimedia exhibit about Acco's years of Muslim rule at the Turkish Baths; the beautiful Mosque of Jazzar; play a family scavenger hunt game in the Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts (number of stops in Acco, depends on time available). Tour the mystical city of Tzefat including time in the artist colony. Dinner at the hotel.
O/N: Kibbutz Ein Gev Guest House
Wednesday, 6 July - The Galilee and the Golan Heights
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Tel Dan Nature Reserve. Travel through the Golan Heights by jeep (Shvilim), off the beaten path, and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did. Glide down the Jordan River in akayak. Late afternoon: Travel north through the Jordan River Valley to the Galilee. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnight: Isrotel, Dead Sea
Thursday, 7 July - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Ascend by cable car to Masada. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times Return to our hotel to enjoy its spa facilities and the amazing Dead Sea Enjoy a camel trek through the Judean Desert and biblical hospitality with a delicious dinner in Abraham's Tent. Ascent to Jerusalem; take in a breathtaking view of the Old City awash in lights from Mount Scopus.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Friday, 8 July - Digging Israel
At the "Dig for a Day" program at Beit Guvrin, have a hands-on experience of archeology as you uncover actual artifacts while taking part in an ongoing archeological dig; "cave crawl" also available for the adventurous. Visit colorful, bustling Machane Yehuda open-air market as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at a scenic overlook or a choice of local synagogues. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Shabbat, 9 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhoods synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided). Shabbat afternoon walking tour including the Jerusalem Time Elevator Havdala with Nomie. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday, 10 July - Those Who Made a Difference
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Memorial Museum, the Children's Memorial, and the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles at Yad Vashem Walk through the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Please choose one for the group: At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers, a moving film about the soldiers who fought here, and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learn about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem OR Visit the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits; children's wing. Free time for dinner (one one's own). Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, with free time for dinner (on one 'sown) at the new Mamilla Mall.
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday, 11 July - Jerusalem of Old
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Take part in a moving Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony at Robinson's Arch. Tour the Southern Wall Excavations and experience a multi-media tour of the ancient Temple at the Davidson Center. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones. Visit the new "Chain of Generations" exhibit, which tells the history of the Jewish people using archeological finds near the Kotel and 150 tons of modern sculpted glass. Return to the hotel for final packing Farewell dinner at Ima's (Kurdish).
Depart for the airport
Tuesday, 12 July - A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Nomie Azoff and ITC Tours!
Eilat Extension: 12 - 14 July 2011
Tuesday, 12 July - The Delights of Eilat.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Eilat. Spend the day at leisure sampling the delights of Eilat, including beautiful beaches, your hotel's pool and spa facilities, a Red Sea yacht cruise, water-skiing, paddleboat's, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, a swim with the dolphins, or scuba- and "snuba"-diving to get up close and personal with Red Sea coral and fish (extra charges apply for some of these activities).
Overnight: Eilat
Wednesday, 13 July - The Red Sea.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel aboard 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: Eilat
Thursday, 14 July - Sun and Fun
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. At leisure in Eilat. Late afternoon/early evening departure on domestic flight to Tel Aviv
Board international flight to USA
Itinerary is Subject to Change
Itinerary
