Interfaith Ecumenical Tour to Israel with Rabbi Joseph Rosenbloom 6 - 17 November 2011 Optional - Eilat/Petra Extension: 16 - 20 November 2011

Tour Highlights:
Round trip air on St Louis - Tel Aviv - and Return.
Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, Lavi-Hod Wing Kibbutz Lavi, Prima Royale Hotel Jerusalem.
All Breakfasts Five Weekday Dinners, Shabbat Dinner as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach.
Opening ceremony and orientation, Old Jaffa, Ayalon Institute, Independence Hall, Palmach Museum, Nahalat Binyamin, Na Laga'at, Caesaria, Carmelite monastery of Mukhraka, Port city of Haifa, Historic Acco, Crusader Fortress, British prison, Sea of Galilee, Jesus Boat, Tabgha, Capernaum, Tel Dan, Banias Nature Reserve, Beit Shean, Megiddo, Jerusalem, Robinson's Arch, Shabbat services, Tower of David Museum, Jerusalem's Old City, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Arab Market, Armenian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Optional Sunday services at St. George Church, Mount of Olives Garden of Gethsemane, Gordon's Cavalry, Garden Tomb, Southern Wall Excavations, Kotel Tunnels, Tekoa, former home of Amos the Prophet, Ancient fortress of Herodian, Bethlehem, Rachel's Tomb, Manger Square, Church of the Nativity, Shepherd's Field, The Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Dead Sea, Masada, Kumran, Yad Vashem, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Ayalon Valley Underground city of Maresha and the bell caves at Beit Guvrin.
ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!!!

  Itinerary

Sunday, 6 November - Israel Pilgrims Depart overnight flight to Israel

Monday, 7 November - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Welcome to the Holy Land! Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport to be met and assisted by your ITC representative. Our tour begins in Old Jaffa, once the gateway to Eretz Yisrael; review the biblical story of Jonah the Prophet on site, from both Jewish and Christian perspectives. Hotel check-in and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Tel Aviv

Tuesday, 8 November - Foundations of the Modern State
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. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal, followed by Na Laga'at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind.
Overnight: Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 9 November - Layers of History
Early departure from Tel Aviv to travel up the coast to the excavated ancient port city of Caesaria. In this home to the first Christians, where Rabbi Akiva taught, visit an impressive amphitheatre, aqueduct, and Crusader city. Head north to the Carmelite monastery of Mukhraka, atop Mount Carmel, where the Prophet Elijah facedoff against the prophets of Baal. Visit the sparkling port city of Haifa for a panoramic overview of the city, Haifa Bay, and the Bahai Gardens. In historic Acco, a city of many religions, walk through its fascinating Old City and visit its medieval Crusader Fortress and the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated (number of stops depends on time available). Proceed to Tiberias for a breathtaking overview of the Sea of Galilee. Check in and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Thursday, 10 November - The Galilee Region
See the incredible "Galilee Boat," an ancient fishing vessel that dates back to the time of Jesus. Then enjoy a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden "replica" boat. Visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and the Church of Multiplication with its 4th Century mosaic floor AND/OR At the Mount of Beatitudes, stand at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. Proceed to Capernaum, on the northern lakeshore, where Jesus performed many of his miracles; site of both an ancient synagogue and a beautiful contemporary church. Drive to Tel Dan, where Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by His Disciples and the gate through with Abraham is believed to have entered the Promised Land. Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Tel Dan/Banias Nature Reserve. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Tiberias

Friday, 11 November - Historical Cities and the Ascent to Jerusalem
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Tour the remarkable excavations of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheatre. We then cross the Jezreel Valley to visit the ancient fortress city of Megiddo, featuring ruins from the time of the Caananites and Israelite Kings (James Michener's The Source is reportedly based on this "tel") Travel south for the ascent to Jerusalem. Enter the Holy City and proceed to our hotel for check-in. Take part in Shabbat evening services at Robinson's Arch (the "Conservative/Masorti Kotel") and then walk over to the traditional Kotel (Western Wall) site, to which thousands stream every Friday night. Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Saturday, 12 November - Shabbat in the Holy City of Jerusalem
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Optional Shabbat services at synagogue of your choice. Take a walking tour in the Old City of Jerusalem to the Tower of David Museum for a wonderful presentation of the history of the city. Continue the walk through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem's Old City, including the Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Arab Market, Armenian Quarter, Jewish Quarter. Free evening "out on the town" in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Sunday, 13 November - In Holy Footsteps
Optional Sunday services at St. George Church. Gaze upon the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives; take in the breathtaking view and visit the Garden of Gethsemane. We then proceed to Gordon's Cavalry and the Garden Tomb. We enter the Old City of Jerusalem at the Dung Gate and enter the area of the Southern Wall Excavations to tour this area and stand at the site of the double and triple gates through which throngs once entered the Temple Mount. Walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones in the Kotel Tunnels.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Monday, 14 November - Ancient Roots
Tour the special (West Bank) community of Tekoa, former home of Amos the Prophet; enjoy home hospitality (coffee and cake) and a discussion with a Tekoa family. Visit the site of the ancient fortress of Herodian, built by Herod and used by Jewish fighting forces throughout the ages; also the site of an ancient synagogue and King Herod's newly discovered tomb and other more recent discoveries. We head this afternoon to the city of Bethlehem, stopping first at Rachel's Tomb; then visit Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity, and Shepherd's Field. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum, followed by free time for dinner (on one's own) at the new Mamilla Mall.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Tuesday, 15 November - The Dead Sea Region
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to drive through the Judean Desert down to the Dead Sea. Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Stop for a swim in the amazing Dead Sea. Visit the excavation of Kumran, home of the mysterious ancient sect that authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. Free evening in Jerusalem; dinner on one's own.
Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, 16 November - Those Who Sacrificed
Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. At Har Herzl Military Cemetery encounter the "silver platter" on which the Jewish people have acquired - and continue to acquire - its state. Travel through the Ayalon Valley where Joshua made the moon stand still and then turn south through the territory of Samson. Tour the excavated underground city of Maresha and the bell caves at Beit Guvrin. Farewell dinner at a Yemenite Restaurant in Tel Aviv. Depart for the airport for overnight flight home.

Thursday, 17 November - A Temporary Departure
Return to the USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with ITC/CHT Tours!

Eilat/Petra Extension
Wednesday, 16 November - Remaining in Israel!
Overnight: Jerusalem.

Thursday, 17 November - The Delights of Eilat
Airport transfer 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, water-skiing, paddle boats, 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

Friday, 18 November - The Wonders of Petra
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: Eilat

Saturday, 19 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: Eilat

Sunday, 20 November - Homeward Bound
Morning departure for domestic flight to Tel Aviv. Board Trans-Atlantic flight to USA.

Itinerary Subject to Change