Monday, 19 December - Departure from England
Tuesday, 20 December - When You Come Into the Land (Deut 26:1)
Early morning arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport to be met and assisted by your ITC representative. Our tour begins in Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the Land of Israel. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. Hotel check-in, rest. Optional: Free time to browse through craft items in Nachalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market while seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner at Café Kapish, 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. Free evening in Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Wednesday, 21 Dec. - In the Footsteps of Defenders and Pioneers
Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum. In Atlit walk through the detention camp that held Holocaust refugees denied entry into Eretz Yisrael by the British; see the incredible, newly arrived "illegal immigration" boat with its wonderful a/v presentation about heroic pre-State immigration. Visit Dona Gracia House to become acquainted with the fascinating life of this 16th century Jewish heroine and Tiberias financial leader via dramatic story-telling and an opportunity to pose for photos in period clothing. Hotel check-in and dinner.
Overnoght: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, North
Thursday, 22 December - The Galilee and the Golan Heights
Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and shops of the mystical city of Tzefat. Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery. Free time for dinner (on one's own) on the Tiberias Promenade.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, North
Friday, 23 December - The Jordan River Valley
Please choose one for the group: We bid farewell to the Galilee at the picturesque Kinneret Cemetery; read the moving poetry of the pioneer, Rachel the Poetess, and sing the songs of Naomi Shemer, first lady of Israeli song OR Explore Belvoir Castle, a beautifully restored Crusader fortress with an amazing story and a magnificent view of the Jordanian Gilad mountains. Please choose one for the group: Explore the magnificently excavated ancient city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Judah the Prince; discover ancient beauty and evidence of a community in which Jews and Romans coexisted peacefully OR Tour the remarkable excavations of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheatre. Ascent to Jerusalem. Take in a breathtaking view of the Old City. Hotel check-in to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at Robinson's Arch or a synagogue of your choice. Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Shabbat, 24 December - Shabbat in Jerusalem Parashat Miketz
Shabbat services at the synagogue of your choice (suggestions, directions to be provided). Sumptuous Shabbat lunch buffet at the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Havdalah with Rabbi Altshuler. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Sunday, 25 December - Jerusalem of Old
Tour David's City, the most ancient section of Jerusalem, built by King David, including recent excavations and the new 3-D presentation. Go way back in time as you tour the Jewish Quarter. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem.
Monday, 26 December - Those Who Made a Difference
At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers, a moving film about the soldiers who fought here, and a terrific new audio-video presentation; learnabout the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount. Visit the new state-of-the-art Memorial Museum and Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. 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's own).
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Tuesday, 27 December - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to the waterfall and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site". Stop for a dip and mud baths at Mineral Beach on 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.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Wednesday, 28 December - Layers of History
Tour Ma'arat Hamachpela in the holy city of Hevron. Learn about the history of the defense of Gush Etzion in a moving multi-media presentation at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. 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 recently discovered tomb. Enjoy a tour of the special community ("settlement") of Tekoa and home hospitality for coffee and cake with a Tekoa family.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Thursday, 29 December - Israel Today
Tour the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building and focus on Israel's justice system. 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. Spend time this afternoon with Rabbi Altshuler's family on Karmei Yosef. Special Yemenite farewell dinner and home hospitality with Yemenite musical folklore on Moshav Ishi.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
Friday, 30 December - A Temporary Departure
Early morning departure on flight to England. Return to London. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Altshuler and ITC Tours!
EILAT-JORDAN EXTENSION 30 December 2011 - 3 January 2012
Friday, 30 December - The Delights of Eilat
Depart on morning flight to Eilat. Spend the remainder of 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). Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Shabbat, 31 December - Shabbat in Eilat
Parashat Vayeshev. At leisure in Eilat.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat
Sunday, 1 January - 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: Taybet Zamen Hotel, Petra
Monday, 2 January - Amman Morning tour of "Little Petra"
Depart for Amman. Visit the unusual Abu Darwish Mosque. Hotel check-in followed by a free evening in Amman.
Overnight: Amman
Tuesday, 3 January - Mount Nebo
Early morning departure for Mt. Nebo, the burial site of Moses. Cross the border into Israel at the Allenby Bridge, Continue to Tel Aviv for return flight to London.
Itinerary Subject to Change
Itinerary
