Join Marlboro Jewish Centers Encountering Israel and Israelis with Allan and Joyce Sugarman 29 June - 10 July 2011

Tour Highlights:
Mount Zion Hotel Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Lavi, Isrotel Dead Sea
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 2 Week-Day Dinners, as per itinerary
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach
Opening ceremony, Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Coptic Village, Armenian Quarter, Arab Market, Yad Vashem, Har Herzl Military Cemetery, Herzl Exhibit, Meet with Palestinians at Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, Kabbalat Shabbat, Enjoy Jerusalem nightlife, Israeli Supreme Court, Chagall Windows, Hadassah Hospital, Meah Shearim, Kotel Tunnels, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Night Spectacular, Tower of David Museum, Archeological Dig, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Herodian, King Herod's tomb, Tekoa home hospitality, Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi Nature Spa facilities, Kamran, Israel's border with Jordan, Beit Shean, Cardo, Roman baths, Mystical city of Tzefat, Artist colony, Kabbalistic artist, Boat ride on Lake Kinneret, Kayak on the Jordan River, Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Golan Heights, Har Bental, Golan Winery, Ancient Caesaria. Option to play a Game of golf, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Nahalat Binyamin, Funky Sheinkin Street Enjoy Shabbat at leisure, Tel Aviv beaches, Old Jaffa, Israeli dancing ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!!!

  Itinerary

Wednesday, 29 June - USA Departure

Thursday, 30 June - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative (today's programming depends on arrival time). 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. Take a walking tour along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; visit the Coptic Village, Armenian Quarter, and Arab Market. Welcome dinner at Olive and Fish (meat).
Overnight: Mt Zion Hotel Jerusalem

Friday, 1 July - National Mourning
At Yad Vashem, discuss how the State of Israel has dealt with the legacy of the Holocaust as we visit monuments such as the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, the Children's Memorial, the Valley of the Communities (time permitting), and the new Memorial Museum Experience a sobering exploration of the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery. Meet with Palestinians at Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. Optional Kabbalat Shabbat services at a choice of neighborhood synagogues or Kotel and Western Wall in the Old City. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Mt Zion Jerusalem

Shabbat, 2 July - Shabbat in Jerusalem
Optional Shabbat services at the Kotel or a choice of neighborhood synagogues. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Evening: Enjoy Jerusalem nightlife on Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall or Emek Refaim. Dinner on one's own.
Overnight: Mt Zion Jerusalem

Sunday, 3 July - Jerusalem Then and Now
VIP tour of the architecturally unique Israeli Supreme Court building to focus on Israel's justice system; meet with a Supreme Court justice Admire the beautiful Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital Visit the Meah Shearim neighborhood. Group may split: In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall OR Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and take a virtual, computerized "walk" through the ancient Temple Mount at the Davidson Center. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Overnight: Mt Zion Hotel Jerusalem

Monday, 4 July - The Land
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 newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book; the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem; Judaica, art, and archeology exhibits (on one's own). Tour 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. Enjoy a tour of the special West Bank community of Tekoa and a lecture/discussion over dinner with a Tekoa family.
Overnight: Mt Zion Hotel Jerusalem

Tuesday, 5 July - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Early departure for the Dead Sea Region. Option A: 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; review the biblical story of kings David and Saul "on site", Check into our hotel to enjoy its pool, spa facilities, and the amazing Dead Sea. Stop for a Dead Sea dip and mud baths. Option B: Early check-in to our Dead Sea resort hotel to spend the day enjoying its spa facilities and the amazing Dead Sea. Optional afternoon excursion: Visit the excavation of Kumran, home of the mysterious ancient sect that authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. Hotel check-in. Dinner - Isrotel Hotel.
Overnight: Dead Sea

Wednesday, 6 July - The Jordan River Valley
Early departure to travel north along Israel's border with Jordan. Tour the remarkable excavations of the ancient Roman city of Beit Shean, including a magnificent Cardo, Roman baths, residences, and amphitheatre. Visit the mystical city of Tzefat with a focus on its artist colony. Meet with a Tzefat kabbalistic artist in his gallery to explore Jewish mysticism through the prism of his creations. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kinneret to Ein Gev. Dinner at Ein Gev fish restaurant. Hotel check-in.
Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, Tiberias

Thursday, 7 July - The Galilee and the Golan Heights
Drive through Tiberias to the Galilee Panhandle. Glide down the Jordan River on a kayak or raft. Take a lovely nature walk through the lush forests and streams of the Banyas/Tel Dan Nature Reserve. Ascend the Golan Heights and gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did. Drive to the peak of Har Bental, where you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today's geo-political reality. Take a tour and taste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning wines at the Golan Winery. Free evening on the Tiberias Promenade.
Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, Tiberias

Friday, 8 July - Foundations of the Modern State
Early departure for Caesaria. Option A: See ancient history come to life at the multi-media center against the backdrop of ancient Caesaria. Excavations include an impressive amphitheatre and aqueduct. Option B: Enjoy a game of golf at Israel's only golf course in Caesaria Cemetery visit in Netanya. Continue south to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for a panoramic bus tour. Browse through unique craft items in Nahalat Binyamin's colorful, open-air market or walk along funky Sheinkin Street and enjoy seeing modern Tel Aviv in action. Hotel check-in. Modern and musical Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old Port with hundreds of Israelis. Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel on the Promenade

Shabbat, 9 July - Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Enjoy Shabbat at leisure in Tel Aviv to relax on the beach, walk along the boardwalk, explore Old Jaffa, or try free Israeli dancing on the boardwalk; most art galleries are open today. Late check-out from the hotel. Farewell dinner at Maganda Yemenite restaurant or at the hotel. Depart for the airport.

Sunday, 10 July - A Temporary Departure
Return to the USA. Begin planning your next Israel trip with Allan Sugarman and ITC Tours!

*Itinerary Subject to Change