Back to Europe Listings | Email
Tour to a Friend | Book
This Tour | Download
Reservation Form | Download PDF
ISRAEL 2010
On the heels of a spectacular season , we once again invite you to discover the land where time began. At one of civilization’s crossroads, experience an intense spiritual, cultural and intellectual journey. An opportunity to behold the foundations that nurtured three of the world’s great religions.. Indeed, this is a unique journey. Our tour for 2010 begins in Tel Aviv, Israel’s “city that never sleeps”, and makes a circuit through Israel visitng Haifa, Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem. We include creative and comprehensive touring including a visit to the Dead Sea and Masada/ To lead and guide you is the finest Tour Manager/Lecturer – who is with you every day – even on free days – Wonderful meals – Spectacular sights! Join us!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- 14 MEALS including Israeli Buffet Breakfast Daily, 1 luch & 5 dinners
- Professional Visits in Tel Aviv & Jerusalem – Weekend in Tel Aviv
- Tour Haifa and Tiberias
- Stroll the charming streets of Safed’s Artists Quarter
- Tour Hadassah Medical Center to see famed Chagall Windows
- Visit Yad Vashem, Holocaust Memorial and the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- See the Old City, the Western Wall, and walk the Via Dolorosa
- Cable car to top of Masada, and an ‘unsinkable’ swim in the Dead Sea
ITINERARY - 10 Days / 8 Nights
THURSDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE
Depart the U.S. for Israel.
Depart the U.S. for Israel.
FRIDAY, DAY 2- TEL AVIV
Welcome to Israel. Shalom! Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your luxury hotel in vibrant Tel Aviv. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and unwind. You might want to spend the afternoon at lively Nachlat Benjamin Street with its delightful cafes and crafts stall – the place to be on a Friday afternoon. Early evening briefing on the special program, followed by a special Friday night dinner. D
Welcome to Israel. Shalom! Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your luxury hotel in vibrant Tel Aviv. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and unwind. You might want to spend the afternoon at lively Nachlat Benjamin Street with its delightful cafes and crafts stall – the place to be on a Friday afternoon. Early evening briefing on the special program, followed by a special Friday night dinner. D
SATURDAY, DAY 3-TEL AVIV
Morning walking tour of your immediate neighborhood. Your Tour Manager will give you suggestions on things to do – perhaps a visit to nearby Jaffa, with its cobblestone streets lined with galleries and boutiques. The day is at leisure to enjoy all the delights of this seaside city. Don’t miss the afternoon Israeli folk dancing on the seaside promenade. B
Morning walking tour of your immediate neighborhood. Your Tour Manager will give you suggestions on things to do – perhaps a visit to nearby Jaffa, with its cobblestone streets lined with galleries and boutiques. The day is at leisure to enjoy all the delights of this seaside city. Don’t miss the afternoon Israeli folk dancing on the seaside promenade. B
SUNDAY, DAY 4- TEL AVIV – HAIFA
A Professional Visit is scheduled at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, the only children’s hospital in Israel and the Middle East dedicated exclusively to the health-care of all children. You will be able to see firsthand the treatment that children in Israel are receiving and witness the interaction between families of different races, religions and nationalities, and see how Schneider’s Children is truly a bridge to peace. Then, drive along the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea; explore the astounding Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive theatre and aqueduct. Visit newly opened Caesarea Harbor, with its thrilling multi-media presentation – you’ll see ancient history come to life! Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mount Carmel. This evening, visit a Druze Village – meet these unique Israelis in their homes! Hear about their traditions and share a Druze Dinner.BD
A Professional Visit is scheduled at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, the only children’s hospital in Israel and the Middle East dedicated exclusively to the health-care of all children. You will be able to see firsthand the treatment that children in Israel are receiving and witness the interaction between families of different races, religions and nationalities, and see how Schneider’s Children is truly a bridge to peace. Then, drive along the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea; explore the astounding Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive theatre and aqueduct. Visit newly opened Caesarea Harbor, with its thrilling multi-media presentation – you’ll see ancient history come to life! Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mount Carmel. This evening, visit a Druze Village – meet these unique Israelis in their homes! Hear about their traditions and share a Druze Dinner.BD
MONDAY, DAY 5- HAIFA-TIBERIAS
View the golden-domed Bahai Shrine and the colorful Persian Gardens before departing Haifa. Drive along the coast to spectacular Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the beautiful underwater grottoes. Continue through the seaside town of Nahariya to the timeless crusader city of Acre; walk through the subterranean city and the bazaars recalling the colorful Middle Ages. Then, to Safed, one Judaism’s holiest cities, where Kabbalah flourished during the golden age; visit the ancient synagogues and the picturesque Artists Quarter. Late afternoon boat ride (Spring-summer periods only) on the tranquil Sea of Galilee takes you to Tiberias on the lake’s shore for overnight. Tonight, dinner at a seaside restaurant.BD
View the golden-domed Bahai Shrine and the colorful Persian Gardens before departing Haifa. Drive along the coast to spectacular Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the beautiful underwater grottoes. Continue through the seaside town of Nahariya to the timeless crusader city of Acre; walk through the subterranean city and the bazaars recalling the colorful Middle Ages. Then, to Safed, one Judaism’s holiest cities, where Kabbalah flourished during the golden age; visit the ancient synagogues and the picturesque Artists Quarter. Late afternoon boat ride (Spring-summer periods only) on the tranquil Sea of Galilee takes you to Tiberias on the lake’s shore for overnight. Tonight, dinner at a seaside restaurant.BD
TUESDAY, DAY 6- TIBERIAS-JERUSALEM
Begin the day with a drive to Capernaum; see the ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 4th century. Then, ascend the strategic Golan Heights for a greater understanding of the fierce battles that took place during the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Stop at a former Israeli army bunker, used as an outpost. Continue to a Golan winery for some wine tasting. On to Katzrin, capital of the Golan to join the fascinating multi-media presentation “Kesem Hagolan” for a great understanding of this area. Arrive at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israeli together; view the fertile valleys below as you tour the kibbutz and enjoy lunch in the communal dining room. Travel to Bet Shean, an ancient city from the time of King Saul; see the excavated remains of a Roman city. Continue to “golden” Jerusalem for overnight. BL
Begin the day with a drive to Capernaum; see the ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 4th century. Then, ascend the strategic Golan Heights for a greater understanding of the fierce battles that took place during the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Stop at a former Israeli army bunker, used as an outpost. Continue to a Golan winery for some wine tasting. On to Katzrin, capital of the Golan to join the fascinating multi-media presentation “Kesem Hagolan” for a great understanding of this area. Arrive at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israeli together; view the fertile valleys below as you tour the kibbutz and enjoy lunch in the communal dining room. Travel to Bet Shean, an ancient city from the time of King Saul; see the excavated remains of a Roman city. Continue to “golden” Jerusalem for overnight. BL
WEDNESDAY, DAY 7 – JERUSALEM
Drive to the Hadassah Medical Center for a Professional Visit and to see the brilliant Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, memorial to the Holocaust; visit the Museum, Children’s Pavillion, and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous, dedicated to Christians who saved Jews in World War II. Then to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s military heroes. Visit the Herzl Museum (schedule permitting). Drive via the Supreme Court Building and the Knesset (Parliament) to the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time to walk through the Israel Museum, containing the best collection of artifacts from this geographical area, and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. See the Scale Model of the city from the time of Herod the Great. Tonight, Restaurant Dinner and Night Tour. BD
Drive to the Hadassah Medical Center for a Professional Visit and to see the brilliant Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, memorial to the Holocaust; visit the Museum, Children’s Pavillion, and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous, dedicated to Christians who saved Jews in World War II. Then to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s military heroes. Visit the Herzl Museum (schedule permitting). Drive via the Supreme Court Building and the Knesset (Parliament) to the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time to walk through the Israel Museum, containing the best collection of artifacts from this geographical area, and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. See the Scale Model of the city from the time of Herod the Great. Tonight, Restaurant Dinner and Night Tour. BD
THURSDAY, DAY 8- JERUSALEM
Devote a day to the cross-currents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they can only be experienced in the Old City of Jerusalem. Enter the Old City from the Dung Gate , walk to the Western Wall, the only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Witness joyous Bar & Bat Mitzvah ceremonies! View the Dome of the Rock mosque of Islam. Drive to Mt. Zion, traditional site of King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. Proceed to the restored Jewish Quarter (its Cardo was Roman “heart” of Jerusalem and the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem). Visit the excavated Herodian Mansions, intact after 2,000 years, or walk through the extraordinary Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting). Follow the steps of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, walk through the exotic bazaars with their wondrous aromas. End the day with an optional visit to Bethlehem. B
Devote a day to the cross-currents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they can only be experienced in the Old City of Jerusalem. Enter the Old City from the Dung Gate , walk to the Western Wall, the only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Witness joyous Bar & Bat Mitzvah ceremonies! View the Dome of the Rock mosque of Islam. Drive to Mt. Zion, traditional site of King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. Proceed to the restored Jewish Quarter (its Cardo was Roman “heart” of Jerusalem and the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem). Visit the excavated Herodian Mansions, intact after 2,000 years, or walk through the extraordinary Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting). Follow the steps of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, walk through the exotic bazaars with their wondrous aromas. End the day with an optional visit to Bethlehem. B
FRIDAY, DAY 9- JERUSALEM-DEAD SEA-MASADA-JERUSALEM
Descend through the stark Judean desert to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Ascend Masada by cable car to this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s palace, synagogue and bath house. Then, enjoy an “unsinkable swim” in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea. (we provide facilities and lockers). Drive via the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, on your return to Jerusalem. Tonight, traditional Friday night dinner. BD
Descend through the stark Judean desert to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Ascend Masada by cable car to this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s palace, synagogue and bath house. Then, enjoy an “unsinkable swim” in the buoyant salt waters of the Dead Sea. (we provide facilities and lockers). Drive via the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, on your return to Jerusalem. Tonight, traditional Friday night dinner. BD
SATURDAY – DAY 10- JERUSALEM
Morning walking tour with your Tour Manager to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem at David’s Citadel and to the Old City. Balance of the day at leisure. Late evening transfer to the airport for the flight back to the U.S. – or if you wish to take the optional Eilat or Jordan extension, spend the night in Jerusalem.
Morning walking tour with your Tour Manager to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem at David’s Citadel and to the Old City. Balance of the day at leisure. Late evening transfer to the airport for the flight back to the U.S. – or if you wish to take the optional Eilat or Jordan extension, spend the night in Jerusalem.
SUNDAY, DAY 11- EN ROUTE
Early morning arrival in the U.S.
Early morning arrival in the U.S.
This is a sample itinerary – Distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. Meal conditions: Israeli Buffet Breakfast daily – 1 lunch – 5 dinners
We will be happy to assist you with your trans-atlantic air arrangements.
2011 PROJECTED DATES:
Jan 13-23, Feb 10-20, Mar 24-Apr 3, May 12-22, Jun 16-26
Jul 21-31, Aug 25-Sep 4, Sep 15-25, Oct 27-Nov 6, Dec 23-Jan 2, 2011
