13 Day Jewish Heritage Tour – Best of Israel Tour

Tuesday, Day 1: Departure – 13 day Jewish Heritage tour

We will depart US or Canada on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight to Israel and embark on our 13 day Jewish heritage tour to Israel. We will enjoy hot meals with on board entertainment.

Wednesday, Day 2: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel. We will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and will be met by a Trips Israel LLC representative, immediately after passport control. He will assist us in the terminal and will escort us through customs and outside the terminal to meet our driver. We will have a short ride to our hotel, in the beautiful coastal City of Tel Aviv for check-in. The remainder of the day or evening will be at leisure. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Itzik Hagadol Restaurant.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Thursday, Day 3: Tel Aviv and surrounding area – Independence Hall, Latrun, Beit Guvrin, Ayalon Institute

Following our delicious Israeli buffet breakfast, we will meet our guide at the lobby of our hotel. We will start our day with a drive to The Independence Hall, best known as the site where David Ben Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel for the nation to hear. We will continue to Latrun, in the Judean Hills to visit the Armored Corps museum, one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. We will also visit Beit Guvrin national park, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site. We will explore some of the caves and the archaeological remains. We will leave the Judean Hills and continue south to visit Ayalon Institute, once an ammunition factory for the Haganah, the underground movement before May 1948 (pre-statehood). In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Manta Ray Restaurant in Tel Aviv (by the beach).

Overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Friday, Day 4: Diaspora museum, Rabin’s square, Neve Tzedek, Nahalat Benyamin and Sheinkin

After breakfast, we will start our day with a visit to the Beit Hatfusot (Diaspora museum); the Museum of the Jewish People. This unique global institution tells the ongoing and extraordinary story of the Jewish people. Beit Hatfutsot connects Jewish people to their roots and strengthens their personal and collective Jewish identity. Next, we will tour around the main streets of Tel Aviv, the business centers and the entertainment district of Israel. We will stop at Rabin’s Square, the place where Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin was assassinated. We will continue to the historic city of Old Jaffa, to visit an 8000-year-old port, ancient ruins and walk along the restored artist’s quarter. We will visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv, built in 1887. We will continue to Nahalat Benyamin, to visit the pedestrian street of the city with its musicians, handmade jewelry, and artifacts. We will also visit Sheinkin Street, a lively and colorful street, especially known for the unique shops, café life and youthful ambiance. We will return back to our hotel. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Benny Hadayag Restaurant.

Overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Shabbat, Day 5: Shabbat at leisure

Following Shabbat breakfast, we will enjoy a day at leisure to wander the streets of Tel Aviv. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Shila – Sharon Cohen’s Kitchen and Bar.

Overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Sunday, Day 6: Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra

Following breakfast, we will check out from our hotel in Tel-Aviv and travel north along the Mediterranean coast to visit the ancient city of Caesarea, once the roman capital of the region. We will visit the Roman Theater, once used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today it still draws huge crowds for concerts and festivals. We will view the aqueduct, which was once used for conveying water to the city. We will continue north towards Haifa. Upon our arrival, we will ascend Mt. Carmel for a panoramic view of the beautiful Bahai Gardens and Haifa Bay. We will continue north along the coast to visit the crusader port of Akko (Acre). Here, we will see the ancient fortress, the underground passages, and secret rooms. Walk along the old harbor and local market. We will also visit the prison where members of the Hagana and Irgun were held captive during Israel’s fight for independence. This was where they filmed Leon Uris’s famous novel “Exodus”. We will journey to the northern most point of Israel and arrive at Rosh Hanikra. We will have an incredible panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. Rosh Hanikra is also Israel’s border with Lebanon. We will descend by cable car to see the limestone Grottos created by the Mediterranean Sea. We will conclude our day with a drive through the hills of the Galilee to our Kibbutz hotel for check-in, followed by a relaxing kibbutz dinner.

Overnight in the Galilee.

Monday, Day 7: Safed, Gadot, Banias, Tel Hai

Following breakfast we will start our day with a drive to the mystical city of Safed. It is considered to be one of the Four Holy cities according to tradition and the birth place of kabala. We will stroll through the narrow winding alleys and visit the Joseph Caro and the Ari synagogues, the most important synagogues in the city. We will also enjoy the creative workshops and galleries found in the flourishing artist’s quarter. We will proceed to the rugged Golan Heights for a jeep adventure. After jeep, we will continue to Gadot Overlook (Mitzpe Gadot), the memorial site for the fallen of the fighting in the Golan, located over former syrian bunkers and see the monument built on site in honor of the Alexandroni brigade; to re-visit the fallen and overlook the memorial site for the fallen in fighting for the Golan, located over former Syrian bunkers. We will visit the observation point overlooking the destroyed city of Kuneitra (Syrian territory) from a distance. We will continue north to Banias Springs, which is considered the largest spring feeding from Mt. Hermon and leading into the Jordan River. Next, we visit Tel-Hai to see the “Roaring Lion” monument and learn about the heroic battle of Josef Trumpeldor and his comrades in 1920. We will return to our Kibbutz Hotel for a relaxing dinner in the Upper Galilee. After dinner (or before), we will meet with a Kibbutz member and learn about their unique lifestyle (living and working in a kibbutz).

Overnight in the Galilee.

Tuesday, Day 8: Beit Shean, Beitt Alpha, Gan Hashlosha to Jerusalem

Following Breakfast, we will drive to Tiberias to visit Rambam’s grave. We will leave the Galilee area and travel south through the Jordan Valley to the ancient city of Beit Shean, also known as “Scythopolis”, dated to the Byzantine era. We will walk through the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel, with its amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics, and the Roman bath house. Next, we will visit Beit Alpha to see the beautiful mosaic floor of a Byzantine synagogue. We will continue further south to visit Gan Hashlosha (Sachne) and have the opportunity to enjoy the water springs located at the foot of the Gilboa Mountain. This is the famous mountain where King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in the battle against the Philistines. We will continue south through the lush Jordan Valley and upon arriving in Jerusalem stop at Mt. Scopus for a beautiful panoramic view of Jerusalem. Before leaving Mt. Scopus we will do a traditional Sheyechyanu blessing for our arrival to this special city. We will arrive at our hotel for check-in. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Eucalyptus Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Wednesday, Day 9: Jerusalem: Old City

After breakfast at our hotel, we will start the day at Mt. Zion to visit the tomb of King David. We will enter the walled city of Jerusalem and proceed to the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-day war in 1967. We will see the ancient Roman road and visit the four Sephardic Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter. We will walk to the broad stone stairway down to the holy Western Wall – the “Kotel” (Beit Hamikdash). We will have time to put a prayer to G-D in the cracks of the Wailing Wall. We begin at the passageways descending through the many layers of Jerusalem’s past at the time of the Temple through the Rabbinical Tunnels of the Western Wall. An incredible labyrinth of tunnels, arches, and passageways remained untouched for centuries. Inside, a most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and history of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Stand on the site believed to be the nearest spot to the “Holy of Holies”. We will continue towards the Southern Wall excavations to see the Davidson Center, one of the most significant archeological sites in the country. We will walk through the Arab Bazaar and markets to David’s Tower Museum. Here, we will see the ancient remains of the city, from the first Temple period. We will return to hotel to relax. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Charkra Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday, Day 10: Jerusalem: New City

Following breakfast at our hotel, we will start our day at the Kotel to witness a Bar Miztvah ceremony. We will leave the Old City and drive to Mea Shearim. We will learn about the unique lifestyle of the Ultra orthodox communities. We will drive to Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery, to see Israel’s leaders and heros gravesites. We will have the option to visit the gravesites of Israel’s greatest, including Theodore Herzl, Ze’ev Jabotinski, Yitzchak Rabin. We will continue to Yad Vashem, considered to be the first memorial to mankind’s darkest period. We will visit the very moving exhibit at the Children’s Pavilion. We will continue to Ammunition Hill (Givat-Hatahmoshet), a former Jordanian army stronghold conquered by the Israeli army in the Six Day War converted into a national memorial site and museum. It is also the sight of one of the fiercest battles for Jerusalem. We will then drive by the Knesset to see Israel’s parliament and the Menorah with its biblical emblems. We will proceed to Israel Museum to see the scale model, which recreates Jerusalem in 66 CE. In that fateful year the Great Revolt against the Romans erupted, resulting in the destruction of the city and the Temple. The ancient city was then at its largest covering an area of 445 acres (more than twice the size of the old city today). In the same complex we will also visit the Shrine of the Book. Here we will see the original Dead Sea Scrolls and where they are housed. We will then return back to our hotel. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Tmol Shilshom Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, Day 11: Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea

(Remember to bring your hats, swim suits, and suntan lotion!)

After an early breakfast, we will travel south through the Judean Wilderness towards the shores of the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the Dead Sea shores, we will start to descend to the lowest point on earth at 1305 feet (398m) below sea level and will arrive at the Shores of the Dead Sea. We will veer south and stop at Qumran, to see the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We continue south along the shores of the Dead Sea to the legendary mountain top plateau of Masada. We will ascend the mountain by cable car to the ancient synagogue of Masada and explore the ancient fortress. This is where the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans took place. The Zealots held the legions of Flavius Silva (Roman army) for nearly three years. They had a choice to be slaves for the Romans or choose to die as free men by their own hands. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. Following the tour of Masada, we descend by cable car and continue with our drive south to a spa resort hotel for a delicious lunch. After lunch we will have the opportunity to experience floating in the mystical waters of the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud. We will return to our hotel in Jerusalem. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Mona Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday, Day 12: Shabbat at leisure

After Shabbat breakfast, we will enjoy a day at leisure. Feel the ambiance of Jerusalem on Shabbat. In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Mantra Restaurant & Wine Bar.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, Day 13: Depart Israel

If flight is in the early morning or during the day: After breakfast, we will check-out from our hotel in Jerusalem and will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back home. We will arrive home the same day with everlasting memories of Israel.

If flight is at night: After breakfast, we will enjoy the day at leisure. Optional day use rooms can be arranged (additional cost). In the evening, we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home with everlasting memories of Israel.

SHALOM!