12 Days in Israel
5 Nights in Jerusalem
2 Nights in Galilee
4 Nights in Tel Aviv
Highlights Include:
- Holy Sites
- Masada
- Dead Sea
- 2 Shabbats
- Purim
- And So Much More!
YOUR CHAPERONES: BARBARA AND ADAM LERCHE
$4950 Members |
Based on double occupancy; Single supplements available *Airfare not included
Travelers should be able to walk comfortably up to 1.5 miles throughout each day.
itinerary
Day 1
Tuesday, March 12
The Journey Begins
Departure - overnight flight. Airfare not included.
Day 2
Wednesday, March 13
Welcome to Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. Meet the group at the hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and group meet up at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Day 3
Thursday, March 14
Jerusalem: Layers of History
Immerse yourself in Jerusalem's history. Visit the Jerusalem Archeological Garden and learn about the extraordinary remains from the Second Temple period. Experience the Western Wall Tunnel - the underground continuation of the Western Wall and examine important discoveries that are revising our understanding of daily life in Jerusalem after the Roman period. Explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and some of the holy sites in the Old City. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Day 4
Friday, March 15
The Judean Desert
Depart for an entire day in the Judean desert. At Masada, a UNESCO Heritage Site, ride the cable car up the mountain with its extraordinary views. Learn about the Jewish rebels that lived there. Stop for lunch and a float in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Welcome Shabbat Jerusalem style at Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim - historic neighborhoods overlooking the old city. Shabbat Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Day 5
Saturday, March 16
Shabbat in Jerusalem
Free day to relax or enjoy Jerusalem's museums and other attractions; we'll help you plan. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Day 6
Sunday, March 17
Jerusalem
Start the day with an early morning visit to Yad L'Kashish - Lifeline for the Elderly; learn about their innovative retirement with dignity model. Visit includes the crafts gift shop (where shopping is a mitzvah). Continue with a walking tour through the Russian Compound and the Street of the Prophets, the most beautiful street outside of the old city. Explore, eat and drink at Machene Yehuda, an outdoor market, for lunch on your own; figure out what is Israeli about Israeli food! Visit the Yad Vashem complex - the National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Dinner on your own.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Jerusalem
Day 7
Monday, March 18
The Pioneers
Travel north via the Beit Shean Valley and experience history as it comes alive in the Beit Shean Archeological Park, perhaps the hottest place on earth (in the summer!). Thanks to the Roman penchant for grand building projects, you can explore the restored ruins of the 7,000-seat Roman theater, Byzantine bathhouse, decorative fountain, colonnaded streets and gladiator amphitheater. Continue to Old Gesher, a hidden scenic corner of geopolitical and historical importance. Explore the early roots of Zionism near the Sea of Galilee at the Kinneret Cemetery. The pioneers who settled in this area played a vital role in the establishment of the State of Israel. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim Boutique Hotel
Day 8
Tuesday, March 19
The Northern Border
Learn about security at the Dadu look out in Metulah next to the Lebanese border. View the Golan Heights on an "off road" jeep tour; focus on today's border with Syria; analyze the current challenges Israel faces. Next stop is Tel Dan Nature Reserve, the headwaters of the Jordan River and ancient Biblical city Tel Dan. Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim Boutique Hotel
Day 9
Wednesday, March 20
The North
Start the day in Safed, one of the four holy cities in Israel. Visit the narrow cobblestone alleys revealing art galleries and medieval synagogues where some of the greatest rabbis taught and lived. Stop in Akko, one of the oldest cities in the world and a UNESCO heritage site, to visit the Crusader Fortress. Continue to Zippori and visit the Mona Lisa of the Galilee. Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Renaissance Tel Aviv
Day 10
Thursday, March 21
From Hebrew City to Hebrew State
Start the day in the ancient port city of Jaffa where the creep of gentrification has been a challenge for this multicultural neighborhood that is home to both Arabs and Jews. Visit the Peres Center for Innovation. Continue the urban adventure in Florentin to grab some lunch and enjoy the graffiti. Walk along the newly opened Independence trail and embark on a remarkable journey that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the establishment of Israel in 1948. Dinner on your own. Explore Tel Aviv night life on your own.
Overnight: Renaissance Tel Aviv
Day 11
Friday, March 22
Eat, Drink and Breathe Tel Aviv
(But First the Negev)
Early departure for the "Salad Trail" at Talmei Yosef in the Northern Negev to taste and learn about Israeli agriculture. Tour the Ayalon Institute, a clandestine bullet factory from the British Mandate period. Welcome Shabbat Tel Aviv style at Nachalat Binyamin - the "happening" place on Friday afternoon with its restored buildings, sidewalk artists, craft show and music; shop at the Carmel Market. Shabbat Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Renaissance Tel Aviv
Day 12
Saturday, March 23
Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Shabbat at leisure - soak up some sun on the promenade. There is a lot to do in Tel Aviv; we'll help you plan. Dinner on your own - Purim.
Overnight: Renaissance Tel Aviv
Day 13
Sunday, March 24
Lehitraot (See you again soon...)
Departure from Israel
*ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Contact
Barbara Lerche, Director of Adult Life barbaral@jccrockland.orgPROGRAM INCLUSIONS:
- 5 nights hotel accommodations based on double occupancy at the Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem
- 2 nights hotel accommodations based on double occupancy at Hagoshrim Kibbutz, Galilee
- 4 nights hotel accommodations based on double occupancy at the Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
- Israeli buffet daily
- 3 dinners in Jerusalem at hotel including Shabbat dinner
- 2 dinners at Hagoshrim
- 2 dinners in Tel Aviv at hotel including Shabbat dinner
- 1 lunch and swim at the Dead Sea
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as shown in itinerary
- Services of a licensed English speaking guide as per itinerary
- Deluxe motor coach transportation as per itinerary
- Accommodations for driver and guide as required
- Porterage of luggage at hotel
Cost per person, land rate based on double occupancy: $4950.
Single supplement additional cost $1799.
Terms and conditions:
Deposit per person is $600. This amount can be done by check or credit card.
Deposit is subject to a $200
nonrefundable cancellation fee per person.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure.
Cancellations received 69 - 45 days prior to departure are subject to a 75% cancellation fee.
Cancellations received 44- 0 days prior to departure are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
No refunds will be given for unused services.
Final payment must be done by check. Credit card payment for final payment will incur a 3.5% convenience fee.
Not Included:
Airfare
Items of a personal nature
Tips to housekeeping recommended at $2.00 per room per night
Tips to guide recommended at $12 per day per person per touring day or approximately $88 per
person
Tips to driver recommended at $7-8 per day per person per touring day or approximately $65 per
person
Travel insurance in New York is quoted by age and cost.