Day 1 – Thursday Welcome to Israel Arrive at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Meet your guide and begin your journey. As you enter Jerusalem, stop at the Haas Promenade overlooking the City of Gold for a special “Shehechianu” ceremony. Check into your hotel. Welcome dinner this evening. Overnight: Jerusalem x 4 nights. [D]

Day 2 – Friday Jerusalem Begin the day of touring at the new Mt.Herzl Museum. Continue to Mt.Herzl’s military cemetery to visit the grave sites of Golda Meir, Theodore Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin. Next, tour the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, Israel’s moving memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Walk through Machane Yehuda Market as Jerusalemites busily shop for the approaching Shabbat. Go to Mea Shearim for a look at Jerusalem’s Ultra-Orthodox community. Special Kabala Shabbat with candle lighting at the Southern Wall. Greet Shabbat with the people of Jerusalem at the Western Wall. Shabbat dinner at the hotel. [BD]

Day 3 – Saturday Jerusalem -Shabbat This afternoon enjoy a walking tour to Montefiores Windmill in Yemin Moshe. Walk through history in the Old City, exploring the Jewish Quarter, Cardo Market, and Christian Quarter. Exit through the Jaffa Gate. **Optional Shabbat services this morning. [B]

Day 4 - Sunday Jerusalem Old and New After breakfast, begin the day at the Hadassah Hospital and view the magnificent Chagall Windows. Photo opportunity at the Knesset’s bronze outdoor Menorah. Supreme Court. Take a fascinating tour of the tunnels under the Western Wall. Visit the Davidson Centre and Southern Wall excavations and the Jewish Quarter. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure for shopping & experience the “Time Elevator”. [B]

Day 5 - Monday Celebrating B’nai Mitzvoth Early this morning depart Jerusalem and head toward the Dead Sea Basin. Ascend Masada for your memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony with an Israeli Rabbi. Special celebratory Kiddush on Masada! Enjoy the mud baths and an unsinkable swim in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. For an authentic desert experience, enjoy a Camel ride with Bedouins. Bar/Bat Mitzvah dinner. Overnight: Kfar Anokdim x 1 night. [BD]

Day 6 – Tuesday

JThe Jordan Valley

Depart Jerusalem, traveling north through the Jordan Valley. Stop to view the Roman ruins of Beit Shean and the intricate mosaic floor and the Synagogue of Beit Alpha. Enjoy a refreshing swim at Gan Sachne. Arrive at the kibbutz for dinner together. Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee x 2 nights. [BD]

Day 7 – Wednesday

Golan & Galilee

Enjoy a jeep tour up to Golan Heights. View the archeological site an ancient Katzrin. Visit the mystical city of Safed and visit the ancient synagogues and Artists’ Quarter. This afternoon enjoy a special kayaking trip down the Jordan River. [B]

Day 8 – Thursday The beauty of the coast Depart the Galilee for your tour of Israel’s west coast shoreline, beginning with the amazing grottoes in Rosh Hanikra. Visit the Crusader city of Akko, including the fortresses and British Prison. In Haifa, enjoy the stunning views of the Baha’i Temple and Persian Gardens from a top Mt. Carmel. In Caesarea, explore the relics from ancient times, including the Roman Theater and aqueduct. Arrive in Tel Aviv and stop for a moment of reflection at Rabin Square. Free time for dinner. Overnight: Tel Aviv x 3 nights. [B]

Day 9 – Friday Beit Guvrin/ Ayalon Institute/Jaffa After breakfast, journey to the Bet Guvrin region through the Haella Valley where the battle between David and Goliath took place. Take part in a unique “hands-on” experience at the archeological dig in the caves of Tel Maresha. Visit the Ayalon Institute, the underground manufacturer of bullets that saved the State of Israel during the War of Independence. Walk on the cobblestone streets in the Old City of Jaffa. Enjoy Shabbat dinner. [BD]

Day 10 – Saturday

Free day in Tel Aviv

Enjoy the day at leisure. Time on the beach or exploring the city. **Optional Shabbat services this morning. [B]

Day 11 - Sunday

Depart Israel

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight.