Israel Experience: June 1st – 7th 2015

 

Trip Outline

 

This trip will travel through Israel, from south to north, amalgamating history, present, and future. Here are all the locations we intend to visit:

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1 - Wednesday, June 1 - Welcome to Israel!

• Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our representatives & escorted through passport control, baggage claim & customs

• Transfer to Jerusalem

• Enter the Old City through Zion Gate

• Time for reflection at the Kotel

• Transfer to hotel - check-in, unpack, rest & relax

• Experience the sites & sounds of the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, Braod Wall & more

• Lunch on own in the Jewish Quarter

• Walk in the footsteps of Prophets and Kings in the City of David

• Wade through Hezekiah’s Tunnels dug over 2700 years ago

• Discover the splendor of the Second Temple at the Southern Excavations & Davidson Center

• Sunset Segway tour at the Haas Promenade

• Dinner at hotel (included)

• Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 2 - Thursday, June 2 - Judean Desert

• Breakfast at hotel

• Ascend the fortress of Masada where the Zealots contested the might of Rome after the Destruction of the Second Temple

• Lunch at Masada (not included)

• Explore the gorgeous oasis of Ein Gedi where David fled from King Saul & cool off under a waterfall

• Float in the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth

• Enjoy Camel Rides, desert hospitality and Dinner at Genesis Land (included)

• Overnight: Jerusalem

 

Day 3 - Friday, June 3 - Jerusalem & Hevron

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Time for reflection at Kever Rachel

• Discover Hevron – City of the Patriarchs including Beit Hadassah, Avraham Avinu, Tel Romeida & the Cave of Machpela

• Meet with local Chabad emissaries Danny & Batsheva Cohen

• Return to Jerusalem

• Experience the vibe at the Machane Yehudah Outdoor Market (lunch on own)

• Prepare for Shabbat

• Join thousands of Jews from around the globe in joyous celebration at the Kotel

• Friday night dinner at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul with Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov (included)

Day 4 - Shabbat, June 4 - Shabbat Experience

• Optional Services at the Mayanot Shul, Chabad of Rechavia, Great Synagogue or Tzemach Tzedek

• Lunch at hotel (included)

• Time to rest & relax

• Discover the stunning neighborhood of Yemin Moshe & Montefiore’s Windmill

• Ma’ariv & Musical Havdala

• Evening at leisure on Emek Refaim or Ben Yehuda Street (Dinner on own)

• Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 5 - Sunday, June 5 - Kfar Chabad & Tel Aviv

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Checkout & departure

• Explore Kfar Chabad including the Etrog orchards, book-binding, 770 & meet with local residents

• Experience Downtown Tel Aviv including the Nachalat Binyamin Flea Market, Rothschild Blvd, Shuk HaCarmel & Sheinkin Street (lunch on own)

• Relax on the beach

• Travel to the North

• Check in to hotel

• Dinner at hotel (included)

• Overnight: North

Day 6 - Monday, June 6 - Upper Galilee

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Discover the Mystical city of Tzfat including beautiful synagogues, Candle factory, Artists’ colony, Mikvaot and more…

• Lunch on the promenade (not included)

• Lookout over the border with Lebanon from Kibbutz Misgav Am and Meet with local residents

• Enjoy rafting down the Jordan River

• Watch the sunset from a boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee

• Dinner in Tiberias – suggested Decks

• Overnight: North

Day 7 - Tuesday, June 7 - Golan Heights

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enter an abandoned Syrian outpost overlooking the Sea of Galilee

• Explore the Golan Heights off-road by jeep

• Sample the local fare at the award-winning Golan Heights Winery

• Lunch on own in Katzrin (not included)

• Enjoy a delicious chocolate-making workshop at the De Karina visitor’s center

• Lookout over the Syrian border from Mt. Bental and hear the stories of bravery & heroism from the Yom Kippur War

• Dinner en-route

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport & depart for USA

 

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!