G A R D E N S O F I S R A E L Discover the rich history of Israel, visit the prominent public gardens, observe wildflowers in habitat, and explore Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masada and more! with Mark Mosinski Head Gardener of Dunn Gardens February 13-26, 2019 Join Mark Mosinski - Head Gardener of Dunn Gardens - for an unforgettable journey to Israel in 2019. Although the focus of this trip will be on the stunning gardens and flora of Israel, we ll also take time to visit many of the country's top historical sites. Don t miss out. Travel with like-minded garden enthusiasts to Israel in 2019! Space is limited so secure your place early. TRIP AT A GLANCE Overnight flight to Israel 1 Nights Tel Aviv 1 Haifa Kibbutz 3 Nights Golan Heights / Tiberius Sea of Galilee 2 Nights Dead Sea 1 Night Bedouin village 3 Nights Jerusalem 3 Nights post-tour option to Eilat (Red Sea) and Petra, Jordan
G A R D E N S, H I S T O R I C A N D N A T U R A L S I T E S V I S I T E D Masada Jerusalem Bethlehem Qumran (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery) Ramat Hanadiv Argamon Iris Reserve Mt. Carmel National Park The Western Wall Church of Holy Sepulchre Mount of Olives The Jordan River Sea of Galilee The Dead Sea Baha'i Gardens Jerusalem Botanical Gardens Kibbutz Ein Gedi Botanical Garden Gamla Nature Reserve and more! I N C L U D E D With Mark Mosinski, Head Gardener, Dunn Gardens Guided by a local expert Israeli program director Transport by private, air conditioned mini bus All breakfasts, plus 16 additional multi-course meals Four star hotel accommodations and a Bedouin Village stay All entrances as listed in your Dunn Gardens custom itinerary Gratuities for your driver and guide Educational talks and discussions on the history of Israel and Palestine A like-minded small group of garden enthusiasts Guided historic walks Suggested reading list in preparation for your journey T R I P F A C T S 12 Days / 11 Nights (add 2 additional nights when including air travel) $4,149 land per person, double occupancy (not including air) $795 Single Supplement Tour begins at 6:00pm in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 14, 2019 Tour concludes at 9:00pm at Tel Aviv airport February 25, 2019 O P T I O N A L G R O U P F L I G H T $1575 on Delta Airlines via New York (JFK) Departs Seattle on February 13 Returns to Seattle on February 26 W A Y S T O S A V E $ 2 0 0 Reserve by July 1 and save $50 Pay final balance by check and save $100 Dunn Garden members save $50
We do not rejoice in victories. We rejoice when a new kind of cotton is grown and when strawberries bloom in Israel. Golda Meir YOUR HISTORIC GARDEN JOURNEY BEGINS DAY 1: Wednesday, February 13 - Depart the USA DAY 2: Thursday, February 14 - Welcome to Israel! Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv where you will be met by our local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome orientation and dinner with your hosts. Sleep in Tel Aviv DAY 3: Friday, February 15 - Argamon Iris Reserve and Ramot Hanadiv Drive to the Mediterranean coast and visit the Argamon Iris Reserve, located just south of Netanya. We will hike through this precious remnant of coastal dune habitat and experience the incredible tapestry of spring wildflowers up close. Afterwards, we will continue north and visit the gardens of Ramot Hanadiv. This site is a memorial to Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who had important influence in the early establishment of communities in Israel. The centerpiece of Ramat Hanadiv is the beautifully maintained formal gardens which have incredible views and many peaceful and tranquil corners. Sleep in Haifa
DAY 4: Saturday, February 16 - Mt. Carmel National Park and Baha i Shrine This morning we set out to explore Mt. Carmel National Park. The evergreen forest, breathtakingly beautiful wild landscape, important sites of the past, and rich world of flora and fauna have made the Carmel a nature and heritage expanse unlike any other in Israel. The Carmel is crisscrossed with hiking trails and lookout points. After our visit we set out to discover the Baha'i Shrine and Gardens. A golden dome, marble walls, granite pillars and manicured gardens cascading down a slope of Mount Carmel make the Baha i Shrine in Haifa a spectacularly colorful attraction for visitors. The shrine is the world headquarters of the Baha i faith, a monotheistic religion committed to the unity of humanity and the fundamental oneness of all religions. The gardens are designed in nine concentric circles resembling waves extending out from the shrine. They include works of stone and metal as well as fountains, shrubbery and expansive lawns. In the late afternoon we drive to the Sea of Galilee. Sleep on the shores of Galilee DAY 5: Sunday, February 17 - Gamla Nature Reserve The Gamla Nature Reserve has a rare combination, both nature and scenery and a fascinating historical human story. Today, we ll spend several hours walking this unusual national park that embodies the landscape characteristics of the Golan Heights, enjoying the spring flowers and ultimately a breathtaking view of Galilee. Return to your hotel in the later afternoon. Sleep on the shores of Galilee
DAY 6: Monday, February 18 - A Day of Exploration This day will be an exciting day in the Galilee area after a delicious breakfast. We will depart from the Roman hot springs resort city of Tiberias via a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to numerous sites mentioned in the New Testament including Capernaum to visit the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached, the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and to Tabgha, the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Last, we visit the Jordan River before we return to our hotel for dinner. Sleep on the shores of Galilee DAY 7: Tuesday, February 19 - Jordan River Valley and Qumran - Dead Sea Scrolls Drive along the Jordan valley heading south and stop at Beit Shean, one of the oldest cities in Israel and which has 20 layers of civilization. We then drive through the Jordan valley where the conquering Hebrews stepped into the Promised Land. Qumran, on the northwestern end of the Dead Sea is where a Bedouin boy chasing after a lost goat discovered an ancient script in 1947, known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. This was the beginning of what is considered the biggest discovery of the 20 th century. Sleep near the Dead Sea DAY 8: Wednesday, February 20 - Gardens and Waterfalls of Kibbutz Ein Gedi The Gardens of Kibbutz Ein Gedi are a true desert oasis perched on cliff above the Dead Sea. The kibbutz operates a 24.7 acre botanical garden housing over 900 plant species from around the world. Spend the afternoon in the Dead Sea, cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud and experience a refreshing swim. Sleep near the Dead Sea DAY 9: Thursday, February 21 - Explore Masada and Evening at the Bedouin village In the morning you will have another opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea. After lunch we drive to the storied Massada fortress which Jewish fighters defended for almost four years against a determined Roman siege in 73AD. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress. We continue on to a Bedouin hospitality village near the Judean desert. Sleep in a Bedouin village Day 10: Friday, February 22 - North to Jerusalem via the Negev Dessert Continuing through the Negev desert, we reach the plains of Judea the homeland of the People of the Sea as Egyptians called the Philistines. The Philistines originally came from Greek islands, as far as we know. After lunch in Jerusalem, we'll have a tour of the botanic gardens there. At around 30 acres, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens are the largest in Israel. There are over 6,000 species and varieties of plants from around the world. Sleep in Jerusalem
DAY 11: Saturday, February 23 - Tour Old Jerusalem Enjoy an all-day walking tour of Old Jerusalem, which is divided into four quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish. We'll visit the Christian sites of the Holy Sepulcher and Via Dolorosa, the Jewish sites of the Western Wall, Jewish quarter, the Cardo and Arab bazaars. Sleep in Jerusalem DAY 12: Sunday, February 24 - Mahane Yehuda Market and Bethlehem This morning we visit the vibrant and fragrant Mahane Yehuda Market. After, our journey continues to Bethlehem. Our tour will include the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a Middle Eastern dinner followed by the spectacular "Sound and Light" show at the Tower of David Museum (weather permitting). Sleep in Jerusalem Day 13: Monday, February 25 - Depart Israel for the USA This is your day to sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast. Your guide will be available to offer some suggestions for those who wish to see a few additional sights this morning. In the late morning we ll check out of the hotel and make our way to the Knesset for a tour of the Israeli Parliament. In the early evening we ll have dinner and then make our way to the airport for our evening flight back to the USA. For those staying on for the post-tour extension, you will overnight in Jerusalem before departing for the Red Sea tomorrow. P O S T - T O U R OPTION TO P E T R A, J O R D A N 3 Nights post-tour option to Eilat (Red Sea) and Petra, Jordan $1,495 per person double occupancy (based on 12 guests) $375 Single Supplement Day 14: Tuesday, February 26 - Timna and Underwater Observatory This morning we depart for southern resort city of Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We'll travel south through the Negev desert stopping at Timna, a large geological and archaeological park to marvel at the multi-colored rock formations, copper mines and the outstanding Solomon s pillars. Upon arrival in Eilat, we'll visit the Underwater Observatory marine park for a close look at the rich life of the Gulf of Eilat. Sleep in Eilat
Day 15: Wednesday, February 27 - Petra After breakfast, we transfer to the Jordan border and join a group tour to Petra. Petra, the astonishing rose-red city built by the Nabateans, was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback-riding for about 700 m. until the Siq, or main entrance to the city. You can also walk, of course! Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the treasury, royal tombs, the court, Roman theater, Roman street, Qasr Al-bint and many other smaller, fascinating monuments. After the visit, enjoy lunch before the drive back to the border. On the return we'll make a short visit to Aqaba. We transfer to the border about 6:00pm and return to Eilat. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Sleep in Eilat Day 16 - February 28 - To Tel Aviv via the Ramon Crater and Sde Boker This morning we begin our journey north towards Tel Aviv via Mitzpe Ramon, Sde Boker and the magnificent Zin valley. In Hatzerim we'll visit Israel s Airforce Museum to view the planes and equipment and hear the story of this brave fighting force. Continue to the Tel Aviv airport for the flight back home. Overnight flight back to USA Day 17: March 1 - Welcome back home!
RESERVATIONS & QUESTIONS 800.723.8454 Or info@earthboundexpeditions.com Health Matters: It is the responsibility of each guest to be aware of their physical abilities or limitations, and to be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. To make the most of your journey and participate in the various planned group activities, you should be able to be on your feet and walk unassisted for two to three hours (often over uneven cobblestones or pathways) with frequent standing. If you have questions about the physical requirements for your journey, please email or call our travel office. Any preexisting physical, mental, or emotional disability that may require attention must be reported in writing prior to the beginning the journey. Although it is not mandatory to participate in every planned and included group activity, not doing so isn t cause for a refund. For those desiring additional exercise, our trips allow free time to explore at your own pace. On boats, planes, ships and ferries, guests will need to be able to maneuver unassisted up and down gangways, stairs and in between decks. Smokers may smoke outside and downwind of the group. Hosted Journeys: If a host or special guest is unable to attend as planned, Earthbound Expeditions will do its utmost to find another host who has similar interests, talents expertise. The inability of a host to participate in a tour is not grounds for a full or partial refund. Luggage: You should be able to comfortably manage your luggage over short distances. Porters are generally available to assist you. Some of the castles, hotels and country inns we utilize do not have porters, but most of our lodgings are equipped with elevators. The key is not to over-pack. Concerts, Gardens, Festivals and Events: If (for any reason) the organizers of a scheduled garden, concert, museum, festival or event cancel or postpone a planned activity with little or no notice, Earthbound Expeditions will do its utmost to secure a similar event or secure another concert(s). Strikes, unscheduled delays, lack of funds and acts of God are beyond the control of Earthbound Expeditions. Cancellation of an event, festival or concert is not cause for refund. Terms and conditions at: www. earthboundexpeditions.com/the-boring-stuff/
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