B nai B rith International Israel Jewish Family Tour
August 18 August 31, 2009
Itinerary Day 1, Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - Depart USA Depart USA on your flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Day 2, Thursday, August 20, 2009 - En route to Jerusalem Transfer to Jerusalem upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport and meet with the Tour Operator. Time permitting, we will stop en route and plant trees at a JNF Center. We will then proceed to the B'nai Brith Monument, "Scrolls of Fire". A traditional Shehechiyanu will be made upon entering Jerusalem, followed by lunch at a special restaurant. Time permitting, we will walk through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Welcome dinner at a restaurant overlooking the old city. L/D *Note: If your flight arrival is too late for lunch, we will provide lunch on another day during your tour. Day 3, Friday, August 21, 2009 - Jerusalem Old City Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning visit to the City of David and its new findings, then the wall of the Old City through Zion Gate and walk along the walls to the Davidson Center archaeological park. We continue to the Western Wall - the Kotel. From there we proceed to a tour of the Kotel Tunnels, to the restored Jewish Quarter and the Cardo and walk through the colorful bazaar allowing time to do some shopping before we exit through Jaffa Gate. In the afternoon we visit Mahane Yehuda market the shuk on the way to the Ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood, to observe the pace and aromas of preparations for the Shabbat. Festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. B/D
August 19 - August 31, 2009 Day 4, Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Jerusalem Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to enjoy Shabbat in Jerusalem. Enjoy a Shabbat morning service at any of Jerusalem s numerous synagogues. In the afternoon, an optional walking tour along the Old City walls. Observe Jewish, Christian and Muslim sites. Dinner at Darna - an authentic Moroccan restaurant. B/D Day 5, Sunday, August 23, 2009 - Jerusalem New City Breakfast at the hotel. Drive west along the Jerusalem highway and south towards the valley of Elah to Bet Guvrin. Here we will join an ongoing archaeological dig at Tel Maresha. Drive back to Jerusalem where again as families we will become acquainted with Biblical archaeology and agriculture at Ein-Ya el open museum and workshops. Make your way to the Israel Museum, where we will visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. Our tour will now continue to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority (meet Ilana Heideman, pending confirmation), followed by a visit to the Herzl museum, located atop Mount Herzl. Dinner at the hotel, with Alan Schneider of BBI as a guest speaker (subject to be determined). Following dinner, we enjoy an evening of Israeli folklore, a short walk from the hotel. B/D
August 19 - August 31, 2009 Day 6, Monday, August 24, 2009 - Masada/Ein Gedi/Galilee Breakfast at the hotel. We depart Jerusalem for the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Upon arriving at Masada, we ascend by cable car to the last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. We stop for lunch at a Dead Sea resort and have the option for a "Dead Sea experience" at its beach and spa. We then travel north, visiting Ein Gedi (time and weather permitting, we take a short walk in David's Canyon). We then drive through the Jordan Valley towards the Galilee, arriving at our Kibbutz hotel on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner at the hotel. B/L/D Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginosar hotel, Galilee Day 7, Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - Rosh Hanikra/Akko Breakfast at the kibbutz. Begin the day in Rosh Hanikra and descend by cable car to the natural grottoes and caves and enjoy a miniature train tour to the Lebanese border. Drive to Akko; visit the Crusader Knights' Hall, the Turkish Hammam, and the colorful market. While the parents visit the famous Tunisian Synagogue, the children will go on a boat tour in the ancient port and around the walls. Dinner at Decks restaurant in Tiberias, followed by nighttime boat ride. B/D Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginosar hotel, Galilee Day 8, Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - Safed Breakfast at the kibbutz. In the morning, we drive to Zefat (Safed), one of the four holy cities in Israel. We visit the artist colony, candle factory and walk through the city. Continue north to Manara Cliffs where we will take a ride on the longest cable car in the Middle East. Continue to Tel Dan for a trout dish at the renowned Dag al hadan restaurant. Now it is time for a family adventure at an exciting rafting or kayaking trip (basic beginner s level) in the Jordan River. In the evening, we visit the special Donna Gracia museum hotel in Tiberias, where we hear the amazing story of the brave 16 th century Jewish woman who became an entrepreneur and leader for her people. Dinner on your own in Tiberias. Return to the hotel for overnight. B/L Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginosar hotel, Galilee
Day 9, Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Golan Heights/ Caesarea/ Tel Aviv Breakfast at the kibbutz. First we visit Kesem hagolan in Katzrin, the capital of the Golan, where we see the interesting multi-media presentation that will enhance our understanding of this part of Israel. Continue for a jeep tour touring the Golan Heights; ascend Har Ben Tal at Kuneitra for a view beyond the border into Syria. On to an Israeli army base and enjoy lunch (pending confirmation) with the soldiers. Proceed to Caesarea, the ancient capital of Roman Judea. Here history comes to life, as modern technology enables visitors to see and speak to major figures throughout history. At sunset we travel to Tel Aviv. B/L Day 10, Friday, August 28, 2009 - Tel Aviv Breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit modern, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv. Visit the Hall of Independence, the historical Rothschild Blvd. On to the Diaspora Museum, to follow the history and migration of the Jewish people after the destruction of the second Temple. In the afternoon we stroll around the famous Nahalat Benjamin Friday crafts market in Tel Aviv. Festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. B/D
Day 11, Saturday, August 29, 2009 - Tel Aviv Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to enjoy Shabbat in Tel Aviv. Enjoy a Shabbat morning service at any of Tel Aviv s numerous synagogues. Later, you may choose to stroll through the picturesque alleys of Old Jaffa. B Day 12, Sunday, August 30, 2009 - Mini Israel/Latrun/Ayalon Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we visit the Israeli Armored Corps Museum and Memorial in Latrun. Continue to "Mini-Israel", the miniature model that will remind us of the places we have visited during our tour and those places we will visit our next time in Israel. Drive to the Ayalon Institute, an underground pre-state munitions workshop built by the Palmach, before stopping at the Weizman Institute. While the parents visit the home of Chaim Weizman, the first president of Israel, the children will visit the interactive "Science Museum". Return to Tel Aviv for a festive farewell dinner at the hotel. B/D Day 13, Monday, August 31, 2009 Departure for Ben Gurion International Airport for return flight to USA. Arrive in the USA in the afternoon.