ITINERARY

   
   

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ITINERARY

Day 1 – Friday, October 30, 2009
6:50 am - Arrive Ben Gurion Airport with meeting assistance. Transfer to Beer Sheva.
Include some possible touring around Beersheba and Beit Guvrin.
Overnight: Beer Sheva (D)

Day 2 – Saturday, October 31, 2009
Drive to Ein Gedi, a desert oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Visit the mighty fortress of Masada. Take a cable car ride to the top and visit Herod’s Palaces, dating back 2,000 years. Hear stories about the Jewish zealots who defied the Roman Empire from this location. In the afternoon travel via Arad to Kfar Hanokdim for a do-it-yourself barbecue and overnight.
Overnight: Bedouin tent in the Negev (B, D)
 
Day 3 – Sunday, November 1, 2009
Experience the anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade in Beersheba visiting the battle sites from October 1917. Continue onto to visit the Commonwealth Cemetery from WWI.
In the afternoon drive to your hotel and enjoy a swim (float) in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.
Overnight: Dead Sea (B, D)

 
Day 4 – Monday, November 2, 2009
Explore the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls where discovered. Travel along the Jordan Valley, stopping to explore the ancient city of Beith Shean, a fully excavated Roman/Byzantine city of Scytopolis. Stop off at Belvoir Castle. Experience a special ceremony at the Yardenit baptisimal site.
Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz (B, D)

 

Day 5 – Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Ascend the Golan Heights and from Mt. Bental, peer deep into Syria and the ghost town of Kuneitra, see the whole of Northern Israel from atop. Explore the beautiful falls at Tel Dan. See the Hula Valley and visit the city of Kiryat Shmona. In the afternoon, visit the Karmiel outreach center (to be arranged by BFP).
Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz (B, D)

 

Day 6 – Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Explore Tiberias. Enjoy a cruise across the Sea of Galilee in a traditional wooden sailing boat, and visit the ‘Jesus Boat’ museum. Explore Capernaum and see the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. Visit Tabgha, where the miracle of the Multiplication took place. Ascend to the top of the Mt. of Beatitudes, where you can relive the Sermon on the Mount. In the afternoon plant a tree in one of the Jewish National Fund forests ($10 per person paid directly by clients).
Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz (B, D)
 

Day 7 – Thursday, November 5, 2009
Visit Nazareth where we will find the churches built on the site where Jesus and his family lived. See the Carmelite Monastery at the Muchrakah, where Elijah smote the false prophets. Explore the ancient city of Meggido at the crossroads of the important ancient Roman road, the Via Maris. Stop at Caesarea to see the harbor city built by Herod the Great. Continue on to Tel Aviv and Jaffa for a short city tour.
Overnight: Tel Aviv (B, D)

 

 

 

 

  
Day 8 – Friday, November 6, 2009
Visit the wonderful Neot Kedumim, a biblical Reserve. Continue to Jerusalem. See the City of David, the original city built by King David and visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel.  Check into your hotel.
In the afternoon walk through the narrow, winding busy street of the Arab Market, see the colorful Bazaars filled with small shops. Later experience a spiritual visit and welcome the Sabbath at the Western Wall .
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)

Day 9 – Saturday, November 7, 2009
This morning visit the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book to see the original Dead Sea Scrolls. Drive to Mt. of Olives to see a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Walk down the Palm Sunday Road and visit the Church of all Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. Onto the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, pass through Ecce Homo Arch and the Crypt of Sisters of Sion and on to the Via Dolorosa and visit each Station of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Finish your touring today with a communion at the Garden Tomb.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)

Day 10 – Sunday, November 8, 2009
Visit the Temple Mount (subject to security clearance) and see the famous Dome of the Rock. Continue for a visit to the Aliyah Absorption Centre. In the afternoon experience a moving visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. In the early evening (17:30) explore the Western Wall Tunnels.
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)

 

 

 

 

Day 11 – Monday, November 9, 2009
Bridges for Peace Day. In the afternoon enter the Old City, walk along the 1700 year old Byzantine main street, the Cardo, and the renovated Jewish Quarter.
17:30 - Transfer to Beit Shemesh for your community outreach project.
Overnight: Israeli family home stay

Day 12 – Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Community outreach project
Overnight: Israeli family home stay

Day 13 – Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Community outreach project
Overnight: Israeli family home stay

Day 14 – Thursday, November 12, 2009
Community outreach project
Overnight: Israeli family home stay 

Day 15 – Friday, November 13, 2009
Community outreach project – farewells.
13:00 – Transfer to Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Tel Aviv (D)

Day 16 – Saturday, November 14, 2009
Day at leisure in Tel Aviv
Enjoy a festive farewell dinner at an authentic Oriental restaurant. Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for departure.

Hotels