JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR PLUS EILAT (Bar / Bat Mitzvah Option)

Thursday departure from North America for Tour of Israel
14 days / 12 nights and 8 touring days
From $2,072 (land only)

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Jewish Heritage Israel Tour + Eilat Highlights:

• Begin your Israel tour in Tel Aviv where you can relax at the sunny beach or shop til you drop.
• Take a jeep tour on the Golan Heights
• Exlpore the Western Wall Tunnels
• Explore Eilat
• Enjoy a camel ride in Mamshit
• Private transfers to/from airports and hotels.

Depart from the USA for your Jewish Heritage Israel Tour + Eilat.

Arrive Israel and meet your transfer driver at the Steimatzky book store. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Overnight, Tel Aviv.

Enjoy a free day in Tel Aviv. You could choose go shopping, or explore the beautiful Bauhaus style architecture or even visit Jaffa, where the first Jewish settlers of the late 1800s and early 1900s landed when arriving in the land of Israel. If you would rather kick up your feet and relax you can head to the sandy beach.

Overnight, Tel Aviv.

Drive north to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. See the excavations of the crusaders' city, the aqueduct and the amphitheater which has been restored as a concert venue. Proceed to Haifa for a panoramic view from Mount Carmel and visit "AF AL PI CHEN," the naval museum of the illegal immigration to Israel at the time of the British mandate. Drive to Acre and walk along the old harbor and local market. Continue to the northernmost point of Israel at Rosh Hanikra, descend by cable into the limestone Grottoes.

Overnight at a Kibbutz Lavi, Galilee.

Drive to Safed, center of Kaballa movement; Visit the Joseph Caro and the Ha’ Ari synagogues, the most important synagogues in the city; stroll around the the Artist’s quarter. Enjoy a Jeep tour to the foot of the Golan. Continue to the Golan Heights and stop at an observation point over the city of Kuneitra, and the Syrian territory. Stop at Tel Facher, a former Syrian army camp and visit the Banias springs. Next, a visit to Tel-Hai. See the “Roaring Lion” monument and learn about the heroic battle of Josef Trumpeldor and his comrades in 1920. Then, return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Meet with a Kibbutz member and learn about their unique lifestyle.

Overnight at a Kibbutz Lavi, Galilee.

This morning plant a tree at a JNF Tree Planting Center and contribute to JNF's ongoing afforestation efforts in Israel.

Drive to Tiberias to visit Rambam's grave; proceed to Beit Shean, also called "Scythopolis", the biggest archeological park in Israel with beautiful excavations from Roman and Byzantine periods. Stop at Beit Alpha to see the beautiful mosaic floor of a synagogue from the Byzantine period. Onto Gan Hashlosha, (Sachne) where you will have an opportunity to enjoy in the water springs located at the foot of the Gilboa mountain, the famous mountain on which King Saul was killed in the battle against the philistines. Continue via the Jordan valley to Jerusalem. Stop at Mount Scopus for a blessing as you enter the city.

Overnight, Jerusalem.

Tour the old city of Jerusalem. Start with a visit of the tomb of King David on Mount Zion. Walk along the Cardo, the ancient Roman road. Visit the four Sepharadic synagogues restored after 1967 war in the Jewish quarter. Tour the Western Wall Tunnels. Visit the Davidson Center and walk through the Roman Cardo, to the local Arab bazaar. Walk through Jaffa Gate to David’s Tower museum and see the ancient remains of the city beginning with the first Temple period.

Overnight, Jerusalem.

Depart the hotel and arrive to the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem.

OPTIONAL: Celebrate the Bar/Bat-Mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall (Kotel).

Continue to Mea Shearim and learn about the unique lifestyle of the ultra orthodox communities. Drive by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament and see the Menorah with the Biblical emblems. Next visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and the new Holyland model – a miniature replica of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period. Drive to Mount Hertzl, the military cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Ammunition Hill, a former Jordanian army stronghold, conquered by the Israeli army in the Six Day War, and converted into a national memorial site and museum.

Overnight, Jerusalem.

Drive through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea. Stop at Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue to Massada, ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress; visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, the bathhouses etc. Descend by cable car. Then stop for lunch, swim (actually float ) at the Dead Sea and use of Spa facilities in one of the leading hotels in the area. Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight, Jerusalem.

Enjoy your day at leisure in Jerusalem. You are free to spend your time as you wish. Perhaps you will buy any last minute gifts on Ben Yehuda street or soak up the many sights and sounds of this special place. Jerusalem is a city with an overwhelming amount of emotion; that promises a religious and spiritual experience.

Overnight, Jerusalem.

Travel south to the Negev desert, visit Israel’s Air force Museum at Hatzerim to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Visit Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. Stop at Mitzpe Ramon to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder. Drive to Timna to see the copper mines and King Solomon’s pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations.

Overnight, Eilat.

Stroll around the city’s streets, the beach promenade and enjoy the water sport activities on your own OR take an optional tour of Petra or tour of Eilat.

Overnight, Eilat.

Visit the Underwater Observatory, one of the largest sea Aquariums in the world, built into a coral reef. Drive to Mamshit for a camel ride experience and a visit the Bedouin tent. Learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch. Drive back to Tel Aviv for overnight.

Overnight, Tel Aviv.

Transfer to Ben-Gurion airport for departure. Your driver will meet you in your hotel lobby 3.5 hours before departure.

Rates

For 2010-2011 Tour Rates Click Here

Rates for Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

• Correspondence with family by the Rabbi, meeting in Jerusalem by the Rabbi prior to the ceremony, officiating at the service, use of prayer pamphlets and Rabbi's personal Torah scroll, Rabbi's transportation, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah certificate from the Ministry of Tourism.

Reform and Conservative ceremonies will be officiated at the Southern Wall area.

Please note passengers will be required to take a taxi to ceremony and also to rejoin the tour after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.