Israel: Ultimate Jewish Heritage Tour

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, proceed to Arrivals Hall. Meet your driver at La Farina Bakery Shop where he will be holding a sign with your name. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Overnight:Tel Aviv (B).

Start the day with a visit to the Independence Hall where the establishment of the state of Israel was declared; Next, drive to Latrun to visit the Armored Corps memorial museum also considered as one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. Continue to Beit Guvrin national park, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site; Explore parts of the archaeological remains and unique caves.
Proceed to Ayalon Institute, once a secret underground ammunition factory established by the "Haganah", the Jewish underground movement before May 1948.

Overnight:Tel Aviv (B).

Visit the Diaspora museum; Drive around the main streets of Tel Aviv, center of business and entertainment of Israel; Also known as the "White City", Tel-Aviv was declared by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site for its Bauhaus style buildings.
Stop at Rabin's Square, place of assassination of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin. Continue to Old Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world; Visit the ancient ruins and walk along the Artist's Quarter.
Visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv, built in 1887 and Nahalat Benyamin, the pedestrian mall of the city where you can enjoy live street music, arts, crafts and handmade jewelry. Next, stop at Sheinkin.

Overnight:Tel Aviv (B).

Free day at your leisure in Tel Aviv.

Overnight:Tel Aviv (B).

Drive north to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; see the excavations of theCrusaders' city, the aqueduct and the Amphitheatre that has been restored as a concert venue.
Proceed to Haifa to visit the Clandestine Immigration and Naval museum ("Af al Pi Chen") and hear the story of the illegal immigrants to Israel at the time of the British mandate.
Drive to Acre, the Old City recognized by UNESCO as world heritage site; walk through the old port and local market. Continue to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car into the underwater grottoes and admire the spectacular natural formation.

Overnight:Kibbutz Lavi (B, D).

Drive to Safed, one of the four holy cities in Israel, center of the Kabbala movement; visit the Caro and Ari synagogues; stroll through the narrow alleyways and visit the picturesque Artists' quarter.
Next, enjoy a Jeep tour at the foots of the Golan.
Continue to the Golan Heights; stop at Gadot overlook, the memorial for the fallen of the Golan, located over former Syrian bunkers; view the monument built in honor of the Alexandroni brigade.
Proceed for a magnificent observation point over the city of Kuneitra, and the Syrian territory.
Drive to Tel-Hai; see the “Roaring Lion” monument and learn about the heroic battle of Josef Trumpeldor and his comrades in 1920.
Meet with a Kibbutz member

Overnight:Kibbutz Lavi (B, D).

Drive to Tiberias to visit Rambam’s grave; Continue through the Jordan valley to Beit Shean, known as "Scythopolis", and see the fascinating excavated remains from Roman and Byzantine periods.
Stop at Beit Alpha to admire the beautiful mosaic floor of a synagogue discovered in 1929.
Visit Gan Hashlosha national park and enjoy the warm spring water pools and waterfalls.
Continue via the Jordan valley to Jerusalem; stop at Mount Scopus for a blessing as you enter the city.

Overnight:Jerusalem (B).

Visit the Tomb of King David on Mt. Zion. Walk along the Cardo, heart of the ancient Roman City; visit the four Sephardic Synagogues restored after 1967 war in the Jewish quarter; tour the Western Wall Tunnels; visit the archaeological park at Davidson Center; walk through the colorful local bazaar to visit the Tower of David museum presenting the history of Jerusalem and ancient remains of the city beginning with the first temple period.

Overnight:Jerusalem (B).

Enjoy seeing the Bar-Mitzvah ceremonies at the Kotel.
Drive through Mea Shearim and learn about the unique lifestyle of the ultra orthodox communities.
Proceed to Mount Herzl, 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.
Drive by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament and see the Menorah with the biblical emblems. Next visit
Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the Holy land
model, a miniature replica of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period.

Overnight:Jerusalem (B).

Drive through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Continue to Massada, ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans; visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue and bathhouse; descend by cable car.
Next, stop for Lunch and Spa facilities in one of the leading hotels in the area and enjoy a "Swim" in the mineral rich Dead Sea.

Overnight:Jerusalem (B, L).

Enjoy a free day at leisure in Jerusalem.

Overnight:Jerusalem (B).

Travel south through the Negev desert; Stop at Timna, a large geological and archaeological park; Marvel at the multi colored rock formations and copper mines; View the outstanding Solomon's pillars. Continue to Eilat, the southernmost resort city on the shores of the Red Sea; Visit the Underwater Observatory marine park, built into a coral reef and enjoy the opportunity for a close up look at the rich life of the Gulf of Eilat.

Overnight:Eilat (B).

Optional day tour to Petra at additional cost:

Petra 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 entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 km long (walking distance). Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman theatre, Roman Street, Qassier El- Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate the visitors. After lunch drive, make a short visit to Aqaba with the possibility to stop and take a walk around.

Overnight:Eilat (B).

Depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon; Stop to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder; Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion's hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. Stop for a camel ride and a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent; Learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch.
Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel's Airforce Museum to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force.

Overnight:Tel Aviv (B, L).

Transfer to Ben-Gurion airport for departure. You will be picked up from your hotel 3.5 hours prior to departure.