Jewish Heritage Israel Tour – 13 Days

Enjoy breakfast at hotel, enjoy Shabbat (Saturday) day at leisure.

Afternoon/evening:

Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Breakfast, followed by check-out from hotel. Drive north along the Mediterranean Sea towards Haifa. Visits on the way will include:

Caesarea

Built by Herod and once the capital of Judea. It was once the roman capital of the region. Visit the Roman Theater, once used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today it still draws huge crowds for concerts and festivals. View the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Haifa/Mt. Carmel:

Ascend Mt. Carmel to view a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here In the bible, it also mentions Elijah, who fought the 400 false prophets of Baal. Continue to 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.

Akko – Acre:

See its underground passages and secret rooms. Akko, was once occupied by many nations. Walk along the old harbor and local market. Visit the prison where members of the Hagana and Irgun were held captive during Israel’s fight for independence. Akko’s old City is recognized by UNESCO as world heritage site. Walk through the old port and local market. This is also where they filmed Leon Uris’s famous novel “Exodus”.

Rosh Hanikra:

Rosh Hanikra is located at the most northern point of Israel. Israel shares the border with Lebanon. See the incredible panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. Descend by cable car to see the limestone Grottoes created by the Mediterranean Sea with its spectacular formation.

Afternoon/evening:

Conclude the day with a drive through the hills of the Galilee for check-in at Kibbutz Lavi hotel, followed by a relaxing kibbutz dinner.

Overnight in the Galilee

After breakfast, leave the Galilee region and drive south towards Jerusalem. Visits will include:

Rambam’s grave:

Also known as The Tomb of Maimonides, it is located in Tiberias. Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as the Rambam (acronym for Moses ben Maimon) or Maimonides, lived in 12th century Egypt, where he was a great halachic (Jewish law) authority. Rambam died in Egypt, but later moved to Rambam’s resting place in central Tiberias, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Beit Shean “Scythopolis”

Located in the Northern District of Israel. Beit Shean played a significant role in Jewish history, due to its geographical location in conjunction with the Jordan River and the Jezreel Valley. Its excavated is one of the largest ongoing archaeological digs in the land of Israel. See the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).

Beit Alpha:

See the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. The Beth Alpha synagogue was uncovered in 1928 by members of the nearby Kibbutz Hefzibah, who stumbled upon the synagogue’s extensive mosaic floors during irrigation construction.

Gan Hashlosha National Park:

Also know as Sachne, is a natural spring of warm water pools and waterfalls. Located between kibbutzim Beit Alfa and Nir David. It is also 10 minutes away from Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son Jonathan battled against the Philistines. The water is warm all year round for visitors to swim in.

Afternoon/Evening:

Continue south through the lush Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Arrive at Mt. Scopus for a beautiful panoramic view of Jerusalem and a traditional Sheyechyanu blessing for our arrival to this special city. Check in at hotel in Jerusalem and remainder of the evening at leisure. Suggested dinner reservations at Eucalyptus Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Another fabulous breakfast, visits today will includes:

Tomb of King David:

Located at Mount Zion, It is believed to be by some to be the burial place of King David. This tradition started in the 12th century.

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Situated is the southeastern sector of the walled city. It stretches to the Zion Gate in the south and extends to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the east. 

The Jewish quarter was reconstructed after the city was unified after the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. See the unearthed (main) Roman thoroughfare and the ancient marketplace lined with columns. Visit the four Sepharadic Synagogues restored after 1967.

Western Wall – Rabbinical Tunnels:

An incredible labyrinth of tunnels, arches, and passageways remained untouched for centuries. Inside, a most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and history of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Begin at the passageways descending through the many layers of Jerusalem’s past at the time of the Temple through the Rabbinical Tunnels. It is believed by many the 10 commandments and many other important artifacts are buried beneath the rebel from the Second Temple period.

Davidson Center:

Located inside the Southern Wall excavations, the Davidson Center Museum will let you grasp the importance of this site. The Southern Wall used to be the entrance to the temple mainly for foreigners, as well as locals alike. Inside, used to be a bridge that led the locals from City of David. They did not have to go through the rituals of Mikveh prior to entering the temple.

Old City Bazaar:

Extra vibrant and very colorful bazaar is just the beginning. The Old City bazaar is like no place anywhere.

Tower of David museum

The Tower of David is also known as the Jerusalem Citadel. Located near the Jaffa Gate entrance. The museum tells the story of Jerusalem, detailing all major events from the beginning. The story starts from the second millennium BCE to Jerusalem of today.

Afternoon/Evening:

Suggested dinner reservations at Charkra Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast at hotel. Today, visits will include:

Bar Mitzvah at Western Wall “Kotel”:

Experience a Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel, a ritual conducted by an Orthodox Rabbi.

Mea Shearim:

A vibrant ultra orthodox neighborhood in the heart of Jerusalem. See a unique lifestyle and culture with many Judaica shops, restaurants and a very busy street.

Mt. Hertzel:

A cemetery for all of Israel’s falling soldiers, leaders and Prime Ministers.

Yad Vashem:

Israeli memorial (museum) commemorating the 6 million Jews who perished in the concentration camps in Europe by Nazi Germany. It is considered the biggest memorial for the Holocaust victims.

Ammunition Hill:

Ammunition Hill, also know as Givat Ha-Tachmoshet was the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Six-Day War. In 1967, the Jordanian military fortified a post in the northern part of Jordanian-ruled East Jerusalem and the western slope of Mount Scopus.

Knesset Menorah:

The Knesset is Israel’s parliament, since the creation of Israel. It officially opened in 1950, but was functioning withing the first year of Israel’s creation with several locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. See the Menorah with the biblical emblems.

Israel Museum:

• The Shrine of the Book: Where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and preserved. Most of the scrolls were found in the caves of Qumran by a Shepherd tending his sheep.
• The scale model of the the Old City of Jerusalem at the peak of the 2nd Temple era. You can walk around the model and see the many structures with details of this amazing city.

Afternoon/evening:

In the evening, suggested dinner reservations at Tmol Shilshom Restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel and Shabbat (Saturday) day at leisure.

Afternoon/evening:

Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Negev Desert/Timna/Underwater Observatory

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Depart Jerusalem and travel south to Eilat through the Negev desert. Visits will include:

Timna Park:

Located in the Negev Desert, the site is rich in copper ore and has been mined since the 5th millennium BCE. Visit the copper mines and view King Solomon’s pillars.

Underwater Observatory:

The largest natural aquariums in the world – built into coral reef.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive Eilat and hotel for check-in.

In the evening, suggested dinner reservation at “The Last Refuge”, one of the best seafood restaurant in Eilat.

Overnight in Eilat.

Enjoy a day at leisure. Optional tours and recreations are available from Eilat, such as;

Petra:

Built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe), who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra is famous for its huge monuments, such as; the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Courthouse, Roman Theater and the Qassier Rl-Bint. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.

The Tour of Petra ($250 per person):

Package includes:

• Transfer from our hotel to the border with Jordan.
• Horseback ride (included) to the entrance of Petra (about 1.2 km).
• Lunch in Petra
• Transfer back to Eilat
• Visa preparation and border assistance.

Dolphin Reef:

A horseshoe-shaped sea-pen holding captive bottle-nose dolphins in the Gulf of Eilat. Snorkel or scuba dive with the dolphins and other sea marine-life.

Dive with dolphins price per person:
339 NIS (approximately US $95)

Snorkel with dolphins price per person:
Adult  – 290 NIS (approximately $80)

Red Sea:

Contact Trips Israel for a list of several great recreational facilities, beaches around our hotel at 888-300-3038.

Afternoon-Evening:

Suggested dinner reservations at TBA.

Overnight in Eilat.

After breakfast, check-out from hotel and leave Eilat driving north. Visit today will include:

Mitzpeh Ramon:

A geological feature of Israel’s Negev desert. The crater is located 85 km south of the city of Beersheba. The shape of the crater is not from a meteor or a volcanic crater formed by a volcanic eruption. Today the crater and surrounding area forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve.

Sde Boker:

Kibbutz Sde Boker is located in the Negev desert and falls under the jurisdiction of Ramat Negev Regional Council. This site is best known as the retirement home of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. It is also overlooking the Zin Valley.

Bedouin Village with a Biblical lunch:

Enjoy a camel safari in the Desert followed by a biblical light lunch and Bedouin hospitality.

Hatzerim Air Force Museum:

An Israeli Air Force Base located in the Negev Desert on the west outskirts of Beer-Sheba. View the planes and equipment from past Israel wars.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to Tel Aviv and check in to hotel.

Suggested dinner reservations TBA.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

After breakfast, depending on flight times, check-out from and transfer to Ben Gurion Airport. Arrive back home with everlasting memories of Israel.

SHALOM!

• Touring as per the itinerary
• Touring in a deluxe motor-coach with WIFI
• A professional government licensed English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites and parks

• VIP Meet and assist at Ben Gurion Airport, immediately when airplane door opens
• Transfer on a arrival from Ben Gurion Airport to hotel in Tel Aviv
• Transfer on departure from hotel to Ben Gurion Airport

• Dead Sea spa
• Jeep tour in the Galilee
• Rabbinical tunnels at the Western Wall
• Portfolio of travel documents
• Maps, pens and luggage tags

• The Mediterranean Coast
• The Galilee, Golan and the Sea of Galilee
• Jerusalem, including Old City
• Judean Wilderness and the Dead Sea

• International airfare to Israel
• Lunch and dinner daily, other than those mentioned above

• Safed
• Gadot
• Banias
• Tel Hai,
• Beit Shean and Beit Alpha
• Gan Hashlosha

• Tomb of King David
• The Old City of Jerusalem
• David’s Tower Museum
• Kotel and Rabbinical Tunnels,
• Southern Wall and Davidson Center

• Mea Shearim
• Mount Hertzel
• Yad Vashem
• Ammunition Hill
• Knesset (parliament) and Menorah
• Israel Museum

• Qumran
• Masada
• Dead Sea Spa facility (resort hotel)