Day 1
Drive from Ben-Gurion Airport to the Old City of Jaffa.
Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in Israel, existing for upward of 4000
years; it was from Jaffa that Jonah set out before being swallowed by the
whale and it was here to which Solomon imported cedars from Lebanon for the
construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. At Kedumim Square in the
heart of Old Jaffa you can tour the Visitor Center, which was built around
authentic archaeological artifacts and remains. Enjoy an evening seaside
walk at the Tel Aviv Port, with its galleries, restaurants and coffee shops,
and on to the Yarkon Park to the north to meet the locals as they enjoy Tel
Aviv’s “central park” strolling along the paved pathways. Overnight in Tel
Aviv
Day 2
Drive up the coast to Caesarea National Park, where 2,000 years ago King
Herod built a large port in honor of Emperor Augustus. Pontius Pilate later
ruled the country from his Caesarea, and it was from here that Paul set sail
to the communities where he preached all over the Mediterranean. Visit the
Roman Theater, Herod's palace, the walled Crusader town with its galleries
and restaurants and Caesarea’s latest attraction, the Time Trek, a
fascinating multimedia presentation.
Continue across the Carmel range to the Nahal
Hashofet nature reserve (south of Kibbutz Hazorea), sloping trail along the
beautiful Hashofet brook has been paved and wooden walkways added, enabling
all to enjoy the water and greenery of the Menashe region in the foothills
of Mount Carmel. Drive on to the Sea of Galilee
region and stroll the waterfront in Tiberias. Overnight in Tiberias
Day 3
Visit the landmarks around the northwestern
Sea of Galilee, including:
Capernaum - Known as "Jesus' Town" in the New Testament, Capernaum
on the Sea of Galilee is home to one of the earliest churches in the world
as well as a monumental ancient synagogue. This was also Peter's home town
where Jesus performed many miracles.
Tabha - Jesus' miracle of the Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves
is illustrated beautifully in an ancient mosaic of the Byzantine church that
stood here. Visit the renovated Benedictine church, built in the same style
and along the same lines as the original one.
The Mount of Beatitudes - Enjoy an inspiring view of the Sea of
Galilee from the top of the mountain where tradition says Jesus preached the
Sermon on the Mount.
The Yigal Alon Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar - This is a unique
institution, focusing on the human experience in the Galilee
in the past, present and future. It is also
home to changing exhibits showcasing the finest talents of Galilee artists
from a variety of faiths and ethnic backgrounds, and the magnificent display
of the Galilee Boat, dating from the time of Jesus, discovered mired in the
mud on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Stroll through the archaeological park in
the midst of downtown Tiberias, with its remains dating from numerous
period’s in the town’s long history. Overnight in Tiberias
Day 4
At the Old Gesher Courtyard, one of the
early kibbutzim in the Jordan Valley, learn about the ideals and history of
the Kibbutz Movement that became one of Israel’s hallmarks.
Continue south to Beit She'an National
Park. One of the main pagan towns during Roman rule of the region 2,000
years ago, and in the shadow of an important biblical city, Beit She'an
contains a magnificent theater, Roman bathhouses, mosaics and more. It is
considered to be one of the best preserved Roman sites in the region.
Drive via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Approaching
Jerusalem in the late afternoon, stop at the Mt. of Olives Observation Point
for an excellent visual and spiritual introduction to the city, ancient and
new. View the Temple Mount, the City of David, the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre and more, as the vista spans the length and breadth of the city.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 5
Spend time at the Western Wall, one of the
last vestiges of the Second Temple complex built by Herod some 2,000 years
ago and thus the holiest spot in the world for Jews.
Make arrangements to tour the Western Wall Tunnel, along the part of the
Western Wall now deep beneath Jerusalem's Old City, and see the second
largest cut/quarried stone in the world among many other attractions.
Excavations in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter have revealed a wealth of finds
from the First and Second Temple periods. See the sites and enjoy the
special ambiance of this renewed part of the Old City along a wheelchair
accessible route developed by the Jewish Quarter’s Center for Tourists with
Disabilities. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 6
Ascend by cable-car to explore Massada, scene of the epic
stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly
2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of
the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations, and how the site
became one of Israel’s most important symbols.
Stop at one of the Dead Sea spas or beaches for a dip in the saltiest sea in
the world. The Dead Sea is recognized as having therapeutic qualities, and
bathing here is something that should not be missed. Enjoy the Ein Gedi
Botanical Gardens, located on sloping paths on the grounds of Kibbutz Ein
Gedi, where hundreds of trees and plants from exotic places around the world
flourish in their oasis surroundings. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 7
Visit the Israel Museum, which houses what is considered
by many to be the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th
century – the Dead Sea Scrolls, which is partially wheelchair-accessible.
See the famous Model of Second Temple Jerusalem and an audiovisual
presentation about life in the tumultuous days of the Second Temple.
Next, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust
Memorial, touring the astounding new Museum with its new and moving focus on
the individual in the Holocaust, the Children’s Memorial and Hall of
Remembrance. In
the late afternoon and evening, enjoy shopping and people-watching downtown
in the Nahalat Shiva and Ben-Yehuda Street pedestrian malls.
|
Day 1
Drive from Ben-Gurion Airport to the
Old City of Jaffa.
Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in
Israel, existing for upward of 4000 years; it was from Jaffa that Jonah
set out before being swallowed by the whale and it was here to which
Solomon imported cedars from Lebanon for the construction of the first
Temple in Jerusalem.
At Kedumim Square in the heart of Old
Jaffa you can tour the Visitor Center, which was built around authentic
archaeological artifacts and remains.
Enjoy an evening seaside walk at the
Tel Aviv Port, with its galleries, restaurants and coffee shops, and on
to the Yarkon Park to the north to meet the locals as they enjoy Tel
Aviv’s “central park” strolling along the paved pathways. Overnight in
Tel Aviv
Day 2
Drive up the coast to Caesarea National
Park, where 2,000 years ago King Herod built a large port in honor of
Emperor Augustus. Pontius Pilate later ruled the country from his
Caesarea, and it was from here that Paul set sail to the communities
where he preached all over the Mediterranean. Visit the Roman Theater,
Herod's palace, the walled Crusader town with its galleries and
restaurants and Caesarea’s latest attraction, the Time Trek, a
fascinating multimedia presentation.
Continue to Zikhron Ya’akov and the
First Aliyah Museum. In 1881, confronted with pogroms in Eastern Europe
and Russia, a small group of Zionists came to Israel to settle down and
establish farming homesteads. The pioneers of Zikhron Ya’akov were
assisted by the Baron Rothschild in the endeavor to create a sustainable
community and economy.
The museum records the trials and
tribulations of the Jews of this wave of immigration, known as the First
Aliyah. There is wheelchair access to all five floors of the museum
(except the auditorium) via elevator. Continue across the Carmel range
to the Nahal Hashofet nature reserve (south of Kibbutz Hazorea), sloping
trail along the beautiful Hashofet brook has been
paved and wooden walkways added, enabling all to enjoy the water and
greenery of the Menashe region in the foothills of Mount Carmel. Overnight: in the Mount Carmel region.
Day 3
At Tsippori National Park, in the
central Galilee Mountains, Roman and Jewish civilizations come together
in this 2000 year old city containing the most beautiful mosaics in
Israel.
After your visit, continue to the
northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee with its many landmarks,
including:
Capernaum - Known as "Jesus' Town" in the New Testament,
Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee is home to one of the earliest churches
in the world as well as a monumental ancient synagogue. This was also
Peter's home town where Jesus performed many miracles.
Tabha - Jesus' miracle of the
Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves is illustrated beautifully in an
ancient mosaic of the Byzantine church that stood here. Visit the
renovated Benedictine church, built in the same style and along the same
lines as the original one.
The Yigal Alon Museum at Kibbutz
Ginosar - This is a unique institution, focusing on the human
experience in the Galilee in the past, present and future. It is also
home to changing exhibits showcasing the finest talents of Galilee
artists from a variety of faiths and ethnic backgrounds, and the
magnificent display of the Galilee Boat, dating from the time of Jesus,
discovered mired in the mud on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight in Tiberias
Day 4
Head up to the Hula Valley in the north
and take the Manara cable car to the top of the Naphtali ridge. View the
Hula valley and the Golan Heights to the east.
Continue north to Misgav Am, Israel's
northernmost kibbutz, where you can make arrangements to view a
three-country panorama (Israel, Lebanon and Syria), and explore the
intricacies of Israel's relationship with its northern neighbors with
the kibbutz member who guides you there. Then, it’s on to Tel Dan, a
magnificent nature reserve about one kilometer of which is wheelchair
accessible, to see the headwaters of the Jordan River and the Israelite
gateway of the city established by King Jeroboam and embellished by King
Ahab. Turning south again, stop at the Hula Nature Reserve. On any given
day you can see over one hundred types of birds along the paved paths of
the Hula Nature Reserve, revealing Israel’s status as a bird-watcher’s
paradise of global renown as millions of fowl each year stop to feed and
rest on their way to or from Asia, Europe or Africa. Overnight in the
Hula Valley
Day 5
Ascend to the Golan Heights via Banias
in the foothills of Mount Hermon. Stop at Kibbutz El Rom to see “Oz 77,”
a moving and provocative film that sets out the story of the battle to
prevent the invasion of Israel by Syria in 1973, including interviews
with some of the main protagonists. Drive up to Mount Bental, a volcanic
cone with a fabulous view into Syria and a whimsical outdoor exhibit of
“found art” by a local artist. Visit the Golan’s capital city of Katsrin,
mingling with the locals over falafel or pizza in the commercial center,
and seeing the Golan Archaeological Museum.End the day at the Gamla
Nature Reserve, enjoying the paved path to the lookout of the dramatic
ruins of the Jewish city that was one of the first to revolt against
Rome, and past the Byzantine ruins to the vulture lookout.Descend via
the scenic road of El Hama in the southern Golan. Overnight in Tiberias
Day 6
At the Old Gesher Courtyard, one of the
early kibbutzim in the Jordan Valley, learn about the ideals and history
of the Kibbutz Movement that became one of Israel’s hallmarks.
Continue south to Beit She'an National
Park. One of the main pagan towns during Roman rule of the region 2,000
years ago, and in the shadow of an important biblical city, Beit She'an
contains a magnificent theater, Roman bathhouses, mosaics and more. It
is considered to be one of the best preserved Roman sites in the region.
Drive via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Approaching Jerusalem in the
late afternoon, stop at the Mt. of Olives Observation Point for an
excellent visual and spiritual introduction to the city, ancient and
new. View the Temple Mount, the City of David, the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre and more, as the vista spans the length and breadth of the
city. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 7
Jerusalem's Old City:
Spend time at the Western Wall, one of
the last vestiges of the Second Temple complex built by Herod some 2,000
years ago and thus the holiest spot in the world for Jews.
Visit the beautiful Southern Wall
Archaeological Park that surrounds the lower part of the Temple Mount
from West and South. Come in the wake of pilgrims – Jewish and Christian
– who have visited here over the millennia as acts of faith. At the
Davidson Center, in the basement of an eighth-century CE palace, with
ramped access and an elevator to the exhibits and audiovisual
presentation, you can also make arrangements to see its virtual-reconstruction,high-definition
interactive model. Make arrangements to tour the Western Wall Tunnel,
along the part of the Western Wall now deep beneath Jerusalem's Old
City, and see the second largest cut/quarried stone in the world among
many other attractions. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 8
Jerusalem Old City – The Jewish Quarter
and Beyond
Excavations in Jerusalem's Jewish
Quarter have revealed a wealth of finds from the First and Second Temple
periods. See the sites and enjoy the special ambiance of this renewed
part of the Old City along a wheelchair accessible route developed by
the Jewish Quarter’s Center for Tourists with Disabilities. Visit the
Israel Museum, which houses what is considered by many to be the most
important archaeological discovery of the 20th century – the Dead Sea
Scrolls, which is partially wheelchair-accessible. See the famous Model
of Second Temple Jerusalem and an audiovisual presentation about life in
the tumultuous days of the Second Temple. Next, visit the Yad Vashem
Holocaust Memorial, touring the astounding new Museum with its new and
moving focus on the individual in the Holocaust, the Children’s Memorial
and Hall of Remembrance. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 9
Ascend by cable-car to explore Massada,
scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt
against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor
Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of
the excavations, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important
symbols.
Stop at one of the Dead Sea spas or
beaches for a dip in the saltiest sea in the world. The Dead Sea is
recognized as having therapeutic qualities, and bathing here is
something that should not be missed. Enjoy the Ein Gedi Botanical
Gardens, located on sloping paths on the grounds of Kibbutz Ein Gedi,
where hundreds of trees and plants from exotic places around the world
flourish in their oasis surroundings. Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 10
Located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,
Neot Kedumim is a park designed to re-enliven the biblical plants and
trees. You will see authentic biblical tools and industrial implements
that include ancient oil presses, wine presses, cisterns and more. At
the nearby Mini Israel theme park, you will see hundreds of precise
scale models of all the important historical and other sites in the
country.
|
