| Israel Travel Advisory Service, ITAS, will take you and your family on the most extensive Israel tour. ITAS' experienced guides will help you re-discover your Jewish heritage. |
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DAY ONE – NYC/TEL AVIV
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| None stop overnight flight to Israel. |
DAY TWO – TEL AVIV – JERUSALEM
Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer up to Jerusalem, the Holy City. Visit Rappaport’s sculpture of the “Scrolls of Fire,” located on the way to Jerusalem.
Upon entering Jerusalem, honor your religious heritage reciting the “Shehechayanu” blessing.
Get together dinner and overnight – Jerusalem.
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Jerusalem The Old City |
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DAY THREE – JERUSALEM |
From the top of Mount Scopus, enjoy your first panoramic overview of Jerusalem.
Enter the Old City via the Zion Gate, walk through the restored Jewish Quarter, passing the excavated Roman Cardo.
Visit the Herodian mansions and the Burnt House en route to the Western Wall.
On to the Rabbinical Tunnel. Reboard your motorcoach outside the Dung Gate and drive to Ein Karem to view Chagall’s famed stained glass windows at the synagogue of the Hadassah Hospital.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah rehearsal with Rabbi at hotel.
Tonight, enjoy an exclusively ITAS A La Carte Dine-A-Roundtm Dinner.
Overnight – Jerusalem.
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Jerusalem Jewish Quarter
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DAY FOUR – JERUSALEM – MASSADA – DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM |
Begin your special Bar/Bat Mitzvah day descending through the Judean Wilderness and along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada.
Ascend by cable car to view the excavations of the Herodian palace, storerooms, bathhouse and waterworks.
At the remains of ancient Massada, witness the joy of your child’s coming of age! Continue your Dead Sea adventure with a visit to Ein Gedi, the oasis of the Judean desert.
A short hike to the water falls. Enjoy the unique sensation of a “float” in the unsinkable Dead Sea. On the way back to Jerusalem, pass the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
End your special day with a Gala Bar/Bat Mitzvah banquet at the hotel. Overnight – Jerusalem. |
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Dead Sea |
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DAY FIVE – JERUSALEM |
Visit the Menorah, located next to the Knesset. On to the Israel Museum; visit the Shrine of the Book, housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and stroll through the magnificent Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. Take time to view the inner dynamics of this unique location.
Visit the Scale Model of Jerusalem in its new location and see the replica of Jerusalem during the 2nd Temple period.
Continue to Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s marketplace, to share in the spirit of preparation for Shabbat and to enjoy the best falafel in the country! After dressing for Shabbat, visit the Western Wall and participate in our unique ITAS Kabbalat Shabbat service at the Southern Wall.
Shabbat dinner and overnight – Jerusalem.
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Western Wall |
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DAY SIX – JERUSALEM |
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Begin the day walking via the Italian Synagogue, a unique building dating from the 16th century that was transported from Florence to the Holy City.
The tour enters via the Jaffa Gate and winds through the narrow cobblestone alleys of the Christian, Moslem and Armenian Quarters.
See part of the Via Dolorosa, the “way of sorrows,” on to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
End the walk at the Tower of David, where the Museum of the History of Jerusalem beautifully explains the 3000-year story of the city. Tonight, another exclusively ITAS A La Carte Dine-A-Roundtm Dinner.
Overnight – Jerusalem.
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DAY SEVEN – JERUSALEM – TEL MARESHA – JERUSALEM |
Knesset |
Travel to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust, for a Yizkor service and visit to the majestic Children’s Pavilion and the brand new Museum. We’ll end our visit at the Valley of Destroyed Communities.
Stop at Mount Herzel, Israel’s military cemetery, to pay respects at the tomb of Yitzhak Rabin. Time to get “down and dirty,” as you participate in the archeological dig at Tel Maresha. Become a part of this land by planting your own tree in the ITAS Forest.
Visit the Menorah, symbol of Israel, located
next to the Knesset.
We’ll enjoy a Camel Ride followed by a special dinner in a biblical atmosphere in the desert at Genesis Land. Overnight – Jerusalem.
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DAY EIGHT – JERUSALEM – BEIT SHE’AN – BEIT ALPHA – TIBERIAS |
Morning drive along the Jordan Valley to the city of Beit She’an. Tour the extensive ongoing
archaeological excavations in this Roman decapolis city built next to ancient remains which figured prominently during the reign of King Saul.
On to Beit Alpha; see an exquisite mosaic floor in an ancient synagogue set in a pomegranate orchard.
Visit Gan Hashlosha Park Reserve; swim or simply relax enjoying the green surroundings. This evening spend time on the water on a boat ride on the Lake of Kinneret.
Dinner and overnight – Tiberias.
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Galillee |
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DAY NINE – TIBERIAS – GOLAN HEIGHTS – KUNEITRA – SAFED – TIBERIAS |
Safed
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This morning explore the geo-politically vital Golan Heights by jeep! Continue by motorcoach to Mt. Bental for an observation over Kuneitra and Syria.
This site will give us a wonderful perspective of the important significance of the Golan Heights. This afternoon is for fun as you river raft on the mighty Jordan.
Drive to Safed, home to the Kabala.
This charming town, filled with cobblestone streets, lined with ancient synagogues and artist galleries, offers breathtaking views of the entire upper Galilee.
Drive back along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, Israel’s sole source of fresh water, and one of Israel’s favorite vacation spots, to Tiberias, once a rabbinical scholar center.
End this special day with our special Kibbutz home hospitality, sharing conversation with the Kibbutz members. Dinner and overnight Tiberias.
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DAY TEN – TIBERIAS – ROSH HANIKRA – ACRE – DRUZE VILLAGE – TEL AVIV
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Drive to Rosh Hanikra; view the grottos near the Lebanese border.
Continue southward along the shores of the Mediterranean to Acre, a former Crusader stronghold. Spend time roaming through the remains including the knights’ center and dining hall.
Walk along the underground complex. Continue along the Mediterranean shore to Haifa; ascend Mount Carmel to appreciate the spectacular view of the coastline and the magnificent terraced gardens of the Bahai World Center.
Visit the Druze Village of Ussifiya - time to learn about these unique Israeli citizens. Continue to vibrant Tel Aviv.
Tonight, enjoy another exclusively ITAS A La Carte Dine-A-Roundtm Dinner.
Overnight – Tel Aviv.
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Akko Panorama |
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DAY ELEVEN – TEL AVIV – LATRUN – JAFFA – TEL AVIV |
Jaffa
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Visit ancient Jaffa where Jonah began his adventure with the whale. Take a short walk along the restored town.
Enjoy an overview of Tel Aviv and its narrow byways filled with artist galleries and cosmopolitan shops. Visit Independence Hall where the state of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion in May 1948.
Drive through the Ayalon Valley to Latrun, the famous Independence War staging area; tour its Armour Corps Museum. Visit the Ayalon Institute. End your touring day at the Museum of the Diaspora on the campus of the Tel Aviv University.
It is here that the complete record of the history of the Jewish people is maintained for all to cherish. Tonight, enjoy a special evening at the “Punch Line “ restaurant where the waiters and waitresses will entertain while serving you. Overnight Tel Aviv.
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DAY TWELVE – TEL AVIV/EILAT |
This morning affords the opportunity for an aerial view of Israel’s terrain as you fly from Tel Aviv to the Red Sea resort city Eilat..
Upon arrival, drive to the surrealistic Timna Park to view Solomon’s Pillars, the red rock outcroppings and legendary site of King Solomon’s copper mines.
Drive to the Arava border crossing shared by Israel and Jordan. End your morning tour at the Underwater Observatory where you have the chance to see the unique sea life of the Red Sea.
Time this afternoon to enjoy your hotel’s surroundings and sparkling waters. Enjoy Shabbat dinner at your hotel. Overnight Eilat.
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DAY THIRTEEN – EILAT |
Full day is at leisure to enjoy the amenities of the hotel and beach. Dinner and overnight Eilat.
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People in Eilat |
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DAY FOURTEEN – EILAT/TEL AVIV |
Red Sea |
A special farewell treat is planned this morning for the b’nai mitzvah children as they are invited to “swim with the dolphins” at Dolphin Reef. Afterward everyone is invited aboard a Red Sea Yacht cruise with ample time for snorkeling.
Late check-out from hotel.
Transfer to Eilat Airport for your flight to Tel Aviv.
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DAY FIFTEEN – TEL AVIV/NY
Your flight back to the states departs after midnight. Return home filled with a treasury of family-shared memories for a lifetime! Arrive USA the same day.
Please note: The above itinerary may be subject to change. *Please note: All the pictures on this page are courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, and the artists Albatross Ltd. and Itamar Grinberg Photography Ltd. |
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