Israel
December 2 - 20   $2999

Day 1 - Depart the USA: Depart Washington Dulles for Israel.

Day 2 - Tel-Aviv: Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by a representative, who will assist you with your luggage and escort you through customs and transfer you to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. A stroll is suggested along the beautiful beachfront promenade while enjoying the refreshing air and surf. This evening there will be a welcome dinner and a program overview at the hotel.  Overnight in Tel-Aviv. (Dinner)

Day 3 - Tel-Aviv/Jaffa/Tel-Aviv: After breakfast, we will visit the Old Port City of Jaffa (Yafo), just south of Tel-Aviv for a beautiful panoramic view of Tel-Aviv and a sense of the first Jewish city of the modern era, established in 1909. Next we will visit Independence Hall where we will listen to an audio presentation including David Ben Gurion's moving Declaration of Independence establishing the state of Israel. Walk along Rothschild Boulevard where you can see "The White City of Tel-Aviv", a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Tel-Aviv. (Breakfast)

Day 4 - Tel-Aviv/Caesarea, Haifa & Daylat al-Carmel/Tel-Aviv: After breakfast, take a tour to visit the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great and once the seat of Roman rule. View the excavated Roman Theater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound, which was used for many performances throughout the centuries. A new audio-visual presentation brings to life the times of the Romans who controlled these shores 2,000 years ago. Today, it draws major venue attractions, for concerts and festivals. We will walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city. Then we'll arrive in Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel for a Panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the beautiful Bahai Gardens with its impressive temples. We will stop at the Druze village of Daylat al-Carmel for Druze hospitality and learn about this great community that lives in Israel and serves in its Army. Return to Tel-Aviv for overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 5 - Tel-Aviv/Nazareth, Galilee, Capernaum & Tabgha /Tel-Aviv: After breakfast, take a tour to Nazareth, Galilee, Capernaum and Tabgha. We'll drive to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and visit the Church of the Annunciation where Mary was first informed about her immaculate conception. We will then tour, the Sea of Galilee with a boat ride in a wooden boat and visit Capernaum; where a 2nd century synagogue was discovered which threw light on the life of the community of that era. According to the Christian tradition, Jesus served here as a local rabbi and performed miracles. Then it's on to Mount Beatitudes, North of the Sea of Galilee. Atop the Beatitudes Mount, lies a beautiful church where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the northern part of Sea of Galilee and including Tabgha and Capernaum. Next we'll go to Tabgha to the Church of the Multiplication, the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the third resurrection appearance of Jesus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 - Tel-Aviv/Jerusalem: After breakfast, we will drive to Jerusalem for a tour of Old and New Jerusalem. You'll ascend the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking panoramic view. Overlooking the Old City, the mount is covered partly in olive trees, cemeteries and churches, commemorating Christian events. Descend via Palm Sunday Way to visit the Garden of Gethsemane, with its ancient olive trees believed to date back to the times of Christ. Walk through the Arab Bazaar and see Middle Eastern life with its rich colors, flavors, and smells. Here we will have a short break for individual lunch on your own. We'll then enter the gates of the old city and walk the Via Dolorosa and end with a visit to the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Next, proceed to holiest place in Judaism today, the Western Wall - "Kotel". In the afternoon, we will visit the Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited, and view the Model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 7 - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Jerusalem: After an early breakfast, we will leave for the Dead Sea area. Traveling south east we will arrive at the shores of the Dead Sea and descend to the lowest point on earth at 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. Continue to visit Qumran where hidden scrolls found in the caves in 1947 exposed the secret life of the Essenes, a small ultra religious sect, who hid there from the Roman enemy and the burial place of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Float at the Dead Sea and cover yourselves with mud and enjoy the unsinkable therapeutic waters of this mineral-rich sea. We will drive to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada and ascend by cable car to the ancient synagogue of Masada and explore the ancient fortress. Here, was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands rather than submit to Roman slavery. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8 - Jerusalem: After breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure to explore the many sights of the storied ancient city of Jerusalem.The spiritual aspects of this city are endless, and you will find the roots of many religions begin here. History surrounds you in Jerusalem and a great way to explore the city's timeless identity is by visiting one of the many museums you'll find here. Explore biblical lore at The Bible Lands Museum, Judaica displays at the Israel Museum, Israel's politics at the Ben Gurion Museum or perhaps a visit to The Tower of David museum will peak your interest.  The museums in Jerusalem are legendary and must be seen to be believed. Wherever your explorations take you in Jerusalem there is something for every taste. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 - Jerusalem/Tel-Aviv: After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before departing for Ben Gurion International Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

Day 10 - USA: Early arrival back to the USA.
Please note: Though rare, it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions.