Celebrating Israel's 70th
Led by Joseph & Lynn Goldovitz
& Rabbi Reuven Silverman
April 15 - 26


Tour Rates & Dates:

There are no Departure Dates available for this Package.
*Please note that all rates displayed are based on standard room double occupancy.
All rates above are in US Dollars, and are based on full payment by credit card unless otherwise noted.
If check payment discount is available for this tour, it can be selected after clicking "BOOK" above.
(Deposit can still be paid by credit card).
Upgraded room categories may be available to book later in the booking process.
If Land & Air price is displayed, the air portion includes tax and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change until ticketed.

This tour is currently SOLD OUT.  A waitlist has been started. 
To add your name to the waitlist, please contact tara@ayelet.com or
call 800-237-1517 ext. 302.


Tour Overview:

Download a PDF version:

2 nights BY14TLV Hotel, Tel Aviv, Israel
4 nights Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel
3 nights Kibbutz Kfar Blum, Galilee, Israel
Tips to guides, driver, and dining room waiters
All touring and sightseeing per an agreed upon itinerary in a deluxe
air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking guide
Breakfast daily
Welcome dinner in Tel Aviv
Hotel dinner Tel Aviv
3 Kibbutz dinners
Moshav Nahalal Home Hospitality
Shabbat Dinner in Jerusalem
Farewell dinner in Jerusalem
Meeting with Kibbutz Members
IDF War Veteran Meeting on Yom HaZikaron
Transfers included if arriving/departing with the main group
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Porterage

The PETRA, JORDAN EXTENSION quote includes the following:

1 night Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
2 nights Movenpick Petra Hotel, Petra, Jordan
Tips to guides/driver
Transfer from Tel Aviv to the airport for flight to Tel Aviv
Roundtrip flight between Tel Aviv and Eilat
Transfers in Eilat
Entrance and guiding in Petra, Jordan
Jordanian Visa fee and paperwork processing
All touring and sightseeing per an agreed upon itinerary in a deluxe
air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking guide

This quote does not include:

Roundtrip airfare & departure taxes and fuel surcharges
(listed separately)
Any border taxes or visas
(Jordanian Border tax of $65 USD cash is due at the border from each participant)
Any items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance
(Highly recommended)


Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Sunday, April 15, 2018: DEPARTURE

• We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2: Monday, April 16, 2018: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport this afternoon, where we are met and assisted by our Ayelet Tours representative
• Transfer to Tel Aviv, to check in to our hotel and have time to walk the area and orient ourselves with the city
• This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Tuesday, April 17, 2018: TEL AVIV/ YOM HAZIKARON BEGINS

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We start our day with a visit to Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion declared Independence for the State of Israel in 1948.
• Next, we visit the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• Discover the secret underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence at the Ayalon Institute.
• This afternoon, we walk through the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, one of the first neighborhoods in the Israel, now home to many artist studios and galleries.
• This evening marks the beginning of Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day. We will meet with an IDF war veteran to hear their story.
• Dinner together this evening at our hotel.
• Following dinner, we walk over for “Shirim BaKikar” at Rabin Square, joining the people of Tel Aviv in solemn song and remembrance.

Overnight Tel Aviv

Day 4: Wednesday, April 18, 2018: TO JERUSALEM/YOM HAATZMAUT BEGINS

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we visit Latrun, Israel's outdoor armed corps museum, where we explore the tanks and artillery used by the Israeli Defense Forces throughout the country's history. We also witness the huge ceremony marking Yom Hazikaron.
• At 11:00 this morning, a siren sounds and we pause with all the people of Israel for a moment of silence in honor of Yom Hazikaron.
• We ascend to Jerusalem, stopping at Har El, where we say "Shehecheyanu!" as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time.
• Later this afternoon, we take a jeep tour along the Burma Road with our guides narrating the struggle for Jerusalem in 1948 and the Biblical stories brought to mind by the views of famous Biblical sites along the way.
• This evening, we celebrate in the streets with the people of Jerusalem, as the somber mood turns to jubilation on Israel's 70th Birthday!

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 5: Thursday, April 19, 2018: YOM HA'ATZMAUT

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Our morning begins with a visit to the viewpoint atop Mt. Scopus. Here, we learn about the Six Day War that led to the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.
• Our next stop is in Ir David (City of David), located just outside the Old City, where we explore the archaeological excavations dating back to the time of King David.
• We stop to enjoy the incredible air show over Jerusalem, marking 70 years of independence for the Jewish state.
• We head to a local park for a picnic/BBQ as is traditional for the locals on this holiday.
• We enter the Old City for the first time, and enjoy time for reflection at the Western Wall. We also tour the Western Wall tunnels, where we discover archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.
• We continue with a walking tour, exploring the Jewish Quarter and Roman Cardo market, with time for browsing. We continue our tour as we walk through the Arab market (shuk) and arrive in the Christian Quarter, where we discover the historical landmarks along the Via Dolorosa, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and David's Tomb.
• Spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring Jerusalem and celebrating Israel's independence.
• Later this evening, we walk to the Tower of David for the spectacular Sound and Light show (pending confirmation - otherwise will add to Saturday evening).

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6: Friday, April 20, 2018: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We depart early this morning for the Dead Sea basin.
• We pass by the Qumran caves, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered by a local shepherd.
• Next, we ascend to Masada by the new high speed cable car, where we spend the
morning exploring the remains of King Herod's fortress, and hear the story of the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and head to the beach for lunch and an “unsinkable” swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea.
• This afternoon, we stop for a short hike to the hidden waterfalls in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi (time permitting) before returning to Jerusalem.
• As the sun begins to set, we make out way to the Western Wall to join the people of Jerusalem in welcoming the Shabbat, followed by Shabbat dinner at our hotel together.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7: Saturday, April 21, 2018: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Optional Shabbat services at one of the many local synagogues.
• Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure - optional (on own) visit to the newly remodeled Israel Museum, where you can see the model of Jerusalem during the time of the Second Temple and the Dead Sea Scrolls on display at the Shrine of the Book.
• Walk to the magical Ben Yehuda Street for shopping and dinner on own, as Jerusalem welcomes the week ahead.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Sunday, April 22, 2018: THE NEW CITY/TO THE NORTH

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We begin our day with a moving visit to Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust, where we tour the new museum and see the many memorials.
• We continue to Mt. Herzl for a visit to the gravesites of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. We walk over to the Herzl Museum to learn about the life of one of Israel's most important historical leader.
• Explore the extensive and impressive Roman ruins, meticulously excavated at Beit Shean.
• We travel north to the Galilee to check in to our kibbutz, refresh and enjoy dinner together here this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 9: Monday, April 23, 2018: DISCOVERING THE GALILEE

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we visit Tzippori, where we see the ancient mosaic known as the Mona Lisa of the Galilee.
• Next, we stop at the nearby Moshav Nahalal, where we enjoy home hospitality and lunch hosted by the Aviran family. We hear the idealism of the early pioneers, as well as astronaut Ilan Ramon and Former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, both buried here.
• Continue with a short hike through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, source of the Jordan River and site of ancient archeological finds
• We return to our kibbutz to relax and enjoy dinner together here this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee


Day 10: Tuesday, April 24, 2018: THE MYSTICAL NORTH

• Breakfast with representatives from the kibbutz, as we hear about the history and modern development of kibbutz living.
• We ascend to the Golan Heights, arriving at Katzrin, the ancient Talmudic village, where we tour the facility and visit the museum.
• Next, we take in the view of neighboring Syria from atop Har Bental.
• We travel to the mystical city of Safed, where we walk along the ancient cobblestone streets touring the ancient synagogues and meeting local artisans. Enjoy time to browse and shop among the many local galleries.
• Return to our kibbutz for dinner.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 11: Wednesday, April 25, 2018: THE NORTHERN COAST

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• Spend the morning at leisure and check out of our kibbutz.
• We visit the Naot shoe factory, founded in 1942 at Kibbutz Naot Mordechai, located in the Upper Galilee. Today, nearly 70 years later, Teva Naot footwear is sold in over 6,000 places around the world.
• We continue to the crusader city of Akko, where we see the secret templar tunnels, and the crusader fortress with its checked history.
• We stop for a breathtaking view of the Valley of Jezreel and see the Statue of Elijah at Muchraka.
• We descend to Tel Aviv and enjoy some free time for last minute shopping or just to relax.
• This evening, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner, as we recall all that we have experienced together.
• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight to the United States, arriving tomorrow morning;
OR
Stay overnight in Tel Aviv and join us on for an Eilat/Petra extension!



PETRA EXTENSION




Day 12: Thursday, April 26, 2018: TO EILAT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning we transfer to Sde Dov Airport for our flight to Eilat.
• Upon arrival, we cross the border into Jordan and continue to Wadi Rum for a 4X4 jeep ride in the legendary sandstone area that inspired T.E. Lawrence's Lawrence of Arabia.
• We continue north to Wadi Musa just outside of Petra, and check in to the Movenpick Resort.
• Tonight, we enjoy a “Petra by Night” tour of all of the monuments dramatically lit by candlelight.
• Dinner together at our resort this evening.

Overnight in Petra

Day 13: Friday, April 27, 2018: PETRA - THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD

• Breakfas at our resort.
• We begin our full day tour of Petra, also known as the Red Rose City, as we explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade).
• Walk through the Siq and view the ancient temples. Discover the famous Treasury, the Roman Theater, and more at this, the Eighth Wonder of the World.
• We return to our resort for a relaxing evening and dinner together.

Overnight in Petra

Day 14: Saturday, April 28, 2018: DEPARTURE

• Breakfast and check out of our resort.
• This morning we return to Israel and transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back to the United States, landing later today.


THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!!


*Itinerary subject to change.