Day 1: Sunday, April 29, 2018: DEPARTURE

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

Day 2: Monday, April 30, 2018: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• We arrive in Israel in the late afternoon and are met by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem, stopping at Latrun, Israel's armored corp museum, where we explore the tanks and artillery used by the Israeli Defense Forces throughout the country's history.
• Upon arrival in Jerusalem, we ascend Mt. Scopus to say the “Shehecheyanu”, as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time.
• Check in to our hotel and have time to relax and refresh. • We enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 3: Tuesday, May 1, 2018: TIKKUN OLAM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we participate in tikkun olam with a visit to Yad L'Kashish, also known as the “Lifeline for the Aged”. We meet some of the members and learn about how this place gives meaning to so many people.
• Our tour continues at Emek Tzurim, where we participate in the dig, sifting through the Temple Mount rubble. New and important finds are made here every day.
• We continue to Jerusalem's Old City, to explore the Jewish Quarter, the Arab market (shuk) as well as the Christian quarter, where we stroll along the Via Dolorosa, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• This evening, we meet and enjoy dinner with a representative of the Israel Philharmonic.
• We enjoy a late night tour of the Western Wall tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.

Overnight in Jerusalem 

Day 4: Wednesday, May 2, 2018: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We depart early this morning for the Dead Sea basin.
• Upon arrival, we ascend Masada by cable car, to view the remains of King Herod's fortress, including the bathhouses and synagogue, as we learn about the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and head to the beach for an “unsinkable” swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea; OR Travel nearby to see the Qumran caves, the site where the Dead Seas Scrolls were discovered by a local shepherd.
• We return to Jerusalem to relax and refresh.
• This evening, we celebrate Lag B'Omer with the people of Jerusalem.
• Later tonight, we walk to the Tower of David to see the spectacular Sound and Light show.

Overnight in Jerusalem 

Day 5: Thursday, May 3, 2018: TIKKUN OLAM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Our day begins with a visit to Ammunition Hill, the official site symbolizing the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem. Its trenches, artifacts and new multimedia film helps visitors better understand the events and battles of 1967.
• We continue our tour at Machane Yehuda, where a chef leads us through the market as we take in the sights, smells and sounds along the way. Our tour culminates in a cooking class and lunch prepared with our purchases.
• Later this afternoon, we visit the nearby Soreq (Avshalom) caves to see the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6: Friday, May 4, 2018: JEWISH HISTORY IN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we visit Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust, for a moving experience learning about this tragic part of Jewish history, as we walk through the exhibits, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• We continue our tour at Mt. Herzl, Jerusalem's military cemetery, where we pay our respects at the gravesites of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. We also see the new Remembrance Hall built in honor of Israel's fallen soldiers.
• We spend time at the Western Wall for personal reflection as the people of Jerusalem welcome Shabbat.
• As the sun begins to set over Israel, we attend Shabbat services at Nava Tehila, followed by Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem 

Day 7: Saturday, May 5, 2018: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We spend the morning at leisure, relaxing during the calmness of Shabbat, or choosing to attend one of the multitude of morning services in the area.
• This afternoon, we have the option of visiting the Israel Museum, where we see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed (transportation on own, entrance included).
• Spend the evening on Ben Yehuda Street, discovering the shops, restaurants and bars on own and Shabbat comes to an end.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Sunday, May 6, 2018: JERUSALEM TO THE GALILEE

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we begin traveling north, stopping at the Inn of the Good Samaritan, where we see the exquisite mosaics.
• We continue at the Jordan River Village, a year-round overnight camp and retreat center, founded by our own Marilyn and Murray Grant, of blessed memory. We meet some of the kids and staff and participate with them in a program.
• This afternoon we visit a winery (TBD) for a tour and tasting.
• We travel to the Galilee to check in to our kibbutz for an afternoon of relaxation and dinner together later this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee 

Day 9: Monday, May 7, 2018: THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• Visit organic utopia Kibbutz Kishorit. The special needs residents work the land, including an organic goat farm, a vineyard, and a toy development facility. It is an inspiring and uplifting visit!
• Today, we travel to the mystical city of Safed, where we meet stroll along the cobblestone streets viewing the ancient synagogues and the crafts in the artist's colony. Lunch on own.
• We continue to the Galilean Hills for a concert at the home of composer and concert pianist, Yitzhak Tavior.
• Travel through the Golan Heights past former Syrian bunkers, to the top of Har Bental, to take in the panoramic views stretching far into neighboring Syria.
• In the late afternoon, we enjoy a sunset cruise on the Kinneret.
• We return to our kibbutz for a relaxing evening and dinner together.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 10: Tuesday, May 8, 2018: THE GALILEE TO TEL AVIV

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• Our day begins with a visit to Tzippori, to see the beautiful ancient mosaic known as the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee”.
• Travel west to Haifa to take in the city and water views and stroll through the beautifully manicured Bahai Gardens.
• We continue to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. We see the ancient Roman Theatre and aqueduct along the Mediterranean Sea. (Depending on the schedule, we may be able to see a concert here).
• This afternoon, we travel to Tel Aviv, where we stroll along Nachalat Binyamin and enjoy the entertainers, artists and craftspeople that bring the streets of Tel Aviv to life.
• Check in to our hotel and spend the evening at leisure with dinner on our own.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 11: Wednesday, May 9, 2018: TOURING IN TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Our first day of touring in Tel Aviv begins at Independence Hall, the site of the signing of Israel's Declaration of Independence in 1948.
• Next, we visit the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• We continue with a co-existence walking tour with a Jewish and Arab guide leading us side by side through Old Jaffa, coordinated through Beit Daniel, Tel Aviv's original Progressive/Reform congregation. We begin with a tour of Mishkenot Ruth Daniel, which serves as an educational, religious and community center.
• We return to our hotel for time to refresh.
• This evening, we head out on the town for “Dinner in the Dark”, a tantalizing experience that will trigger all of your senses, followed by a performance of “Not by Bread Alone” at the Nalagaat Center for the deaf and blind.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 12: Thursday, May 10, 2018: DISCOVERING TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we step into a world of creativity at The World of Michal Negrin. Here, we view a film and take a guided tour through the famous jeweler's studio and factory.
• We continue to the Levinsky Market for an ethnic tasting tour, sampling new flavors from around the world.
• This afternoon, we visit the Ayalon Institute, where we discover the underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence.
• This evening, we check out of our hotel and enjoy a festive farewell dinner, recalling all that we have experienced together.
• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight back to the United States, arriving tomorrow morning.

OR JOIN US ON OUR EILAT/PETRA EXTENSION

Overnight Flight OR Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 13: Friday, May 11, 2018: DEPARTURE/EILAT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This afternoon, we transfer to Sde Dov Airport for our short flight to Eilat.
• Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure at the beach, aquarium or by the pool.
• Dinner on own this evening.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 14: Saturday, May 12, 2018: PETRA DAY TOUR

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we cross the Israeli border into Jordan.
• Upon crossing the border, we travel to Petra, the Red Rose City and Eighth Wonder of the World, where we explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). We walk through the Ciq and ancient temples, and discover the amazing Treasury and Roman theater. On our way back to the border, we view Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness with sandstone mountains and natural arches.
• We return to our hotel in Eilat for a relaxing evening and enjoy a farewell dinner together at our hotel, recalling all that we have experienced together on this adventure.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 15: Sunday, May 13, 2018: DEPARTURE

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We transfer to the airport to fly back to Tel Aviv, then shuttle to the international terminal for our flight back to the United States, landing later today. Welcome home!