English

Best-Day Adventures
Tour to Israel
For Jewish singles in their 40's, 50's & 60's
May 27 - June 7, 2019

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.
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.

Tour Overview:


Check Discount Available: Save $100 if paying balance by check!

INCLUDED:

3 nights Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv
2 nights Kibbutz Hagoshrim Guesthouse, Galilee
4 nights Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Breakfast daily
6 dinners, including Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem
3 lunches
Daily sightseeinig, excursions and entrance fees as listed on the itinerary
Exclusive special events
Outstanding English-speaking Israeli tour guide
Roundtrip airport transfers (for those on our suggested international flights or similar itinerary)
Transportation throughout on a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle
All taxes and fees (some exclusions may apply)
Porterage (one bag per person)
Gifts and prizes for all participants
VIP treatment throughout
Bottled water

NOT INCLUDED:

Roundtrip airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges (Suggested flights below)
Any border taxes or visas
Tips to guide, driver & all service personnel ($18 per person, per day; pre-collected)
Meals not listed above
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance (highly recommended)

SUGGESTED FLIGHTS   -   Contact Anjie@ayelet.com for quotes:
DL 468     27MAY     JFK-TLV       10:52PM - 4:50PM
DL 469     06JUN       TLV-JFK       11:55PM - 5:10AM  (MAIN TOUR)
DL 469     09JUN       TLV-JFK       11:55PM - 5:10AM  (EXTENSION)


 

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Monday, May 27, 2019: BEGIN OUR JOURNEY

• Greeting and accompaniment for those on our recommended overnight flight with Tour Leader Bill Cartiff.
• We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2: Tuesday, May 28, 2019: ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL

• We arrive in Israel in the late afternoon and meet our incredible local guide extraordinaire, B.G. Beifield.
• We are transferred to our hotel for check-in.
• After some time to refresh, we enjoy a delicious Israeli welcome dinner at our hotel.

Overnight at Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 3: Wednesday, May 29, 2019: THE BEAUTY OF THE COAST

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We begin our day with a welcome program, introductions, and an overview of our tour before heading out to begin our journey.
• We drive north to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. Here, we see the excavations of the Crusaders' city, the aqueduct and the outdoor Roman theater that has been restored as a concert venue.
• Next, we stop for a panoramic view in Haifa atop Mt. Carmel, overlooking the Bahai Temple and Persian Gardens.
• We also see the El Jazzar Mosque, Israel's largest outside of Jerusalem, and the largest one among the mosques built in Israel during the Turkish period.
• Our next stop is in Akko to see the British prison, an impressive Crusader fortress built in the Ottoman era. During the British rule, the fortress was used as a central prison. Hundreds of members of the underground organizations were imprisoned here due to their struggle to defend the Jewish settlement.
• We stop for a picture opportunity at a scenic overlook of the Sea of Galilee, then continue to our kibbutz in the Galilee to check in and refresh.
• Optional pre-dinner walking tour of Hagoshrim.
• This evening, we enjoy dinner together at our kibbutz.

Overnight at Kibbutz Hagoshrim, Galilee

Day 4: Thursday, May 30, 2019: NORTHERN ADVENTURES

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we re-live the decisive tank battles of the 1973 war at the Oz 77 memorial, including the chance to view the powerful documentary film at nearby Kibbutz El Rom.
• We enjoy a jeep tour through the Golan to the Syrian border, where we take in the views from atop Har Bental. Here, we enjoy a pizza lunch, freshly prepared while you learn about this important and fascinating military outpost.
• This afternoon, we tour and taste the freshness of Israel's agricultural world-leadership at the Pelter Winery, one of the finest boutique vineyards in the rich northern wine country. Here, the focus is on delicious local wines and you will enjoy a sampling of several brands complimented with other decadent delights including gin, cheeses, chocolate and yogurt.
• Next, we have the option to take a short hike among the ancient ruins of the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the largest and most important sources of the Jordan River, or you can opt to return to our kibbutz for some free time.
• Tonight, we visit a Druze village, where we will enjoy dinner and meet with the remarkable Naseba Keesh Samara as we learn about this unique community. As an exclusive treat, Naseba will take us to her cherry orchard where we will pick (and keep) fresh cherries right off the tree.

Overnight at Kibbutz Hagoshrim, Galilee

Day 5: Friday, May 31, 2019: TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• This morning, we visit the mystical city of Safed (Tzfat), where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and browse through the artist's quarter. While here, we enjoy a Kabbalah glass blowing demonstration!
• We continue to Jerusalem. Upon arrival, we stop atop the Haas Promenade to recite a special “Shehecheyanu” blessing as we overlook the City of Gold.
• After checking into our hotel and a chance to refresh, we greet Shabbat with the people of Jerusalem at the Western Wall.
• We enjoy Shabbat dinner together this evening at our hotel.

Overnight at Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 6: Saturday, June 1, 2019: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we invite you to attend services at one of Jerusalem's many synagogues OR enjoy a walking tour through history in the Old City, exploring the Arab shuk and the Christian quarter.
• Lunch on own following our walking tour.
• Enjoy time at leisure on own. We suggest a visit to the Israel Museum, which recently completed a $100 million renovation. See the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period, among other fascinating exhibits.
• Dinner on own (“follow the leader” option will be available).
• Tonight, we enjoy an Israeli Cultural Performance (TBA).

Overnight at Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 7: Sunday, June 2, 2019 UNDERSTANDING THE PAST

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we enjoy a political briefing by Chief Political Correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, Gil Hoffman, followed by a tour of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament.
• At Mt. Herzl, we visit the gravesites of Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, and see the military cemetery, Israel's version of Arlington.
• We set out on a guided tour of Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem's outdoor marketplace, filled with foods of every variety. Together we'll learn about Middle Eastern spices and taste various foods as we participate in the “Shuk Bites” tasting experience.
• We return to the Old City and explore the Jewish quarter and the Cardo Market with time for shopping, followed by an underground tour through the Western Wall tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.
• Dinner on own (“follow the leader” option will be available).

Overnight at Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8: Monday, June 3, 2019: A DAY IN THE DESERT: MASADA & MORE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning we travel south to the Dead Sea basin.
• Upon our arrival, we ascend Masada by cable car to view the remains of King Herod's fortress and castle, including the walls, palaces, synagogue and bathhouses, while learning about the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Romans.
• We descend the mountain and head to the beach to enjoy lunch and an unsinkable swim in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea, followed by time to relax at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Resort.
• On our way back to Jerusalem, we stop to trek to the hidden waterfalls in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi.
• We return to Jerusalem later this evening and enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9: Tuesday, June 4, 2019: JERUSALEM TO TEL AVIV

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we visit Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust, where we view the many moving exhibitions, including the Hall of Names and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• We depart for Tel Aviv.
• This afternoon, we visit Tel Aviv's largest and most-centrally located shuk, the Carmel Market and Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall. With its restored buildings, sidewalk artists and avante garde attitude, this is one of Israel's trendiest modern hotspots for buying local goods, crafts and souvenirs as well as a hangout for bars, restaurants, coffee shops and chef-owned food stalls.
• Later this afternoon, we check into our hotel.
• Dinner on own (“follow the leader” option will be available).

Overnight at Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 10: Wednesday, June 5, 2019: VIBRANT TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we travel to Beit Guvrin, where we participate in a “hands on” archaeological dig, allowing us the opportunity to unearth remnants from Israel's ancient past.
• Next, we discover the secret underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence at the Ayalon Institute.
• This afternoon, we enjoy the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• Free time for dinner on own.

Overnight at Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 11: Thursday, June 6, 2019: TOURING TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We begin our day by seeing a different angle of Tel Aviv. Our guide leads us on a “graffiti tour” where streets turn into galleries of art and where artists subtly (and sometimes obviously) convey their messages.
• Our final stop today is a visit to the Shalom Tower, where we see the new exhibition about Independence Hall and the founding of the state of Israel.
• The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beach, our hotel amenities (like the spa, boardwalk & beach, or the indoor and outdoor pools!) or last-minute shopping opportunities!
• Tonight, we come together one last time for a farewell program and dinner, followed by a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport to catch our overnight flight back to the United States.
• Those extending their stay will enjoy one more overnight in Tel Aviv.

Overnight at Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 12: Friday, June 7, 2019: WELCOME HOME

• We arrive home and start packing for our next Best-Day Adventure!
• OR extend your adventure with a trip to Eilat & Petra, Jordan. (Note: extension to Eilat/Petra will only be escorted by a Best-Day Adventures tour leader if 15 people are registered. Otherwise, you will join a public tour.)


EILAT/PETRA, JORDAN
EXTENSION
June 7-10, 2019

Note: extension to Eilat/Petra will only be escorted by a Best-Day Adventures tour leader if 15 people are registered. Otherwise, you will join a public tour.


Day 12: Friday, June 7, 2019: TO EILAT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We transfer to the airport for our flight to Eilat.
• Upon arrival, we taxi (on own) to our hotel for check-in.
• Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in Eilat.
• This evening, we enjoy Shabbat dinner together.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 13: Saturday, June 8, 2019: PETRA - THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We cross the border into Jordan and begin our full day tour of Petra, the Red Rose City.
• We explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade) and walk through the Siq and view the ancient temples.
• We discover the famous Treasury, the Roman theater, and more at this Eighth Wonder of the World.
• We cross the border back into Israel and return to our hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner on own.

(Note border taxes are due in USD at the border crossing - currently $65 per person)
Overnight in Eilat

Day 14: Sunday, June 9, 2019: EXPLORE EILAT/DEPARTURE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Enjoy the day at leisure in Eilat. Optional on own activity suggestions include visiting the Underwater Aquarium, enjoying a barbecue lunch and snorkeling cruise on the Red Sea or just relaxing poolside or seaside.
• We check out of our hotel this afternoon and taxi (on own) to the airport for our flight to Tel Aviv, connecting with our overnight flight back to the United States.

Day 15: Monday, June 10, 2019: WELCOME HOME

• We arrive home and start packing for our next Best-Day Adventure!

The Memories Last Forever!
*Itinerary subject to change