Accessibility note: Guests should be in adequate physical condition. While plenty of shade and breaks are incorporated, full participation requires periods of standing or walking along even, uneven and occasionally hilly terrain. There will be steps, inclines, and cobblestone surfaces. Options are provided when possible, but all listed features are included, available, encouraged and meaningful to the aim of this comprehensive tour. Participants with physical limitations should take this into account.

Day 1: Monday, May 1, 2023: 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 2, 2023: ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL

• We arrive in Israel in the late afternoon and meet our local guide, then transfer to our hotel for check in.
• After some time to refresh, we enjoy a delicious Israeli welcome dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Wednesday, May 3, 2023: 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 theater that has been restored as a concert venue.
• Next, we stop for a panoramic view in Haifa atop Mt. Carmel, overlooking the beautiful 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 for hundreds of members of the underground organizations due to their struggle to defend the Jewish settlement.
• We continue to our kibbutz to check in and refresh, followed by dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 4: Thursday, May 4, 2023: 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 Heights to the top of Har Bental, where we take in the panoramic views of Syria. 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 Golan Heights Winery, one of Israel's leading producers of quality wines. Here, the focus is on delicious local wines produced under four labels ranging in varieties that we will enjoy sampling.
• 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.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 5: Friday, May 5, 2023: 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.
• We ascend to Jerusalem. Upon arrival, we stop at 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, followed by Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6: Saturday, May 6, 2023: 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 walk to the Tower of David to watch the spectacular Sound and Light Show.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7: Sunday, May 7, 2023: A TASTE OF JERUSALEM PAST & PRESENT - FROM FOOD TO POLITICS TO THE WESTERN WALL

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we enjoy a political briefing by Gil Hoffman, former Chief Political Correspondent for the Jerusalem Post and current Executive Director of the bi-partisan news outlet, HonestReporting, followed by a tour of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament.
• 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” 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 in Jerusalem

Day 8: Monday, May 8, 2023: A DAY IN THE DESERT: MASADA & MORE

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we travel south to the Dead Sea basin.
• We begin with a short hike to the hidden waterfalls in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi.
• Next, we ascend the imposing mountain of Masada by cable car or snake path to view the remains of King Herod's fortress, including the synagogue, walls and bathhouse, as we learn about the Jewish Zealots' fateful last stand against the Roman forces.
• 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. Here, we can cover ourselves in silky, healing mud and float effortlessly at the lowest place on Earth, followed by time to relax at a beautiful resort.
• We return to Jerusalem later this evening and enjoy a group dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9: Tuesday, May 9, 2023: JERUSALEM TO VIBRANT TEL AVIV

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. This guided tour will include:
o The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees symbolic of the renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah.
o The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts and personal possessions saved from the ghettos and camps.
• 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 avant 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.
• This evening, we meet atop our hotel's rooftop bar for a complimentary happy hour with stunning views of the sea.
• Dinner on own tonight (“follow-the-leader” option will be available).

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 10: Wednesday, May 10, 2023: DIGGING INTO ISRAEL'S PAST

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we travel to Beit Guvrin and dig for a day in a real, live archaeological expedition! Through digging and sifting, we will uncover the ancient past, hidden for over 2,200 years, and turn their trash into our treasure.
• 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 visit Rabin Square, the sight where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated after giving a speech on November 4, 1995 and learn about what happened that day.
• Free time for dinner on own (“follow-the-leader” option will be available).

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 11: Thursday, May 11, 2023: TOURING TEL AVIV

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel. We store our luggage for the day.
• We begin our day at ANU: The Museum of the Jewish People. The former Diaspora Museum, ANU is a brand new and completely renovated museum featuring state-of-the-art interactive technology, along with stunning works of art displaying a pluralistic and inclusive journey through over 4,000 years of Jewish life and history.
• This afternoon, we enjoy the Palmach Museum, where we “join up” with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beach, take a bike ride on the boardwalk or to visit the Ottoman-era neighborhood of Old Jaffa; home to winding alleys filled with craft shops and art galleries and a lively flea market.
• We come together one last time for a farewell program and dinner, followed by a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport (transfer is included for those whose flights depart after 11:00pm).
• Those choosing to spend the full overnight in Israel or participating in our Eilat/Petra extension will be brought back to our hotel.

Day 12: Friday, May 12, 2023: WELCOME HOME

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

OR EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE ON OUR
EILAT/PETRA, JORDAN
EXTENSION
May 12 - 15, 2023

Note: Extension to Eilat/Petra will be accompanied by a full-time tour escort if 10 people are registered. Otherwise, participants will be tended to with point-to-point hosting and will join along with an existing public tour (with other travelers) to Petra.

Day 12: Friday, May 12, 2023: TO EILAT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We transfer to the airport for our flight to Eilat.
• Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel for check-in.
• Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in Eilat relaxing at the beach, by the pool or checking out the Underwater Aquarium.
• This evening, we enjoy Shabbat dinner together.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 13: Saturday, May 13, 2023: 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), walk through the Siq and view the ancient temples, then discover the famous Treasury, the Roman theater, and more at this Eighth Wonder of the World.
• In the early evening, we cross the border back into Israel and return to our hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner on own.

Overnight in Eilat

Day 14: Sunday, May 14, 2023: THE NEGEV DESERT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We travel north to Mitzpe Ramon Visitor's Center to learn about the area and Ilan Ramon, Israel's heroic astronaut.
• We stop for lunch on own in the desert along the way.
• We continue to Sde Boker, the burial monument to Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. We will see how his vision of making the desert bloom is becoming a reality and learn why his gravesite has become a site of modern pilgrimage for Israelis.
• Later this evening, we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport with time to check in before our international flight home (flight should be scheduled to depart after 10pm).

Day 15: Sunday, May 15, 2023: WELCOME HOME

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