Day 1: Saturday, February 4, 2023: DEPARTURE

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

Day 2: Sunday, February 5, 2023: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and are met and assisted by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• We transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv to check in.
• This evening, we enjoy our welcome dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Monday, February 6, 2023: TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we follow the Independence Trail through the Rothschild District, discovering the architectural, cultural, and intellectual foundations of this great city along the way, including a stop by the famed site of Israel's Independence Hall (currently set to reopen after extensive renovations in 2023).
• We stop at Rabin Square, the site of the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
• Next, we embark on a walking tour through the ancient port of Old Jaffa, where we take in the view of historic landmarks, including St. Peter's Church and the House of Simon the Tanner.
• Our discovery of Tel Aviv continues with a tour of ANU: Museum of the Jewish People (formerly the Diaspora Museum), recently renovated and featuring interactive audio-visual exhibits that bring life and color to the vibrant history of the Jewish people outside the land of Israel following the destruction of the Second Temple.
• We enjoy dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 4: Tuesday, February 7, 2023: THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We depart Tel Aviv and travel north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, the former Roman capital of the area, where we view the ancient inscription of Pontius Pilate and the surrounding ancient ruins, including the Roman theater and the aqueduct.
• We stop at Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon, the valley that will host the “war to end all wars”.
• We continue to Tzippori (Sepphoris) to see the famous mosaic known as the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee”.
• Next, we visit Mount Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley.
• We pass by Cana, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, and then by Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration.
• We travel to the Galilee to check into our kibbutz, followed by dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 5: Wednesday, February 8, 2023: THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we visit the boat museum, then set out on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
• Our next stop is at the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount.
• We continue to Capernaum, where Jesus taught his disciples during the days of the Second Temple and see the ancient synagogue, church and home of Saint Peter, with time for personal worship.
• We continue to Tabgha to visit the Church of Multiplication, where the mosaic floor depicts the miracle of a basket with loaves and two fishes, a symbolic reference to the miracle where Jesus was able to feed the multitudes.
• We visit Yardenit, a baptismal site located on the Jordan River.
• This evening, we return to our kibbutz for dinner together.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 6: Thursday, February 9, 2023: MYSTICAL ISRAEL

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• Today, we travel to the mystical city of Safed, to see the center of Kabbalah study and practice, where we visit the Ha'ari and Caro synagogues and have time to shop in the artist's quarter.
• Next, we visit Caesarea Philippi, were the Banias spring, source of the Jordan River, is located. Here Saint Peter made his confession of Jesus as the Messiah and the "Son of the living God".
• We travel up to the Golan Heights, passing old Syrian bunkers on the way to the top of Har Bental, where we take in the views of the Syria and learn about the Israeli security situation today.
• Later this afternoon, we visit Amiad Winery for a tour and wine tasting.
• We return to our kibbutz for dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 7: Friday, February 10, 2023: THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• We begin our day at the ancient Roman ruins at Beit Shean one of the most expansive ancient cities in the Holyland, to see the city of Jesus' time.
• We pass by Jericho the world's oldest city, and the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights to successfully resist Satan's temptations.
• We ascend to Jerusalem and drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives. As we look out over the “City of Gold” for the first time, we participate in a Jewish tradition and say the “Shehecheyanu” blessing. This is said to celebrate special occasions and to be thankful for new and unusual experiences.
• We walk down toward Jerusalem, passing the Church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the foreseen destruction of the Second Temple. We also pass by the Church of Pater Noster and the Virgin Mary's tomb.
• We continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, a beautiful green space believed to have been a garden even in biblical times. It is believed that Christ and His disciples retreated to the garden after the Last Supper, and it is here that Christ gave his last sermon to his students.
• Next, we visit the Church of All Nations, said to enshrine a part of the bedrock where Jesus prayed before his arrest.
• In the afternoon, we visit the Western Wall and experience the atmosphere of this holy place as the people of Jerusalem prepare for Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat).
• We check into our hotel and refresh.
• As the sun begins to set, we enjoy Shabbat as a group, followed by Shabbat dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Saturday, February 11, 2023: DEAD SEA BASIN

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We depart early this morning and 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, including the synagogue, walls and bathhouses, as we learn about the Jewish Zealot's last stand against the Roman forces.
• We descend the mountain and stop at the Ahava Factory for a chance to shop for their famed Dead Sea products.
• We head to the beach for lunch (on own) and an unsinkable swim in the healing salty waters of the Dead Sea.
• Later this afternoon, we stop at the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a local shepherd and hear about the special connection to John the Baptist.
• We return to Jerusalem to enjoy dinner together at our hotel.
• Optional: Later this evening we walk to the Tower of David, where we enjoy the new Sound & Light show spectacular!

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9: Sunday, February 12, 2023: OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Those who wish are invited to attend Sunday morning worship.
• This morning, we enter Jerusalem's Old City and explore the Jewish quarter on the way to Mt. Zion, where we stop to see King David's tomb and the Upper Room, the site of the Last Supper, as well as the Dormition Abbey.
• We return to the Old City, where we stroll along the Via Dolorosa, noting the Stations of the Cross as we walk through the colorful bazaars to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian quarter.
• We continue with a tour at Ir David, the City of David, where the stories of the Biblical King David come to life through the palace excavations.
• Tonight, we enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner together.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10: Monday, February 13, 2023: THE JERUSALEM HILLS

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We begin our day with a visit to 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 pause for a moment to remember those who lost their lives.
• We pass by the Knesset, Israel's parliament building, where we have a unique photo opportunity by the amazing outdoor bronze menorah sculpture.
• Next, we pass by the nearby Supreme Court, where we see the ancient mosaics recovered from the synagogue at Hamat Gader.
• We continue with a stroll through the famous Machane Yehuda, where we take in the sights, smells and sounds of Jerusalem's bustling marketplace.
• This afternoon, we tour the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
• We return to the city for a stop at the Garden Tomb, believed by some to be the site where Jesus was resurrected. We take a moment to reflect and worship.
• We enjoy dinner together this evening.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 11: Tuesday, February 14, 2023: MODERN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Later, we drive to Bethlehem, passing by Rachel's tomb, and stop at the Church of the Nativity.
• While here, we visit the Bethlehem Star Olive Wood Factory, where items have been handcrafted by professionals since 1971.
• We stop to see Shepherd's field.
• Next, we visit Gush Etzion for a dialogue with Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Shaul Yudelman, the founders of the Shorashim/Roots program. Shorashim fosters a grassroots movement of understanding, non-violence and partnership between Israelis and Palestinians.
• Later this afternoon, we enjoy time at leisure for last-minute shopping.
• This evening, we join together for a festive farewell dinner, recalling all that we have experienced together on this journey.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 12: Wednesday, February 15, 2023: DEPARTURE/EXTENSION

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel. Our luggage will be stored for the day.
• Enjoy the day at leisure doing some last-minute shopping or exploring on own.
• Early this evening, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States via JFK, landing in Cleveland tomorrow afternoon.

OR JOIN OUR
PETRA EXTENSION

• We transfer to the Allenby border and cross on our drive to Petra.
• Along the King's Highway, we stop atop Mount Nebo.
• We check into our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together this evening.

Overnight in Petra

Day 13: Thursday, February 16, 2023: PETRA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we enjoy a tour of Petra, the Red Rose City.
• We explore the Nabatean City (as seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). We walk through the Siq and view the ancient temples, then discover the famous Treasury and Roman theater and more at this Eighth Wonder of the World.
• We stop for a jeep ride through Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness with sandstone mountains and natural arches.
• We return to our hotel for dinner together tonight.

Overnight in Petra

Day 14: Friday, February 17, 2023: DEPARTURE

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we travel north to Madaba and explore the amazing Madaba Map, a detailed mosaic map from the 6th century CE on the floor of a then-Byzantine church (and later mosque) charting the Holy Land as it existed then.
• Time for lunch on own.
• We transfer to the Allenby border and cross back into Israel, then drive a short distance to ancient Jericho, where we view the well and sycamore tree.
• We have time for dinner on own in Jericho before we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States via JFK, landing in Cleveland tomorrow afternoon.

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*itinerary subject to change