Day 1: Saturday, June 24, 2023: OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

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

Day 2: Sunday, June 25, 2023: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• Bruchim Habaim - welcome to Israel! Our time in this incredible land has officially started and our excitement mounts as we set off on the adventure ahead. Upon arrival, we are met by an Ayelet Tours representative and assisted through customs and baggage claim.
• We begin in Old Jaffa, where we enjoy a brief welcome ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy time to wander through the cobblestone alleyways to admire the art galleries and visit the ancient port while taking in the views of the sea.
• We check into our hotel in Tel Aviv and refresh before joining together for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Monday, June 26, 2023: TOURING TEL AVIV

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• We begin our day at Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion declared Israel's independence in 1948.
• Next, we visit the cutting-edge Taglit Innovation Center, where we catch a glimpse of Israel's high-tech advances in the fields of science, medicine, security and space, then meet with one of Israel's up and coming entrepreneurs.
• We continue into the “White City” a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see one of the largest concentrations of Bauhaus-style architecture in the world.
• Our guide leads us through the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and on to the Tachana, the newly renovated train station filled with shops and cafes. Stay for dinner or visit the Sarona Market for a world-class dining experience on own.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 4: Tuesday, June 27, 2023: THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we depart Tel Aviv and travel north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, where we explore the seaside relics from ancient times, including the Roman theater and the aqueduct.
• Next, we visit Yemin Orde, a boarding school for at-risk youth from Ethiopian and former Soviet countries. The school is run by two Ethiopian graduates who will tell us the story of how Israel handles the challenge of kids from dysfunctional backgrounds.
• We enjoy lunch on own in Haifa.
• Next, we drive to the top of Mt. Carmel for a panoramic overlook of the city and the beautiful Bahai Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adorning the descent to the sea.
• We continue to the Galilee to check into our kibbutz and have time to refresh before dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 5: Wednesday, June 28, 2023: THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• We begin our day with a hike in the beautiful Tel Dan Nature Reserve, source of the Jordan River and site of ancient archeological finds.
• Next, we set out on an exciting jeep tour through the Golan Heights, , riding along ancient Roman roads, passing through Syrian ruins and admiring the stark beauty of this windswept plateau. We ascend to the top of Mount Bental, a former Israeli bunker overlooking the ruins of Quneitra and the Valley of Tears. As the full vista comes into view, we reach a deeper understanding of both the past and present complexities facing Israel in a hostile Middle East.
• Lunch on own en route.
• This afternoon, we try our hand at chocolate making and learn from the experts during a delicious experience at DeKarina Chocolate Factory.
• Our final adventure today is kayaking down the Jordan River with a calm current suitable for all ages and a great chance to cool off.
• We return to our kibbutz for dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 6: Thursday, June 29, 2023: SAFED TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• This morning, we visit the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and stroll along the cobblestone streets in the artist's quarter. We also participate in a candle making workshop.
• We continue to Beit Shean, a major city of the Decapolis. We stroll down the colonnaded streets and marvel at the beautiful mosaics, the ruined temples and the immense theater that make it one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. We also stop to see the intricate mosaics at Beit Alpha.
• We ascend to Jerusalem, stopping at the Haas Promenade to say the “Shehecheyanu” with challah and wine as we look out over the City of Gold for the first time together.
• We check into our hotel and have time to refresh before an evening at leisure and dinner on own. We suggest a visit to Ben Yehuda Street or the Mamilla pedestrian mall.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7: Friday, June 30, 2023: MODERN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at 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 (younger children may visit the Biblical Zoo).
• At Mt. Herzl, Jerusalem's military cemetery, we hear stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this young nation and pay our respects at the gravesites of some of Israel's most prominent leaders, including Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres.
• We continue to the famed Machane Yehuda, where we take in the sights, smells and sounds of the bustling marketplace and try a variety of Israeli delicacies on our tasting tour as the locals busily purchase their goods for the coming Sabbath
• As the sun begins to set, we join together to welcome Shabbat at the Kotel with the people of Jerusalem, followed by Shabbat dinner at our hotel. Option to attend Kabbalat Shabbat at the Tachana (First Station) on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Saturday, July 1, 2023: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we attend Shabbat services at Hebrew Union College (HUC), followed by lunch on own.
• This afternoon, we head to the Old City for a walking tour of the different quarters. We enter the Ottoman walls via the Jaffa Gate and stroll through colorful and exotic vendors of the Arab shuk. We continue into the Jewish quarter, filled with synagogues, shops and history and pass by the ancient Broad Wall. Our path takes us into the Christian quarter to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified, through the bustling alleys of Via Dolorosa and into the Muslim quarter.
• Later this afternoon, we set out on an exciting scavenger hunt through Yemin Moshe, a great way to get to know the neighborhood.
• Following dinner on own, we attend the Tower of David Night Spectacular, a sound and light show that transforms the walls of David's Citadel into the living story of Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9: Sunday, July 2, 2023: FUN IN THE DEAD SEA BASIN

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we depart early and travel south to the Dead Sea basin. Upon arrival, we ascend the imposing mountain of Masada by cable car 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 for lunch and an unsinkable swim in the luxuriating, salty and mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, where we can cover ourselves in silky, healing mud and float at the lowest place on Earth.
• We return to Jerusalem for an evening at leisure and dinner on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10: Monday, July 3, 2023: REACHING OUT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• Today, we travel to Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim to meet with children from the youth village and participate in a chesed painting project.
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• We travel to Gush Etzion to take a ride on Israel's largest zipline at Deer Land Park.
• Enjoy free time this afternoon for last-minute shopping and exploration on own.
• This evening, we join together for a festive farewell dinner, as we recall all that we have experienced together on this journey.
• We transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our overnight flight back to the United States, landing tomorrow morning.