Day 1: Sunday, March 15, 2020: BEGIN OUR JOURNEY

• We depart the United States from Miami on our non-stop overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2: Monday, March 16, 2020: WELCOME TO ISRAEL!

• We arrive in Israel this afternoon and are met by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• We transfer to Tel Aviv and begin with a walking tour of Jaffa, an ancient port city, where we stroll through the cobblestone alleyways admiring the art galleries and taking in the views of the sea.
• We transfer to our hotel for check in.
• This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner at Maganda in the Yemenite quarter.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Tuesday, March 17, 2020: THE ORIGINS OF A MODERN NATION

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Our first stop is at Shalom Tower where we see the new exhibition about Independence Hall and the founding of the State of Israel.
• Next, we visit the Palmach Museum, where we "join up" with the paramilitary forces from Israel's pre-statehood days.
• We meet with young entrepreneur and current Google employee, Rony Rozen, to discuss her story as well as high-tech innovation in this start-up nation.
• We continue our tour of Israel's high-tech advances at the Taglit Innovation Center. This cutting-edge center allows us to learn about the new advancements Israeli start-ups are making in the fields of science, medicine, security and space through their interactive exhibitions.
• We visit Nachalat Binyamin where entertainers, artists, and craftspeople bring the streets of Tel Aviv life.
• Evening at leisure and dinner on own.

Overnight in Tel Aviv

Day 4: Wednesday, March 18, 2020: TRAVELING NORTH

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• Today, we drive north to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region, to see the excavations of the crusaders' city, the aqueduct and the ancient theater that has been restored as a concert venue.
• We travel to Akko, where we explore the Crusader-era fortifications and British prison as we learn about this historically important port.
• Next, we visit a Druze village, where we will enjoy home hospitality and lunch as we learn about this unique community.
• We continue with a visit to Rosh Hanikra, where we view the amazing chalk cliff grottoes that have been carved out by the Mediterranean waters over time.
• We travel to the Galilee to check in to our kibbutz and enjoy dinner together this evening.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 5: Thursday, March 19, 2020: MYSTICISM AND THE GOLAN

• Breakfast at our kibbutz.
• This morning, we set out on an exciting jeep tour of the Golan Heights, passing by old Syrian bunkers along the way to the top of Har Bental, where we take in the views stretching far into Syria.
• We continue to the Golan Winery for a tour and select wine tasting.
• Next, we visit the mystical city of Safed, where we view the beautiful ancient synagogues and stroll through the artist's quarter.
• We return to our kibbutz this evening for dinner together.

Overnight in the Galilee

Day 6: Friday, March 20, 2020: THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM

• Breakfast and check out of our kibbutz.
• This morning, we drive south, stopping at Beit Shean and Beit Alpha to view the ancient ruins and intricate mosaics.
• We ascend to Jerusalem and stop at the Haas Promenade for a special “Shehecheyanu” blessing with challah and wine as we look out over the City of Gold.
• We check in to our hotel and have time to refresh.
• This evening, we gather for Shabbat services at Kol Haneshama, followed by Shabbat dinner together at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7: Saturday, March 21, 2020: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Morning at leisure to attend Shabbat services (options provided).
• We enjoy Shabbat lunch at Beit Shmuel.
• This afternoon, we join together for a tour of the Old City's Jewish, Christian and Arab quarters.
• Enjoy a free evening for dinner on own as Jerusalem returns to life after the calm of Shabbat.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8: Sunday, March 22, 2020: MODERN JERUSALEM

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we visit the military cemetery of Mt. Herzl, where our guide shares personal reflections of Israel's military history and beloved leaders Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, who are all buried here.
• Next, we stop for an in-depth exploration of Yad Vashem's Holocaust memorial.
• We drive by Israel's parliament, the Knesset, where we have a photo opportunity by the outdoor bronze menorah sculpture.
• We continue to the nearby Supreme Court, where we see the ancient mosaics, recovered from the synagogue at Hamat Gadar.
• Later this afternoon, we visit Hadassah Hospital to view the amazing Chagall windows.
• Evening at leisure and dinner on own.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9: Monday, March 23, 2020: MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we travel to the Dead Sea basin. Upon our arrival, we ascend Masada by cable car or snake path to view the remains of King Herod's fortress, and hear the story of the Jewish Zealots' rebellion against the approaching Roman armies.
• We stop at the Dead Sea, where we have time to enjoy lunch and the mud baths as well as an unsinkable swim in the healing, salty waters.
• We pass the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, as we return to Jerusalem later this evening

Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10: Tuesday, March 24, 2020: DIGGING INTO HISTORY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• This morning, we stroll through Machane Yehuda, and take in the sights, smells and sounds of this bustling marketplace, watching as the locals busily do their daily shopping.
• We continue with a visit to the Ayalon Institute, where we discover the underground ammunition factory that played a pivotal role in Israel's fight for independence.
• This afternoon, we tour the Western Wall tunnels, where we discover the archaeological wonders that once remained untouched for centuries.
• Tonight, we check out of our hotel and enjoy a special farewell dinner together this evening.
• We transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to the United States, arriving tomorrow morning.

Overnight in Jerusalem for those continuing to Eilat