Family and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours 2008

From: USD $1510
per person sharing twin/double occupancy

Itinerary:

Family and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours 2008
11 days / 10 nights – THURSDAY ARRIVAL
Arrival in Israel: August 14 & December 18
Thursday Welcome to Israel
Arrive at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Meet your guide and begin
your journey. As you enter Jerusalem, stop at the Haas
Promenade overlooking the City of Gold for a special
“Shehechianu” ceremony. Check into your hotel. Welcome dinner
this evening. Overnight: Jerusalem x 4 nights. [D]
Friday Jerusalem
Begin the day of touring at the new Mt.Herzl Museum. Continiue
to Mt.Herzl’s military cemetery to visit the grave sites of Golda
Meir, Theodore Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin. Next, tour the Yad
Vashem Holocaust Museum, Israel’s moving memorial to the
victims of the Holocaust. Walk through Machane Yehuda Market
as Jerusalemites busily shop for the approaching Shabbat. Go to
Mea Shearim for a look at Jerusalem’s Ultra-Ortodox community.
Special Kabbalat Shabbat with candle lighting at the Southern
Wall. Greet Shabbat with the people of Jerusalem at the Western
Wall. Shabbat dinner at the hotel. [BD]
Saturday Jerusalem - Shabbat
This afternoon enjoy a walking tour to Montefiores Windmill in
Yemin Moshe. Walk through history in the Old City, exploring the
Jewish Quarter, Cardo Market, and Christian Quarter. Exit
through the Jaffa Gate. **Optional Shabbat services this morning.
[B]
Sunday Jerusalem Old and New
After breakfast, begin the day at the Hadassah Hospital and view
the magnificent Chagall Windows. Photo opportunity at the
Knesset’s bronze outdoor Menorah. Supreme Court. Take a
fascinating tour of the tunnels under the Western Wall. Visit the
Davidson Centre and Southern Wall excavations and the Jewish
Quarter. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure for shopping &
experience the “Time Elevator”. [B]
Monday Celebrating B’nai Mitzvot
Early this morning depart Jerusalem and head toward the Dead
Sea Basin. Ascend Masada for your memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah
ceremony with an Israeli Rabbi. Special celebratory Kiddush on
Masada! Enjoy the mud baths and an unsinkable swim in the salty
waters of the Dead Sea. For an authentic desert experience,
enjoy a Camel ride with Bedouins. Bar/Bat Mitzvah dinner.
Overnight: Kfar Anokdim x 1 night. [BD]
Tuesday The Jordan Valley
Depart Jerusalem, traveling north through the Jordan Valley. Stop
to view the Roman ruins of Beit Shean and the intricate mosaic
floor and the Synagogue of Beit Alpha. Enjoy a refreshing swim at
Gan Sachne. Arrive at the kibbutz for dinner together.
Overnight: Kibbutz in the Galilee x 2 nights. [BD]
Wednesday Golan & Galilee
Enjoy a jeep tour up to Golan Heights. View the archeological site
an ancient Katzrin. Visit the mystical city of Safed and visit the
ancient synagogues and Artists’ Quarter. This afternoon enjoy a
special kayaking trip down the Jordan River. [B]
Thursday The beauty of the coast
Depart the Galilee for your tour of Israel’s west coast shoreline,
beginning with the amazing grottoes in Rosh Hanikra. Visit the
Crusader city of Akko, including the fortresses and British Prison.
In Haifa, enjoy the stunning views of the Bahai Temple and
Persian Gardens from a top Mt.Carmel. In Caesarea, explore the
relics from ancient times, including the Roman Theater and
aqueduct. Arrive in Tel Aviv and stop for a moment of reflection at
Rabin Square. Free time for dinner.
Overnight: Tel Aviv x 3 nights. [B]
Friday Beit Guvrin/ Ayalon Institute/Jaffa
After breakfast, journey to the Bet Guvrin region through the
Haella Valley where the battle between David and Goliath took
place. Take part in a unique “hands-on” experience at the
archeological dig in the caves of Tel Maresha. Visit the Ayalon
Institute, the underground manufacturer of bullets that saved the
State of Israel during the War of Independence. Walk on the
cobblestone streets in the Old City of Jaffa. Enjoy Shabbat dinner.
[BD]
Saturday Free day in Tel Aviv
Enjoy the day at leisure. Time on the beach or exploring the city.
**Optional Shabbat services this morning. [B]
Sunday Depart Israel
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight.

Price subject to change, terms and conditions apply.

A Member of Cruise Lines International Association