Israel: Timeless Wonders

We arrive today and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities or meals planned and are at leisure to explore or relax as we wish.

Today we encounter this vibrant, modern city, Israel’s arts and culture capital. We begin at Independence Hall, where the state of Israel was declared in 1948. Next: the “White City” district of distinctive Bauhaus architecture (a UNESCO site), including a visit to the Liebling Haus museum; followed by the recently renovated Neve Tzedek neighborhood. We end the day visiting the nearby ancient port of Jaffa. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. B,L,D

We travel north along the coast today to Caesarea to see the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater and harbor. From here we continue on to a family-owned winery by the village of Kfar Tikva, where we enjoy a tasting of local wines. Then we travel through the hills of Galilee to our hotel on the grounds of a kibbutz adjacent to a national park. Later we visit a working farm. B,D

Today begins with a special tour of the kibbutz, where we see the life of the community up close. Then we depart for Mount Bental in the Golan Heights for a panoramic view of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Next: the ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath; Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes; and Kibbutz Ginosar, where we see the “Jesus Boat” carbon dated to 100 BCE. We travel on to Tiberias and our historic hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. B,L,D

This morning we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Then the New Testament comes to life as we travel to Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth, now a center of Christian pilgrimage. Here we visit the Church of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East and where the archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then continue to Safed, center of Jewish mysticism, home to many artists, and where we stroll the medieval streets. We visit some of the galleries here before returning to our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,L,D

En route to Jerusalem today, we stop to tour the archaeological site of Beit Shean, where ongoing excavations have revealed the ruins of numerous cities dating as far back as the 4th century BCE. Then we travel to the shores of the Dead Sea to explore the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956. From here we move on to Jerusalem, the 3,000-year-old “City of Gold,” sacred to the world’s three major monotheist religions. We get our first look at this holiest of places from a panoramic lookout on Mt. Scopus. After lunch at a local restaurant, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. B,L,D

Today’s explorations begin at the Haas Promenade, where we enjoy panoramic views of the city, the sweep of history spread before us. Then we alight at Jerusalem’s Old City, where our walking tour features the Jewish Quarter and the ancient Cardo Marketplace still in use today. We continue on to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditional site of Golgotha where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried. After lunch together at a local restaurant, we visit the Israel Museum, the nation’s leading cultural institution, whose treasures include the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and an intricate scale model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple era. Then the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. B,L

We travel today to the ruins at Masada, the celebrated stronghold (and UNESCO site) sitting atop an isolated mesa at the edge of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It was here, during the First Jewish-Roman War in the 1st century CE, where vastly outnumbered Jews held out against a Roman siege for three years, then died by suicide when death or surrender became their only alternatives. We ascend the mountain fortress by cable car to tour Masada’s ruins, including those of a synagogue, ritual baths, and the palace of King Herod. Following this moving excursion, we visit a hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, where we have the opportunity to float in the saltiest body of water on Earth. We enjoy lunch at the hotel before returning to Jerusalem, with the remainder of the day and evening at leisure. B,L

Our day begins with a tour of haunting Yad Vashem, Israel’s living memorial to the Holocaust. Through exhibits featuring artifacts, photos, videos, documents, and more, the museum traces the history and chronology of the Holocaust. Next we travel to the Judean Hills to the picturesque village of Ein Karem, where we enjoy an ethnic cooking class followed by lunch. Then we may choose to join in a complimentary optional excursion to Bethlehem, circumstances permitting. B,L

We begin today’s touring in Jerusalem’s original settlement of the City of David, dating to at least the Middle Bronze Age of 1800 to 1550 BCE. Here, our guide gives us an in-depth account of Jerusalem’s role throughout history. Then we visit the Western Wall, sacred to Jews as the last remaining trace of the wall that enclosed and supported the Second Temple on the Temple Mount. Next: a tour of the excavated tunnels beneath the Western Wall. This afternoon we get acquainted with the New City, dating from the late 19th-century. We absorb some of the flavor of this multi-cultural enclave at the bustling outdoor market of Machane Yehuda (“Shuk”). Tonight we celebrate our Israel adventure over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

Very early this morning we transfer by motorcoach to Tel Aviv for our connecting flights to the United States. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven or cobblestone streets and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest.

B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included