Israel Fantasia

14 days, 12 nights – Monday departures

Day 1 – Monday
Tel Aviv
Depart Canada on your flight to Israel

Day 2 – Tuesday
Tel Aviv
Welcome to Israel! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel in trendy Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beach. Balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure in the “city that never sleeps”.

Day 3 – Wednesday
Tel Aviv
Visit Independence Hall where Ben Gurion fervently proclaimed Israel’s independence in 1948. Continue to the pre-state underground Ammunitions Factory at Machon Ayalon (restored by JNF) to learn about the activities of the Hagannah. We’ll then have a great discovery of Tel Aviv as we drive through the main streets of this city known as the “White City”. Tel Aviv has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its splendid Bauhaus Architecture and has the largest number of buildings in this unique style of any city in the world! Continue past the Charles Bronfman Auditorium, (Israeli Philharmonic), Habimah Theatre, the impressive Opera House and Yitzhak Rabin Square, dedicated to the late Prime Minister. We’ll visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel’s largest art museum and award winner for its unique structural design. Onward to charming and quaint Neve Tzedek (Tel Aviv’s “Soho”), the first neighborhood constructed outside Old Jaffa; the old buildings are amazing! Stop by the Suzanne Dallal Just down the road is the newly developed open-air pedestrian mall—the “Tachana” converted from an old railroad station. You’ll have some time to stroll through the shops here and perhaps enjoy coffee or an ice cream in one of the many cafes before we head back to your hotel (those wishing to spend some more time here can taxi back to the hotel, just minutes away). (B)

Day 4 – Thursday
Tel Aviv
Begin your day with a visit to the Palmach Museum (subject to appointment confirmation), for a virtual tour of the history of the underground organization. Then on to Absalom (Soreq) Caves discovered by chance in a miners’ blast some 40 years ago. Their stalactites and stalagmites date back 300,000 years. Then, on to 3 the military junction at Latrun, once the border with Jordan; visit the Tank Division Memorial. Continue to Sarona, a former Templar settlement restored to perfection with beautifully landscaped gardens and upscale restaurants. You may wish to return in the evening when Sarona looks and feels magical. On to your hotel in Tel Aviv.(B)

Day 5 – Friday
Tel Aviv
Today, a great adventure! Spend the morning digging and excavating at the Tel Maresha Dig at Beit Guvrin National Park (weather permitting). Continue to the 4,000-year-old port city of Jaffa. Explore the magnificently reconstructed Artists’ Quarter with its galleries and boutiques. Afterwards, on to Tel Aviv’s bustling Carmel Market and lively Nachlat Benjamin Street with its delightful cafes and craft stalls — definitely the place to be on Friday afternoon! Tonight, Get Together Dinner. (B.D)

Day 6 – Saturday
Tel Aviv
Morning walking tour includes Ben Gurion House, former home of Israel’s first Prime Minister; see his personal belongings and expansive library. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy all of the delights of this seaside city. Tel Aviv’s museums and restaurants are world-class. Don’t miss Tel Aviv’s hip port neighborhood, with its yachts, eateries and café-filled boardwalk. (B)

Day 7 – Sunday
Tel Aviv – Haifa
Depart Tel Aviv. Drive to the extraordinary Israeli Museum at the Yitzhak Rabin Center chronicling the life of the late Prime Minister and the development of the State of Israel. Continue to ancient Caesarea; explore the Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive 2,000-year-old theater (still in use!) and aqueduct. Then, visit Caesarea Harbor: a fascinating, multi-media presentation brings ancient history to life! Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and view Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port city of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mt. Carmel. Evening: Enjoy Dinner and a special presentation on the multicultural traditions and religions in Israel (subject to minimum 10 tour participants). (B.D)

Day 8 – Monday
Haifa
View the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine and their breathtaking “hanging gardens,” – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along the coast to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the magnificent underwater grottoes. Continue through the picturesque seaside town of Nahariya to the timeless Crusader city of Acre; walk Through the subterranean city and bazaars that recall the colorful middle Ages. Then, to Safed, one of Judaism’s holiest cities, where the Kabbalah was developed in the 16th.-century; visit the ancient synagogues and the charming Artists’ Quarter. Return to your hotel for Dinner. The balance of the evening is at leisure to enjoy a stroll under the Carmel skies and the glow of this beautiful port city. (B.D)

Day 9 – Tuesday
Haifa/Jerusalem
We’ll depart Haifa driving first to Capernaum to see the fantastic ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 5th-century. Ascend the strategic Golan Heights and learn about the 20th century battles that protected Israel’s future. On to Katzrin, capital of the Golan and to the Monument of the 7th Brigade. It is here, in the magnificent strip of the Golan that has become known for producing the finest wines in the world, that we will enjoy a tour of the wine making process as well as sample some of the Golan’s tastiest wines. Continue for a visit to a former 4 Syrian army bunker at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israelis together; view of the fertile valleys below as you tour the kibbutz and enjoy lunch in the communal dining room. Visit the remains of an 8th century Roman city at Bet Shean (daylight time permitting). Then drive south and rise through the mountains to “golden” Jerusalem celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the reunification of the city, stopping first for a blessing and a toast to our arrival in the eternal city. Overnight in Israel’s capital. (B.L)

Day 10 – Wednesday
Jerusalem
Drive to Hadassah Medical Center to the see the sublime Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, with its Children’s Pavilion and Avenue of the Righteous. Then, to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s founders and heroes. Pass the post-modern Supreme Court and the Knesset (Parliament) en route to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time to walk through the New Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem. Evening: Night Tour of illuminated Jerusalem followed by a Restaurant Dinner and the “Night Spectacular” Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum (weather and schedule permitting). (B.D)

Day 11 – Thursday
Jerusalem
Enter the Old City from the Dung Gate; walk to the Western Wall, last remnant of the Second Temple. Witness joyous Bar Mitzvah ceremonies! View the Dome of the Rock. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the traditional Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Proceed to the restored Jewish Quarter; walk along the Cardo, the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Visit the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago, or, walk through the extraordinary Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting.) Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; walk through the exotic bazaars with their wondrous aromas. End today with a visit to the fabulous new Friends of Zion Heritage Center celebrating the Christian heroes who have contributed to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. These heroes come alive through, cutting edge, high tech imaging, audio-visual presentations, holograms and much more. Or, an optional visit to Bethlehem may be arranged. A free night tonight. The shops are open late as it’s the start of the Israeli weekend. Enjoy the many eateries along the outdoor Mamilla Mall, Ben Yehuda Street, or the “Tachana”. (B)

Day 12 – Friday
Jerusalem
Descend through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, lowest point on Planet Earth. Ascend Masada by cable car and see this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s palace, synagogue and bathhouse. Then, opportunity to enjoy an “unsinkable” swim in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. Drive via the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, on your return to Jerusalem. Evening: You will be deeply moved as you join Jerusalemites welcoming the Sabbath at the Western Wall. Tonight, a unique and memorable evening as we join an Israeli family at their home to enjoy the traditional Friday dinner together. (B.D)

Day 13 – Saturday
Jerusalem
Enjoy a full day at leisure for relaxation and on your own exploration. For those still craving to see and do as much as possible, your tour manager will provide entrance 5 tickets to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem in the Old City—definitely worth a visit. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)

Day 14 – Sunday
En Route
Transfer to the Airport for your international departure flight. Enjoy our Express Check-in Service and complimentary entrance to the exclusive Dan VIP Lounge.

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Tour Highlights