Israel Now!

Israel Now  Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Israel!
• Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Welcome to Israel! Arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport
• Opening Ceremony & Orientation - “What are we going to do for the next 10 days?”
• Drive north to Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, located on the Mediterranean coast
• Tour Haifa, a mosaic of peaceful co-existence – see the
Eighth Wonder of the World, the breathtaking Baha’i  Gardens !
• Tour the Rosh Hanikra Caves and beautiful northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea
• Accommodations: Shlomi Guest House in the western Galilee
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Day 2: Northern Exposure
• Travel through the lush green mountains of the Galilee
• Tour the Druze village of Pqi’in - see and hear about the Druze history and culture
• Experience traditional Druze hospitality at a delicious lunch
• Kayak on the northern part of Jordan River!
• Walk the cobble-stoned streets of Tsfat, the city of Kabbalah - visit the Kabbalistic
synagogues and the Tsfat artist market
• Accommodations: Kibbutz Ein Gev on the shores of the Kinneret
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Day 3: Golan Heights – Beauty & Influence in the North
• View the Syrian border from Mount Bental and magnificent valley below
• Learn about the Golan’s significance during the Six-Day War in 1967 - visit Kibbutz El Rom
and watch the film “OZ 77″
• Hike through the waterfalls of the Gillabbon stream track
• Discover Qatzrin, one of the ancient Talmudic villages of the Golan Heights
• Taste exquisite Israeli wine at the Yarden-Golan Winery
• Travel to Tiberius - enjoy restaurants and shopping on the shores of the Kinneret
• Accommodations: Kibbutz Ein Gev on the shores of the Kinneret
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Day 4: History & Progress of the Holy City
• Take in a breathtaking view of the Jerusalem landscape, feel the unique atmosphere
of the Old City
• Mifgashim - meet the Israeli soldiers that will join your group for the next 5 days
• Tour Hadassah Hospital, a melting pot for both Jews and Arabs
• Experience the Kotel (Western Wall), the 2,000 year-old spiritual center of Judaism
• Explore the Jewish Quarter and Western Wall tunnels
• Accommodations: Shalom Hotel Hostel in Jerusalem
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Day 5:  The Israeli Reaction to the Holocaust
• Witness the testimony of a Holocaust survivor Old
• Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial-museum to the Holocaust
• Investigate Mount Herzl, the national cemetery for Israeli leaders and fallen soldiers
• Taste the food, smell the spices, and enjoy unique shopping at Mahane Yehuda,
the colorful market of Jerusalem
• Preparations for Shabbat! Participants gather for pre-Shabbat celebration
• Creative prayer services (optional) and festive, group-centered Shabbat dinner
• Oneg Shabbat (Joy of Shabbat) - the unique experience of spending Shabbat in Israel with
fun group activities
• Accommodations: Shalom Hotel in Jerusalem
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Day 6:  Shabbat in the Holy Land
• Wake up at your leisure - it’s Shabbat in Israel!
• Attend optional Saturday morning services
• Relax! Enjoy the calm, rejuvenating spirit of Shabbat
• Get to know Jerusalem by foot - walking tours of the city
• Special Havdalah (separation) service marking the end of Shabbat and beginning
a new week
• Learn about current socio-political issues with our Israel Update specialist
• Spend the evening on Emek Refaim Street, famous for its coffee shops and restaurants
• Accommodations: Shalom Hotel Hostel in Jerusalem
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Day 7:   The Negev - Discover Israel’s Frontier

• Learn about social action projects in Israel and how to make a difference in society
• Drive south to the breathtaking Negev Desert!
• Visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion (Israel’s First Prime Minister) - hear about his vision
for the Negev
• Hike the Ein Ovdat desert canyon and explore 2,000 year-old ruins
• Relax and unwind at Neve Midbar Desert Spa
• Accommodations: Mashabei Sade Kibbutz Guest House in the Negev
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Day 8:  The Negev - The Beauty of the Desert and the Bedouin Community
• Hike in the Ramon Crater, one of the largest craters in the world
• Visit the desert frontier town of Mitzpe Ramon
• Dance in an exciting dance & movement workshop with a famous Israeli dance group
• Experience Bedouin culture and hospitality
• Ride camels while watching the sunset!
• Celebrate and take part in a Haflah (Bedouin ethnic dinner celebration)
• Accommodations: Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent
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Day 9:  Masada and the Judean Desert
• Climb Masada, King Herod’s ancient fortress and palace, at sunrise
• Hike the Ein Gedi Oasis; enjoy deer spotting, tropical vegetation, and magnificent waterfalls
• Float in the Dead Sea, the lowest point in the world and one of the saltiest bodies of water
• Drive to Tel Aviv! Enjoy the thrilling night-life of “The City That Never Sleeps”
• Accommodations: Sea Net Hotel in Tel Aviv
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Day 10:  Tel Aviv and Jaffa: Co-existence in Israel’s Cultural Capital
• Wander and sense the colorful atmosphere of Jaffa’s flea market, purchase unique gifts
• Shopping on Shenkin Street, one of the most popular avenues in Tel Aviv
• Tour Independence Hall, and learn about the behind-the-scenes actions that helped
establish the state of Israel
• Visit Rabin Square, where the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated
• Enjoy a festive and delicious farewell dinner
• Wrap-up and group goodbyes
• Discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the role of Israeli Arabs in the modern state
through an engagin co- existence seminar
• Travel to Ben-Gurion Airport and depart for the U.S. See you soon!

*This sample itinerary is tentative and subject to change.*