Israel Tour July 2013

Suggested itinerary - Israel and Petra, Jordan

14 Days/13 Nights

Day 1– arrive in the afternoon, meeting and drive to hotel in Tel Aviv.
Evening stroll along the harbor and dinner at the port.
Overnight Tel Aviv

Day 2– Day in Tel Aviv. Visit Independence Hall where the State of Israel was declared , the Palmach Museum – an experiental museum covering the Palmach legacy, and stroll along trendy Sheinkin Street and the Carmel Market.
In the afternoon – walk along the alleyways of Old Jaffa and the renovated train station which is now a trendy outdoor mall.
Dinner and overnight Tel Aviv

Day 3– Drive along the coastal road north. Visit Casarea ancient Roman and Crusader city. Continue to Zikron Yaakov to the Pioneer Museum exhibiting the story of the First settlers over 100 years ago, and walk along the pedestrian reconstructed street. Continue thru Haifa to view the Bahai Gardens and on to Rosh Hanikra grottos reached by cable car. Continue to Kibbutz Guest House where you will have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 4 – Visit ancient Kabbala city of Tzefat its ancient synagogues and artist colony. Then on to walk thru the Banias nature reserve and waterfall and continue for some fun water activities on the Jordan River – rafting, zip-line.
Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Guest House

Day 5 – Jeep ride at footsteps of the Golan Heights, then drive along the Sea of Galilee , see the churches around the Sea of Galilee – Mt. Beatitude, Capernaum, Tabgha and continue to Beit Alpha ancient synagogue and most beautiful mosaic floor. On to Beit Shean to visit the archaeological site. Continue via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.
Overnight Jerusalem

Day 6 – Begin with overview and introduction to the old city from the Hass Promenade. Continue into the old city and the Jewish Quarter – the Cardo, the Burnt House and the Western Wall. Including walk thru the underground tunnels and on thru the Christian Quarter, the Via Dolorosa and the stations of the cross, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, on thru the colorful Arab markets.
Overnight Jerusalem

Day 7 – Sites in the new city of Jerusalem: Herzl exhibit, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and in the afternoon the Mahne Yehuda Market and stroll along Ben Yehuda Street downtown.

Overnight Jerusalem

Day 8 – Drive to the Dead Sea. Visit Massada, then enjoy the mineral rich water and treatments at Ein Gedi Spa. Stop en route for dinner at Eretz Breishit – biblical style tents and camel ride.
Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight Jerusalem

Day 9 – Day in the Judean Mountains. Visit the Ayalon Institute (underground bullet factory) and participate in an experience of an actual archaeological dig . Return to Jerusalem.
See the Sound and Light show at the David Citadel
Overnight Jerusalem

Day 10 – Begin visit to the Israel Museum then on to the old city to walk on the ramparts and continue to the City of David to see the archaeological site where the city first began in time of King David and walk thru the Shiloah – water tunnel.

 Late flight home. (?) Or:

Optional additions :

Day 11 – Drive south via the Negev, Sde Boker – Ben Gurion’s home, the Ramon Crater where we can do rapelling and a jeep ride into the Crater. Continue to Eilat.
Overnight Eilat

Day 12 – Day trip to Petra and return to Eilat.
Overnight Eilat.

Day 13 – Visit the underwater observatory and later enjoy the rest of the day in Eilat at the Beach or some water activities.

Overnight Eilat.

Day 14 –Drive via the Negev, Avdat, walk in Nahal Zin nature reserve and continue to Tel Aviv for departure flight home.