Sunday, August 07, 2011 Depart EWR on LY 028 at 01:30 PM LY 28, 8AUG, EWR/TLV, 1:30P - 6:45A (8AUG)

Monday, August 08, 2011 - Welcome Home Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator Enjoy some light breakfast and drive north along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea. Continue north along the coastal highway to Atlit, the British prison camp for "illegal" Jewish immigrants. Onward to Haifa and Beit Hagefen for a program on coexistence between Jews and Arabs in this mixed city Continue north to Rosh Hanikra to visit the Sea Grottos. Descend by cable car to the grottos and watch the sea waves. Hear the stories about how was the "Trans-Mediterranean" train, from Cairo to Europe, brought to a halt during the War of Independence. End the day at the resort city of Nahariah for check in and time to relax. Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Nahariah

Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - Crossing the Lush Galilee to the Wetland Depart Nahariah and drive across the lush Galilee along the northern border to the Manara Cliffs. Descend the cliff by cable car and continue for a visit of Tel Hai and hear the story of Yosef Trumpeldor. Spend your afternoon at the Wetland of Northern Israel and walk to the Banias River and to its waterfalls. End the day with a thrilling Kayaking experience down one of Jordan River tributaries Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - City of Kabbalah, and cruising Start the day ascending to Tzfat. Visit Tzfat, the city of Kabbalah and Jewish Mystics. Stop for a nice fish lunch. In the afternoon ascend the Golan Heights, stop to visit Tel Faher, drive past the Nimrod Castle and view deep into Syria from atop Mt. Bental and see the "ghost town" of Kuneitra. Stop by the ancient Talmudic village of Katzrin and for a taste of wine from the Golan Winery This evening head to Tiberias enjoy a cruise across the Sea of Galilee, dinner on your own and some free time on the Promenade Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim

Thursday, August 11, 2011 - Partnership Depart the north and head to Afula, your partnership 2000 city, to visit the Emunah Center. Continue to the ancient 6th Century Synagogue of Beit Alpha, at the foot of the Gilboa Mountain. Pause for as refreshing dip in the Sachne Springs Drive south along the Jordan River Valley. Drive past Jericho and ascend to Jerusalem via Judea Desert. Pause and participate in a traditional Shehehianu ceremony at a vantage point overlooking the city. In the evening enjoy a night out at David Citadel for the light and sound show Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama

Friday, August 12, 2011 - Jerusalem, the City of Peace Walk the Old City Ramparts from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Visit the Tomb of King David founder of the City atop Mount Zion. Enter the Jewish Quarter via Zion and descend to the City of David, where Jerusalem all began. Prepare to get wet as you explore the ancient Hezekiah Tunnel dug in ancient times to bring water into the city. See Jerusalem prepare for Shabbat with a visit to the colorful Machne Yehuda Market - a riot of sounds and smells, from fruit to Arab coffee to flowers to spices to fresh Challah being baked for Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel followed by festive Shabbat Dinner Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama

Saturday, August 13, 2011 - Shabbat Jerusalem style Enjoy the day at leisure Enjoy Shabbat Services and discussion of Parashat Hashavua (optional). Parashat Va'etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Moses tells the people of Israel how he implored G-d to allow him to enter the land of Israel, but G-d refused, instructing him instead to ascend a mountain and see the Promised Land. Continuing his "review of the Torah," Moses describes the Exodus from Egypt and the Giving of the Torah, declaring them unprecedented events in human history. "Has there ever occurred this great thing, or has the likes of it ever been heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of G-d speaking out of the midst of the fire... and live? ... You were shown, to know, that the L-rd is G-d... there is none else beside Him." Moses predicts that, in future generations, the people will turn away from G-d, worship idols, and be exiled from their land and scattered amongst the nations; but from there they will seek G-d, and return to obey His commandments. Our Parasha also includes a repetition of the Ten Commandments, and the verses of the Shema which declare the fundamentals of the Jewish faith: the unity of G-d ("Hear O Israel: the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one"); the mitzvot to love G-d, study His Torah, and bind "these words" as tefillin on our arms and heads, and inscribe them in the mezuzot affixed on the doorposts of our homes. Excursion to Israel Museum to see the model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period and the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in the dramatic Shrine of the Book (optional) Return to the hotel for Havdallah After dinner enjoy an evening at leisure and take advantage of a chance to shop at the Ben Yehuda pedestrian promenade Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama

Sunday, August 14, 2011 - The City that Never Sleeps In the morning drive to Tel Aviv Upon arrival relive history at Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born. Continue with a city tour of Tel Aviv including Rabin Square, pause to reflect and talk about peace. Visit the state of the art interactive Palmach Museum. Enjoy dinner out at Na Laga'at (pending confirmation) Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama

Monday, August 15, 2011 - Deep in the Desert Depart Jerusalem and drive south across the Negev Desert to Ein Avdat and Nahal Zin region. Enjoy a jeep safari ride in Nahal Zin. Relax at the Bedouin Tent of Han Hashayarot for camel ride (weather permitting) and a Bedouin Hafla (lunch feast). Continue to Sde Boker to visit Ben Gurion's grave and hear about his vision to turn the desert green. Drive to the Dead Sea area on the way stop at the Great Crater, a unique geological formation that exists only in Israel. Overnight: Meridian Hotel, Dead Sea

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - Masada Rocks! In the morning ascend the cliff of Masada for a tour of the site; hear the story of Herod and his magnificent hanging palaces. Ponder the story of the Jews who chose death over life as Roman slaves Enjoy time to relax and swim at the Dead Sea In the late afternoon enjoy a nature hike through Nahal David Desert Oasis at Ein Gedi. Overnight: Meridian Hotel, Dead Sea

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - Remembrance and Jerusalem of Gold Depart the Dead Sea area and start the day with a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial site. Tour the museum, the Children's Memorial, the Valley of the Communities, and the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations. Drive to the Hadassah Hospital to visit the Chagall Windows at the local synagogue. Return to Jerusalem and on the way stop at the Knesset Menorah for photo-op Enter the Old City to explore the Jewish Quarter - highlights include the Cardo, an ancient shopping street where you can still find shops today, the Broad Wall from the time of the First Temple and Davidson Center. In the afternoon walk through the Western Wall Tunnels Overnight: Mercure Suits, Bat Yam

Thursday, August 18, 2011 - "Better Place" and Leisure Time In the morning relax by the Beach of the Tel Aviv area. After lunch and check out spend some last minute shopping at the Carmel Market (Time permitting) visit "Better Place" to try out the electrical car about to be launched throughout the country (pending confirmation). Enjoy a farewell dinner in Old Jaffa followed by a walking tour of the ancient port Depart for Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to the US

Friday, August 19, 2011 - Shalom U'Le'hitraot Depart for the US at 12:30AM by LY 27