Sunday, July 10, 2011 - The Journey begins
Depart New- York on LY 004 at 12:00 PM
EL-AL 004, 10JUL, JFK-TLV 1200P -05:25A (11JUL)

Monday, July 11, 2011 - Welcome Home Shalom and Welcome Home! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your Tour Educator Have a welcome ceremony and plant a tree as a token of blessing for the land in Neot Kedumim. Opening sessions and icebreaking activities to get to know the other participants. Overnight: Neve Ilan Hotel, Judean Hills

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - The City That Never Sleeps Head to Tel Aviv for a short city tour of this Hebrew speaking metropolis Pause at Rabin Square to remember. Relive history as you visit Independence Hall where the State of Israel was born Stroll the Nahalat Binyamin arts and crafts fair, trendy Shenkin Street and the colorful Carmel Market. This afternoon head to the ancient port of Jaffa to hear about it many visitors - Jonah and his whale, Andromeda, Napoleon - and now YOU! Overnight: Neve Ilan Hotel, Judean Hills

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - King David's City Start the day at a vantage point over looking the Old city of Jerusalem (Haas Promenade). Imagine Abraham and Isaac walking in the same place on their way to Mt. Moriah. Visit Mt Zion and the sites on it, sacred to the 3 religions. Enter the Old City through Zion Gate. Descend the Western Hill to the City of David, where it all began. Enjoy a wet walk through Hezekiah Tunnel, dug in biblical times. Visit the Kotel for a moment of prayer and personal reflection. In the evening: interactive map activities Overnight: Neve Ilan Hotel, Judean Hills

Thursday, July 14, 2011 - Around Town Start the day at "Yad Lakashish" for community service activities in Jerusalem. Walk on the Old City Ramparts towards the Jewish Quarter. Enter the Jewish Quarter and take in some highlights of the Jewish Quarter such as the Cardo and the Broad Wall (First Temple period). Overnight: Jerusalem Gate, Jerusalem

Friday, July 15, 2011 - Jerusalem prepares for the Shabbat Start the day with a short hike to the Sataf Springs to learn about Biblical Mountain Agriculture. 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 Time to relax and get ready for Shabbat Join thousands of Jews from around the world as they welcome the Shabbat with joy and passion at the Western Wall Festive Shabbat dinner and Shabbat evening programs Overnight: Jerusalem Gate, Jerusalem

Saturday, July 16, 2011 - Shabbat Jerusalem Style Optional Shabbat Services at the hotel Enjoy a scavenger hunt of Jerusalem neighborhoods to see hidden treasures not often noticed. On this interactive program we pull back the veil on the history, architecture and some urban legends surrounding the neighborhood. Havdallah After dinner, enjoy a unique Jerusalem by night tour including Ben Yehuda Street Overnight: Jerusalem Gate, Jerusalem

Sunday, July 17, 2011 - Companions, Caves and Camels Today you get to meet the cool Israelis who will join you for the week Head to Tel Azeka for some ice-breaking and "getting-to-know-you" activities and games at the place where David fought Goliath! Explore the Bar Kochba's caves at Midras - these caves were used as hideouts from the Romans during Bar Kochba's Revolt. Head to a Bedouin encampment and climb on your camel for a trek deep into the desert Tonight enjoy a traditional Bedouin Hafla (feast) before spending the night in the Bedouin Tent! Overnight: Chan Hashayarot, Bedouin Tent

Monday, July 18, 2011 - Desert Delights Today will be spent exploring the desert and learn about desert survival, how to survive the sun, heat and lack of water. Enjoy a hike to Ein Avdat to see a genuine desert oasis hidden in the winding cliffs of the Paran Desert Head to David Ben Gurion's grave. The first Prime Minister and founder of Israel who was known for his dream to turn the desert green. Enjoy some time off and swimming pool time. In the evening, a nature hike in the desert to see the nocturnal wildlife. Overnight: Out Door camping site, Sde Boker area

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - Deep in the desert In the morning view the Ramon Crater - one of the most magnificent sights you'll ever see, since these kinds of craters only exist in Israel! Head south to Eilat - Israel's answer to Cancun and South Beach! Explore the city, the Mall and the seaside promenade lined with stalls Relax on the beach and swim in the Red Sea! In the evening enjoy a disco cruise on the blue waters of the Red Sea Overnight: C-Hotel, Eilat

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - Having Eilat of Fun! Start the day with a hike up Mount Tzfachot - view into Sinai and the surrounding 4 countries: Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Israel's geographical location Snorkel on a coral reef and let the vividly colorful marine wildlife have a good look at you Late afternoon depart Eilat and head to Arad In the evening enjoy a preparation session on Massada Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad.

Thursday, July 21, 2011 - Climbing and floating Very early morning start climbing Massada for a spectacular sunrise. Tour the site, once the luxurious desert retreat of King Herod the Great and later the last stronghold of Jewish rebels, holing out against the Romans. Hike down the infamous Snake Path, named so because of its many twists and turns) Stop for lunch and swim (float) in the Dead Sea. Head to the center of the country and meet your Israeli friends' family. You will be spending the next 2 days with them, living like an Israeli Overnight: With Host Families.

Friday, July 22 2011 - Brothers and Sisters After your first night in an Israeli home, and a home-cooked breakfast, spend time touring your Israeli friend's hometown. You can see their school, mall, places they hang-out and shop and get a feel for their life. Return home and join your host family and experience what a typical Israeli family does on Erev Shabbat Overnight: With Host Families

Saturday, July 23 2011 - Shabbat at home Today will be spent with your Israeli friends and their families. Some may chose to go to the beach and others relax at home or go on a picnic. Anything they do, we are sure you will have fun! Overnight: With Host Families

Sunday, July 24 2011 - Mediterranean Shores Say goodbye to your new Israeli friends as you continue on your trip. Head to the north and view Haifa from atop Mt. Carmel. Pause at the Druze village of Ossafiyah for lunch in a local home and to learn more about this unique minority who are loyal to the State of Israel Enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean at Hof Dor, one of Israel's most interesting and fun! Cross the lush Galilee to the Sea of Galilee area. In the evening enjoy a Kumzitz (Bonfire) party and sway to the beat of a drummers circle into the night. Overnight: Camping out in "Park Hayarden" camping site

Monday, July 25 2011 - Go Golan! Ascend the Golan Heights and drive to the Mount Bental viewpoint and view deep into Syria and the Ghost Town of Kuneitra Enjoy a nature hike along one of the streams that crisscross the Golan - prepare to get wet as you do! Pause at Tel Faher and hear about Israel's master spy, Eli Cohen. Overnight: Kibbutz Hokuk

Tuesday, July 26 2011 - Kabbalah and Kef (fun) Start the day in Zfat, city of mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. Descend to the Sea of Galilee for fun and swim - that makes the 4th sea you have swam in this trip! Overnight: Kibbutz Hokuk

Wednesday, July 27 2011 - Northern Exposure Start the day with a hike down the near vertical Arbel Cliffs to see the magnificent vistas, of the Sea of Galilee (pending weather conditions) Continue the day enjoying a Kayaking adventure down the Jordan River. Splash into the river at the end of a zip-line. In the late afternoon, depart for Tel Aviv. Overnight: Sea Net, Tel Aviv

Thursday, July 28 2011 - Remembrance Ascend to Jerusalem to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Site. Experience the museum, the Children's Memorial, the Valley of the Communities and the Boulevard of the Righteous among the Nations. Continue to Mount Herzl to see the graves of Herzl, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin and other Zionist luminaries as well as graves of Fallen Israeli Soldiers. Farewell visit to the Wall Closing sessions and summation: "What did this trip mean to me?" (20:00) Meet your relatives or friends and depart for the weekend from Tel Aviv Participants that stay as a group head back to the hotel. Overnight - Sea Net, Tel Aviv or Relatives and friends in Israel

Friday, July 29 2011 - Relatives and Friends\ Tel Aviv style Today will be spent with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. _____________ Participants that stay as a group start the day with a visit to the old railway station. Continue for a visit to Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv first neighborhoods where you will enjoy leisure time for boutique type shopping. Kabbalat Shabbat at the beach followed by Shabbat dinner. Overnight - Sea Net, Tel Aviv or Relatives and friends in Israel

Saturday, July 30 2011 - Shabbat Family Style Enjoy a relaxing Shabbat with your Israeli relatives and/or friends. _________________ Optional Shabbat Services at the hotel. Enjoy the sunny beach of Tel Aviv and swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Havdallah Stroll the beach promenade and the renovated Tel Aviv Harbor and feel the breeze. Overnight - Sea Net, Tel Aviv or Relatives and friends in Israel

Sunday, July 31, 2011 - Leavin' on a Jet Plane During the day gather from Relatives and friends homes (morning, lunch time or straight to the airport) _________________ Late morning after packing drive to Azriely Center and ascend to the top to enjoy a breathtaking view of Tel Aviv and its satellite cities After lunch depart Tel Aviv to the Jerusalem Hills for short hike and a visit to Absalom Cave, a stalactite/stalagmite cave. Enjoy a farewell dinner and depart for the airport for the return flight Depart Israel on LY 001 at 01:00 AM (August 1) EL-AL 001, 01 AUG, TLV-JFK 01:00A -5:40A

Monday, August 1, 2011 - Arrival Arrive safely at your final destination

* Program is subject to change