Depart from USA for your overnight flight to Israel. Meals served on board.

B’ruchim Habaim! Welcome to Israel! Upon landing, you will be met by an AeroVIP representative who will assist you through and expedite the passport control, customs and luggage process. Once you have finished at the airport, you will meet your driver and be transferred to your hotel to check in, freshen up and relax. Visit Hostage Square. Overnight at Dan Panorama in Tel Aviv.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive south to Nova site for a visit led by a survivor of the attack. We then visit Sderot with a tour led by city representatives followed by a visit a new memorial to the female soldiers who lost their lives on October 07th. Then on to Tkuma – The Burnt Car memorial. We visit "Shuva Achim" a refreshment point for the security and rescue forces on their way to the front. We help serve meals and distribute essentials to the soldiers for the day. Visit kibbutz Erez to help prepare the kibbutz for returning residents. Lunch at kibbutz. Then on to Be’eri and witness firsthand how the kibbutz will be rebuilding after devastating attacks. Overnight at Dan Panorama in Tel Aviv.

Jump straight into the atmosphere of ancient Jerusalem as we open the day with a walk on the 500-year-old city ramparts. We’ll then visit the City of David, the most ancient ruins in Jerusalem, taking us back into the time of the Bible. We’ll see David’s Palace and can walk underground in a tunnel built by King Hezekiah!) We’ll emerge from the tunnel at the Pool of Siloam, an important stop for Jewish pilgrims at the time of the Temple. We’ll ascend by foot in the spirit of the ancient pilgrims to the impressive excavations in the Davidson Center where we’ll be able to transport ourselves 2000 years back in time and walk on the very stones that visitors would have walked on in the time of the Second Temple. We’ll pause at the Western Wall to soak up the atmosphere, and after a great local lunch, we’ll explore the Jewish Quarter (including more ruins from the Biblical period). Overnight at Lady Stern Hotel in Jerusalem.

Our day will continue in a reflective mood during a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust Memorial. Then we continue to Mt. Herzl where Israel’s soldiers and leaders are interred to pay our respects to Israel’s heroes. Optional: In the evening return to the Western Wall plaza to experience the joyous ‘Receiving the Shabbat’ Jewish prayer service. We finish the day with a traditional Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Lady Stern Hotel in Jerusalem (dinner included).

This day is very different. We start later and have an option to head to one of the nearby synagogues for Shabbat services. Following lunch at the hotel, those who wish to, may join us as we head out to explore the Old City by walking through the alleys of the Christian and Jewish Quarters. This is a great opportunity to witness the change between the Jewish and non-Jewish congregations and how Shabbat is observed in one area yet in another it’s just a regular day. In the evening we’ll head out to the Ben Yehuda Street and following Havdalah, have some time to wander around, shop, and you are on your own for dinner. Overnight at Lady Stern Hotel in Jerusalem.

Our first stop will be the UNESCO World Heritage Site Masada. We’ll ascend by cable car and explore the ruins of this remarkable desert fortress built by King Herod 2000 years ago, to discover the tragic end of its final defense. After all that walking, we’ll relax at a private Dead Sea beach for some well-earned down time (as well as lunch). Float on these saline waters and you’ll come out rejuvenated! (lunch included) As we start driving north, our final stop will be at Ein Gedi desert oasis. We’ll take a short walk in this marvel of nature and will pause by one of the waterfalls to discuss Saul and David’s meeting here. Overnight at Leonardo Plaza.

Our next stop will be in Safed (Tzfat), one of Judaism’s four holy cities. We’ll wander its ancient alleyways and discover the secrets of the Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) which developed here 500 years ago. Expect beautiful synagogues, stunning vistas, and remarkable tales. Today we’ll ascend into the Golan Heights and drive to an observation deck near the Syrian border. We will look out over Syria and get an understanding of the complex relationship between contemporary Israel and its northern neighbor. We’ll end our day by visiting one of the best boutique wineries in Israel for a short tour and tasting. Overnight at Leonardo Plaza.

Our first stop today will be in the beautiful seaside grottoes of Rosh Hanikra. After exploring we will travel to Akko (Acre), the former Crusader capital. We’ll then explore the spectacular ruins and tunnels from the time of the Crusaders, which earned Akko UNESCO world heritage site status. Next is Haifa, Haifa, Israel’s third biggest city, and home to the world center of the Baha’i faith. From a vantage point on Mount Carmel, we’ll look down over their stunning gardens and enjoy the view over the Mediterranean. On to Caesarea, the regional capital that was built by King Herod the Great two thousand years ago. We’ll explore the spectacular ruins and understand the contribution of Caesarea to the Great Jewish Revolt. Following a special farewell dinner, you will be transferred to Ben-Gurion airport where an AeroVIP representative will assist you through the check-in process to ensure you are on time for your flight. While your journey home will begin, remember that you always have another home here. Lehitra’ot! See you again! Tel Aviv – Dan Panorama Jerusalem - Dan Panorama or Lady Stern Tiberias – Leonardo Plaza