Itinerary

In case anyone wants to "follow us" on our journey to Israel, here is our scheduled itinerary: Day 1 ~ Sunday, December 23, 2012 Houston/Enroute Depart Houston flying overnight to Israel. Day 2 ~ Monday, December 24, 2012 Tel Aviv/ Galilee Arrive Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv. Meet, assist and begin the journey with a visit to Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion announced Israel’s Statehood. Lunch stop at the authentic and colorful Carmel Market for a falafel, before continuing north to the Galilee and Kibbutz Kfar Blum. Day 3 ~ Tuesday, December 25, 2012 Galilee Begin the day at Kfar Kedem Biblical Village, a recreated ancient Galilean village that enables you to "touch the past". Experience being a shepherd, herd the sheep into their pens for shearing and milking. Make goat cheese in the ancient Galilean fashion. Plow your fields and bring in the harvest to the village threshing floor. Then grind the flour and bake your own Pita bread. Join a donkey caravan heading to the Galilean hills and end the visit with a feast lunch in the shepherd's tent. The afternoon is spent in the very special city of Safed, center of Jewish mysticism with historic synagogues and modern artists’ quarter. Safed, also famous for its art of beautiful candle making. Special hands on workshop with glassblower, Sheva Chaya. Time for shopping at the end of the day. Evening game night at the Kibbutz! Day 4 ~ Wednesday, December 26, 2012 Galilee This morning, with gifts in hand, visit with IDF soldiers at Machane Yoav Military base of the 405 Battalion of the Israeli Artillery Corps on the Golan Heights. Next, visit a Galilean Chocolate factory where there will be an opportunity to actually make chocolate! This afternoon, jump into ATV’s to tour up on the Golan Heights, and continuing to the summit of the extinct volcano-turned-bunker of Mount Bental, for great views over the entire Golan and deep into Syria. Continue on to Tiberias for an evening Galilee grill dinner at Decks Restaurant, followed by a short cruise on the Sea of Galilee with music & dancing! (weather permitting). Day 5 ~ Thursday, December 27, 2012 Lower Galilee/Jerusalem The day begins with a visit to the Crusader town of Akko with its old city within the walls and all the exciting new excavations being uncovered. Continue past Haifa, capital of the north and one of Israel's main commercial ports. Haifa is also proud to be the nucleus of much of Israel's high technology research and industry. See the view from atop Mt. Carmel. Visit the Leo Baeck Education Center, meet their children and enjoy lunch together (pending confirmation). Next, drive the coastal road to Caesarea, visiting the beautiful restored Roman Theater, the ruins of the ancient town, harbor and aqueduct. Drive up to Jerusalem, reciting a special “Shehechiyanu” atop Mt. Scopus. Day 6 ~ Friday, December 28, 2012 Jerusalem Begin the day in the restored Jewish quarter and visiting the Roman Cardo and the Herodian Quarter. Next, explore the Machne Yehudah Market for a quick lunch and to experience the preparation of Shabbat as a local Jerusalemite. Gather on the Southern Wall Steps for a special Kabbalat Shabbat and service honoring our first Shabbat in Jerusalem. Continue on to the Kotel, before walking back to the hotel for Shabbat dinner together. Oneg Shabbat following dinner with special speaker Danny Gordis. Optional kids evening swim. Day 7 ~ Saturday, December 29, 2012 Jerusalem Shabbat Shalom! Shabbat at leisure. Optional Shabbat services at Kol Haneshama, followed by a Shabbat walking tour of the Old City, with a stop for a falafel lunch in the market. Continue along with a walk on the Ramparts on top of the Old City walls, and the presentation at the Time Elevator, combining film, motion platforms, and special effects. At sundown, gather together under the stars for Havdallah. Evening attend the Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David. Day 8 ~ Sunday, December 30, 2012 Jerusalem This morning, participate in an archeological Dig at Beit Guvrin and Tel Maresha. Next, plant trees in a national forest. This afternoon, learn of the battles at Latrun, the armored corps’ memorial site and visit its open-air tank museum. Day 9 ~ Monday, December 31, 2012 Masada/Dead Sea/Jerusalem Early departure for a full day of sightseeing in the Negev. Drive to Masada, climb or ascend the east side, to marvel at King Herod’s desert fortress – Palace and last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Roman domination in 73 CE. Descend Masada and drive to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth almost 1300 feet below sea level, for a refreshing swim. End the day with a camel caravan in the desert at the Bedouin village of Kfar Hanokdim. Learn about Bedouin life, and enjoy a hafla dinner in a Bedouin tent. Return to Jerusalem after our day’s adventure. Day 10 ~ Tuesday, January 1, 2012 Jerusalem The morning is spent in the New City of Jerusalem. Visit the unforgettable Holocaust Memorial Museum at Yad Vashem, while the younger children on the tour visit the biblical zoo. Afternoon time at leisure for shopping before a farewell dinner. Day 11 ~ Wednesday, January 2, 2012 Jerusalem/Houston Very early morning transfer to the airport with assistance in departure for the USA. Arrive Houston later today.