Israel & Dubai

ITINERARY

Thursday: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Israel.

Friday: Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport; special meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel in trendy Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beach. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, Get Together Dinner.  (D)

Saturday: Tel Aviv

Morning walking tour through the city’s well known streets including Dizengoff Square ending at Ben Gurion House, former residence of the First Prime Minister.  Early afternoon optional visit to Machon Ayalon, the fascinating underground Ammunitions Factory (must be pre-booked with minimum 2 persons; $120 per person including roundtrip transfers). Remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy all of the delights of this Mediterranean paradise.  (B)

Sunday: Tel Aviv/Haifa

Depart Tel Aviv and drive to the extraordinary Israeli Museum at the Yitzhak Rabin Center. Continue to ancient Caesarea; explore the Roman and Crusader ruins including the impressive 2,000-year-old theater and aqueduct. Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and view Mary’s Well.  On to the sparkling port city of Haifa; check into your hotel atop Mt. Carmel. Evening: Enjoy Dinner and a special cultural presentation (subject to min. 10 participants).  (B.D)

Monday: Haifa

View the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine and their breathtaking “hanging gardens”, – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along the coast to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the magnificent underwater grottoes. Continue through the picturesque seaside town of Nahariya to the timeless Crusader city of Acre; walk through the subterranean city and bazaars that recall the colorful middle Ages. Then, to Safed, one of Judaism’s holiest cities; visit the ancient synagogues and the charming Artists’ Quarter. Return to your hotel for Dinner and overnight. (B.D)

Tuesday: Haifa/Jerusalem

Depart Haifa en route Capernaum to see the fantastic ruins of the ancient synagogue dating back to the 5^th-century. Ascend the strategic Golan Heights and learn about the 20^th century battles. Continue to Katzrin, capital of the Golan and to the Monument of the 7^th Brigade. In the magnificent strip of the Golan known for producing the finest wines in the world, enjoy wine tasting and a tour of the wine making process. Continue for a visit to a former Syrian army bunker at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, settled by Americans and Israelis together. Enjoy a late lunch in the communal dining room.  Then drive south to Jerusalem, stopping first for a blessing and a toast to our arrival in the eternal city.  Overnight in Israel’s capital. (B.L)

Wednesday: Jerusalem

Drive to Hadassah Medical Center to the see the sublime Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, visit the Children’s Pavilion and Avenue of the Righteous. Then, continue to Mount Herzl to pay respects to Israel’s founders and heroes. Pass the Supreme Court and the Knesset (Parliament) en route to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Walk through the Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem. Evening: Night Tour of illuminated Jerusalem followed by a restaurant dinner and the “Night Spectacular” Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum (weather and schedule permitting). (B.D)

Thursday: Jerusalem

Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Enter the Old City to the restored Jewish Quarter; walk along the Cardo – the main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. Continue to the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple and view the Dome of the Rock. Proceed through the Hasmonean Tunnel (tunnel schedule permitting) or tour the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; stroll through the exotic bazaars. End today with a visit to the fabulous Friends of Zion Heritage Center before returning to your hotel; or, an optional visit to Bethlehem may be arranged. (B)

Friday: Jerusalem

Descend through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, lowest point on Planet Earth. Ascend Masada by cable car and see this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s palace, synagogue and bathhouse. Then, opportunity to enjoy an “unsinkable” swim in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. Drive via the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, on your return to Jerusalem. Stop at the Western Wall, time permitting, beautifully illuminated on this Sabbath eve before arriving to the hotel. Tonight, traditional dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.  (B.D)

Saturday: Jerusalem

Enjoy a full day at leisure for relaxation and on your own exploration.  For those still craving to see and do as much as possible, your tour manager will provide tickets to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem in the Old City, definitely worth a visit! Overnight in Jerusalem.   (B)

Sunday: Jerusalem / Dubai

Transfer to the Airport for your international departure flight to Dubai (Note: Flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai NOT included and must be added as additional). Arrive Dubai, welcome to the United Arab Emirates; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.  (B)

Monday:  Dubai  

This morning, depart on a cultural journey through time in the city of Dubai. Visit the heritage area of Bastakiya and 225-year old Fort Al Fahidi which houses the Dubai Museum.  Continue for a photo stop at the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel and the stunning Jumeirah Mosque. Take a ride on the traditional Abra boat across scenic Dubai Creek and visit the lively Spice and Gold Souks. Return to your hotel to relax.  Late afternoon depart for a Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner; traverse across the sand dunes with a breath-taking view of the sunset over the charming desert landscape.  Chance to explore sandboarding, camel rides and henna painting at the authentic Bedouin campsite. Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner with live stations under the stars, and special performance by a belly dancer, Arabic Tannoura dance and Fire Show. (B.D)

Tuesday:  Dubai

This morning discover the bustling metropolis of Dubai with its dazzling skyline and pristine beaches. Continue on a magical journey to iconic landmarks that form the heart and soul of this modern city of contrasts. Visit the Dubai Marina and the Dubai Mall which houses one of the biggest aquariums in the world (Note: Admission to aquarium is not included). Enjoy a panoramic view from the Observation Deck (Level 124) of the world’s tallest building – Burj Khalifa. Time for a stroll across Souk Madinat Jumeirah with its meandering paths and a bazaar-like atmosphere complemented with street cafes and boutique restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. (B)

Wednesday: En Route

Transfer to Dubai International Airport for your departure flight or take an optional full day excursion to Abu Dhabi (A full day Abu Dhabi excursion requires an extra night stay in Dubai at additional costs, please inquire).   (B)

Overnight programs to Abu Dhabi or Oman are available; please inquire.