The Ultimate Family Tour & Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebrations

Day 1: Sunday- Israel here we come!

Depart on your flight to Israel and begin an unforgettable journey

Day 2: Monday- Welcome to Israel – Jerusalem

Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion where you will be met and assisted for your transfer to the Orient hotel in Jerusalem. Take some time to refresh after the flight or have free time for strolling through Ben Yehuda Street/Emek- Refaim or at the “Tachana” just adjacent to your hotel. The hotel also has great SPA facilities as well so take some time to explore. Evening: Meet your guide and enjoy the welcome delicious dinner at the Orient Hotel. (D)

Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 3: Tuesday– Jerusalem Old City

After a scrumptious breakfast that you’ll experience daily, drive to the Haas Promenade lookout for a  spectacular and sweeping view of Jerusalem and learn of its historical significance. We’ll then continue to Mt. Zion to see the traditional Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. On to the Old City entering through the Zion Gate. Walking through the reconstructed Jewish Quarter with its narrow alleyways and the Roman Cardo, we’ll reach the Kotel – the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, where we will spend some time and place prayer notes in the wall. We’ll then walk back in time through the Hasmonean (Rabbinical) Tunnels that runs under the Old City. Continue to the Southern Wall Archaeological Park and see Robinson’s Arch that supported a staircase that led up to a gate into the Temple Mount. Stop at the Davidson Center to experience a fascinating presentation describing the Temple Mount and life as it was two millennia ago. Proceed to the City of David, an exciting area of discovery in the heart of ancient Jerusalem- home to many of the most impressive finds of recent years. A true highlight of the tour is a visit to the underground water system including brand new discoveries from the Canaanite Period. You might explore the cool wet Hezekiah’s Tunnel, (or choose the dry tunnel) which brought water to the city in the time of Herod. Special Dinner: Drive to Genesis Land (Eretz Beresheet), located in the heart of Judean Desert. Have a chance to experience life as it was in biblical times. You will be greeted by Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, and by a train of camels which lead you down to Abraham’s tent, where you will have the “Chafla”, local dinner. (B.D)

Overnight: Orient Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 4: Wednesday– Jerusalem New City

Begin the day with a visit to Mt. Herzl National Cemetery, the burial place of Theodore Herzl and Israel’s former prime ministers and presidents, along with prominent leaders and soldiers killed in battle. On to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Memorial- strategically situated on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron (“Mount of Remembrance”). The museum tells the story of the Holocaust from a unique perspective by emphasizing the experiences of Jewish victims and survivors using original artefacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. Tour this sprawling complex and visit the Grove of the Righteous among the Nations, the Children’s Memorial and take part in a special “Yizkor” (memorial service) in Bik’at Ha Kehilot (The Valley of Communities). The unique “Twinning” program will be provided for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah children. A special program will be available for children under 10 years (accompanied by one parent). Afterwards, time to enjoy Machane Yehuda Market and immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Jerusalem’s Shuk (market). Wander around the many local vendors selling delicious cheeses, pastries, spices, nuts and much more. Taste halva, ice cream and fruit drinks. Return to the hotel and meet with the Rabbi for a final rehearsal before the big day… Evening: “Night Spectacular” Sound &

Light Show at the Citadel Museum. (B)

Overnight: Orient hotel Jerusalem

Day 5: Thursday– Masada, the Dead Sea – Ceremony Day

The big day is here and we’ve made sure that it’s everything you hoped for and more. Following breakfast at the hotel, descend through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Planet earth, continuing straight to Masada. Ascend the mountain by Cable Car to this last stronghold of the Zealots who chose death rather than surrendering to the Roman Legion in the Jewish Revolt against Rome some 2000 years ago.  Masada is now declared a UNESCO “World Heritage Site”.  Join the Rabbi for the Bat/Bat Mitzvah service at a select location overlooking the Dead Sea and the Mountains of Moab.  After, tour Herod’s Palace, the synagogue, the bath house, the water system and the fascinating storage rooms. Descend Masada and drive the Dead Sea; float effortlessly in the therapeutic mineral-rich waters before proceeding to Ein Gedi for a hike through this beautiful oasis to the spectacular waterfalls—a perfect family day to remember. Tonight, we’ve planned a Festive Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration in honour of the children’s hard work and the dedication they have shown. Enjoy a specially arranged dinner planned around the freshest of local bounty and live entertainment (live entertainment subject to group size).  It will be a night to remember. (B.D)

Overnight: Orient Hotel Jerusalem

Day 6: Friday- Archaeological Dig

Following breakfast and hotel checkout, head to Tel Maresha in the area of Beit Guvrin, ancestral home of King Herod, and participate in an archaeological dig. This hands-on experience includes digging, sifting, pottery examination and a tour in Beit Guvrin National Park with an exciting crawl through unexcavated cave systems. Continue to the national memorial site of Khan Sha’ar Hagai where the story unfolds of the fierce battles in this area during the War of Independence.  Through emotional testimonies, you meet the fighters who broke through the road to Jerusalem and you’ll see a moving presentation describing the struggle that the 1948 generation endured in order to keep the lifeline to Jerusalem open. Drive back to hotel Orient; traditional Friday night dinner at the hotel (B.D)

Overnight: Orient Hotel Jerusalem

Day 7: Saturday – Jerusalem at leisure

Spend the day at leisure in honor of Shabbat. Consider resting or catching up with friends and relatives, attending a Shabbat service, taking a dip in the pool, or enjoying Jerusalem at your own pace. (B)

Overnight: Orient Hotel

Day 8: Sunday – En route to the North

Drive through the Jordan Valley, homeland of the Prophet Elisha, to Beit Shean. Visit the largest excavated Roman city in the Middle East that was home to approximately 40,000 people. See the Roman temple, artisan workshop, public baths and a magnificent amphitheater that is still used for performances. Drive to the chocolate farm at Kibbutz Degania, enter to Galita, the sweet world of chocolate!! Watch a short film about chocolate, and continue to the workshop center to create your chocolate choice. After the workshop, can have free time to try delicious and home-made ice cream of Galita. Proceed to Safed, the ancient city that was home to the mystics of the Kabala. Wandering the twisting alleyways, you’ll encounter tiny, historic synagogues and have an opportunity to visit the galleries of Safed’s celebrated artists’ colony. Get an adrenalin rush in the afternoon kayaking in the Jordan River, and dare the 300-foot long zip-line journey, ending with a splash in the Jordan River waters.  (B.D)

Dinner & Overnight: Pastoral Kfar Blum

Day 9: Monday – Galilee – Golan

Today, we’ve arranged for a rare treat – subject to the political situation, we’ll visit an Army Base, speak with the soldiers who defend the northern borders and observe the life of an active combat unit. Head down from the heights of the Golan, taking in spectacular views of the area as we make our way to Tel Dan, a town that has seen many different occupants in the course of 6000 years. Its setting in the lush valley supplied by the Dan River makes it one of the loveliest sites to visit in the North. Return to Kfar Blum, rest up for the evening when we will enjoy a traditional Israeli dinner followed by an exciting jeep tour beginning in the twilight hour traveling into the darkness. Traveling in open jeeps, we’ll hear the sounds of the night and observe the active wildlife. Returning from this exhilarating ride, we’ll head for a cosy get together around a bonfire “Kumzits” to roast some marshmallows while we star gaze into the glorious Israeli skies.  (B.D)

Overnight: Kibbutz Kfar Blum

Day 10: Tuesday – Haifa, Caesarea, Tel-Aviv

After enjoying the delicious buffet breakfast at Kfar Blum, drive to Mitzpeh Hoshaya’s Kfar Kedem, where the day-to-day life of this ancient land is recreated. Hear the words of the prophets as you thresh grain, spin wool, press oil from fresh olives and wine from fresh grapes, and take to the trail on donkeys.  Leave with a Homing pigeon and send a special message back to Kfar Kedem as you release the pigeon on his path back home.  Then, head to Haifa; see the meticulous Baha’i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often described as the “eighth wonder of the world.”  Then proceed to a nearby Druze Village where we will learn about the Druze people and their way of life. Drive to Caesarea, the “Dream by the Sea” constructed by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC and named after Caesar Augustus. Enjoy a tour of the rich remains spanning from the time of the Romans to the Islamic period: the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, the Crusader harbor, and Herod’s palace (B).

Drive to Tel-Aviv to check in at the Carlton Hotel. Evening – free to enjoy this unique and well-known city.

Day 11: Wednesday – Tel-Aviv

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, drive to Machon Ayalon, a secretive bullet factory established by the Haganah underground movement in 1945. As the largest bullet factory during that time, it produced 2.23 million bullets between 1946- 1948, while keeping the secret from the ruling British military. Continue to Neot Kedumim, an eco-tourism site and a “living museum” that recreates the physical setting of the Bible, in all its depth and detail. Here you will have the opportunity to plant a tree in the soil of Israel. Drive back to Jaffa to explore the reconstructed Artists’ Quarter with its galleries and boutiques. Back to hotel to refresh before farewell dinner. For those who have midnight flight, a departure transfer will be arranged For others, last overnight. (B.D)

Overnight: Tel Aviv Carlton Hotel

Day 12: Thursday – En Route

Unfortunately, our journey has come to an end…… Check-out from hotel and transfer to the airport for your international departure flight. Special assistance will be provided for check-in service. Or extend your stay in Israel.

(B) Buffet Breakfast                (D) Dinner