This 10 day introductory features the highlights of Israel especially for those making this their first trip. You will have a chance to delve into the history and culture of this ancient land visiting sites that are affiliated with Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
This program has been designed to enrich your soul visiting places that you have only dreamed of. This itinerary is recommended for wheelchair and scooter users, slow walkers, visually and hearing impaired travelers.
Especially tailored for wheelchair and scooter users, slower walkers, visually and hearing impaired
Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Caesarea, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias,Tabgha, Capernaum, Golan Heights, Katzrin, Beit She’an, Jerusalem, Masada and Dead Sea
YOUR LAND ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE:
*transfers to Tel Aviv and back from Jerusalem
*deluxe air conditioned van transportation (adapted transportation for wheelchair and scooter users)
*9 days of touring as per the itinerary
*a local government certified experienced English speaking tour guide
*9 nights accommodation at 3 or 4 or 5 star hotels based on double occupancy including breakfast
(based on accessible accommodation for wheelchair and scooter users)
YOUR LAND ARRANGEMENTS DO NOT INCLUDE:
*airfare to and from Israel
*departure taxes, fuel surcharges or airport improvement fees
*porterage at the airport or hotels
*insurance
*early check in/late check out
*single room supplement – a limited number of single rooms available on payment of supplement
On arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, meet your driver who will be waiting to take youto the old port of Jaffa famous for its association with Jonah who was swallowed by a whale and Solomon who imported the cedars of Lebanon for the construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. Return to Tel Aviv and check into your hotel.
NOTE: Check in at most hotels is at 2:00 PM and check out is 12:00 Noon.
Overnight Tel Aviv.
Today’s tour begins with a special visit to Independence Hall, site of David Ben Gurion’s monumental proclamation of the State of Israel in December of 1948. Stroll down Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture district being proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and being referred to as the “White City”.
Continue to Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood built in the “new city” of Tel Aviv back in 1887. At the beginning of the 20th century it became home to many artists and writers. Balance of the day free. This evening enjoy a seaside walk at the Tel Aviv Port with its galleries, restaurants and coffee shops.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Head up the coast to Caesarea National Park where King Herod built a large port over 2,000 years ago. Visit the Roman Theater, Herod’s palace and the walled Crusader town. Enjoy Caesarea’s latest attraction, the “Time Trek” a fascinating multi-media presentation. Continue north past the Carmel Mountains to Haifa and through the Lower Galilee arriving at Kibbutz Ginosar.
Visit the Yigal Alon Museum showcasing the works of local Galilee artists. See the “Jesus Boat” discovered mired in the mud on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After dinner enjoy a Kibbutz Experience where you meet a Kibbutz member to learn more about their way of life.
Overnight in Tiberias.
Today is devoted to visiting some of the landmarks on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee starting with Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ Miracle of the Multiplication of the Fish and Loves illustrated beautifully in the mosaic floor of the Byzantine church.
Proceed to Capernaum known as “Jesus town” in the New Testament, home to one of the earliest churches and synagogues in the world. Going up to the strategic Golan Heights and the capital city of Katzrin we mingle with the locals over falafel or pizza and stop for wine tasting at one of the Golan wineries.
Return to Tiberias for overnight.
Continue south to the Beit She’an National Park, one of the main pagan towns during the Roman rule of the region to see a magnificent theater, Roman bathhouses, mosaics and more. It is considered to be one of the best preserved Roman sites in the region.
Drive via the Jordan Valley to the Holy City of Jerusalem stopping at the Mt. of Olives Observation Point for a magnificent visual and spiritual introduction to the city, both ancient and new.
Continue to your hotel for overnight.
Our tour of Jerusalem begins at the Western Wall, one of the last vestiges of the Second Temple Complex built by Herod some 2,000 years ago and thus, the holiest place in the world for members of the Jewish faith. Visit the beautiful Southern Wall Archaeological Park that surrounds the lower part of the Temple Mount from the west and south.
At the Davidson Center** located in the basement of an 8th century CE palace, you can make arrangements to see its virtual reconstruction, high definition interactive model. As the Sabbath approaches, return to your hotel. (**ramped access and an elevator to the exhibits and audio-visual presentation).
Morning at leisure perhaps to attend a Shabbat service at one of the nearby synagogues. Afterwards a walking tour in the Archaeological Park near the hotel. The balance of the day is free. This evening enjoy Jerusalem as she comes back to life after the Sabbath.
Take part in the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David where the walls of the Citadel serve as a stage for a night time show as the story of Jerusalem unfolds. Using trompe l’oeil technology, the stones of the walls and structures envelope the viewers and whisks them off on a one of a kind multi-sensory experience.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Excavations in the Jewish Quarter have revealed a wealth of finds from the First and Second Temple periods. Next is the Holy Sepulchre or the Sacred Tomb, no doubt the most important shrine in the Christian world where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and rose form the dead. The New City, site of several educational institutes including the Knesset (Israeli Parliament).
Proceed to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust visiting the unique and moving Children’s Memorial which pays tribute to the 1.5 million murdered Jewish children whose names, age and countries of origin can be heard in the background. Also see the Garden of the Righteous honoring non-Jews known as the Righteous among Nations who risked their lives to save Jews.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
This morning we drive to Masada, the isolated mountain top fortress of King Herod where the Jewish rebels who to commit suicide rather than be enslaved by the Romans. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols. Stop at the Dead Sea Spa at the Crown Plaza Hotel Dead Sea with time to float in the unsinkable waters.
Return to Jerusalem for overnight.
This morning we visit the Israel Museum which houses what is considered by many to be the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century – the famous Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd in a cave. Also see the famous Model of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and an audio visual presentation about life in the tumultuous days of the Second Temple.
Afterwards drive to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight or extend your stay in Israel.