Israel UNATTACHED – Sababa Tour
(Plus exciting optional extension tour to Jordan & Egypt available)
Thursday 24 December 2009 – Saturday 2 January 2010
Day 1 Thursday 24 December 2009
Depart Australia/New Zealand en route to Tel Aviv
Day 2 – Friday 25 December 2009
Shalom and welcome to Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Head to Tel Aviv for some rest and relaxation after a long flight - Opening sessions with the tour leader - Evening activity: Festive welcome dinner and "Getting to Know You" party
Overnight: Tel Aviv (D)
Day 3 – Saturday 26 December 2009
Head north to Caesarea - tour the ancient Roman Amphitheatre and have a singing contest to check out the amazing acoustics - Then explore the romantic artist's colony at Ein Hod - Onto a Druze Village for lunch at a local home - learn more about these unique people, very loyal to Israel - Continue to Akko to explore the Knights’ Halls and the secret escape tunnel dug by the Crusaders. Then take a walk through the colourful marketplace - Onward to Haifa - Evening activity: go pub hopping in Haifa
Overnight: Haifa (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Sunday 27 December 2009
Drive across the Galilee to Sfad, the city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah) - Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries - Then ascend to Amuka - here are the graves of Jewish Holy men. It is common lore that if you are single and come to pray here, you will get married soon after. Who are we to fly in the face of tradition? - Ascend the Golan Heights for a view deep into Syria from atop Mt Bental and view the ghost town of Kuneitra - Head to the Golan Wineries for a taste of these award winning wines - Continue onto a kibbutz hotel to relax for the remainder of the afternoon - In the evening, meet Kibbutz members and learn more about this unique way of communal living - Evening activity: Enjoy a 'Kumzitz' bonfire party (weather permitting)
Overnight: Kibbutz Hotel (B, D)
Day 5 – Monday 28 December 2009
Enjoy an early morning cruise on Lake Kinneret. Travel down the fertile Jordan Valley to Beit Alpha to see the ancient Synagogue of the Zodiac - Stop for an overview of Jericho, the oldest city in the world - Then on for a swim (float) in the Dead Sea and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Dead Sea (B, D)
Day 6 – Tuesday 29 December 2009
Ascend Masada Fortress, hearing tales of Herod and the Zealots who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans. Visit the Arava Valley to see the desert in full bloom. Then head deep into the desert for a camel trek. Evening activity: Enjoy Bedouin Hospitality and a Hafla (feast).
Overnight: in a Bedouin Tent in the desert (B, D)
Day 7 – Wednesday 30 December 2009
Have a "hands on" experience with the past as you participate in an Archeological Dig. Explore the unique Bell Caves in Beit Guvrin including the Columbarium - all carved from stone. Stop for a brief tour of Beersheba visiting the sites of the ANZAC soldiers in WWI. Then visit the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim - Ascend to Jerusalem - Say Shehehianu at a vantage point overlooking the Old City. Evening activity: Eat out at a quaint local café/bookshop and then go out for a live music performance at a club in Jerusalem (subject to confirmation).
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)
Day 8 – Thursday 31 December 2009
Head to the David Citadel museum. View the Old city from top of Fazael Tower - Walk the Old City Wall Promenade from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate. Then head to Mt Zion, view the Old City and visit King David's tomb founder of the city. Enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate as generations of Jewish Warriors have - Explore the Jewish Quarter taking in highlights such as the Cardo, the Broad Wall, the Hurva Synagogue and the Southern Wall excavations. Experience a spiritual visit to the Western Wall. Evening activity: Enjoy a traditional Moroccan restaurant and then onto a “Jumpin’ Jerusalem” party with local singles for a New Years Eve party you will never forget (subject to confirmation).
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)
Day 9 – Friday 1 January 2009
Participate in a special tree planting ceremony with the Jewish National Fund. Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial site for a program. Continue to Mount Herzl for a ceremony by the graves of Herzl, Rabin and others Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Jerusalem - Evening: Enjoy an oriental feast with a traditional Middle Eastern music show (subject to confirmation)
Overnight: Jerusalem (B, D)
Day 10 – Saturday 2 January 2009
Morning at leisure in Jerusalem - Head to Park Mini Israel where you will recap your visit to Israel and enjoy a festive farewell dinner. Drive to Ben Gurion Airport for late night departure back to Australia and New Zealand (B, D)
Costs and Inclusions
LAND: The cost per person for the land portion of the program set forth in the itinerary is as follows:
Tour length: 10 days
Cost per person based on twin share
Number of participants |
Cost in $USD |
Minimum 32 in the group |
1695 |
Minimum 26 in the group |
1750 |
Minimum 21 in the group |
1790 |
Tour Inclusions
The program includes the following:
1. Airport meeting assistance
2. Porterage at airport
3. Arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary
4. A/C bus for touring and transfers
5. Licensed English speaking guide for all touring
6. Accommodation in 4 star hotels with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning:
City |
Hotel |
Tel Aviv |
Mercure B and P or similar |
Haifa |
Colony or similar |
Tiberias |
Maagan or similar |
Jerusalem |
Harmony Hotel or similar |
Bedouin tent |
Kfar Hanokdim or similar |
Dead Sea |
Moriah Classic Dead Sea |
7.Meals – Breakfast and Dinner daily in hotel. Dinner out at restaurants in Jerusalem! Lunch at Ossafia Druze village. Hafla dinner in Bedouin tent. Festive farewell dinner.
8. Entrance fees for the mentioned sites
9. Taxes and service charges
10. Porterage
11. Dedicated website for the group
Note: if you wish to take a single room, then a special supplement cost will apply.
The above mentioned does not include:
1. Any extra meals or beverages or hotel extras
2. Tips for guides & drivers
3. Any personal expenses
4. Entrance fees to nightclubs
5. Travel insurance
6. Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Contact IsraelTravel today on 02 9371 8166 or click here to enquire or book now.