Past to the Future – Story of Israel

Friday: Arrival

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Saturday: At leisure

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Sunday: Caesarea - Haifa

Start the morning with a drive to Rehovot, to the Weizmann Institute, which played a key role in the development of the state. Enjoy the high tech presentation and see the impressive home of Haim Weizmann, the first president of Israel. Visit Caesarea, built over 2000 years ago by King Herod the Great, which served as a key Mediterranean port for centuries. Hear about Caesarea's role in Jewish history, including its part in the Great Revolt of AD66. Onwards to the Carmel Mountain range to visit Zichron Yaacov, for a stroll through the historic streets of one of the earliest settlements from Israel’s first immigration period, founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Continue to Mount Carmel and into Haifa - Israel's major port city, with a stop at the Louis Promenade for a great view of Haifa Bay and the beautiful Baha'i Gardens.

Overnight in Haifa.

Monday: Safed / Golan Heights

Today's journey will begin with a drive through the mountain ranges and valleys that extend from the west to the east of the Galilee region. Drive up to Safed (Tzfat), where we will walk through ancient sections of the city and hear stories of the Kabbalists and their ancient synagogues. Our Tzfat tour will end with a visit to its famous artists’ colony. Continue to Rosh Pina, originally founded in 1878 by a group of ultra-orthodox Jews intending to become farmers, with the support of Baron Edmund de Rothschild. Rosh Pina is one of Israel’s oldest colonies, but today it boasts a small town known for great restaurants, cafés, and art galleries. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Hula Valley, Israel’s first Nature Reserve, which has become one of the world's most important centres for bird watching and ornithology.

Overnight in Kibbutz.

Wednesday: Jerusalem

First stop today will be at the Tel Hai Museum, a memorial is dedicated to a dramatic battle in 1920 led by Joseph Trumpeldor, a hero known for his national loyalty. Then descend to the shores of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) for a visit to Tiberias, a city that was a significant spiritual centre during the Mishna and Talmudic periods. Drive south through the Jezreel Valley - a green, fertile plain and inland valley, covered with fields of wheat, melon, oranges, beans, chickpeas, cotton, sunflowers, and corn. Passing by the city of Afula, we continue south to the point where the road begins ascending from the coastal plain to the hills of Jerusalem. Situated in the narrow opening known as Bab-al-Wad (Gate of the Valley), we arrive at Khan Sha'ar HaGai, a reconstruction of an old Ottoman building, commemorating the courageous men and women who fought fierce battles and brought food, supplies, and manpower to under-siege Jerusalem during the War of Independence. Continuing our journey, we arrive in Jerusalem, stopping at Mt. Scopus for a magnificent view of the city and a brief explanation about the capital’s past and future.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday: Old City of Jerusalem

Start the day with a tour at the City of David for a virtual reality movie about King David’s historical city, and a “wet” walking tour of the ancient water system connecting Warren’s Shaft to the Shiloah tunnels (Hezekiah’s Tunnel). through. Then walk through one of the Old City of Jerusalem’s many ancient gates to the Archaeological Garden and the new Southern Wall excavations (Davidson Center) - the same steps once used by pilgrims entering the Holy Temple. Visit the Western Wall (Ha Kotel), the colorful bazaars and the Cardo, and the restored Jewish Quarter.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday: New City of Jerusalem

Visit the graves of Israel’s former prime ministers and soldiers who died in battle at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery. We will then continue to the museum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, including the Valley of the Communities. We will pass by the Knesset - Israel's Parliament building, as well as the famous Menorah and the new home of Israel's Supreme Court. Visit the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book with a display of Dead Sea Scrolls, and visit the model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Then continue for a neighbourhood tour around the Mahane Yehuda Market to meet different local ethnic groups and taste some of their cultural foods.

Return to the Western Wall to participate in meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat services as the Jewish Sabbath descends over Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday: At leisure

Or join an optional day tour to Masada & Dead Sea (not included in the package – subject to fee).

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday: Departure

After breakfast, transfer from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

The above tour packages includes the following:

1. English Speaking guide for all touring
2. A/C coach for touring in a group
3. Twin room accommodation in chosen class of hotels on BB basis (HB where indicated)
4. Entrance fees for the above mentioned sites

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. Passport, visa and border crossing fees
5. Travel insurance
6. Anything not mentioned in inclusions

Please note that the sequence of the tour and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances at the company’s or the guide’s discretion.