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Israel - Land of Cultural
Treasures
Preliminary
Itinerary
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Air Program: 11 days/10 nights
(includes 1 air night) Land Program: 10
days/9 nights
Breakfasts: 8
Lunches: 5
Dinners: 4
This itinerary is subject to change
due to operational conditions. You will receive an updated itinerary with your final documents. Your Travel Director will advise you
of any additional changes on site.
Excursions
require walking on cobblestones, unpaved paths or other uneven surfaces.
Day i
Depart gateway city
Appropriate in-flight meal service
AH1 FlexAir passengers depart for Tel
Aviv, Israel. Please check your luggage from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following
airport code: TLV.
Day 2
Tel Aviv, Israel
Carlton Tel Aviv
Appropriate in-flight meal service and dinner
Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion
International Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area
and retrieve your luggage. After completing
customs, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for the group
arrival transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the
group transfer should exit the baggage claim
area and proceed to the designated meeting spot, where an AHI Travel representative will meet
them. The meeting location will be provided with your
final documents.
Transfer to Carlton Tel Aviv. Please note if
you arrive at the hotel before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.
Tonight, meet
your fellow travelers at an exclusive Welcome Reception and Dinner at the
hotel.
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AHI Travel —
Preliminary Itinerary
Israel – Land of Cultural 'Treasures
Day 3
Tel Aviv
Carlton Tel Aviv
Breakfast
Enjoy a full American-style
breakfast buffet at your hotel each morning.
Discovery: The Ancient Port of Jaffa. Just
a few miles up the coast from Tel Aviv, Jaffa is one of the most enchanting, old-world places in Israel. Founded
in 1909, on the dunes north of the old Arab city of Yafo (Jaffa), the newly
built, middle-class
suburb of Tel Aviv experienced rapid growth and an influx of wealth as Jews
moved out of the overcrowded
city. Experience this Old Town atmosphere as you stroll the cobbled alleyways,
browse the flea market and visit with local
artists.
Discovery: Dazzling Diamonds. Continue your exploration of Tel
Aviv as you visit the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum. See displays and models of
world-famous diamonds, learn how diamonds are created and about the different stages of cutting and polishing, and enjoy interactive
presentations about these amazing gems.
Free Time: During time at leisure, stumble upon a local restaurant for lunch or browse the stalls of local merchants.
Discovery: Museum of the Jewish Diaspora. Beit
Hatfutsot, or the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, gives visitors a compelling historical account of the Jewish
people. Learn about 2,500 years of history, from when the Jewish tribes were exiled
from the land of Israel land until current times.
Day 4
Tel Aviv/Caesarea/Akko/Tiberias
Scots Hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Discovery: White City of Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv
boasts the world's largest collection of Bauhaus-style buildings with over 1,500
examples located throughout the city. In 2003, this Bauhaus District was
declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and
was listed under the name, "The White City." Enjoy a drive through
this "White City" as you admire the beautiful architecture.
Discovery: The Mediterranean Coast. As you depart Tel Aviv and travel toward Tiberias,
enjoy a stop at Caesarea, an archeological park that was first
settled in the 4th century B.C. A Roman port, a Byzantine capital and a
Crusader stronghold — centuries of civilization
are on display here in one of the world's greatest treasure troves. See many of
the city's highlights including Herod's
huge Roman theater, which was built on a semi-circular structure of vaults, and
the magnificent hippodrome, which once featured gladiator games as well as horse and chariot racing. Gaze at
Herod's spectacular aqueduct, which carried
spring water from the foothills of Mount
Carmel, and view the Crusader Wall and fortifications. After, see a
multimedia presentation about the history of the city.
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AHI Travel —
Preliminary Itinerary
Israel – Land of Cultural Treasures
Delight in local flavors during
lunch with your group. Whether you're dipping fresh pita into hummus or eating shwarma, a sliced grilled lamb often
served with bread, your senses will succumb to the flavors of Israel. Finish
your meal with sweet baklava or knafeh,
a shredded pastry with cheese and sweet syrup.
Discovery: Ancient Akko. Visit the walled city of Akko
(historic Acre), the most complete and well-preserved town in the Holy Land,
outside of Jerusalem. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, this old
Arab port sits on a spit of land that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. The
city's picturesque waterfront has magnificent stone buildings, beautiful archways, and a labyrinth of alleyways,
churches and green-roofed mosques. The Old City is characterized by thick fortifications, imposing towers and splendid
18th-century ramparts. Situated underneath the city's magnificent Turkish
architecture is one of its finest attractions, the subterranean Crusader City
(1104-1291).
Continue to Tiberias and check in
to Scots Hotel. Dinner is served at the hotel this
evening.
Day 5
Tabgha/Capernaum/Golan Heights
Scots Hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Discovery: Upper Galilee and Capernaum. Embark on a scenic cruise on the
Sea of Galilee (weather permitting). Visit the ancient fishing village of Tabgha.
Christian tradition holds that Tabgha was the setting where Jesus of Nazareth urged his first disciples, Simon
Peter, Andrew, James and John, to leave their fishing boats and follow him in his ministry. Continue to the Mount of
Beatitudes, believed by many to be the site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In
nearby Capernaum, visit
an impressive ancient synagogue, which boasts an exterior with Jewish motifs,
and the House of Peter, a home where
Jesus is believed to have lodged.
Discovery: Olive Oil Flavors. This region is well known for growing high-quality
olives. Savor the buttery flavors of freshly pressed olive oil during a tasting
and tour at a local factory. Learn how the oils are made and taste local wines.
Enjoy lunch on the property with
your fellow adventurers.
Discovery: Golan Heights Winery. This area of Israel is recognized
as one of the country's most favorable grape-growing regions. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Chardonnay
and Sauvignon Blanc, let your taste buds explore the flavors of the local
vintages during a wine tasting.
Dinner is served
at the hotel this evening.
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AHI Travel — Preliminary Itinerary
Israel – Land of Cultural Treasures
Day 6
Tiberias/Megiddo/Haifa/Jerusalem
David Citadel
Breakfast and lunch
Discovery: Tel Megiddo —A Focus on Archeology. Explore the archaeological mound of
Megiddo, a UNESCO World
Heritage site that dates back approximately 8,000 years. These impressive ruins have more than 25 layers of settlements!
See the fortified cities and walk through an underground tunnel from the Iron Age, which once served as a water system.
Heritage site that dates back approximately 8,000 years. These impressive ruins have more than 25 layers of settlements!
See the fortified cities and walk through an underground tunnel from the Iron Age, which once served as a water system.
Enrichment: Meet the People and
Local Flavors. Enjoy an authentic Druze lunch in a family's home. The Druze cuisine is often characterized by special blends of
spices such as turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and paprika.
Discovery: On the Slopes of Mount
Cannel. Resting at the
foot of Mount Carmel on a promontory that stretches into the Mediterranean Sea, Haifa is Israel's third largest
city and a renowned high-technology industrial center. Israel's only natural harbor, the Bay of Haifa has provided safe
anchorage for ships since the second century, when the town was just a small trading port along one of the
Mediterranean's oldest sea lanes. One of Haifa's most striking landmarks is the
Bahaq World Centre, which is situated on Mount Carmel's northern slope.
The headquarters of the Baha'i religion, the complex
has a palatial Seat of the Universal House of Justice (Bahlei World
Headquarters); the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab; and magnificent
terraced gardens with black iron gates, stone balustrades, fountains and
manicured lawns.
Continue your journey to
Jerusalem. Upon arrival, check in to David Citadel and spend the remainder of
your evening relaxing or exploring Jerusalem.
Dinner is at leisure this
evening..
Day 7
Jerusalem
David Citadel
Breakfast and lunch
Discovery: In-depth Jerusalem. Situated in the Judean hills, to
the west of the Dead Sea, the ancient walled city of Jerusalem is the spiritual heart of
three world faiths—Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Discover the many religious
shrines, temples, churches and
mosques housed in the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit Temple Mount, believed to be
the site of the Temple of Jerusalem, the
holiest place in Judaism. Temple Mount is also associated with the life of
Jesus of Nazareth and in Islam, it is
believed the Prophet Muhammad journeyed from here to heaven. Pause for a moment
of reflection at the Western Wall.
Walk along a portion of the Via Dolorosa, believed to be the route Jesus took
between his sentencing by Pilate and
his crucifixion, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to
be the burial site of Jesus. During your tour, enjoy stunning panoramic
views from the Mount of Olives, and see artifacts from excavations and informative multimedia presentations at the interpretive Davidson Center.
Lunch. on falafel at a
popular restaurant in the lively Arab Quarter, a neighborhood famous for its
colorful souks (markets) overflowing with spices, mint tea, aromatic
coffees, leather goods and many other interesting goods.
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AHI Travel — Preliminary Itinerary
Israel – Land
of Cultural Treasures
Enrichment: Is it Finally Time
for a Peace Deal? Tonight, listen to an expert present an assessment of Israeli-Palestinian relations during a fascinating lecture and
discussion at the hotel.
Free Time: Spend time at leisure to explore the many wonders of Jerusalem and
enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Day 8
Masada/Ein Bokek/Jerusalem
David Citadel
Breakfast and lunch
Discovery: Judean Desert Drama
and a Sea of Salt. Visit Masada, an isolated flattop rock overlooking the Dead Sea. King Herod chose this site to
build a fortress for himself and his family. Later 1,000 Jewish rebels
undertook the Great Revolt against Rome from this monumental fortress, which was the first site
to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2001. After your intriguing
tour, enjoy free time to explore more of the tbrtress/museum or shop. Then descend 1,378 feet below sea
level to Ein Bokek on the shoreline of the Dead Sea, the deepest hypersaline
lake in the world. Surrounded by a barren
expanse of mountainous desert painted in hues of red, beige, white, gold, mauve
and purple, the Dead Sea is fed by the River Jordan, which flows from the Sea
of Galilee. Relax on the beach or enjoy a swim in the salty Dead Sea.
Dine on local fare for lunch near the Dead Sea.
This evening,
craft your own itinerary during free time and dinner at your leisure.
Day 9
Jerusalem
David Citadel
Breakfast and dinner
Discovery: A Poignant Monument. Yad Vashem is Israel's memorial
and place of commemoration for the millions who perished in the Holocaust. Carved out of the
hillside, the sprawling complex has 10 exhibition halls, each dedicated to a different chapter of the
Holocaust. Tour the exhibition halls and galleries and see the Hall of Names, a
touching memorial to the lives taken during
the Holocaust.
Enrich merit: A Survivor Speaks. Partake in a question-and-answer session with a Yad Vashem guide and
hear a personal account of his/her experiences
during World War II.
Free Time: Machane Yehuda Market. Journey to the bustling Machane Yehuda Market where you
can shop with locals at open-air stalls. Sample tasty specialties, or shop for
clothing and spices on your own.
Gatherthis evening for a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers, and share
your favorite experiences from your time in Israel.
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AHI Travel — Preliminary Itinerary
Israel – Land of Cultural Treasures
Day
10
Depart for gateway city
Breakfast and appropriate in-flight meal service
After breakfast, Al-II FlexAir passengers
traveling on flights that qualify for a group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer
depart for Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport for your return flights
home. Your Travel Director will provide the details.
