BAR/ BAT MITZVAH FAMILY TOUR (1)

11 Days Bar/ Bat Mitzvah Family Tour Program

Day 1 - Departure - Flight from the U.S to Israel

Day 2 - Arrival in Israel - Bruchim Haba'aim - Welcome to Israel - Tel Aviv/Jaffa
Welcome by our representative and assistance with arrival formalities. Drive through Tel Aviv, known as the city that never sleeps and pass by centers of culture and recreation, from the Mann and Habima Theaters to sprawling beaches and Dizengoff Street. Check into hotel. Free time with an opportunity to take a dip into the Mediterranean Sea. Festive welcome dinner. Night tour of Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 3 - TeL Aviv City Tour

After breakfast we start our tour by visiting the Palmach Museum (*Visit is based on availability. Substitute to the Palmach Museum will be the Diaspora Museum) for a multi-media presentation on defense in the pre-state era, 1920-48. Visit of the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel was signed in 1948. Visit the Carmel open market and the nearby Nachalat Binyamin's pedestrian mall, with its restored buildings, sidewalk artists and arts and crafts fair. Continue onto Shenkin, one of Israel's most avant-garde streets. After a short Falafel lunch drive through HaBimah Theater, Rothschild Blvd, Rabin Square, Opera House & Tel Aviv Museum to Old Jaffa. At night time we will discover the romantic streets and passages of the old city of Jaffa and its artist colony and enjoy the view from the old Jaffa hilltop. Overnight: Tel-Aviv

Day 4 - Israel's Coast line, Tzefat, Galilee
Depart Tel Aviv. Drive north along the Mediterranean coast. Visit Atlit, site of a British internment camp for thousands of Jewish refugees who attempted to immigrate to Israel during the British Mandatory Period; view an audio-visual presentation. Home hospitality at a Druse village in the Carmel Mountains for a window into the unique world of the Israeli Druse community, with lunch. Observe a scenic view of Haifa Bay from Mount Carmel. Visit Tzefat a center of Jewish mysticism for hundreds of years, and a contemporary artists' colony; visit the many unique synagogues, stroll through the quaint art galleries and shop in the artists' colony. Check into kibbutz guesthouse. Dinner at kibbutz hotel. Overnight: Galilee

Day 5 - Upper Galilee, Golan Heights
Ride the Manara cable car and ascend the Manara Cliff overlooking the Hula Valley and the Golan Heights. Walk through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve located on the largest tributary of the Jordan River and near the Biblical settlement of Dan. Enjoy kayaking on the Jordan River, followed by a Bar BQ lunch. After lunch continue up to the the Golan Heights and explore Israel's security situation. View the Hula Valley from former Syrian fortifications, cross the Golan to the Syrian border and observe the Syrian city of Kuneitra and the nearby United Nations outpost . Sunset jeep tour in the Golan Heights in the footsteps of IDF soldiers and their battles in the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars. Dinner at kibbutz. Overnight: Galilee

Day 6 - From the  Galille to  Jerusalem
Visit Zippori, site of the post-Second Temple Jewish settlement and the codification of the Mishna by Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi approximately 1800 years ago. Today it is a national park housing a beautifully reconstructed villa and the ,Mona Lisa of the Galilee- mosaic floor. Drive to Jerusalem. Stop at the entrance to Jerusalem to say the traditional shehechiyanu- blessing, recited upon entering Jerusalem. Drive through the Western Wall and check into hotel for Shabbat Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem
 
Day 7 - Shabat in Jerusalem
Shabbat Shalom! After breakfast we have few options for this special day; you may choose to enjoy "shul-hopping" in the many lovely synagogues in the area or our guide will invite you to participate in an optional tour *: We will drive to the Scrolls of Fire Monument which tells the history of the Jewish people created by artists Nathan Rappaport. From here we'll part for a fun visit to the stalactite cave known as Absalom's Cave, an amazing and unique geological phenomenon. Next is a visit to the newly opened miniature park Mini Israel. Here are featured over 350 exact replica models from all over the land of Israel. The last stop on our itinerary will be a fun Off Road Bike Ride (about 90 minutes ride) on one of the JNF Forest nature trails. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 8 - New City Jerusalem
A full day devoted to the New City starts as we drive by the Knesset (Israel's Parliament Building) and stop by the famous Menorah the enblem of the State of Israel. We will then view the architectural splendor of Israel's Supreme Court building. Next we will visit Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Mesuem and Memorial. From here we proceed to Ein Yahel Living Museum, an archeological site on the south edge of Jerusalem where we will take part in a hands-on demonstration of how people lived in antiquity - weaving, pottery, wine-making, pita baking and mosaic floor making. We conclude the day with a fun visit to the Time Elevator a great ride/attraction which tells the story of Jerusalem in a modern multimedia production.

Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 9 - Masada, Dead Sea - Sunrise Bar/Bat Mitzvah service
Depart hotel very early morning for Sunrise Bar/Bat Mitzvah service on Masada, Herod's mountain palace and site of the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. Discuss Masada's role as a symbol of Jewish defense and the current meaning and significance in modern Israel. Cover yourself in mud and bathe in the relaxing and healthy sulfur springs at one of the spa hotels located at Ein Bokek on the Dead Sea. Lunch at Dead Sea hotel. Short hike to Nahal David- the freshwater spring at the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a lush oasis in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. Return to hotel for rest and relaxation before our Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration dinner at the Cardo, a recreation of a 1st century Roman eatery, with entertainment, Roman togas and plenty of wine. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day10  - Old City Jerusalem - Departure from Israel
Start the morning with a visit to the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Old City. Visit the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Herodian Mansion, the Old City rooftops, Western Wall, and the Southern Wall excavations. Guided visit to the Western Wall Tunnel. Stroll along the Old City and shop in the fascinating market and end at the Jaffa Gate, where we will meet to return to the hotel to freshen up for our festive farewell dinner. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your transatlantic flight back to the U.S.A

Day 11 - Arrival in the U.S.A

Arrive today back in the U.S. Take home your fond memories of Israel that will last a lifetime and start planning your next trip to Israel.....