Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrival
Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv for overnight.

Day 2 – Wednesday
Tel Aviv
Drive along Tel Aviv’s main streets to Independence Hall where Ben Gurion proclaimed Israel’s independence in 1948. Drive to Machon Ayalon and to the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. Visit the Biblical Gardens at Yad Hashmonah in the Judean Mountains; see the ancient methods of wine and oil making. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (B)

Day 3 – Thursday
Tel Aviv • Latrun
Visit the Haganah Museum. Continue to Natan Rappaport’s brilliant bronze monument, the Scrolls of Fire, soaring high in the scenic Judean Hills. On to the military junction at Latrun, once the border with Jordan; see the French Trappist Monastery. Visit the Tank Division Memorial and Mini Israel Park. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (B)

Day 4 – Friday
Beit Guvrin • Tel Aviv
Spend the morning digging and excavating at the Tel Maresha Dig at Beit Guvrin National Park. Continue to Neve Zedek and to the old port city of Jaffa. Spend the rest of the afternoon at lively Nachlat Benjamin. Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv. (B, D)
Day 5 – Saturday
Tel Aviv
Morning walking tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (B)

Day 6 – Sunday
Tel Aviv • Caesarea • Nazareth
Drive to the Diaspora Museum. Continue to ancient Caesarea to visit Caesarea Harbor. Arrive in Nazareth, the sacred town where Jesus spent part of his youth; visit the Church and Mary’s Well. On to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Visit a Druze Village atop the Carmel Mountains — meet these unique Israelis in their homes! You’ll be their guests for an authentic Druze Dinner — complete with fresh-baked pita and home-cooked food! Overnight in Haifa (B, D)

Day 7 – Monday
Haifa • Rosh Hanikra • Safed
View the golden-domed Bahai Shrine and the colorful Persian Gardens. Drive along the coast to Rosh Hanikra; descend by cable car to see the underwater grottoes. Continue through Nahariya to the timeless Crusader city of Acre. Then, to Safed, one of Judaism’s holiest cities, where Kabbalah flourished during the golden age; visit the ancient synagogues and the charming Artists’ Quarter. Late afternoon Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner at a fabulous seaside restaurant. Overnight in Tiberias. (B, D)

Day 8 – Tuesday
Capernaum • Beit Shean
Plant trees in the inspiring Golani Junction Forest. Drive to Capernaum. Ascend the Golan Heights. Arrive at Kibbutz Kfar Charuv. Tour the kibbutz and share lunch with its members. Travel to Bet Shean, an ancient city from the time of King Saul; see the excavated remains of a Roman city. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B, L)

Day 9 – Wednesday
Jerusalem • The New City
Visit the Hadassah Medical Center and see the Chagall Windows. On to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial; visit the Museum, the Children’s Pavilion and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous. Pay respects to Israel’s military heroes at Mount Herzl. Drive by the Supreme Court Building and the Knesset to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the Israel Museum and the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; see the Scale Model of ancient Jerusalem. Dinner, night tour and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 10 – Thursday
Jerusalem • The Old City
Enter the Old City from the Dung Gate; walk to the Western Wall. Witness joyous Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremonies! View the Dome of the Rock. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the traditional Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Proceed to the Jewish Quarter; walk along the Cardo. Visit the Herodian Mansions, a completely excavated residential quarter from 2000 years ago, or, walk through the Hasmonean Tunnel. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. End the day with an optional visit to Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)

Day 11 – Friday
Massada • Dead Sea • Qumran
Travel via the Judean desert and the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend by cable car to this last stronghold of the Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod the Great’s palace, synagogue and bathhouse. Enjoy an “unsinkable” swim in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. Drive via the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Traditional Friday Night Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 12 – Saturday
Jerusalem
Morning walking tour to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem at David’s Citadel, and to the Old City. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)

Day 13 – Sunday
Jerusalem
Full day at leisure. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)

Day 14 – Monday: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)