Day 1 Sunday

WELCOME TO HOLY ISRAEL!

VIP Welcome at Ben Gurion Airport

After landing, a Shalom Israel Tours representative will be waiting to welcome you as you exit the plane. Your party will be transported in a private vehicle to the flight staff passport control, continue to luggage identification and transfer to your luxury chauffeured vehicle.

Welcome Transfer to Tel Aviv

Stretching along a beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean Sea for 100 years, Tel Aviv is considered the face of modern Israel. Nicknamed “The White City” for its abundance of Bauhaus style architecture, Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2003.

The Tel Aviv North Port

Relax & stroll the north port, also known as the “Namal.”  The remodeled port won the European Biennial of Landscape Architecture, a prestigious European award for landscape architecture. Here you’ll find live performances, art, shopping, and great restaurants.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 2 Monday

PRE-STATE FIGHTING & DEFENSE

Underground Bullet Factory Museum

This secret factory was established by the Haganah in 1945. While it appeared as a kibbutz laundry above ground, down below, 45 members of an underground mission were producing bullets in preparation of the War of Independence. The British never suspected.

Latrun Police Station & Tank Museum

Numerous significant battles took place here during the 1948 War of Independence. In 1967, Latrun was liberated from Jordanian rule. Today, it houses a memorial for fallen armored corps soldiers. Some 110 armored vehicles are displayed and can be climbed on.

Kibbutz Yad Mordechai

Named after the Warsaw Ghetto fighter, Mordechai Anilewicz, this kibbutz was founded in 1943 and commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto revolt via an interactive museum. View a model of the ghetto and take a virtual journey to a death camp for a poignant experience.

Castel National Park

The Castel was the site of fierce battles between the Jews and the Arabs in the War of Independence. The ruins of a Crusader fortress that once stood here were used for protection by troops. Walk through the maze of trenches and visit a memorial to the fallen.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 3 Tuesday

TEL AVIV – ISRAEL’S MODERN JOURNEY

Palmach Multimedia Museum

Founded in 1941, the Palmach became a fully trained underground military force made up of volunteer men and women who fought to rid Palestine of the British – later merging with the IDF for Israel’s War of Independence. The Palmach’s story comes to life at this museum.

Israel’s Independence Hall

On May 14th, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the founding of the State of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years. Today, the space where this occasion took place serves as a museum that tells the story of Israel’s Declaration of Independence.

Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center

Established in 2001 by a former IDF intelligence officer, the organization has close ties with Israel’s military leadership and maintains an office at the Israeli Defense Ministry. It has been described as the “public face of Israeli military intelligence.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Day 4 Wednesday

ISRAEL’S COAST – ANCIENT PORTS

Zichron Yaakov Town Visit

Visit one of the first Jewish settlements in the Holy Land, home to Israel’s first large-scale winery. It was founded in 1882 by Baron Edmund de Rothschild and named in his father’s honor. Today, Zichron is a picturesque town, featuring cafes, vistas and a historic center.

N.I.L.I Museum of the Jewish Underground

Initially opened in 1956, this newly renovated museum tells the story of the first Zionist militia, the N.I.L.I. Learn about the self-sacrifice of the Aaronson family, who bravely acted as spies against the Ottoman Empire, in order to help British forces capture Palestine.

Atlit Museum of Illegal Immigration

This museum captures the lives of “illegal immigrants” to Palestine during the British Mandate. Jews who fled from Nazi persecution and survived the Holocaust found themselves incarcerated by the British in camps similar to those they had fled in Europe.

Infamous Acco Prison

Tour through the secret passageways, tunnels and towers of this infamous prison. Built by the Ottomans and used by the British Mandate to imprison underground Jewish fighters, the prison now serves as a proud memorial for the brave fighters of the Jewish Resistance.

Rosh Hanikra Grottos & Cable Car

Formed over a period of thousands of years from waves hitting the soft chalk rock on Israel’s coast, the beautiful Grottoes (sea caves) of Rosh Hanikra are truly a wonder of creation. Ride via cable car from the mountain top down to sea level to walk within its gorgeous walls.

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim Hotel, Northern Galilee

Day 5 Thursday

THE GOLAN HEIGHTS & TZFAT – ADVENTURE & MYSTICISM

Tel Chai Court

Step into the exact spot where the battle of Tel Chai took place and hear the story through an audio-visual presentation. Continue on to a museum tour and view the memorial for the soldiers who fell in the Trumpeldor-led 1920 battle to defend the Upper Galilee’s Zionists.

Kibbutz Misgav-Am Border Lookout

Kibbutz Misgav-Am was founded on the day of the historic Balfour Declaration. The kibbutz is strategically situated on the northwest side of the Naftali mountain range, 841 meters above sea level, offering a magnificent view of the Galilee, Mt. Hermon, and into Lebanon.

Mount Bental IDF Bunker

Enjoy views of Syria from a key mountaintop location on Israel’s northern border. From the top of this dormant volcano, you will see the majestic Mount Hermon, the picturesque Druze villages of the Golan and bunkers and trenches left over from the Yom Kippur War.

Yom Kippur War Valley of Tears

Though greatly outnumbered, the Israeli 7th Armored Brigade displayed their true strength when they triumphed over the Syrians in the 1973 Yom Kippur war in this famous valley. They had only 40 tanks against 500 Syrian tanks but miraculously emerged victorious.

Tel Facher Syrian Base

Learn about one of the fiercest wars of Israel’s history, the Six Day War, as you explore this Syrian base. Discover the valor of the Israeli soldiers who conquered this territory. Check out the remnants of the base and follow in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought here.

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Hagoshrim Hotel, Northern Galilee

Day 6 Friday

THE JORDAN VALLEY – HIGHWAY OF KINGS

Ma’ayan Harod National Park

This breathtaking green space features springs of water surrounding the huge park’s lawn, a large swimming pool, and a presentation at the Hankin Museum, commemorating one of the first Zionists to purchase land here. Enjoy the view and the bubbling springs.

Gan HaShlosha National Park

Chosen by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 20 most beautiful parks, relax and rejuvenate at one of the natural pools or Jacuzzis that are idyllically situated below a flowing waterfall. Located in the hot Beit She’an valley, the cool water can be a welcome diversion.

Jericho Valley Lookout Point

The community of Mitzpe Jericho is located on the edge of the Judean desert and offers stunning panoramic views of the Dead Sea, Jordan River, the ancient city of Jericho and the surrounding hills. The observation deck here is shaded and surrounded by a lush garden.

Friday Night Tour to the Western Wall

On the eve of Shabbat, Jerusalem transforms; stores shut down, and streets and alleyways fall silent, as all begin to anticipate the weekly Shabbat. Our 2000-year-old tour will pass through Jaffa gate and the Golden Menorah, and end at the Wall right as Shabbat begins.

Shabbat Dinner & Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 7 Shabbat

SHABBAT IN HOLY JERUSALEM

Shabbat Morning at Leisure & Lunch

Enjoy breakfast and your morning at leisure and Shabbat lunch at your hotel.

Yemin Moshe Shabbat Tour

Take a trip to the neighborhood created by Moses Montefiore, when the Old City became too crowded and settlement began outside the walls. Learn about the various achievements of this famous philanthropist and his contributions to Jewish settlement in pre-state Israel.

Tower of David Night Spectacular

In the evening you’ll head back to the Tower of David’s rooftop to view an epic nighttime extravaganza of sight and sound, depicting the conquests of the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Turks and others, as they tried to overtake Jerusalem. This show is simply “Spectacular.”

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8 Sunday

JERUSALEM – THE ETERNAL CAPITAL

Western Wall Tunnels Tour

These famous underground tunnels contain remnants of entire rooms from the Second Temple period. At Warren’s Gate, you’ll stand just a few feet away from where the Holy Ark stood, and feel the yearning of the Jewish people for the Temple for thousands of years.

City of King David Excavations

In 1004 BCE, King David conquered this city and secured the place where the Holy Temple would eventually be built by his son, King Solomon. Remaining structures such as Warren’s Shaft and the Tunnel of Siloam exhibit the intricate workings of this ancient capital city.

The Rebuilt Hurva Synagogue

This synagogue was known as the primary Ashkenazi synagogue in Jerusalem from 1864 until it was destroyed during the 1948 War of Independence by the Jordanians. For many years, only its arch remained, but it was recently rebuilt and restored to its former glory.

Israeli Parliament Building – The Knesset

Visit the seat of Israel’s government since 1966. Sitting at the heart of modern Jerusalem, the Knesset is the home of the Israeli parliament with its 120 members. See Israeli democracy in action and learn about the architecture and art of the Knesset building itself.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9 Monday

UNITED JERUSALEM – THE NEW CITY

1967 Six Day War – Ammunition Hill

On the night of June 6th, 1967, a four-hour battle took place here at Ammunition Hill in which 36 men lost their lives. Today you can view the trenches and reconstructed bunker that serves as a museum and tells the story of the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem.

Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls

Founded in 1965, this is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and one of the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Here you will find the oldest existing biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in the Shrine of the Book.

Mount Herzl National Cemetery

A burial place for prominent Zionist figures such as Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, here you will also find an expansive military cemetery; one quite full for a country so young. The loss of the soldiers who fought for the land of Israel is palpable.

Menachem Begin Heritage Center

Dedicated to the legacy of Menachem Begin and to the future growth and security of Israel, this museum takes you through his life, following Begin from his years as commander of the Irgun, to a leader of the Opposition, and eventually to his service as Prime Minister of Israel.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 10 Tuesday

THE JUDEAN DESERT – KING HERODS FORTRESS

Masada Mountain & Cable Car

Ride via cable car to the top of Masada and explore what remains of King Herod’s palace. See what it was like to live there as you view the preserved baths, cisterns and barracks. It was here that leader Eleazer Ben Yair kept the Roman Legion’s siege at bay for three years.

Dead Sea Float Experience

Yam Hamelach, literally meaning “Sea of Salt,” is 417 meters below sea level, making it the lowest place on earth. Its salty water contains unique healing properties, which, combined with the nutrient-filled mud found on its shores, creates one luxurious and healthy day.

Ein Gedi National Park

In the biblical period, David hid from Saul amongst the streams and canyons of Ein Gedi. Today, Ein Gedi serves as a refuge from city life and from the arid desert. Enjoy a nature walk amongst date trees, waterfalls, caves and ibex. On a hot day, cool off in the water.

Overnight: The Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 11 Wednesday

FAREWELL FOR NOW…WE’LL MISS YOU!

Farewell Transfer…We’ll Miss you!

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your temporary departure from Israel…Bye for now!