FAMILY TOUR TO ISRAEL : DECEMBER 19 - 30, 2010
December 19th Sunday 1.40 PM
Depart Toronto, Pearson International Airport, terminal #3 on EL AL Israel Airlines #104. Check in 3 hours prior to departure.
December 20th Monday 7:45 AM
Arrive to Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport. Welcome to Israel, on arrival our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to Tel Aviv. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Tel Aviv is a lively combination of entertainment venues, shopping malls, exotic markets, nonstop active nightlife, gorgeous golden beaches and wonderful restaurants.
Accommodation: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv - D
December 21 Tuesday
Following breakfast, visit the Palmach History Museum, an experiential museum, covering the Palmach legacy through the stories
of individuals and groups. An innovative presentation with no displays or documents, but rather an account of a fascinating personal story accompanied by three¬dimensional decor, films and various effects incorporating documentary materials. Then on to Independence Hall, the building where David Ben¬Gurion declared Israel's independence on May 14, 1948. This afternoon drive south to Rehovot to discover the Ayalon Institute, a secret military factory in the early pre¬state days. ground things were quite different; this was actually the largest bullet factory, where 45 people worked.
Accommodation: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv - B
December 22 Wednesday
Drive north along the coast to the ancient city of Caesarea, one of the greatest archeological treasures of the entire Mediterranean. Much of this Roman city remains, including an aqueduct, theater, as well as acres of excavated houses, mosaics and palaces. Enoy the multi media presentation that brings Ceasarea 
back to life, frame by frame. Enjoy a light lunch and the hospitality in a Druze village located in the hills of the Carmel range. Continue to Haifa, Israel's major port and an important centre of industry and commerce. Marvel at the beautiful terraced and sculptured gardens at the Bahai Shrine (Time permitting). Further north, enter the port city of Akko, known in history as the eastern limit of Napoleon's conquests. Visit the underground Crusader city and the former British prison, which housed Jewish patriots during the struggle for statehood and was made famous in the movie "Exodus". Within its walls are labyrinthine networks of alleys and streets filled with life.
Accommodation: Kfar Blum Guest House, Galilee - B, L, D
December 23rd Thursday
Visit Tel Dan Nature Reserve, one of the most lusciously rich national parks in the country. Then head towards the picturesque Banias River and Waterfall, one of the sources of the Jordan River. 
The day continues with a Jeep tour; enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, gaining insight to the strategic complexity of the Golan. Get ready for some fun! ¬Water rafting on the Jordan River. And nestled among the Kibbutzim and Moshavim of the Golan Heights is the town of Katzrin, here you visit the Golan Heights Winery. By combining state¬of¬the¬art technology with traditional techniques, the company has succeeded in producing award¬winning wines, firmly placing Israel on the international wine map. Time permitting, visit a reconstruction of a Jewish village from Talmudic times located near Katzrin, featuring a reconstructed synagogue. Enjoy dinner at Decks Restaurant on the shores of the Kinneret.
Accommodation: Kfar Blum Guest House, Galilee - B, D
December 24th Friday
Heading south, visit Safed, a small mountaintop city which was a centre of Jewish philosophy and mysticism, and boasts many 17th century synagogues. 
It is also known for its Artists' colony. Continue to Tiberias located on the western shore of the Kinneret. Tiberias is one of the four sacred Jewish cities, built by the son of Herod the Great. Christians and Jews have lived side by side for two thousand years and so it is rich in Churches from the Crusader and Byzantine periods, as well as many synagogues from various Jewish sects. Further south see Kochav Hayarden (Belvoir), an impressive Crusader Fortress with a stunning view, overlooking the Jordan Valley and meandering Jordan River. At Beth Shean, see the astounding remains of an ancient Roman city from the time of King Saul. Continue along the Jordan Valley road to Jerusalem. Enjoy Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - B, D
December 25th Saturday
Shabbat – Day at leisure
Option: Full day to Masada, Dead Sea and Ein Gedi.
Following breakfast, descend from the hills of Jerusalem through the rugged Judean Wilderness to the rift valley at the Dead Sea. Arrive at the foot of Massada, built by Herod as a possible refuge against rebels but famous in history for being the last stand of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. Ascend by cable¬car to the summit which has a magnificent view of the surrounding desolate terrain. See the excavations including the synagogue, Herod's Palace, water cisterns and bathhouses. Down below, following lunch at one of the hotels, change into bathing suits for a “float" in the buoyant and therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. Continue to the refreshing freshwater falls of Ein Gedi, where David hid from the wrath of King Saul.
Accommodation: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - B
December 26th Sunday
Following breakfast, drive to Mt. Herzl, where famous Jewish leaders like Herzl, Ben Zvi, Jabotinsky are buried. Drive through the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University to the Israel Museum, site of the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed, as well as the Billy Rose Art Garden. Drive by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament and the Supreme Court; the area of its jurisdiction is the entire State. Visit Yad Veshem memorial to the six million martyred Jews of the Holocaust. Experience the solemnity of the Children’s' Memorial, a testimony to the million and a half children who perished. This afternoon enter the Old City; visit the Davidson Centre, one of the largest and most significant archaeological sites in the country. Walk through the Jewish Quarter; see the Cardo, Hurva Square and the Burnt house. 
Descend into the Kotel Tunnels, an incredible labyrinth of tunnels, arches, and passageways, revealed through extensive archaeological excavations. Visit the City of David where the story began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left the city of Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem, establishing it as the unified capital of the tribes of Israel. Years later, David's son, King Solomon, built the First Temple next to the City of David on top of Mount Moriah, the site of the binding of Isaac, and with it, this hilltop became one of the most important sites in the world. This evening the Bnei Mitzvahs in the group will meet with the Rabbi.
Accommodation: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - B
December 27th Monday
Within the walled City, join in the ceremony of the Bnei Miitzvas at the Southern Wall. The atmosphere is tranquil; the view of the Judean Hills and the Mount of Olives is haunting. The congregation sits on the ancient, stone Hulda Steps, the original stairs leading to the Second Temple. This afternoon enjoy “Neighbourhoods”, a fun and educational tour program where participants navigate a picturesque route through one of Jerusalem’s historic neighbourhoods, like Mea Shearim and the outdoor market Machane Yehuda. This evening, celebrate the Bnei Mitzvahs with dinner at Beit Ticho.
Accommodation: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - B, D
December 28th Tuesday
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive west to Latrun, site of a monastery which is well¬known for its wines. Nearby, visit the Armoured Corps Museum, an open¬air exhibition of more than 200 tanks and other armoured vehicles. Continue south towards Beit Shemesh to visit the Soreq Cave, a central feature of the Avshalom Reserve ¬an underground world of beauty. Continue to Beit Guvrin where you will participate in an archeological dig at nearby Tel Maresha. A rare opportunity which allows you to touch your roots. A unique program which includes digging, sifting, pottery examination and touring the National Park of 
Beit Guvrin with an exciting crawl through unexcavated cave systems. Vast underground labyrinths of man¬made rooms are being systematically cleaned and give evidence of underground industrial complexes dating from the Hellenistic period. Remains of olive oil production, weaving installations, water cisterns and baths confirm a high level of material culture.
Accommodation: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - B
December 29th Wednesday
Day at leisure Farewell dinner at a local restaurant Following dinner transfer to Ben Gurion Airport.
9:50 PM - Check in for your flight back to Toronto
December 30th Thursday
12:50 AM - Depart Tel Aviv on El Al Israel Airlines #103
6:45 AM - Arrive Toronto, Pearson International Airport, terminal #3.
* This itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the guide and/or tour company.
Tour Costs:
• 2 Adults in a double room: $4,898.00
• Per person, triple occupancy (3 adults) $6,838.00
• Per person, triple occupancy (child up to 12 yrs.) $6,398.00
• Single occupancy: $3,635.00
• Price based on a minimum of 25 participants
AIR TRANSPORTATION VIA EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES
Please contact Aufgang Travel for the group fare applicable with this tour
Tour Includes:
9 nights’ accommodation:
- 2 nights at Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
- 2 nights at Kfar Blum Guest House
- 5 nights at Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals:
- Daily: Full Israeli buffet
- December 20: Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant in Tel Aviv.
- December 22: Light lunch in a Druze Village.
- December 22: Dinner at Kfar Blum Guest House, Galilee.
- December 23: Dinner at Decks Restaurant in Tiberias.
- December 24: Shabbat dinner at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem.
- December 27: Dinner at Beit Ticho Restaurant in Jerusalem.
- December 29: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Jerusalem.
• 7 days touring in an Air-conditioned coach as per itinerary.
• Arrival and departure transfers with Assistance.
• Porterage at the hotels and the airport on arrival.
• Entrances fees to sites and activities as per itinerary.
• “Neighbourhood’s TourGame”.
• Golan Jeep tour.
• Water rafting on the Jordan River.
• Transportation to/from all included dinners.
Rates do not include:
• Services of the Rabbi (ask for details).
• Insurances of any kind.
• Flights, Airport and Government taxes.
• Early check in and late check¬out.
• Gratuities for guide, driver and hotel staff.
• Meals not mentioned above.
• Beverages with meals.
5/1/2010