Day 7 – Monday – November 7- Getting to Tel Aviv
Today we start our journey to Tel Aviv. On the way we will visit the town of Sderot, the town which had
suffered most from the rockets shot from the Gaza strip. We will go to a lookout overlooking the Gaza
Strip and have a local resident telling us about the situation in town. We will have a splendid lunch
cooked for us by a group of local women living in Sderot at their community center, as one of the many
activities aimed at “normalizing” life as much as possible for the population. We will then continue to Tel
Aviv. After check in and rest, we shall leave our hotel for a scenic night tour in Jaffa, and then we shall
continue for a very emotional experience. Our dinner will be served by deaf or blind waiters, and we will
see (and participate) in a special show played by deaf and blind actors, at Nalagaat Center for the blind
and deaf, situated in the Jaffa port. http://nalagaat.org.il/en/
Lunch and Dinner included
Overnight Dan Panorama Tel Aviv deluxe rooms
 
Iron dome protecting Sderot deaf and blind actors at Na Lagaat
Day 8 – Tuesday – November 8– Enjoy Tel Aviv
Today you are going to experience one of the most emotional visits of the tour. This is the visit to the
Palmach Museum, which is not a museum in the ordinary sense of the word. You will be participating in
the journey of a young group of Israelis, in pre state Israel, and how they had given us the State of Israel.
Many of the visitors I had taken there, go out with tears in their eyes
. http://www.palmach.org.il/Web/English/TheMuseum/Default.aspx
To complete the independence experience we shall visit Independence Hall, the location of the
declaration of the Jewish State of Israel, after 2000 years of not having independence. We will
understand the meaning of leadership, by understanding the huge gamble that Ben Gurion took, by
deciding on declaring independence, in spite of the American opposition to the move. http://eng.ihi.org.il/
For those who have been to Independence Hall, you might want to get an earlier start at Shuk ha’Carmel
and Nahalat Binyamin.
In the afternoon, we will leave you to walk around the Shuk ha’Carmel food and vegetable market, the
nearby artisan market of Nahalat Binyamin, and again, you might think of making a reservation at one of
Tel Aviv fine restaurants making it a world center of fine eating.
Overnight Dan Panorama Tel Aviv deluxe rooms
Modern Bauhaus
Day 9 – Wednesday – November 9– Heading North
We are leaving Tel Aviv. But do not worry, we will be back for the last night of our tour. We will drive
north along the coastal plain of Israel. Our first stop will be at the Rothschild family garden tomb in
Zichron Yaakov, which was one of Baron Rothschild favorite colonies. The Rothschild Foundation is still
active today in philanthropy work in Israel. One of its projects is maintaining the garden tomb of Baron
Edmond de Rothschild and his wife Ada, as one of the most beautiful gardens in Israel.
http://www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il/en
From here we shall continue our way north and stop at one of the most beautiful lookouts in Israel,
overlooking the Baha’i gardens and shrine, and the gulf of Haifa. All the way to Akko, our next stop at the
other side of the bay. http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/
When we arrive in Akko, it will feel as if we are walking in a living authentic museum. We will enter the
halls of the crusaders who had some temporary success in taking over the territory of Israel from the
Muslims. We will walk the market which is still the market of old Akko. And we will see the magnificent
Mediterranean Sea walls which were successful in stopping Napoleon’s invasion to Israel. http://www.akko.org.il/en/
When we finish our tour of Akko, we shall start crossing the Galilee from west (Mediterranean) to east (Jordan Valley), and arrive at our very scenic nature hotel in Kibbutz Hagoshrim.
Dinner included
Overnight –Hagoshrim Hotel boutique rooms
  
Baha’i Gardens Akko – sea wall Halls of Knights
Day 10 – Thursday – November 10– Birds, Upper Galilee & Lebanon Border
We start our day at sunrise. This is the best hour of day to visit Agamon Hachula bird sanctuary. Israel
is between the sea at the west and the desert to the east. Therefore it is an essential corridor for
migrating birds from Africa to Europe in the spring, or in the dates of our tour from Europe for wintering
in Africa. We therefore have in the skies of our tiny country about a billion migratory birds every year. As
Israel is also actively concerned with nature preservation (unlike most of our neighbors who are more
concerned with self-preservation), many of the birds choose to rest, feed, and even winter here. Israel
has become a main bird watching shrine for ornithologists from all over the world. Our tour will take us
in a wagon to see the birds and other wildlife of this incredible JNF project.
http://www.agamon-hula.co.il/?lang=en_US
By now we will be hungry, so we will return to our hotel for breakfast. We then drive to Safed, the mystical
kabala town for a tour and some shopping in its many art galleries, jewelry shops, and even a weaving
center. We are now ready for some lunch and wine. So we shall drive to Adir winery, one of the many
wineries in Upper Galilee area, taking advantage of the excellent conditions for growing wine grapes.
http://www.adir-winery.com/?p=64
After we are happy because of the wine we will go back to the complex reality of Israel. We will drive
along the Lebanese border to Kibbutz Misgav Am where our local host will tell us about how normal life
is possible on the border fence. We will be able to compare the situation here to the one we had seen in
the Gaza strip, and the border with Syria which we will see on tomorrow. Back to our hotel. Those who
wish, could take a short walk along the water streams that feed the Jordan River, just outside the hotel.
Lunch and Dinner included
Overnight –Hagoshrim Hotel Boutique rooms
 
Agamon Hachula Wine tasting at Adir Winery
Day 11 – Friday – November 11– Golan heights, Ending the Tour in Tel Aviv
After breakfast, drive to visit the heart-breaking Helicopter Crash Memorial at Shaar Yashuv which
consists of 73 large stone structures. Each of these represents one of the Israel Defence Forces soldiers
who were tragically killed in transit, on their way to duty in Southern Lebanon in 1997, when two
helicopters collided. The collision of twin Israeli Air Force helicopters in the Galilee was the worst
helicopter disaster in the history of the State of Israel. All 73 passengers, including eight crewmembers,
were killed. We then start climbing the Golan heights. We will visit Har Bental, which is one of the extinct volcanos, forming the current border between Israel and Syria. Many times when I visit the mountain with tourists, it is possible to see and hear the Syrians fighting their civil war. In the mountains there is also an Israeli military bunker that will be held by the army in case of conflict. Below the mountain, is the “valley of
tears” where a crucial tank battle took place in Yom Kippur war in 1973.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/bental.html
From here we shall start heading for Tel Aviv. On the way we shall stop at Kibbutz Masada for a coffee
break and an explanation of the Kibbutz movement and the radical changes it is going through.
We shall check in to our Dan Panorama Tel Aviv hotel, rest for a while and go together for our farewell
Shabbat dinner in one of Tel Aviv restaurants, for talking and thinking on our past 11 days and nights in Israel.
Dinner included
*** Here we end our tour. Those who go on the 3 day Petra extension are welcome to consult with Ami Dotan. Those who are not, are on their own for extensions, going home and anyone who needs help in their plans are most welcome to consult with Mike or Josh.
Day 12 – Saturday – November 12– Checkout
We will check out this morning and bid each other goodbye.
Price, Meals, and Accommodations
Cost of land tour November 1-12, 2016 – Josh and Mike
$US 3150 -------$US 500 required as deposit by December 31, 2015.
Single supplement: $US 1200
Including:
11 hotel nights 4.5★ and 5★ hotels as per itinerary or similar,
10 touring days including transportation and guiding (not including airport transfers)
11 breakfasts, 8 dinners, 4 lunches
Entrance fees & activities as per program
Not including:
Optional activities or extensions
Tips to the guide, driver, hotel staff, etc.
-
There is an option to prearrange VIP assistance upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport for a cost of $100- $150 depending on how many people.
-
It is also possible to prearrange transport from Ben Gurion Airport to hotel in Jerusalem for $150 for up to 7 people.
-
Day 6 Jeep Tour option is $35-$40 per person.
-
Diesenhaus/Unitours Cancellation Policy:
-Up to 45 days, no cancellation fee
- 45-30 days 20% cancellation fee
- 30-20 days 30% cancellation fee
- 20-7 days 40% cancellation fee
- Less than 7 days full price of the trip
-
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance from an independent provider such as your credit card company or BCAA/CAA.
Letter From Our Guide Ami Dotan
Dear friends.
Some of you already know me from previous times that I have guided you in Israel. This fact makes my job a bit easier. My name is Ami Dotan, and I will be the guide of your tour when you arrive in Israel in November 2016.
I have raised the idea to extend your stay in Israel in a few days and go to Petra in Jordan. When I guide tours which come directly to me, I always add Petra to the Israeli itinerary. I see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity not just because of the “wonder of the world” which Petra is, but also because the Israeli Arab conflict is always present, Either in news bulletins abroad, or when we talk about it during the visit. For many, especially in the younger generation, it is also a source of criticism towards the state of Israel. So the opportunity you will have to closely see and experience a real true friendship between an Israeli and an Arab, will be an eye opener.
I am also aware of the security concerns. My best answer is that I never guide in a place I would not take my own family to (that is 4 kids ages 19, 16, 8, 3). I am just waiting for them to agree to come with me. I go to Petra about once a month or two, and the feeling is very secure and friendly. Having said that, I also monitor closely the situation in south of Jordan, and if doubts arise, I will cancel the trip.
I will describe the Petra part of the itinerary day by day as it will happen for our group.
November 12. Saturday -
The tour ends on Friday night. Those who join the Petra extension are not anymore Josh and Mike’s responsibility but mine. We will take an internal flight from Tel Aviv to Eilat. We will cross the border into Jordan and drive to Wadi Rum. Those of you who remember the movie “Laurence of Arabia” that is the place it was filmed. Historically that is the place Laurence had arrived after crossing the desert in order to conquer Aqaba from the Turks in World War 1. The place is of outmost natural beauty, and after having tea (first of many) in a real Bedouin house, we will jump on the backs of pickup trucks and drive for lunch in the desert, and visit the most spectacular sand stone natural “Bridges”
We will then drive to check in our nice Petra hotel.
If we are lucky, (and usually I am) we will be invited to dinner at my Jordanian friend home. We will talk about how he was born in a cave in Petra, and then moved to housing outside the archeological site.
November 13. Sunday –
The whole day is dedicated to walking in Petra.
There are few Places in the world I know that exceed their reputation. Petra definitely is one of them. We will visit the “essential” Petra, but also try to climb the 700 mountain steps to the Monastery, and an incredible lookout over the Israeli Negev desert, across the border.
Although some capability of walking is required, for those who find it hard to walk, there are carriages, donkeys, mules or camels that will carry them in Petra and to the top of the stairs.
Actually, I plan for anyone who wants to ride a camel back, just as the ancient Nabatean traders did when they rode camel caravans of Hundreds of camels for 2-3 months and more in the desert, supplying the Roman Empire with spices, incense and silk.
We will go back for a rest at the hotel
At night again we shall go out for a “night Activity” with Bedouins. I leave the details as a surprise.
November 14. Monday
After breakfast in the hotel we will visit another beautiful site called “little Petra” and then drive to the border and cross to Eilat. You will then have the option to choose your flight time to Sde Dov in the city of Tel Aviv, or directly to Ben Gurion airport if you have a flight leaving on the 14th back home.
You may also choose to stay a few more hours or days in Eilat. The main attraction being of course the coral reef of the red sea. You could even take an instructor, on a one on one basis who will take you on a guided scuba dive, which again, is a lifetime experience and you do not need any previous knowledge. Just the will. The ages fit for the dive is 8-88.
If anyone has any further questions or doubts please do not hesitate to contact me at
amidotan58@gmail.com or Skype.
Hope to see all of you in Petra.
Petra, Jordan Extension November 12- November 14
Petra extension is US$ 1455, all inclusive:
Tel Aviv to Eilat internal flights return. Transport from Eilat airport to border and back.
Both Israeli and Jordan border taxes, tips for Jordanian staff, all meals, 2 nights out, Local guiding and Ami fee,
All entrances and transportation in Jordan, camel and donkey rides in Petra, night activities, 2 nights in 4-5 star hotel, etc.
Single supplement, $US 150
Does not include: carriage in Petra, (if needed), personal expenses - extra drinks, souvenirs etc.
This extension price is all inclusive except private expenses such as souvenirs, beer at the hotel etc.
NOTES
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Shabbat Shalom
