Kranich Family Israel Trip- December 2024

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - You will be greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by your driver, who will transfer you to the hotel.

• Transfer to Tel Aviv - Check into the hotel

• Unpack, relax, and get ready for the coming weeks!

• Suggestion- Explore the Carmel Market - The Carmel market is Tel Aviv's busiest. Walk through and take in the vibrant action that will fill all of your senses.

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Explore Independence Trail - Using an iPad guided hunt, discover the new Independence Trail which follows stops of Tel Aviv’s foundation and the sites pivotal to the birth of the modern State of Israel. Walk the paths of pioneers, witness architectural styles that tell the story of the city's development, and delve into Israel's struggle and triumph stories. The trail ends across from the Independence Hall, where on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion read aloud the Declaration of Independence as Israel was declared an independent Jewish state. The trail offers a profound insight into the nation's remarkable history.

• Levinsky Market Culinary Tour and time for lunch

• Peres Center for Peace and Innovation - The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is a leading non-profit and non-governmental organization focused on developing and implementing unique and cutting-edge programs. The center presents the incredible story of Israel, the "innovation nation", and showcases the diverse fields and people behind Israeli innovation.

• Continue to the Square of the Kidnapped and Missing - Visit to The square of the Kidnapped and Missing in front of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. See the powerful art created by various artists, including the Shabbat Table set for 200 missing Israelis, to show support and shine a spotlight on the importance of rescuing the lives of those abducted to Gaza. (Hopefully, by the time of this mission, all of the hostages will have been released and back home with their families.)

• Dinner suggestion: Ha'Achim - At the beginning of the 2023 Hamas-Israel War the owner of Ha'Achim restaurant applied for an received a temporary Kashrut certificate so that they could cook and deliver food to IDF soldiers! The restaurant offers a spin on middle eastern cuisine by modernizing classic dishes. (Not included)

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Depart Tel Aviv for the Gaza Envelope Area- During the day you will do the following things, not necessarily in the order listed below:

• -Stop at the Shuva Achim Hospitality tent - What started as a field hospital at the beginning of the war in Moshav Shuva, turned into an incredible refreshment spot for soldiers, where they give out clothes, goodies and hot meals to the soldiers serving the in the Gaza Envelope. The name "Shuva Achim" means in Hebrew return brothers (and sisters) - praying that all soldiers will return home peacefully. You will help with what is needed, meet soldiers for a casual talk and show your appreciation.

• -Volunteering

• -Lunch Home Hospitality

• -Visit the Supernova music festival site - Stop at the Nova Festival memorial site - at Re'im Forest stop and bear witness to the tragedy of the Nova Festival.

• Return to Tel Aviv- Dinner and evening on your own

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Begin the day at ANU Museum of the Jewish People - The newly re-imagined ANU Museum of the Jewish People tells the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. Dive into this dynamic and interactive experience that represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities throughout different periods of history.

• Time for lunch Aroma at ANU

• Volunteer at Leket - Israel’s food bank - Learn about this important leading organization whose sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need. Volunteers go into the fields to pick and gather fruits and vegetables that were not collected during the commercial harvest. You will volunteer at the Logistics Center to help sort and pack the collected produce in preparation for distribution to soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, and homeless shelters.

• Drive to Haifa

• First night of Hannukah- we will find out what is going on and recommend some options for you

• Dinner and evening on your own

• Haifa-The Schumacher

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Visit the Bahai Gardens - Tour the enchanting Baha'i Gardens in Haifa - where earthly beauty meets with spiritual tranquility. Wander through meticulously manicured terraces, adorned with vibrant flowers and ornate fountains, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Haifa's bay. Discover the history of this sacred site and the principles of the Baha'i religion.

• Ride the Haifa cable car - Riding the Haifa cable car is a thrilling and serene experience, as you ascend gently above the city with sweeping views of the Mediterranean coastline, the bustling port, and the lush greenery of Mount Carmel. The quiet hum of the cabin and the panoramic vistas create a peaceful atmosphere, making it feel as though you're gliding effortlessly through the sky.

• Tour of Wadi Nisnas including tasting tour - Wadi Nisnas is one of Haifa’s most colorful neighborhoods, full of narrow streets, picturesque stone houses, and the Wadi Nisnas market. It is a mixed neighborhood that captures the nature and atmosphere of the city of Haifa - a city of many faiths and communities, that live alongside each other in an exemplary co-existence. The Wadi Nisnas market is the place to go and experience some of the local flavors: taste pastries, spiced tea, the best falafel in Israel, and strong Turkish coffee, along with other delicatessens and aromas that will have your mouth watering.

• Museum visit TBD

• Hannukah Candle Lighting- TBD

• Dinner and evening on your own

• The Schumacher

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Begin the day with a hike in the Carmel Mountains

• In Daliyat el Carmel have a Druze Cooking Workshop, Lunch, and conversation - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy a meal of the foods you learned to cook. Get to know your hosts and their culture and history. Hear about the strong bond between the Druze community to the State of Israel and their contribution to the IDF. Dinner is included.

• Drive to Ein Dor- Shabbat at Ein Dor

• Ein Dor- Booked on own

Activities:

• Day with friends

• Ein Dor- Booked on own

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out and drive towards the center of the country

• Agricultural volunteering

• Lunch and tour at Kibbutz Magal Agritour - Visit Netafim, the world-renowned agricultural entrepreneurship (irrigation methods) and Kibbutz Magal’s development of its olive and almond agricultural and production center, a global leader in quality and health. While touring the greenhouses, you will hear from experts on the growing process and Israeli agri-tech solutions, then you will taste a variety of excellent olive oils, and conclude the tour having lunch at the Kibbutz's dinning hall.

• Drive to Jerusalem and check into your hotel

• Hannukah Candle Lighting- TBD

• Dinner on your own

• Cassia Hotel Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Archeological Seminars Institute: Dig for a Day at Beit Guvrin - For a real hands-on and exciting experience head to Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park, in the heart of The Land of Thousands of Caves, and become an archeologist for the day. Take part in the digs at the vast spaces beneath the houses, these caves served as storerooms, olive presses, water cisterns, and later on as safe havens during the time of the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans. Don't miss out on a visit to the amazing Bell Caves in Tel Maresha as well as the impressive Roman amphitheater in Beit Guvrin. This activity is fun for all ages.

• Stop for lunch along the way back to Jerusalem

• Yad Vashem - Visit the museum at Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial to the Holocaust. Tour this memorial to the darkest moment in the world and Jewish history, its children’s memorial, and exquisite gardens. Yad Vashem is an unforgettable place of tribute and remembrance. You'll be guided by a member of the Yad Vashem staff.

• Continue to Mount Herzl - Visiting Mount Herzl Cemetery after the events of October 7 holds profound emotional weight, as it has become a place of reflection and mourning for those lost in one of Israel's darkest days. The site, already a sacred ground for honoring the nation's heroes, now carries a deeper resonance as new graves remind visitors of the sacrifices made in the face of terror.

• Hannukah Evening Tour - Experience the Magic of the Festival of Lights - As the sun sets, wander through one of Jerusalem's oldest residential neighborhoods, see the Hannukah Menorahs lighting the streets, amidst the scenic pathways, delve into the stories and enduring customs of the holiday. Conclude with a sweet treat - Sufganiyot.

• Evening and dinner on your own

• Cassia Hotel Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Visit the newly renovated and stunning Tower of David Museum located in the iconic Citadel of David - The museum has pioneered the use of new and interactive digital technologies, games, and virtualizations that add a new dimension to understanding the site itself and Jerusalem as a whole, emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Climb up to a magnificent lookout to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Old City and the New City spreading on the surrounding hills outside the Walls. This is a great introduction to what you will see in the rest of the day.

• Continue touring the Old City - Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique. explore Jewish history in the Jewish Quarter, spanning from the First Temple era to the present.

• Old City Tasting Tour - Walk through the Muslim and Christian Quarters of the Old City seeing the historical and religious sites. See some off-the-beaten track sites in the winding alleyways and enjoy some Jerusalem delicacies. We will have a “taste of history” that interweaves stories and anecdotes, historical information, and, of course, combines the senses of smell, taste, and sound.

• Tour the recently opened Great Bridge Segment of the Western Wall Tunnels - For a different perspective on the history of Jerusalem and to admire the magnificent and significant remnant in Jerusalem from the days of the Second Temple complex, head underneath the Old City’s buildings to the Western Wall Tunnels. This tour allows visitors to reach the segments of the Wall hidden from view, and walk through fascinating ancient archeological findings that only recently opened to the public. Touch the original stones that tell the story of the Jewish nation.

• Hannukah Candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall

• New Year's Dinner - Hannukah evening

• Cassia Hotel Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Drive to the Dead Sea area

• Get ready to be wowed! Dead Sea Salt Cakes Tour - Discover the natural wonder of the Dead Sea on our Salt Cakes Tour. Imagine towering chimneys of salt, delicate layers of mud and salt, and sinkholes with vibrant hues of minerals. Led by experienced guides, book now for an unforgettable journey of discovery.

• Ein Gedi Ancient Synagogue - The landscape, climatic conditions and water sources at the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve have created a unique ecosystem of springs, waterfalls and pools surrounded by lush greenery in a desolate desert setting. Hike up to and cool off in the refreshing pools and waterfalls of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The stunning Ein Gedi oasis consists of two separate waterways: Nahal David (David’s Stream), and Nahal Arugot, where remains of a 6th-century synagogue were discovered.

• Dinner at the hotel

• Isrotel Kedma Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Hike in the Ein Avdat - The Ein Avdat Spring flows down in a waterfall towards an 8-meter deep pool of water. The canyon is part of Nahal Zin, which is the longest wadi or dry riverbed in the Negev desert.

• Visit Avdat National Park - Heading deep into the Negev desert, stop at Avdat on the ancient Nabatean Spice route. The nomadic Nabateans transported valuable spices, perfumes, and even wine, from the Arabian Peninsula to Europe along this route, over 2,000 years ago. Explore the impressive ruins, and learn the history of the desert’s significance on the culture and flavors of Israel.

• Time to enjoy the hotel facilities

• Dinner at the hotel

• Night Jeep Safari - Take a Negev Desert Night Safari and explore the desert as it comes to life after sunset. With stars overhead and nocturnal wildlife on the move, experience a side of the landscape that few get to see. It’s a unique and memorable way to connect with the desert at night. You'll see animals and reptiles, and hopefully other surprises.

• Isrotel Kedma Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Drive to Tel Aviv and check into the hotel - Stops along the way

• Shabbat Dinner at the hotel or other

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Day on your own - Late check out can be requested at an additional cost.

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Morning to pack

• 12:30 Transfer to the airport for flight home

• We look forward to seeing you again!