Lori Garber Trip- January 2023

Activities:

• 9:20 AM Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - Your VIP agent will be waiting to greet you at the sleeve of the plane. After assisting with arrival procedures and collecting your baggage, you will be taken to meet your driver.

• Meet your driver and ascend to Jerusalem

• Check in to your hotel - Early check-in at the Orient is confirmed (available some time between 12:00-1:00 PM)

• Time to settle in and explore the neighborhood of your hotel

• Dinner at Hatzot restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 6:30 PM.
  Two brothers, Abraham and Michael Ajami founded this landmark family restaurant in 1970. Located in one of the older neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Legend has it that the Meurav Yerushalmi - the favorite Israeli mixed grill dish - was born at Hatzot restaurant.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• You will walk or take taxis today

• Your guide will meet you at the hotel for your first touring day

• Begin your day at the Jaffa Gate - An imposing entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City, the Jaffa Gate is one of the six original entrances built by Suleiman the Magnificent.

• Discover the Old City from the Rampart Walls - Built in the 16th century for patrolling by the Turkish, today you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Old City and the surroundings from here.

• Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall - The Jewish Quarter is best known for the Western Wall, but there’s a lot more to see and do here. See archaeological finds from First and Second Temple periods, Roman ruins, vibrant synagogues, and learning institutions, all which jostle for space within these busy stone streets.

• The Western Wall Tunnels - Explore what’s under the Kotel through the Kotel Tunnels Tour. The Western Wall is impressive, but its greatness is truly discovered when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels.

• The Jerusalem Archaeological Park at The Davidson Center - At the site of the southern excavations, get a glimpse of the glory of the Second Temple, the Jewish kingdom, and the devastation that followed.

• Browse in the famous Arab shuk in the Muslim Quarter - Check out the local humus and sweets here. Visit the many stalls which sell spices, pastries, pottery, sheepskin, embroidered clothes and so much more. Meet store-owners whose stores have been in their family for generations.

• Finish the day with a tour of the Christian Quarter - One of the four neighborhoods of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Christian Quarter is home to a rich tapestry of Christians of many denominations. The historic and impressive Church of the Holy Sepulcher, encompassing the last 5 Stations of the Cross, dominates the area.

• Dinner at Satya restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 6:30 PM.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Depart the hotel at 8:15 AM

• Ein Gedi - 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. We will have the opportunity to hike up and jump in to the refreshing pools and waterfalls found here. This stunning oasis consists of two separate waterways: Nahal David (David’s Stream), where David took refuge from King Saul; and Nahal Arugot, where remains of a 6th-century synagogue were discovered.

• Masada National Park - Ascend by foot or cable car to the top of Masada and explore the scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.

• Lunch and Swim at the Dead Sea - Israel’s Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, a stunning, other-worldly landscape of shimmering blue water ringed by bare, orange and yellow hills. The waters of the Dead Sea hold a potent solution of minerals and salts that have strong healing properties. Together with its ethereal beauty, these health-giving minerals make the Dead Sea’s beaches and spas popular vacation spots for Israelis and tourists alike. Enjoy lunch at one of the Dead Sea Hotels, and swim in the Dead Sea.

• Dinner on your own at Machneyuda restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 7:45 PM.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

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

• Bethlehem - Bethlehem (Hebrew: "House of Bread") is celebrated as the site where Jesus Christ was born. It is a town south of Jerusalem, remembered in the Jewish tradition as the hometown of King David. Joseph and Mary arrived to the city from Lower Galilee during the Roman census - where they had to register, as Joseph was a descendant of King David - "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:4-5)

• Return to Jerusalem - Enjoy some free time, followed by dinner on your own.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out

• Drive to Beit Guvrin

• Visit Beit Guvrin National Park - The caves of Beit Guvrin hold a rich trove of artifacts that have been uncovered over the years. Don’t forget to check out the amazing Bell Caves.

• Drive south with a stop in Beer Sheva for lunch on your own - Lunch not included.

• Stop at Sde Boker to hear about the dream of David Ben-Gurion - Visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, whose vision for settling the desert continues to bloom today. Throughout the day, you’ll see his vision come to life.

• Continue to Beresheet and check in

• Dinner at the hotel

• Optional: Desert sky stargazing - Together with a telescope and an expert star gazer, experience the vast sky of the desert.

• Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Morning hike in Makhtesh Ramon (The Ramon Crater) - Makhtesh Ramon is a type of geological formation found only in Israel and northern Sinai. The steep rock cliffs surrounding a closed valley drained by a single wadi are the product of erosion. Ramon Crater is the largest of three in Israel.

• Jeep ride and picnic lunch in the Makhtesh - Ride through the stunning Negev Desert and get to know the endless variations of the landscape. Explore the area of the makhtesh and immerse yourself in the details of the land around you.

• Take the afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities

• Dinner at the hotel

• Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out

• This morning, enjoy the hotel's facilities

• Lunch on your own - Lunch not included

• Transfer to Tel Aviv - Your driver will pick you up at Beresheet at 2:30 PM to travel to Tel Aviv.

• Check in to your hotel and prepare for dinner

• Dinner at Animar restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 7:30 PM.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Depart the hotel at 8:30 AM

• Ayalon Institute - Visit the Ayalon Institute, a clandestine ammunitions factory built in 1945 by the Haganah. In just three weeks, preparations for the factory were completed and it was code named the Ayalon Institute. Above ground, it appeared to be no more than a kibbutz. However, located eight meters below ground, this was the country's largest bullet factory. It has been said that the bullets manufactured at the Ayalon Institute played a crucial role in the success of the War of Independence.

• Tasting Tour in the Carmel Market - The Carmel Market is the largest market in Tel Aviv. Touring the market reveals the taste of the ages of Tel Aviv in the youthful atmosphere of the city's central market. The established market that was founded over 90 years ago can now reveal its secrets, stories, and legends to you.

• Neve Tzedek - This is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa and currently one of the most beautiful and desired locations in Tel Aviv. It was built by some of the dignitaries of the old Jewish community of Jaffa in 1887. Looking to head out of the ever-growing and over-crowded Jaffa, they built, what was considered back then, modern and comfortable housing. In recent years, after a period of neglect, the neighborhood was restored and has become a trendy fun beautiful part of the city and a good place to try some Israeli Gelato!

• Jaffa walking tour - Discover the ancient and modern situated side-by-side. Stroll through the alleyways of the Old City filled with artist studios as well as archaeological discoveries. Discover which Jewish and Christian stories took place in the city. Wind your way through the Flea Market which features everything from antiques to hip new clothing and design stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars.

• Dinner at La Shuk restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 7:30 PM.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Depart hotel at 8:15 AM

• Caesarea National Park - Caesarea National Park is where King Herod built a large port in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar 2,000 years ago. Visit the Roman Theater, Herod’s palace, the walled Crusader town with its galleries and restaurants and Caesarea’s latest attraction, the Time Trek, a fascinating multimedia presentation.

• Druze Cooking Workshop and Meal - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy the feast you create. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Drive to Akko or Nazareth

• Tour Nazareth or Akko - Israel’s biggest Arab city, Nazareth is a fascinating place, set in the Lower Galilee. It combines traditional, simple Arabic charm, Christian history, and grand old Arabic architecture. Nazareth is home to many important early Christian sites, including the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, and the Synagogue Church, as well as an authentic, living Arab souk (market).

• Return to Tel Aviv

• Dinner at Claro restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 8:00 PM.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enjoy Tel Aviv on Shabbat

• Optional: The Tel Aviv Museum of Art - Here you will understand more about what makes Israeli art into what it is, as well as its relationship with the Zionist narrative and the international art world. A tour through the extensive Israeli collection at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is an amazing way to visually explore the Israeli narrative from the early 20th century until today. What is the story the Arts Establishment tells about Israeli Art?

• Dinner at Mashya restaurant - Not included, reservation made for 7:30 PM.

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Early check out from the hotel

• Transfer to the airport - Your driver will meet you at the hotel at 7:30 AM to take you to Ben Gurion Airport for Flight UA 85, scheduled to depart at 11:30 AM.

• L'hitraot! - We look forward to hosting you again in our beautiful country!