Petersen-Leahy Israel Trip

Activities:

• 5:20 p.m. VIP 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.

• Transfer to Jerusalem - Check into your hotel

• Dinner reservation can be made at Chakra for 9:00 p.m. at the bar - Chakra offers a rotating Mediterranean menu & Israeli wines in modern surroundings with a garden-style terrace. Reservation made, not included.

• Jerusalem- Harmony Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Tour Bethlehem - Travel to Bethlehem and tour with a Palestinian Christian guide. Visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus, the site where the The Church of the Nativity now stands. This is also one of the oldest Christian churches in existence. During the Crusades, it was a primary place of pilgrimage.

• Home hospitality lunch in Bethlehem

• Wine tasting at Cremisan Winery - The Cremisan winery is dedicated to making wine from the land’s indigenous grape varieties. Situated near Bethlehem, the Cremisan Monastery was founded by Father Antonio Belloni, an Italian Catholic monk, in 1885. The meaning of the word is Kerem Zan, the vineyard of Zan. The most striking thing is the terraced vineyards and olive groves in the shadow of the Monastery and winery. Visit the winery, hear the history of the place, and taste the wines made from native vines.

• Return to the hotel

• Evening to explore downtown Jerusalem after the end of Shabbat

• Jerusalem- Harmony Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enter the Old City through 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. The Jaffa Gate is full of fascinating details, like the abrupt right-angle turn within the gatehouse, the chamber above the gate, and the huge mezuzah, which is new since the time of Suleiman.

• In-depth tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Christian Quarter - The church is situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary and contains the last five Stations of the Cross, including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of this site so holy to Christendom.

• 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 Muslim and Jewish Quarters - Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique. In the Jewish Quarter, uncover the layers of Jewish history from the time of the First Temple until the present day. See the Temple Mount, holy to Muslims and Jews. Throughout the tour explore the complexity of a city that is holy to the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Take the light rail to the Machane Yehuda Market - In the heart of Jerusalem sits this bustling, multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor. Immerse yourself in the world of Middle Eastern cuisine as you indulge in a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda Market. Learn about the market's rich history, and meet the vendors who bring this place to life, as you experience the vibrant energy unique to this iconic culinary destination.

• First stop-Thinkers Distillery - "At Thinkers we maintain pace with all the new developments and painstakingly connect the old together with the new to fulfill our mission of taking spirits further. Our Jerusalem distillery is part research library, part chemistry lab, part advanced technology workshop, part mind and behavior study center, part design studio, and 100% passion. It’s not easy, but we will never put any product into a bottle unless we are convinced that is has been furthered in every way into the best in class."

• Jerusalem- Harmony Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain from the east to explore Masada, 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.

• Time in the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek Beach - 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.

• Hike in Ein Gedi National Park - This beautiful nature reserve features Nahal David, a spectacular water hike for all ages. Trails in a range of levels of difficulty take you alongside and through the cool, fresh waters of Nahal David, down waterfalls, along jaw-dropping canyons, and past caves. If you’re both quiet and lucky, you might even glimpse the sure-footed ibex and other local animals.

• Return to Jerusalem

• OR Free Day

• Jerusalem- Harmony Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• If you do not go to the Dead Sea on Monday, you can go there only to the Dead Sea itself before heading to the north. - At 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Known in Hebrew as "The Sea of Salt", it is also one of the saltiest lakes in the world - with about 34.2% salinity.

• Drive to Nazareth

• Tour of Nazareth - Set in the Lower Galilee, Israel’s biggest Arab city, Nazareth, is a fascinating place. 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).

• Lunch on your own in the Market - The Nazareth Market was established in the 17th century and originally its districts were divided according to themes- the Brides’ Market, the Vegetable Market, the Tinsmiths’ Market and the Carpenters’ Market were among the main ones. Today these sections remain only in memory but the market is still bustling with activity and authenticity.

• Continue to Sindayanna of the Galilee - Sindyanna of Galilee, a female-led non-profit that actively promotes the concepts of “business for peace” and Fair Trade in Israel. Sindyanna’s premium products are sold in the international marketplace according to Fair Trade principles with the profit being channeled back locally to Arab women’s education. Taste their excellent olive oil and learn about the craft of basket weaving that they teach women in order for them to earn money.

• Drive to the hotel and check in

• Dinner option: Magdalena Restaurant - Magdalena Restaurant with a view of Mt. Arbel that offers innovative Galileen cuisine with a Mediterranean touch.

• North- Vered Hagalil, Nof Ginosar, or Gomeh

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Begin the day with Michael's Baptism at Yardenit - The Baptismal site Yardenit is situated at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. This is where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee on its way down to the Dead Sea. These are the waters in which Jesus was said to have been baptized by John the Baptist.

• Walk on Water Kayak in the Sea of Galilee - Paddle to the Greek Orthodox Church (The Apostles Church), and take coffee break in the church's fantastic garden. Continue paddling to Capernaum, Jesus's hometown and port. We will speak about the Jordan river and its different outlets from the lake during the last 5000 years, and provide and excting look at this strategic area during the Crusaders time and the 1948 Independence War. Next to the Jordan River we will learn about the preparation of limestone tools (15,000 years ago) and will find some sharpened stones used during that time.

• Visit the Christian sites in the Galilee

• Capernaum - Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a fishing village in the days of Jesus. This is where Jesus called his first disciples, the brothers Peter and Andrew. The remains of the ancient village were excavated starting the 19th century - some of the findings are a testimony to the rich Jewish lives in the early Roman times, and the existence of a Judeo-Christian community as Christianity grew and evolved in the land. Amongst other astonishing relics, we can still visit a very well-preserved synagogue and remains of the House of Peter and the Byzantine church that was built over it. A modern octagonal church is situated above the site nowadays - its glass floor allows a look at the remains under it. As the place in which Jesus, Peter, and the Apostles lived and preached, Capernaum is a main site of pilgrimage for Christians.

• The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish - The modern Church of the Multiplication marks the site where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, and where he appeared after the resurrection. The 4th century Byzantine mosaic depicting the miracle is still visible on the floor, and a glass panel reveals the foundations of the original church.

• Primacy Church of St. Peters - On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a modest grey Franciscan chapel and a small Crusader building mark the site where Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection and tested St. Peter before appointing him leader of his church. The rock in the middle of the church floor is believed to be the Mensa Christi, where Jesus prepared and ate breakfast with his disciples.

• Mount of Beatitudes - Mount of Beatitudes is a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. A Catholic Church was built 1930's by the well-known "Architect of the Holy Land" Antonio Barluzzi, using the local dark basalt stone. Its octagonal walls commemorate the Eight Beatitudes, each graced with the first words of one of the eight verses of the Sermon on the Mount. The church is surrounded by a marvelous garden, that allows the visitors a quiet place to contemplate and pray.

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

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Begin driving to Tel Aviv

• Stop at Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea National Park is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Here, amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and magnificent modern residences sit side-by-side. The city was initially built by King Herod in the 1st century BC, who dreamt of a major seaport to connect the Province of Judea with Rome. For this purpose, the king's men designed an entirely artificial harbor that was in use for about a millennium. Caesarea became a central city in Roman and Byzantine times as can be seen from the massive archeological remains on site. View the spectacular Roman amphitheater, still used today as a performance venue, as well as the hippodrome that held 20,000 spectators for chariot races.

• Continue to Tel Aviv

• Tour Old Jaffa - Jaffa is one of the most ancient port cities in Israel and the Mediterranean basin. Today, Jaffa is a mixed city, where Jews and Arabs live alongside each other. Tel Aviv, Jaffa's younger sister, was established centuries later, in the year 1909. Though the two were united into one municipality in 1949, each part has retained its unique feel and atmosphere. Jaffa has been regenerated in recent years with the old narrow streets and courtyards becoming a highly popular part of Tel Aviv’s urban tapestry.

• Check into the hotel

• Dinner at a restaurant - We can make recommendations and reservations, not included

• Tel Aviv Pub Crawl

• Tel Aviv-Market House Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Free day to explore Tel Aviv

• 8:45 p.m. transfer to the airport for departure flight