Israel Chanukah Tour
On 9th to 14th December 2012 – 6 days 5 nights
Start Jerusalem conclude Tel-Aviv
A lot of thought and effort has been put into creating this tour in order to give you a perspective on Israel you are unlikely to have seen before. Specialist guides have used extensive knowledge of the country to provide a fun, informative and tasty experience. This itinerary is not something that you will find offered in any other framework. Accommodation is in lodgings which are 4* standard or higher lodgings & hotels or equivalent and in some cases higher. The varied programme aims to introduce you to a side of Israel you have never got to know even though you maybe a frequent visitor . The agenda involves :-
Days 1-3 will focus on the people of the desert, their dreams, their achievements and their diversity.
Days 4-6 will concentrate on the centre and the Galil, the natural resources, the innovations and the beauty.
Day 1 Sunday 9th December 2012
Leave Jerusalem and start the day with a visit to a winery combining biblical themes with modern technology. After the wine tasting visit the Inn of the Good Samaritan where we will view fabulous mosaics from Jewish and Samaritan synagogues and churches, all from locations within Judah and Samaria. We will also put a new spin on the well known fable of the Good Samaritan. Lunch (meaty)
Tour Qumran, the home of the Essenes, a break away Jewish sect in the time of the 2nd temple and the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Overnight in Ein Bokek (the Dead Sea).
Day 2 Monday 10th December 2012
Depart hotel 11.00 giving people a chance to use spa facilities or swim in the Dead Sea.
Travel to a community of Indian Jews complete with imported synagogue from Cochin, India. Tour their synagogue and heritage centre and enjoy a traditional Indian lunch (meaty).
Visit Sde Boker, and see David ben Gurion’s retirement home in the Negev.
Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon staying in Pundak Ramon (The Ramon Inn).
Night tour star gazing over the crater.
Day 3 Tuesday 11th December 2012
Morning activity in the Ramon Crater (hike or camel, bike or horse ride) depending on what you choose. Bedouin Hafla lunch (meaty)
Further activity to be decided (winery, possibly olive oil or evening chanuka activity in Jerusalem)
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 4 Wednesday 12th December 2012
Start the day with the luxurious combination of pearls and wine and see how philanthropy and new immigrants are included in this wonderful mix. We will continue with the theme of pampering as we visit a boutique chocolate factory for a tour and tasting. Lunch (dairy)
(Possibility of visiting a micro brewery or boutique olive oil farm) Overnight coastal plain.
Day 5 Thursday 13th December 2012
Tour of Acre, home of Crusader remains, a British prison and a Turkish bath-house, to name but a few of its jewels. Tour Rosh HaNikra with its stunning grottoes and crashing waves. Lunch (dairy)
Tour of winery and adjacent dairy and sampling of their products.
Overnight country lodging in Vered HaGalil
Day 6 Friday 14th December 2012
Either horse riding or biking in Vered Hagalil Or Visit a honey and silk farm and a 5th century synagogue and then visit a winery for lunch travel to Tel Aviv
The cost of the trip is £995 pp covers sharing a room inclusive of full board meals [not drinks] single supplement is £295 costs and price includes all trips coach travel guides and museum entry fees but not tips and fares to Israel or any costs in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. To book this trip requires a refundable deposit of £75 per person which will only proceed if 30 people book