Sample 11 days Bar-Mitzvah tour to Israel

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Day 1 – Arrival, Caesarea

Upon arrival we head first for a few days in the north. If wind and time permits we could stop for a unique Paragliding  experience at Netanyah or visit Caesarea  and Atlit Detainee Camp .

Passing by Haifa we view Bahaian Terraced Gardens  before checking in and setting dinner.

Overnight: Western Galilee.

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Day 2 – Jewish Heritage and Charity

The day begins with an act of charity by collecting food for the need at LEKET .

We then continue to Sepphoris , an important Jewish center in Talmudic times, and at nearby Beth Shearim  we explore the burial caves of the biggest Jewish cemetery in the Galilee in antiquity.

Overnight: Western Galilee.

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Day 3 – Exploring the Galilee

This day begins with touring Akko , a central city since Canaanite times and former capital of the Crusaders. We stroll among the antiquities and local market, and visit the British era prison where Jewish underground members were arrested and some executed.

We then continue to Rosh Hanikra Grottoes , where we take a cable car into the caves carved in the soft chalk rock, all at the very border between Israel and Lebanon. After lunch we head up into the upper Galilee, visiting Jewish sites Pqi’in and Bar’am on the way.

Overnight: Eastern Galilee.

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Day 4 – Safed and Kayaks

This rather spiritual morning is devoted to Safed , former center for Kabbalah philosophy and now a known Jewish Artist colony.  We continue to the sources of the Jordan River and possibly hike the Ayun Stream  and waterfalls, and visit Tel Hai where we learn about Trumpeldor and Jewish Pioneering heroism in the early 20^th century.

After a lunch break we could enjoy a refreshing Kayaks  experience along the Jordan River, and in the afternoon tour the Hula Lake Park   seeking some of the plentiful migrating birds common to the site.

Overnight: Eastern Galilee.

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Day 5 – the Golan Heights

This day is devoted to explore the Golan Heights . We ascend to top of Mt. Bental , where one can view both to the Golan heights as well as into Syria, and also explore an unmanned IDF bunker. Nearby we can watch a movie about the OZ 77 unit in 1973 war  , and even go on an ATV tour against the Syrian Border .

For lunch we go to Katsrin where we can also visit the Golan-Magic Visitors center , as well as a local winery and / or brewery, and possibly got for a chocolate workshop experience at De Karina. On the way back we could visit “Kol Shofar“ , a workshop for making a shofar out of rams horns.

Overnight: Eastern Galilee.

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Day 6 – Along the Jordan Valley

Starting to head to Jerusalem, we stop at ancient Jewish sites like Capernaum  , Tiberias, and Hamat Tiberias  , and at Kinneret Farm  we learn about the first Jewish pioneers and poets who also invented the “Kibbutz” farms concept.

After lunch we can explore the Roman city of Beit She’an  , the nearby mysterious ancient synagogue at Beth Alpha  , and possibly go for a swim at the Sachne or Nahal Hakibutsim.

Towards sunset we get to Jerusalem, and great it with a “Sheheyanu” from the Mount of Olives Viewpoint .

Overnight: Jerusalem.

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Day 7 – City of David

We begin exploring Jerusalem at the Biblical site City of David  . Watching a 3d movie at the visitors center we continue into the city’s ancient water systems and possibly walk along the pitch dark 1700 feet long  “Hezekiah’s Tunnel  “. Reaching Pool of Siloam  , we enter the  Herodian Drainage Channel , which takes straight to the face of the Western wall  .

After a lunch break we continue to explore the Jewish quarter at sites like the Burnt house, “Alone on the Walls”   exhibition, or join a tour of the Hurvah Synagogue  .

In the evening you could go to the Tower of David Night Spectacle.

Overnight: Jerusalem.

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Day 8 – Western Wall

This special day begins with a ceremonial reading of the Torah by the Bar-mitzvah boy at the Western wall  , followed by a tour of the Western Wall tunnels   and the “Chain of Generations” exhibition. After branch we head to Gush-Ezion for some unique fan activity in the shape of Live Shooting  and Zip-line .

We could also visit the rehabilitation farm for teenagers in danger in Sde Bar and crawl in caves in search for the tomb of king Herod at Herodium  .

Overnight: Jerusalem.

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Day 9 – to the Dead Sea

A day devoted to the region of the Dead Sea begins with a drive to Masada , to admire the site which witnessed a great drama 2000 years ago. WE could possibly also conduct a Bar-Mitzvah on Masada .

We then continue to a nearby hotel for a lunch + spa break at the Dead Sea, or drive to Kibbutz Ein Gedi   for kibbutz style lunch and a short walk amidst the Ein-Gedi Botanical Gardens . We end the day with a hike to a waterfall in Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve , and on the way back we stop for a view of the caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered (Qumran ), and possibly have a camel ride.

Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 10 – Secrets of the Shefela

Checking out, we move to Tel-Aviv for the last day, yet on the way visit sites like David vs. goliath battle site, and crawl in hideout caves created by the Bar-kokhba Rebels some 2000 years  at Khirbet Midras  .

After a lunch break we join a tour of the 1948 Secret Bullet Factory (“Machon Ayalon”)  , and if time permits, we also visit the popular Palmach Museum  near Tel-Aviv.

Overnight: Tel-Aviv.

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Day 11 – Tel-Aviv

The last day is devoted to exploring Tel-Aviv and its heritage sites. We start with a visit to Independence Hall , where the state of Israel was declared. We continue to Jaffa  and learn about its rich history and scenic views. For lunch we can proceed to the Flea Market  , and continue to Carmel Market  and Nahalat Binyamin Crafts market , ending at Rabin Assasination site , according to the schedules flights we proceed to Ben-Gurion airport for a fairwell and a safe flight back home.

Overnight: Over the Atlantic..