Israel Bar/Bat Mitzvah - 12 Days

Sit back and enjoy your overnight flight to Israel.

“Bruchim Habaim” and welcome to Israel. A Simcha Tour representative at the airport will warmly greet you and bring you to your hotel. After you have checked into the hotel, you are invited to a private lounge in the hotel for a festive welcome dinner where you can mingle with your fellow travellers. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Begin the day with a trip to the top of Mount Scopus, one of the few places from which both the Dead Sea and the Dome of the Rock can be seen. Marvel at your first panoramic view of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade. Together with the members of the tour, collectively, we recite. the "Shehechayanu" blessing and toast l'chaim to celebrate your visit to Israel. Enter via the Zion Gate, which leads to the Armenian Quarter, and walk through the restored Jewish Quarter, passing the excavated Roman Cardo. At the revered Western Wall, a specially arranged walk takes us through a newly opened 1200-foot-long tunnel excavated at the time of King Herod and used as an aqueduct to channel water to the Temple. On our way to the Israel Museum, we will pass by the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, where there stands the 5m – seven-branched bronze Menorah, the symbol of the Jewish people.

Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves to participate in a 3-hour program of digging, sifting and touring Beit Guvrin National Park. Who knows what we might find on our archeological dig at Tel Maresha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Continue to Rehovot to visit the Ayalon Institute, a secret underground ammunition factory where you will learn about the bravery and ingenuity of pre-state freedom Hebrew fighters. Pay a visit to the Yad La-Shiryon Museum in Latrun (between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv/Jaffa). Famous worldwide for its unique and diverse collection of tanks and armoured vehicles, this is a `hands-on` visit for the children as they can climb up on the combat tanks. This was the staging area for the Independence War. At the Armor Corps Museum, learn about the battles that secured the road to Jerusalem, which led to victory. Our last visit today is the Machne Yehuda Market (Shuk). You can taste on your own from various cuisines. Returning to our hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

This is the BAR/BAT MITZVAH DAY. Drive through the Judean Wilderness to Masada. A cable car ride will whisk you to the top to view the excavations of the Herodian palace, storerooms, bathhouse, & water Reservoirs. Visit the ruins of the small Synagogue which served the Jews of Masada and the Beit Midrash (Torah Study Hall). Your guide will retell the harrowing tale of the 967 zealots (men, women, and children). Here, we will meet our Rabbi. Descend by cable car and head to the Dead Sea. After lunch, the Dead Sea and spa, we head to the mountains between Jerusalem. A convoy of camels will be waiting to pick us up at (Eretz Beresheet) where the story of Abraham will be recreated. Enjoy a Festive Bar/Bat Mitzvah Dinner in Abraham's tent, followed by a Menorah Lighting Ceremony. An entertainment group will celebrate our Simcha through the evening with dancing, singing, drummer circle and other surprises. A magical evening is in store for us. This will be an evening you will never forget!

Our day begins with a sombre visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust. See the poignant Children’s Pavilion, the new Holocaust Museum, and the Valley of Destroyed Communities, where the names of 5000 lost communities have been inscribed on the stone walls. After such a difficult visit to Yad Vashem, we need our tranquil time and to change our mood by visiting Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, where it is happening; lots of locals are celebrating the coming of the weekend by spending time on this beautiful, exciting and happening street of Jerusalem, Cafes, shops around to explore. Return to the hotel in Jerusalem to dress for Shabbat. We are blessed to be able to celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem. Now it's time to experience a ``Shabbat of a Lifetime, `` which includes Kabbalat Shabbat, dinner and hospitality, Jerusalem style. Afterwards, take a short walk back to the hotel. Overnight Jerusalem. (Breakfast, Dinner)

In observance of Shabbat, Today is a free day; families can explore the Old City and the Jewish Quarter, one of the four quarters of the Old City. Or relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Jerusalem. (Breakfast)

Leaving Jerusalem behind, we head for the Galilee and Kfar Kedem, situated between Tiberius and Haifa, next to Tzippori, where a hands-on experience will transport us back in time to life as it was in a Jewish village in the Galilee some 2000 years ago. Wearing authentic clothing, you will ride donkeys, turn wheat into bread and feast on a rustic Galilean meal. This is an experience not to be missed. Light lunch will be served at the village under a tent. We continue to Safed, one of the four holy cities and Kaballah's home (Jewish mysticism). This charming town, filled with cobblestoned streets and lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries, offers breathtaking views of Upper Galilee. Arriving to our destination at our hotel, you are invited for our second wind of celebration in the north, our chef will prepare an outdoor B.B.Q dinner for our families sitting around a Bonfire, an evening under the open sky in the north with great food and company. Overnight Kibbutz.

Explore the geopolitically vital Golan Heights by private jeep this morning. Travelling along the off-beaten track, we will hear about the decisive battles fought in this area. In Biblical times, referred to as Bashan, the captivating beauty of the Golan became more beautiful the higher you went. Stopping at an observation point overlooking Kuneita and Syria will give you a meaningful perspective on the significance of the strategic Golan Heights. Now, for some fun, we head to Ein Zivan to participate in chocolate making at the famous De’ Karina chocolate factory. Hear about the history and culture and participate in a “hands-on workshop.” For the adults, we will visit a winery. This afternoon is set aside for more fun as you raft and zip line on the mighty Jordan River. Tonight, have a special dinner with members of the Kibbutz and engage with Kibbutzim on the principles of Kibbutz life. Overnight Kibbutz.

We set our sights on the Tel Dan National Park combining a lush nature reserve with a Biblical archaeological experience with three easy hiking routes and a short wheelchair-accessible trail. Tel Dan, the capital of the ancient northern kingdom, is at the heart of the park. The Dan River, one of the sources of the Jordan, flows through the reserve, its water coming from the snowmelt of nearby Mount Hermon. A wading pool offers a refreshing break. On top of Mt. Carmel, we stop at the Druze Village of Ussifiya for a traditional Druze lunch hosted by a Druze family and learn about these unique Israeli citizens. En route to Tel Aviv, if time permitted, we would visit the ancient port city of Caesarea, built by King Herod the Great about 25-13 B.C.E. In less than one hour, we will be in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv and checking into your hotel, the David Intercontinental, with some downtime for relaxing by the hotel's great pool or the beautiful Mediterranean beaches.

OPTIONAL: POWERED PARACHUTE AT GA’ASH (Cost $195 per person) Take a leisurely morning or Optional “Flying a Powered Parachute” program. You will be transferred to Kibbutz Ga’ash, where you will meet your trainer/pilot and fly with him for about 20 minutes over the Mediterranean shore. You will be able to see Israel from both sides (Ask for details). Around 11 AM, we will start our day with a Graffiti tour in the Florentin neighbourhood and then visit the Levinsky Market – chosen to be one of the best markets in the world - where you can enjoy lunch on your own from a large variety of different cuisines the market has to offer—this afternoon, moving on to ancient Jaffa, where Jonah began his adventure with the whale. A perfect place for people to watch and good food. Take a short walk through the restored town before returning to Tel Aviv, with its narrow byways filled with artist galleries and cosmopolitan shops. A city full of secrets, surprises, and adventures.

After breakfast, a transfer to the airport will be provided 3-4 hours before their departure.