Sroka Family Vacation

• After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological discoveries excavated in the Western Wall Tunnelslabyrinth of passageways at the Temple Mount. Inside, a most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and history of the inhabitants of JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Stand on the site believed to be the nearest spot to the "Holy of HoliesThe room in the Jewish Temple where the Ark of the Covenant stood".

• Enjoy a visit to the Davidson CenterThe Jerusalem Archaeological Park – the newly opened visitors’ center, located at the JerusalemThe capital of Israel Archaeological Park.

• Tour the Southern Wallone of the most important archeological projects in recent history Excavations where some of the most important archaeological discoveries have been unearthed, proving this to be one of the key areas of JerusalemThe capital of Israel. Amongst these remains is a complex of royal palaces dating back to the 7th century.

• Take a Guided tour of the Jewish Quarter that was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the "CardoThe heart of Jerusalem's Old City Jewish quarter", meaning the "heart" of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. Nearby see the four Sephardic synagogues.

• Stop over at the Tzemach TzedekChabbad Shul in Jerusalem Shull, established by the Chasidim of the Tzemach TzedekChabbad Shul in Jerusalem. The only Shull that survived the war in ’48.

• Visit the excavated ruins of a “Burnt House” that was part of JerusalemThe capital of Israel during the Second Temple period. These burned ruins remained undisturbed until they were uncovered in the 1970’s.

• On to the excavations of the Herodian Mansions, located beneath the present-day Jewish quarter, showing how the high priests and wealthy Jerusalemites of old lived.

• Then visit the remarkable JerusalemThe capital of Israel Museum, (David’s Tower Museum) located in the impeccably restored ancient Citadel.

• After breakfast depart to the Dead Sea area traveling south through the Judean Wilderness.

• Arrive at Massada - Ascend the cliff top fortress by cable car, or for the more daring, ascend the snake path just as the Jews did thousands of years ago.

• Explore the ancient remains of the fortifications, King HerodA notorious king, ruled in the time of the second temple's palace, storerooms and baths. Discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times with your guide

• Descend by cable car. It is possible to descend on foot via the old Roman RampWall erected by the Romans in 72 CE, or again via the snake path.

• Take in the beauty of the natural Ein Gedi WaterfallJust north of Masada, a desert oasis of hiking trails, waterfalls and lush greenery, take a light hike along a waterfall oasis, whose beauty exudes vibrant hues of green, red, blue and yellow, a small slice of heaven.

• Continue along the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and a rich source of minerals for export. Take a swim or ‘float’ & let the buoyant waters support you as you relax on your back and think of nothing else but the sea and the salt all around you!

• Late return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• Day at leisure

• Day at Leisure

Towards evening.....WELCOME SHABBAT AT THE KotelHoliest place on Earth

• As the sun sets preparations will be made for welcoming the Shabbat with prayers and dancing at the KotelHoliest place on Earth. As you enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, look around you and notice how people from all corners of the world enter through the various Gates with one purpose in mind, to welcome the Shabbat Bride at the holiest place on earth.

• In the morning, attend davening at the Tzemach Tzedek ShulChabbad Shul in Jerusalem in the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World or The Great Synagogue, or a shulJewish House of Worship of your choice.

• Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

• In the late morning, depart in an armored vehicle and then stop for TehillimBook of chants composed mainly by King David and supplication at the very special site of Rachel’s Tomb. (Pending military approval)

• Learn about the history of the struggle for Gush Eztion in a moving multimedia sound a light presentation at Kefar Etzion.

• Onto the holy city of Chevron, visit Ma’arat Hamachpela where our patriarchs and matriarchs are buried: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaacov and their wives. Walk in their footsteps and those of King David, Ruththe great-grandmother of King David, and the holy Tzadeket Menucha Rochel. Tradition also holds this to be the burial place of ‘Adam & Eve.’

• Meet some of the very special families who live in this special neighborhood & Rabbi Danni Cohen the Rabbi of Chevron who will guide you and explain the history of Hebron both ancient and modern.

• Return to your hotel in JerusalemThe capital of Israel to freshen up before dinner.

• After breakfast travel south and participate in Archeological Seminar's "Dig for a Day" program at Beit Guvrin, uncover actual artifacts as you participate in an ongoing archeological dig.

• Explore The Bet Guvrin National Park, containing limestone caves, underground cisterns, make sure to get a map at the entrance!

• Evening to relax in JerusalemThe capital of Israel

• After breakfast tour the brand new “Mini-IsraelNation of the Jewish People,” where you can see over 350 detailed, miniature crafted exact replica models of historical, religious, archeological and modern sites throughout IsraelNation of the Jewish People – those you have just seen during this trip and those you will want to see next time!

• Travel to Jaffo

• Browse the shops and experience the unique flavor of the famous Dizengoff St

• Notice the amazing old and new architecture as Bauhaus design mixes with modern skyscrapers.

• Continue to Visit "HaCarmel" market –the open air shuk (market) for the fresh fruit and vegetable of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center.

• In nearby JaffaAn ancient port city near Tel Aviv is a flourishing flea market (shuk hapishpeshimFlea Market) where you can test your bargaining power and pick up a few souvenirs and presents from the array of old, new, antique and odd objects on sale. These range from furniture, pottery, brassware, rugs and clothing.

• Visit Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site port that was the most important port at the ancient times. Through this port the cedars from Lebanon were imported in order to build SolomonThe Wise King of Israel's Temple in JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

• Visit the artist colony and the galleries of Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site

• Spend the afternoon just relaxing in IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s MetropolitanWonderful Accomodation at the heart of Tel Aviv city.

• In the morning visit the Caesarea National Park contains an impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome, a horse-racing arena that could seat 20,000; also a giant headless statue on Byzantine StreetAncient Street of Shops & Mansion, and the Roman AqueductsAncient Roman Structures.

• Spend the afternoon swimming on the beach in Caesarea.

• Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel to relax for the evening.