Geer Family Bar Mitzvah Tour

WELCOME TO IsraelNation of the Jewish People

Touchdown at Ben Gurion International AirportIsrael's only international gateway.

Before clearing passport control a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to welcome you at the door of your plane as you exit the plane. You will be transported quickly through the airport, pass immigration at the flight crew counter where passport control is efficiently expedited and continue to facilitate luggage identification and handling; & escort you through customs.

Ascend to JerusalemThe capital of Israel.

Upon your first view of the eternal Holy City, stop for a moment of reflection and davening. Make the “shehehianu” prayer as you gaze upon the Temple MountThe Location of the Temple at Jerusalem from the Has PromenadeProvides a tremendous view of Jerusalem and beyond., as did Abraham when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac; take in the breathtaking view.

Check into the hotel

Spend the evening relaxing, and have Dinner at one of JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s many fine restaurants or the hotel

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

After breakfast, tour the amazing City of King David.

Begin with a breathtaking observation overlooking Biblical JerusalemThe capital of Israel and observe 3,800 years of history dating back in time to the days of Abraham, when the first foundations of the city were laid.

The journey quickly heads underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations at the site. Here, while exploring the recently excavated fortresses and passageways, you will relive King David's conquest of the Jebusite city as described in the 2nd Book of Samuelan important leader of ancient Israel.. The underground tour finally ends at the Gihon Spring, the major water source of JerusalemThe capital of Israel for over 1,000 years and where, according to the Book of Kings, SolomonThe Wise King of Israel was anointed king. The water source of First TempleBuilt by King Solomon, Son of King David JerusalemThe capital of Israel, the Shiloach SpringThe Ancient Spring in Jerusalem lies here.

2pm Reserved Next travel to tour the new Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem Complex, was completed in the spring of 2005 a memorial to the six million innocent victims of the Holocaust.

Located on Har Hazikaron, the Mount of Remembrance, in JerusalemThe capital of Israel, Yad VashemHolocaust Museum in Jerusalem is a vast, sprawling complex of tree-studded walkways leading to museums, exhibits, archives, monuments, sculptures, and memorials. (Children under 10 years of age not permitted entrance)

Take some time to orientate yourself with JerusalemThe capital of Israel; spend the afternoon walking the neighborhood streets of Meah Shearim for some of the best Judaic shopping in the world.

JerusalemThe capital of Israel’s city center is full of amazing boutiques and cafes, take some time to browse and relax.

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

8am After an early breakfast, head to the KotelHoliest place on Earth/ Western Wall to put on tefillin!

After prayers, enjoy brunch at one of the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World local cafes.

11:30am Start at 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.

1pm See the Temple Institute which houses a collection of artifacts from the First and Second Temple Periods.

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

3:40pm Reserved Visit the New Generations Center at the Western Wall Plaza where you will find an unusual and enchanting fusion of many creative elements: music, sculpture, archeology and light effects that together create a masterpiece to delight all the senses.

4:40pm Reserved Descend to 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".

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

After breakfast, depart in an armored vehicle to 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 Chabad Rabbi of Chevron.

Return to JerusalemThe capital of Israel and enjoy a walk & test your “Israeli bargaining skills” at the Machne YehudaJerusalem's Vibrant Market Shuk (open market).

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.

Enjoy a festive Shabbat Dinner at your hotel dining room~!

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

After breakfast at your hotel, head to the KotelHoliest place on Earth for morning services and a Bar MitzvahWhen a Jewish boy becomes 13 years old!

Rabbi Hurwitz will officiate the Bar MitzvahWhen a Jewish boy becomes 13 years old service and Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism Reading.

Return to your hotel for a celebratory Bar MitzvahWhen a Jewish boy becomes 13 years old Shabbat Lunch.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

You may like to take a walk down Ben Yehuda StreetJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall. On Saturday nights, Ben Yehuda StreetJerusalem's Outdoor Pedestrian Mall is one of the favorite gathering places for many young Jerusalemites. There are many artists displaying their jewelry and crafts, as well as many wonderful sidewalk cafes.

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

depart hotel After breakfast depart toward the Dead Sea south through the Judean Wilderness.

Arrive at MasadaAncient Fort on the shores of the Dead Sea - 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 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!

4pm Visit ‘Eretz Beresheit’ / Genesis Land & meet EliezerServant of Jewish Patriarch Abraham, servant of Jewish Patriarch Avraham.

Follow the camel caravan for a traditional desert welcome dinner.

Overnight: Sheraton PlazaExcellent hotel afew minutes distance from the Old City Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

Depart JerusalemThe capital of Israel 9-10am Travel to the ancient remains of Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel – one of the oldest settled sites in the country. This is where, in biblical times, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the city walls by the Philistines. The Beit SheanThe largest and most unique ancient site in Israel National Park houses incredible archeological treasures. If the day is too hot, cool off in the Ma’yan Harod Pool or Huga Park.

Next, stop at Beit Alfa to view one if the most beautiful mosaic floors in the country.

Tour the ancient, magnificently excavated city of Tzippori, home to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasiThe editor of the Mishna. This city did not participate in the rebellion against the Romans, and hence was not destroyed. See an ancient theatre and a villa with a beautiful mosaic floor and other finds from the time of the Mishna.

Walk through the amazing ancient conduit, which brought water to the city.

Visit a 4,500 seat Roman theatre, the Nile Mosaic building, and the giant underground waterworks.

Arrive in TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities and enjoy an evening Cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight: Sheraton Moriah TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

After breakfast, Go ATV”ing in Migdal, not far from the shores of Lake Knerret.

If need be, you’ll have time to travel back to your hotel to change clothing before heading to Gamla – the MasadaAncient Fort on the shores of the Dead Sea of the north, to view the remains of the fortified village, which stood fast against the Romans and was an example to the Jewish nation of the time.

At this battle, over 5000 people died fighting the Romans.

A pleasant 45 minute hike will take you to see Nachal Gamla, the highest waterfall in IsraelNation of the Jewish People, higher than Niagra Falls in USA/ Canada (but not as wide).

1pm Onward further north to Katzrin, which was established in 1977 and was one of the first urban settlements in the Golan. While in Katzrin, see a fascinating audio-visual presentation describing the history of the Golan throughout the ages. Tour the ancient reconstructed Talmudic Village and a partially restored 1,500-year-old synagogue.

Lunch in/near Katzrin

2:00 pm Enjoy wine tasting at the Golan Heights winery in Katzin

4:30pm Reserved Drive to a shooting range in Kibbutz Ayelet HaShachar, a place where some of the secret forces of IsraelNation of the Jewish People are trained and we will practice shooting from an automatic UziIsraeli submachine gun gun, an AK47 (Kalashnikov). This is an exclusive and amazing experience.

Time Permitting, Visit TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities's restored Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World including the artists' colony.

See the unique synagogues such as the Ari Sephardi, Ari Ashkenazi, Ari Beit Midrash, Caro Synagogue, Abuhav synagogue (built in 1490) and many more of the local ChassidimJewish Mystics.

Stop by TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities’s famous candle shop and visit art and sculpture galleries.

Overnight: Sheraton Moriah TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head west to visit Rosh Hanikrah, the northernmost point on the Mediterranean shore of IsraelNation of the Jewish People, where a chalk mountain range meets the sea. The sea carved out a chain of grottoes in the foot of the chalk cliffs. These beautiful grottoes are the main attraction and the view is breathtaking.

Ride from the mountain top down to sea level via cable car.

Explore the Grotto’s formed over thousands of years-truly a wonder of creation.

Further along the coastline, visit the ancient city of AccoAncient Northern Israel Port City (Acre) 14 miles above HaifaIsrael's third largest city, once known as the Crusaders capital of the north. This city is almost 4,000 years old.

Walk on the city walls & Ramparts to the harbor, then through the colorful markets to visit the huge, cool yet spooky Subterranean Crusader Halls. Explore gates, towers, tunnels, and secret passageways!

Situated above these halls is the notorious Acco PrisonAncient Crusader Prison that was built by the Turks and later used by the British to imprison Jewish underground fighters during their struggle against British rule. See a model of a mass escape of over 200 prisoners in May 1947, later made famous by the movie Exodus.

Head South along the coast to Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

Arrive at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers and check in to relax and freshen up before heading out to enjoy dinner on the town.

Overnight: Sheraton Hotel, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

After breakfast head out to view the White City of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center, whose outstanding architecture blends the various trends of the Modern Movement and town planning in the early part of the 20th century.

Browse the shops and experience the unique flavors and ambience of the famous Dizengoff St., Shenken St. & Rothchilde Ave

Learn about the history of the modern state at the Hall of Independence where Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 Declared Independence in 1948. This building was the first modern home in Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center, later to become the Town Hall and eventually the place where we declared our independence as a Jewish Nation.

Visit the spectacular “Palmach MuseumA museum which gives a sense of the period that led to the founding of the state”. Through a modern multi-media presentation, view the history of the Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah from 1941 to the War of Independence and the establishment of the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People

Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center is the business and the cultural center of IsraelNation of the Jewish People. Visit the Diaspora Museum at University of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center. The museum illustrates the life of the Jews in different communities around the world during 2000 years of exile.

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, where fishing boats still depart and return daily with the fresh ‘catch of the day.’

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

Walk along the Promenade which connects the Old JaffaWorld Heritage Site Port to Modern Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center boardwalk full of restaurants and clubs.

The Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center Port in the northern end of the city has been totally transformed into one giant Luna Park: Restaurants, bars, clubs, and other nighttime attractions cover several square kilometers to keep you busy.

Ascend the highest observatory in the Middle East (located on the the 49th floor of the Round Building at Azrieli Center), it's possible to see the coastline that stretches from Ashkelon in the south, to Hadera in the north.

Transfer to Ben GurionFirst Prime Minister of Israel, Declared State Independence in 1948 Airport for the departure flight home where you will be met by a VIPIsraelDont Just See It... VIP It! representative will be waiting to assist you in your temporary departure from IsraelNation of the Jewish People.