Epstein Family Israel Experience

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 & Check into your hotel to freshen up and relax.

• Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing.

• Overnight: King David 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..

• Enter the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World walls and 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.

• 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.

• 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".

• 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.

• We visit the Pools of Bethesda and walk on along the Via Dolorosa, following the 14 Stations of the Cross from Pilate's Judgement Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

• Evening at leisure

• Overnight: King David Hotel, JerusalemThe capital of Israel

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

• Stop at the Qumran National Park, made famous as the place where the Dead Scrolls were found in 1947. Qumran was built in 150BCE and destroyed by the Romans in 70AD; its stonework is still well preserved.

• 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.

• 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!

• Driver south through the Negevthe desert region of southern Israel through to Eilat.

• Overnight: Hotel Dan, Eilat

• You can hire a Jet Ski or a motorboat, take a Banana ride or go for a slow rowing on a pedal boat; go water-skiing, windsurfing and parasailing, or relaxing pleasure cruises, all availale at yor fingertips from the different Eilat beaches. & marina.

• Enter the underwater observation pod at the Underwater Observatory, at one of the largest seaquariums in the world, built into a coral reef. Also check out the observation point to view a shark pool, large aquarium, and a simulator of an underwater voyage.

• Take an underwater safari tour on the Coral 2000 cruise to explore coral reefs or visit Dolphin Reef, to Swim with Dolphins

• Head over to the New Kings City Amusement Park!

• At the New Kings City you can Travel Back in Time; A sensational experience including 3-D and 4-D movies, with moving seats, offers an amazing view of Ancient Egypt and the time of the pharaohs.

• Visit the Cave of Illusions; An enormous cave containing 65 interactive elements, giant mazes, a room of distortion mirrors, crazy projections and much, much more… an unending experience of excitement and surprises!

Children will love the The Biblical Cave; A 360 meter long cave carved into the rock. An elevator takes visitors 60 meters into the depths of the earth where they can wander freely among the displays that tell Biblical stories through sight and sound. Nest, visit the King SolomonThe Wise King of Israel’s Waterfalls; A breathtaking cruise through King SolomonThe Wise King of Israel’s Halls. The trip ends with an enormous heart-stopping water-slide into an artificial lake.

• Overnight: Hotel Dan, Eilat

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head to Petra, Jordan the most famous and gorgeous site in Jordan. This is an amazing city carved into the actual stone mountain-side almost 2,600 years ago!

• Return to Eilat and transfer from the Eilat Airport for a short one-hour domestic flight to Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center.

• Transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.

• Overnight: David Intercontinental, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

• After breakfast, the Ayalon InstituteSecret Underground Ammunitions Factory Museum, situated north of the city of Rehovot. This was the first clandestine bullet production factory operated by members of the Hatzofim Aleph, Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah, and Habonim pioneer groups during the British Mandate rule. After viewing an audio-visual presentation we will discover the secret entrance to the underground bullet factory, which was so successfully disguised from the British!

• Cross the Ayalon ValleyAncient Israel Battleground, a major battlefield throughout history. The Latrun Police StationAn old British police station and prison. located here was the scene of much bloodshed during the War of LiberationThe 1948 Arab-Israeli War in 1948 and was liberated from Jordanian rule in 1967. Visit the Memorial Wall and view a short, moving audio-visual documentary offering a more in-depth explanation of the battles fought here. Tour the Armored Brigade MuseumExhibitions of the Armored Corps Legacy housing an impressive exhibit of armored vehicles

• 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!

• Overnight: David Intercontinental, Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center

• After breakfast, 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.

• The Carmel Market is imbued with oriental flavor, on of the few places in the city that reminds visitors of Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center’s Middle Eastern location. Tour the aromatic and enticing stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables, hot breads and spices.

• The intriguing Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair (open every Tuesday & Friday) for more than 250 Israeli artists presenting their handcrafts, jewelry, judaica and interesting gifts; also live music, glassblowing, and life street performances on a regular basis.

• 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.

• Day at Leisure in Tel AvivIsrael's largest city and biggest commercial center.

• 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.