Itinerary KE-31-109
Ten jam-packed days of fun lay ahead - you've been warned :)
Monday December 29, 2014
First things first: Day 1, Today you'll get to finally understand your Jewish selves in the context of a collective Jewish past.
This is where our history was made, yo.
Up till this point, you've all been a Hebrew character without a Hebrew past. Abraham had the mission of creating something entirely new whereas, we have both the advantage and the challenge of carrying history with us and like every generation before us we are building the Jewish future.
It's gonna be a long day, people. Stay strong! Shortly after arrival we'll have a nice hike of Tel Azeka which is a part of the infamous Israel National Trial. After lunch we'll continue on to another hike of Beit Guvrin. By dinner time, y'all are gonna be pretty tired. You'll want to get to sleep early because tomorrow there's an early morning wake-up call.
- Landing
- Welcome Circle
- Hike Tel Azeka
- Lunch
- Beit Guvrin
- Dinner
- Overnight stay at Hotel Inbar Arad
Tuesday December 30
A very exciting day is planned. We'll hike Masada at sunrise for a truly epic view and then visit the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea. The minerals are said to have healing properties and slathering mud all over yourself is considered to be a spa-like treatment fit for a Queen! We'll go for a hike after lunch at Sde Boker and witness the beauty of the Negev.
- Hike Masada at sunrise
- Breakfast
- Mineral Beach Dead Sea
- Lunch
- Sde Boker
- Dinner
- Overnight stay at Han Shayarot
Wednesday December 31
It's a new day people ~ Rise and shine! It's time to explore the southern delights of Israel. We'll begin by seeing first hand what Ben Gurion dreamed of - making the desert bloom - only to realize it's not a dream but an amazing accomplishment. Be amazed while hiking Ein Ovdat (get your instagram ready). After lunch we'll have another hike at Sde Boker then ride camels and light the menorah. We'll go from the deep south to the Mediterranean Coast so that you can feast your eyes on the "White City," also known as the "Start-up Nation." In Israel, we call new years eve, "Silvester." Let's say good-bye to 2014 and welcome 2015 in the holy land!
- Breakfast
- Camel ride
- Ein Ovdat
- The Salad Trail
- Lunch
- Htzerim Airforce Base
- Old Jaffa
- Dinner
- Night out Port of Tel Aviv
- Happy New Year ~ Silvester!
- Overnight stay at Bnei Dan
Thursday January 1, 2015 Happy New Year!
To the North! Isn't it amazing waking up in Israel? We'll meet the soldiers ("Mifgashim") who will join us for the next few days. The Romans sure knew a thing or two about water management which can still be seen today. Half of y'all are from Boston so today we've got a special P2K activity between Sister Cities, Boston and Haifa! We'll also get a nice hike of Reches Etzba before dinner.
What a great way to kick off 2015!
- Breakfast
- Meet and greet the Soldiers - Mifgashim
- Caesarea Qesarya Keisarya
- P2K Boston's sister city Haifa!
- Lunch
- Reches Etzba
- Dinner
- Activity
- Overnight stay at Ashdot Yaacov
Friday January 2
We'll start the morning with a tour of the Mystical city of Tzfat (Safed), then we'll learn about our borders and discuss their importance. By nightfall we'll have lit candles and after dinner we'll gather round for Oneg Shababt service, "The Joy of Shabbat."
- Breakfast
- Tzfat (Safed)
- Mt. Arbel
- Lunch
- Kabalat Shabbat
- Dinner
- Oneg Shabbat
- Overnight stay at Ashdot Yaacov
Shabbat January 3
On Shabbat we will experience what it's like to rest in combination with getting that "spiritual thang" on... We'll discuss our new experiences and hear creative responses to Jewish sites and sources. The pace of our schedule will be less hectic than usual, it is Shabbat afterall... Chillin out helps us reflect on the spirit of the day and allows space and time for us to absorb our experiences so far.
- Sleep in - just a little
- Breakfast
- Activity with Soldiers
- Lunch
- Kibbutz walking tour
- Havdallah
- Dinner
- Overnight stay at Ashdot Yaacov
Sunday January 4
Our last day in the North will be spent hiking two more portions of the Israel National Trail and we'll also get a tour of a local winery. At night, we'll prepare for our visit at Yad Vashem and have a discussion.
- Breakfast
- Mitzpe LaShalom
- Ramat HaGolan Winery
- Lunch
- Mt. Bental
- Dinner
- Yad Vashem Preparation
- Last night at Ashdot Yaacov
Monday January 5
Today will be an emotional day of sorts. We'll have a tour of Mt. Herzl and learn about those who fought and struggled to found this beautiful country. We'll learn about our history and have our eyes opened wide at the Yad Vashem Museum. Unfortunately, it'll be time to say our farewells to the Mifgashim. After such a rough day, we'll want to let off a little bit of steam and see what Jerusalem has to offer at night.
- Breakfast
- Mt. Herzl
- Lunch
- Yad Vashem
- Mifgash ends
- Dinner
- Night out Jerusalem
- Overnight stay at Jerusalem Garden Hotel
Tuesday January 6
Rise and shine, people - It's a new day! It's time to explore both ancient and modern Jerusalem and its impact on Israeli society. As we journey through the old and modern, we will discuss the impact both have made on Israel and its people.
- Breakfast
- Has Promenade
- Jewish Quarter - Old City
- Western Wall - Kotel
- Lunch
- Israel Museum
- Dinner
- Last night at Jerusalem Garden Hotel
Wednesday January 7
And last but not least, a day in Tel Aviv! We'll get to see Jaffa - one of the oldest ports in the world along with the very first neighborhood outside its walls, called Neve Tzedek. We'll get to see first hand the busyness of the shuk. Now will be a good time to stock up on all of those souvenirs that we've been dying to buy. Before departing we'll visit the Rabin Center and have nice farewell dinner.
Well kids, it's been fun. Hope to see you again, soon. In Hebrew we never like to say good-bye. Instead, let's say "Lehitraot," which means something like "See ya later."
- Breakfast
- Jaffa Clock Tower
- Neve Tzedek
- Shuk HaCarmel
- Lunch
- Rabin Center
- Wrap up session
- Farewell dinner at Rabin Center
- Departure Ben Gurion International Airport
Trip Information for Parents & Friends
Tour Guide: Gil Shemesh
USA Staff:
- Lior Shalev liors@umass.edu 413-330-6164
- Jaclyn Bar-Zvi jaclyn592@yahoo.com 347-515-5456
Office Number: 1-877-404-9677 (toll free to Israel)
Emergency Contact: Anat Hait in Israel: 011-972-54-678-7836
Email: trips@awesomeisrael.com
Trip Photos: Please like Awesome Israel on Facebook where you, your friends and family can see photos and updates from your trip!
List of Accommodations:
- Hotel Inbar Arad
08-9973303 - Han Shayarot
08-6535777 - Bnei Dan
02-5945655 - Kibbutz Ashdot Yaacov
04-6756404 - Jerusalem Garden Hotel
02-6558888
Trip Number: KE-31-109
Trip Title: 1/2 Campus UMASS| 1/2 National (Ages 18-26)
Flight Information:
Departure to Israel
Departure Date: December 28, 2014
Departure Time: 1:15 pm ET
Departure Airport: EWR - Newark Liberty International Airport
Airline- Flight: El Al LY028
Gateway: EWRTLV
Time you must be at the Airport: 9:15 am ET
Return to the USA
Arrival in USA Date: January 8, 2015
Arrival Time: 6:00 am ET
Arrival Airport: JFK - John F. Kennedy International Airport
Airline- Flight: El Al LY001
Gateway: TLVJFK
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FLIGHT IS A DIRECT FLIGHT
AWESOME ISRAEL - KENES TOURS
Email: info@awesomeisrael.com
Website: www.awesomeisrael.com
Location: Ariel Sharon Blvd 3, Or Yehuda, Israel
Phone: 1(877)404-9677
Facebook: www.facebook.com/awesomeisraeltrip
Twitter: @awesomeisrael