Thanksgiving in Israel - Sponsored Tours by Friendly Planet Travel

Torah Teaching, J. Gould, Beit HaMidrash

Hosted by Jan & Vicky Gould and Linda Smith
November 18 - December 1, 2006

Come, let us go up to the City of our God! To the House of the God of Jacob! What a wonderful time to be in Israel—to study, learn and begin to understand. These amazing days for Israel and the world compel our learning and involvement. You are invited to join us and Stand with Israel by Standing in Israel. We explore God's Covenant Land in a way to excite veteran travelers and newcomers. Scripture becomes action as we learn together and share these prophetic days. We anticipate a unique Thanksgiving in Israel and encourage you to be part of a group you will never forget! Additionally, as we travel to the Communities of Judea and Samaria with Sondra Baras, There, we will fulfill prophecy by planting vines on the hills of Samaria. Your Tour Hosts Jan and Vicky Gould Linda Smith,

Our Touring Program

Ancient Jaffa © IMOT

Saturday, Nov. 18: USA/Israel. Depart from USA on the first leg of overnight flight to Israel. Travel comfortably. Aloft, we have dinner, a little sleep, breakfast and time to contemplate the great adventure ahead.

Sunday, Nov. 19: Tel Aviv. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, after meeting and assistance through customs, we're off to ancient Jaffa, home of Simon the Tanner, where Jonah began his maritime adventure.

Tel Aviv, Israel

After a brief introduction to Israel, we continue to Tel Aviv and our hotel on the Mediterranean Sea for dinner and overnight. Dan Panorama Hotel (D)

Monday, Nov. 20: Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Sepphoris & Nazareth Village. 1948! Join Israel's jubilation as you share the moment when Israel was re-established after 2000 years of exile at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv!

Nazareth, Israel

Drive north to Caesarea, Roman capital of Judea. Visit Sepphoris, an important Galilee city during the life of Jesus, and see the famous Mona Lisa mosaic. To Nazareth Village, where we enjoy lunch and a tour of a farm and village built as an authentic representation of life 2000 years ago. Dedication opportunity at Yardenit (mikvah, baptism). Overnight on the Sea of Galilee at Kibbutz Ein Gev. (B,L,D)

Golan Heights, Israel

Tuesday, Nov. 21: Galilee and the Golan. Our morning begins with a beautiful sail on the Sea of Galilee. Around Galilee and churches, where we remember Jesus' ministry years. Climb the Golan Heights to see fortifications and realize the strategic importance the Golan Heights as we see Syrian fortifications. Kibbutz Ein Gev (B,D)

The Dead Sea © Itamar Grinberg

Wednesday, Nov. 22: Dead Sea. See Belvior, the Crusader Fortress. While heading south, we will stop at the Tabernacle in the Desert and visualize its role in the life after the Exodus. After passing through the Jordan Valley, we experience historic Masada and continue to our luxurious Dead Sea Hotel for swimming and spa opportunity. Overnight at the Dead Sea. (B,D)

Bedouin Photo by Itamar Grinberg © IMOT

Thursday, Nov. 23: Arad, Bedouin Visit, Beersheva, Shephela, Jerusalem. Experience the desert majesty with free-roaming camels and out of the way destinations. Visit Tel Arad, see the caves of Beit Guvrin in the Shephelah, and take a look at the historical lifestyle of the Bedouin.

Jerusalem Old City & Dome of the Rock

Ultimately, up to the City of Gold, Zion, God's holy city, Jerusalem! Approaching Jerusalem, see the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath. Tonight we celebrate an unforgettable Thanksgiving in Jerusalem! Dan Panorama Hotel (B,L,D)

Janusz Korczak & the Ghetto's Children memorial, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem

Janusz Korczak memorial, Yad Vashem

Friday, Nov. 24: Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzl. Our visit to the newly opened Yad Vashem, brings holocaust reality as we see sculpture, the railroad car, children's museum, and the communities. Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery is sobering as you understand the price Israel has paid. Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Tower of David, Old City, Jerusalem

Saturday, Nov. 25: Old City of Jerusalem. Walking tour of the Old City, including the Christian Quarter and Palestinian Quarter. Ecce Homo Convent. St. Anne's. Communion at the Garden Tomb. Visit Rex's Shop and Vic's Armenian Tiles. (B,D)

Western Wall Plaza © Willem Proos

Sunday, Nov. 26: Jewish Quarter. After devotions, we take a thorough look at historical Jerusalem with a visit to the Western Wall and Rabbinic tunnels, Wohl Museum, Third Temple Museum and Southern Excavations. This will be an extremely full and informative day. (B,D)

Jewish Quarter, Old City © IMOT

Monday, Nov. 27: Tour with Christian Friends of Israeli Communities. Up to Judea and Samaria where we'll spend time with Sondra Baras, leader of CFOIC. In view of recent Israeli government expulsions and the world's eye toward these communities, we will see and meet people who are dwelling in the land of inheritance. We will visit an army base, Shiloh where the tabernacle stood for 400 years, and Karnei Shomron. Our schedule will be flexible as we share a variety of activities, including planting vines in Samaria fulfilling prophecy, and have an opportunity to try Hebrew dancing. Weather permitting, there is opportunity for swimming in Samaria. Eshel Ha Shomron. (B,D)

Tuesday, Nov. 28: Gush Etzion, Hebron & Jerusalem. Visit Kfar Etzion and learn about the special history of this area. Enjoy lunch and a fascinating Sound and Light Show in Kfar Etzion. Explore the path of the Patriarchs, including ancient ritual paths and strategic lookout toward Jerusalem. Visit local community and have lunch in the Judaica Center with community leaders.

Hebron Old City & Settlement

Travel south to Hebron, city of the Patriarchs and the first capital of King David. Tour the ancient Jewish neighborhoods, the Bet Hadassah museum and the Machpela cave, Tomb of the Patriarchs of Israel. Meet with local residents and learn about this unique city in Israel. Later this afternoon we'll drive up to Bethlehem for a visit then arrive back in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Dan Panorama Hotel

Wednesday, Nov. 29: Jerusalem. Optional experiences today. Resting, shopping. Selections to be determined. (B,D)

Thursday, Nov. 30: Jerusalem at leisure, Evening departure. One additional day to shop and explore on your own. After dinner, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport to board our return non-stop flight to the USA, departing just before midnight. (B,D)

Friday, Dec. 1: Israel/USA. Arrive in Atlanta this morning and connect to our return flight to Austin, arriving at home later this morning.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Israel, click here.

Thanksgiving in Israel All-Inclusive Prices

From Austin:	$3180
Single Occupancy:	add $520
Personal Tips:	Included
Airline Taxes:	Included
Travel Insurance:	$129* (optional but highly recommended)
* Airline departure taxes, fuel surcharges & airport fees.

Reservations

Please download the reservation application and fax or mail it to us, together with your $300 per person deposit. Fax to: 215-572-9803. Mail to P.O. Box 505, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Reservation application PDF (requires free Acrobat Reader)