The Trip of a Lifetime with Southern Exposure!
Israel is many things to many people: Spiritual magnet for three of the world’s
great religions. A living record of human history. An eons-old repository of stunning archaeological treasures. Beloved homeland to 6 million resilient people, whose roots
wind around the world.
Join your friends from Southern Exposure on this unique adventure to the Holy Land. We will celebrate Israel's vibrant cultural life and stunning natural beauty, while meeting the people who live here and venturing off the beaten path - in style. Along the way, we will examine the religious underpinnings of Israel's long and dramatic history.
This is an adventure for the open-minded, for those yearning to look behind the headlines, beyond the Scriptures and beyond the imagination at a land whose tiny size belies its epic significance to us all.
Travel Dates: A total of 16 days in January - February 2011
Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Exposure
If you are interested in hearing more about this opportunity to visit the Holy Land, please call Southern Exposure at (269) 962-1255 or email southernexposurefarm@comcast.net
to sign up for the upcoming organizational meeting on August 31, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Exposure. (Map)
This meeting is an outstanding opportunity to meet other interested travelers in our community, learn details of the final itinerary, and plan for this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Additionally, there will be several other meetings to study in detail the sites we will visit. This is also a valuable opportunity to network with others and to select a roommate for our trip. Don't miss this chance to see the Holy Land in style!
Overview of Our 2011 Israel Adventure
Places We Will Visit: Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Golan, The Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, and Masada
Cost: $4,199
What's Included:
- Roundtrip shuttle from Battle Creek, MI to Detroit Metro Airport
- Roundtrip international airfare from Detroit, MI
- Accommodations—for 3 nights in Tel Aviv, 2 nights in Nazareth, 2 nights in
the Golan Heights, 5 nights in Jerusalem, 2 nights near the Dead Sea - 26 meals— 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 8 dinners
- Small group discoveries and unique cultural activities
- 24 small group activities plus all shore excursions
- Services of an expert, resident Trip Leader, who speaks English and the native language
- All land transportation
- Porterage for 1 bag per traveler
Reservations and Payments:
- Non-refundable deposit of $500 to hold your reservation (deducted from the $4,100)
- 50% of balance due 90 days from departure date
- Remaining balance due 30 days from departure date
- Southern Exposure reserves the right to cancel due to insufficient enrollment. Your deposit will be refunded.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Fly from the U.S. to Tel Aviv, Israel |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Arrive Tel-Aviv |
| Day 3 | Tour Tel Aviv & Old Jaffa. Visit Ilana Goor Museum & Rokach House Museum. Explore Carmel Market |
| Day 4 | Overland to Nazareth. Discover Caesarea. Visit Haifa. |
| Day 5 | At Leisure in Nazareth. Optional Tour to Akko & Rosh HaNikra. |
| Day 6 | Visit the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Explore Tzipori. Discover Safed. Visit Kibbutz Kfar Haruv. |
| Day 7 | Gamla Nature Reserve. Visit Kibbutz El Rom. Home-hosted lunch in Druze Village. |
| Day 8 | Visit churches at Capernaum & Mount of the Beatitudes. Sail on Sea of Galilee. Enjoy Panoramic View of Jerusalem. |
| Day 9 | Western Wall tunnels. Tour Jerusalem’s Old City. Mt. Zion and Mount of Olives. |
| Day 10 | Yad Vashem. |
| Day 11 | At leisure in Jerusalem. |
Day 12 |
Discussion with a Palestinian woman. Israel Museum. Machaneh Yehuda market. Optional Bethlehem tour. Dinner with members of the Orthodox Jewish community. |
| Day 13 | Transfer to the Dead Sea. Qumran Caves. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. |
| Day 14 | Judean Desert Jeep adventure. Visit Masada. Float in the Dead Sea. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Tel Aviv. Enjoy A Day in the Life of a Bedouin Community. Visit Bedouin village, local school & Women’s Association. Bedouin lunch. |
| Day 16 | Depart Tel Aviv/Fly to U.S. |
Important Travel Information
Physical Requirements: This adventure is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. You must be able to walk and/or hike for 3-5 miles unassisted over the course of each day, often over very rugged terrain. There are also a large number of steps to negotiate at the Western Wall tunnels and at other archaeological sites. You must also be comfortable participating in 6-8 hours of daily physical activities and sightseeing.
Pacing: We will visit 5 regional areas in 16 days with 1 one-night stay. There are several overland drives, including an off-road excursion by Jeep into the Judean Desert along canyons and dry riverbeds.
Terrain: We’ll travel over several city streets, hike along rugged paths and trails, and walk up and down many stairs at various sites in Israel. There are also walks along sandy beaches and desert terrain. You must be in good health and physical condition.
Transportation: We travel via air-conditioned bus (no toilet on board), Jeep, by wooden boat for a lake crossing, and by cable car to reach Masada.
Trip Accommodations
All accommodations are hotel-standard, with a variety of amenities and personal service, as well as private baths with hot showers and Western-style toilet facilities.
Peace Vista Lodge
Golan Heights, Israel
Set on a basalt cliff overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Mt. Hermon, and the Jordan Valley, the Peace Vista Country Lodge complements the natural beauty of its surroundings. We stay in simple but modern air-conditioned, Finnish-style pine cabins with wooden balconies. Each of the 50 cabins has a bedroom; a furnished living area with color satellite TV; a kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, utensils, and coffee and tea provisions; and a full private bath with Jacuzzi. Peace Vista is operated by the Kfar Haruv kibbutz, whose members provide complimentary Golan wines in your cabin at sunset.
Mount Zion Hotel
Jerusalem, Israel
The historic and charming Mt. Zion Hotel is housed in a building that dates back to 1882—when the Turks ruled Jerusalem. It was converted into a hotel in 1986, and today includes modern amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, room service, a restaurant, and spa facilities—including a Turkish hamman-style steam bath. It offers breathtaking views of Jerusalem’s Old City and Mount Zion—site of the Last Supper and of King David’s Tomb. The air-conditioned rooms feature personal safes, wireless Internet, direct-dial phone, hair dryer, and satellite TV.
Leonardo Dead Sea
Dead Sea, Israel
Overlooking the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert, this modern spa hotel gives guests every chance to relax in the local waters, with a private beach for guests and three freshwater swimming pools. Or take advantage of the Leonardo's health spa (including a steam room, sauna, gym, and massage services), concierge services, and the Thalassotherapy treatments for which the Dead Sea region is famous. Your air-conditioned guestroom includes wireless Internet access, satellite television, a minibar, and in-room safe.
If you are interested in this special opportunity, we strongly encourage you to attend the organizational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Exposure.
If you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please call us at (269) 962-1255 or toll free 1(866) 554-HERB (4372) for more information. Thank you!
Israel Trip Organizing Meeting:
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
at Southern Exposure.
If you are interested in hearing more about this opportunity to visit the Holy Land, please call Southern Exposure at (269) 962-1255 or email southernexposurefarm@comcast.net to sign up for the upcoming organizational meeting on August 31, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Exposure.
This meeting is an outstanding opportunity to meet other interested travelers in our community, learn details of the final itinerary, and plan for this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Additionally, there will be several other meetings to study in detail the sites we will visit.
This is also a valuable opportunity to network with others and to select a roommate for our trip. Don't miss this chance to see the Holy Land in style!
Please mark your calendar now for Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010.
RSVP with Southern Exposure at (269) 962-1255 or send your
e-mail message to southernexposurefarm@comcast.net.