Jerusalem

Dome of the rock and Church of Mary Magdalene in the back.

Mosaic of Old Jerusalem

Synagogue

Today we toured the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, visited the Western Wall, previously called the Wailing Wall, went to the Mount of Olives and finished the day at the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was a full day and I think we are all tired.

View from King David Tower

We saw all the different parts of the Old City behind the wall.  Learned that the Old City was built and destroyed several times, visited four synagogues and then had lunch.  Jerusalem is still full of contrasts.  You will see Orthodox Jews and Arabs side by side.  At the Western Wall, it is men on one side and women on the other.  An Orthodox Jewish man was dispensing blessings by shaking hands and when I extended by hand, he ignored me.  The guide said Orthodox men do not touch women that are not their wives.  The men that he blessed only gave a dollar for the blessing.  I told him too bad, I would have given $20.  OK, so it is not true, but I wanted to give him something to think about.

Every time we turned a corner, we were in a different century.  Also, very few cars are allowed in the Old City, so everyone walks.   The British mandated that all building would be done in sandstone or the sand colored rocks.  The City of Jerusalem has kept that standard and the city has a uniform look to it. 

Western Wall

Mount of Olives

Making Friends

The most moving part of the day was at the Gardens of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony.  This was where Jesus prayed before being crucified.  It is a somber church and it is very moving when you touch the rock Jesus prayed upon.  

Church of the Agony

Garden of Gethsemane

Haifa to Akko to Jerusalem

Jim in front of Colony Hotel in Haifa

El Jazeer Mosque

We left Haifa and journeyed to Akko, the home of many crusader ruins from the 11^th and 12^th century.  It was a full day walking though ruins and going through tunnels under the city.  It is not unusual for cities to be built one upon another in this part of the world.  This means there are many tunnels to explore.  The lowest level excavated belong to the crusaders and the upper levels were from the Turks.  We visited the mosque of El Jazeer.  Not a very nice person but he was the Arab that was able to defeat Napoleon after he left Jaffa.  Napoleon was just not successful in this part of the world and his world did not get any better once he returned to France.

Crusader dining room under the city of Akko

We had lunch at Uri Buri.  It was a 3-hour lunch that left all of us refusing food at the end.  Since many of my traveling cohorts had wine at lunch, the group was very quiet on the way to Jerusalem.  We arrived in Jerusalem at sunset and then went to our hotel, The David Citadel Hotel.  Trust me, this is not a boutique hotel.  It is wonderful.  We are all thrilled with the hotel.

One of the tunnels in Akko.

Mosaic from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

We took a walking tour and went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  We just got in and were hurried through.  We were in this cramped small area.  I have to remember we were in a crypt that was not meant to have thousands of visitors a day.  It has been a full day and Jerusalem is a city of contrasts.  On the way to the Jaffa Gate in the Old City, we walked through an open-air mall that could be located in any city in the US.  Jerusalem is not like any city I have ever seen.  Tomorrow will be another full day.

Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Ancient Boat at Sea of Galilee and Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth

The Jesus Boat

Going to our boat on the Sea of Galilee

Cruising on the Sea of Gailee

We had a full day of events.  After breakfast, we left for the Sea of Galilee, which is really a fresh water lake.  Another one of those lost in translation issues.  We visited a museum with the ancient boat.  Actually they call it the Jesus Boat.  It makes sense but just sounds funny.  Any way, they found the boat in the mud and worked for years to preserve it before building the museum.  They are not saying Jesus was on the boat but the boat was in use in the time of Jesus.  Not to be cruel but once I saw the boat I could understand why Jesus decided to walk.  During the cruise we had a Hora dance lesson.

Sea of Galilee

Hora dance lesson.

Then we visited the first kibbutz that was established in 1910.  It started out as a commune but as successive generations have come about, the rules have had to change.  The kibbutz is still functioning but not as it did originally.

Original Kibbutz buildings.

Crossing the Jordan River

This is St. Joseph's church.

After the kibbutz, we had a wonderful lunch and then a visit to the Church of Annunciation.  It is a modern church and the bottom level has the remains of the home of Mary, Mother of Jesus.  The top level is a modern church.  St. Joseph's church is there too.

The bottom level of the Church of the Annunciation with the remains of Mary's home.

A panel of gentlemen from four different religions gave a talk and answered questions about Haifa and how the city has such a wonderful sense of diversity and acceptance.  It was very interesting to hear about life in Haifa from each of them.  What was most interesting was their love of Haifa.  That sense of community and common bond was key to the quality of life.

Mured, Said, Aron and Kawallah 

Tomorrow we are off to Akko to tour the Crusader fortress and then on to Jerusalem.  We will be in Jerusalem for 4 days.  

Caesarea and Haifa

Moon rising over Tel Aviv.

We left the beautiful city of Tel Aviv today and then we visited Caesarea, which was built by Herod the Great.  Caesarea is one of Israel’s most important archaeological sites.  We had lunch at a restaurant at Caesarea, Helena’s, and it was another great meal. 

After lunch, we went to the gardens of the Baha’i Faith.  It is a truly beautiful piece of property.  For those in Sarasota that might read this, no it has nothing to do with the Baha’i Hut, which is a restaurant in Sarasota.  The gardens we saw are the resting place of the Bab, the founder of the faith. 

Caesarea

We then went to our hotel in the German section of Haifa and will have dinner at a local restaurant.  

Haifa from the Baha'i Gardens

Baha'i Gardens

The Baha'i Gardens

Baha'i Gardens at night.

Last Full Day in Tel Aviv

Our hotel, the Intercontinental.  

If we thought we liked Tel Aviv before, after today we know we love it.  We spent the day touring with our local guide, Avi, and he was really very good.  We saw places we would never have seen on our own.  The pride for Israel he showed was to be admired. 

Before we left the hotel, we had a Hebrew lesson.  As predicted, Jim was the only one that was singled out for his pronunciation.  I guess he just did not hear me. 

We toured Rothschild Street and Jaffa.  Lunch was really spectacular at a restaurant in Jaffa called Cordelia.  The chef/owner was so very personable and made everyone feel welcomed.  Jim had Osso Bucco and I had the ravioli.  I usually eat fast but slowed down to make sure I enjoyed every bite. 

Looking towards the Jaffa port.

Jaffa side stree.

Cordelia's for lunch.

Tomorrow we are on the road to Haifa.   

Another Beautiful Morning in Tel Aviv

Morning view from our room

Dinner

Linda and Jim at welcome dinner.

Met our tour partners.  All seems well.  Dinner was very good.  Tomorrow we get a hebrew lesson.  Just great, Jim will do great as he does in all languages.  I will probably cause an international event because of my very poor pronunciation.  I just have to remember Hebrew requires the unique ability to sound like you are trying to get something out of your throat while trying to communicate.  Should be interesting.

Day One at Jaffa

Looking to Tel Aviv from Jaffa

Enjoying lunch.

Jim using public exercise equipment at park.

Looking to Jaffa from Tel Aviv.

What a beautiful city.  There are parts of the city that remind me of Paris.  The beach is nice, weather great and the people must have all come from New York.  Once you break through their gruff exterior, they are fun and very nice. 

We walked over 6 miles.  Yes, I know this because I brought my GPS watch that told us how far we walked.  More importantly, it will map out every place we walked.  We went to Jaffa and saw some of the structures there.

Had breakfast buffet at the hotel.  They lost money on Jim.  He can eat.  Later on we had lunch at a restaurant on the beach.  It was a great lunch.

We meet everyone on the tour later tonight at dinner.  Then bright and early tomorrow, we begin to explore Tel Aviv and Jaffa.  

Arrive Tel Aviv

View from our room in Tel Aviv

The flight from New York to Tel Aviv was fine, just 10 hours long. I am sure Jim and I were the only two on the flight not Jewish. About half way through the flight, they ask for a doctor. Half the passengers get up to go help, must be doctors or nurses and the other half get up to pray for the patient or give a business card for legal services. Jim and I just sat and tried to sleep.

Actually, the people on the plane showed a wonderful sense of community.  I know they all did not know each other, but they all showed a common bond and caring that was nice to see.

The Intercontinental hotel is really very nice. However, it is obvious that we are not in the US.  When the cab brought us to the hotel, we have to stop at a gate and have a security guard check the cab, open the trunk before we can drive up to the front door.

We are both tired and will try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is Jim’s birthday, the big 50. Guess we will have to do whatever he wants. What a sacrifice!

Here at JFK

We made it to JFK but not without a few interesting moments. Jim’s flight took off on time, no problem. Mine however, had a few surprises for me. As we were boarding the plane, I noticed a mechanic at the front of the plane. Now, I know this is never a good sign and sure enough, it was not. After everyone was seated we were given the highly technical announcement that the plane was broken and we were all going to have to deplane. If the mechanics were a bad sign, leaving the plane is even a worse sign. As we are going back into the terminal, we are directed to a help desk. At first I thought this was called “Help Desk" as an indication of Delta’s sense of humor. While in line to talk to a human, we are given a card with a phone number on it to call. I call and make a new reservation through Atlanta. As it is being confirmed a news flash comes through over the loud speakers, a new plane has been found! I was some what skeptical of Delta that they just found a plane. It turns out we were given the plane that was going to Cincinnati and they got our broken plane. This continues my thought that the world really does not like the state of Ohio. Now, I have made it to the front of the “help” line and have to ask that my new reservation be cancelled and I get my old reservation reinstated. Guess what? It really is a help desk. I got the same seat back, boarded the plane and, most importantly, landed safely.

The reception for phones in the airport is terrible. The only good thing is they have free Wi-Fi. Of course, it too doesn’t work very well but it is the thought that counts. We will be boarding in a couple of hours. I have to tell you; so far we have had a lot of laughs just listening to the announcements. So far, our favorite is the following announcement: The passenger that left a black shoe at security, please return to get your shoe.”

Trip Details

November 23, 2010 My brother Jim leaves from Ft. Lauderdale and I leave from Tampa. We meet in JFK, have a 6 hour layover and then off to Tel Aviv on an overnight flight. The most harrowing part of the flight will be the six hours in JFK two days before Thanksgiving. We have an overnight flight landing in Israel on Wednesday afternoon.

November 24, 2010 Land at Tel Aviv, get to the hotel and force each other to stay awake and get on local time. We have reviewed lots of options for our free afternoon but have not decided where we will go. Knowing the two of us, the first thing we will do is take our iPads to a local café with free Internet. Geeks do vacation!

November 25, 2010 – Thanksgiving and Jim’s Birthday We have the day free until 7 pm when we meet the other travelers. Our Tauck guide will have probably made contact when we arrived, yesterday. Since it is Jim’s birthday, we will do whatever he wants. I cannot think of a bigger sacrifice on my part. Happy birthday Jim! (It is the big 50!)

Meals: Dinner

Lodging: InterContinental David Tel Aviv, Israel

November 26, 2010 - Ancient Jaffa and contemporary Tel Aviv Today reveals some of the striking contrasts that define Israel. Our guide will give you a little Hebrew lesson with handy words to know during our welcome briefing before you set off for a walking tour through the maze of narrow, cobblestone streets of 4000-year-old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world. Explore the Visitors' Center in Kedumim Square and its museum with exhibits on the history of Jaffa and archaeological treasures. A special treat for Tauck guests is a private showing of the works of world-renowned artist, Ilana Goor, and a tour of her 250-year-old studio that she meticulously restored herself. An afternoon tour of Tel Aviv reveals its modern energetic and "happening place" ambiance and some of 4,000 Bauhaus-architecture buildings that give the city its nickname, the "White City."

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: InterContinental David Tel Aviv, Israel

November 27, 2010 - Herod's ancient Caesarea and Haifa' Shrine of the Bab Over a period of just 12 years, Herod transformed Caesarea into a grand city and major seaport - and dedicated it to Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, who had returned it to Herod after wresting it away from Cleopatra. During a walking tour, view the spectacular Roman amphitheater, still used as a performing venue today; what was once the great harbor Herod built; the hippodrome that held 20,000 spectators for chariot races in its heyday; and what remains of Herod's palace. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to Haifa, international headquarters of the Baha'i Faith, and the Baha'i Shrine and Gardens on famous Mount Carmel. A succession of 19 manicured garden terraces lead down to the Shrine of the Bab, entombing the remains of the Bab, Baha'i Allah, the herald of the Baha'i Faith. You'll learn more about the Baha'i Faith as well as the other main religions in Israel - Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Druze - during a special private "Prophet Sharing" panel discussion for Tauck guests only this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: The Colony Hotel Haifa, Israel

November 28, 2010 - Along the Sea of Galilee The Sea of Galilee is a must-see place during an Israel travel experience. You'll be able to take photos of Nazareth from a scenic overlook en route to the Sea of Galilee. At the Yigal Alon Museum, you'll discover an archaeological treasure that rocked the worlds of archaeology, history and faith when it was found in 1986 - a fishing boat. Exhaustive scientific research places the fishing boat in the time and place of Jesus along the Sea of Galilee. Discover sites that are an integral part of Christianity during a boat cruise on the Galilee. Later, learn to dance the Hora, a traditional Jewish folk dance done in concentric circles, led by an instructor and accompanied by a private band. A visit to a kibbutz will reveal the history and modern-day life in these communities.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: The Colony Hotel Haifa, Israel

November 29, 2010 - Akko - a place ruled by many Today in Israel travel to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cites in the world, Akko (or Acre) dating back to the era of the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose. Begin your visit to this richly historical city with a visit to the Jezzar Pasha Mosque, an excellent example of Ottoman architecture, named for Ahmed al-Jezzar Pasha, who defeated Napoleon at the 1799 French siege of Acre. A walking tour through the walled city takes in the Knight's Hall, the citadel and prison, as well as the ancient tunnels. Traces of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Ottomans, Bedouins and the British, who have all ruled here, as well as of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, can be seen. Next up is a Tauck Exclusive - lunch at Uri Buri Restaurant, justly famous throughout Israel; it is prepared for you by Chef Uri Yirmias, and is followed by a visit to the inn that he is restoring for dessert and coffee. Continue on to Jerusalem, with a stop at the Mount of Olives for a scenic view out over the city. Your hotel, the David Citadel, is one of the newest and most luxurious in the city, located at the doorstep of the Old City.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: David Citadel, Jerusalem, Israel

November 30, 2010 - Jerusalem, city of diverse cultures For three of the world's great religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, Jerusalem is indeed a holy city of great significance. A walking tour led by an expert local guide and your knowledgeable Tauck Director begins at the iconic Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple set beneath the site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and as al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims. It has been among Judaism's most holy prayer sites for over 2,000 years - people of many religions leave prayer notes in the cracks and crevices of the wall. Continue on to the Jewish Quarter of the city and the Cardo, today a bustling marketplace with intriguing goods for sale built atop a site dating back, in part, to the time of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century BC. A visit to the Sephardic Synagogues reveals a restored complex of four synagogues, Yochanan ben Zakai, Istanbuli, Eliahu Ha'navi and Emtsai, each built in a different time period to accommodate the needs of the Sephardic community of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: David Citadel, Jerusalem, Israel

December 1, 2010 - From the tomb of David's son to David's tower This morning, visit the traditional site of the tomb of King David's son, Absalom. Walk the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives; the garden's ancient olive trees, some believed to be approximately 2,000 years old, date back to the time of many Biblical events. At the Temple Mount, discover the most famous Islamic site in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock. For many Christian pilgrims, a walk on the Via Dolorosa, along which Jesus carried the cross to the site of the crucifixion after Pilate's condemnation, is a most meaningful experience. Explore it before continuing on to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the location of the crucifixion and one the holiest Christian sites in the world. After lunch on Refayim Street in the German part of the city, visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, and explore this living memorial to the Holocaust and those who perished in it. Attend a private reception at the Tower of David Museum and, as the sun sets, watch the story of Jerusalem unfold in breathtaking images projected on the walls, archaeological ruins and hidden pathways of the Citadel, completely surrounding you in a multi-sensory experience.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: David Citadel, Jerusalem, Israel

December 2, 2010 - "Masada shall not fall again" This is part of the oath sworn by soldiers of the Israeli army at Masada. Travel to the cliff-top fortress at Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by King Herod between 37 and 31 BC and the mighty stronghold of the Jewish Zealots who fled Jerusalem rather than submit to Roman rule during the First Jewish-Roman War in the 1st century AD. Take a cable car to the top of the mountain with a knowledgeable guide to explore the site, learn the story of what happened here over 2,000 years ago and discover why Masada has such tremendous significance today. Drive by the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed and view them later at the Israel Museum, where they are enshrined.

Meals: Breakfast

Lodging: David Citadel, Jerusalem, Israel

December 3, 2010 - A visit to Bethlehem, back to Jerusalem, and on to Jordan Following breakfast, you have a choice of spending additional time in Jerusalem or joining us for a guided sightseeing excursion. Go through the checkpoint into Palestinian-controlled Bethlehem for a walking tour of the Church of the Nativity, built over what is traditionally thought to be the birthplace of Jesus, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. Beneath the elaborate church lies the Grotto of the Nativity; a silver star in the floor marks the very spot where Christ is believed to have been born, with the Chapel of the Manger just steps away. Visit the Milk Grotto, and then return to Jerusalem. Following lunch, the Israel travel ends and the Jordan travel begins as you drive to the Dead Sea after crossing the border.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan

December 4, 2010 - Journey to Jerash or a leisurely resort day - it's your choice You may be ready to just kick back and relax today, enjoying the amenities of your spa resort on the Dead Sea. Or, join your Tauck Director for a visit to the ancient city of Gerasa, today called Jerash. Step back in time 2,000 years as you explore the exceptionally well-preserved remains of Roman architecture in the Middle East, including Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Oval Plaza, temples, theatres, arches, walls, baths and more in this fascinating archaeological site.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan

December 5, 2010 - Along the King's Highway to Petra Today, your Jordan and Israel travel takes you along the King's Highway, the oldest continuously used trading route in the world, en route from the Dead Sea to Petra. Traveling south through ancient biblical lands, stop first in Madaba to visit St.George's Greek Orthodox Church to view an incredible 6th-century map of all the major biblical sites of the time. A part of the original Cathedral of Madaba, on the site now occupied by the Greek Orthodox Church, it is estimated that it would have taken 11,500 hours to complete. Enjoy a feast of authentic Jordanian cuisine at lunch before heading on to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Christians believe that John baptized Jesus the Baptist.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan

December 6, 2010 - The Pink City of Petra The 2,000-year-old city of Petra, which the ancient Nabataeans carved out of colorful sandstone cliffs, has recently been named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World," and is quite simply amazing. Almost forgotten for over a thousand years and protected by the cliff of Edom, Petra is one of the best-preserved biblical sites in the world. You'll travel through the narrow, high-walled canyon called the Siq… and suddenly, there it is, the huge and world-famous Treasury - your first sight is one of those life-transformational moments. View Petra's tomb facades, royal tombs, temples and other structures on foot... the best way to really appreciate them. After lunch, return part way by camel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan

December 7, 2010 - Mt. Nebo views, a marvelous journey ends in Amman On a clear day, Jericho, the Dead Sea, the River Jordan and even Jerusalem can be seen from Mt. Nebo, known as Pisgah in the Bible. Explore the Memorial Church of Moses and its well-preserved, 6th-century mosaics.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Le Méridien Amman

December 8, 2010 - Journey home.

Meals: Breakfast