I’m not sure what to expect. Actually, when I really think about it, this is the first time that I will be traveling without any expectations. Before {{post id=”backpacking-europe-5-countries-18-days” text=”heading to Europe”}}, I had several pictures of what it would be like before I got there. Whether from movies, pictures, or just my imagination, I knew what the streets of Paris would look like. I knew what the canals of Venice looked like. And I surely knew what Greece would look like. Even when I {{post id=”jungles-of-borneo-and-summiting-mt-kinabalu” text=”took a trip Malaysia}} last year, I had a good idea of what to expect.

In my opinion it’s a good idea not to know exactly what you are getting into. That’s part of the fun. But I do like to have a little background before getting on the plane.

That said… I’m going to Israel! I will be getting on the plane tonight without expectations. More to come…

Here’s the tentative itinerary:

Monday, May 26 2008 - Jerusalem
Shalom and welcome home to Israel!
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport
Opening Session with Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President of Oranim Educational Initiatives
Group opening session

Neve Ilan
+972-2-533-9339

Tuesday, May 27 2008 - Haifa
View Armon Hanatziv
Visit King David’s tomb
Enter the Old City and explore the Jewish Quarter and the Southern Wall Excavations
Visit the Western Wall
Head north
Visit the Druze village of Ossafia and enjoy a traditional meal

Mount Carmel Hotel
+972-4-838-1414

Wednesday, May 28 2008
View the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa
Visit the ancient city of Akko
Visit “Or Tora” synagogue
Explore Zfat the city of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah).
View the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries

Kibbutz Shomrat
+972-4-985-4897

Thursday, May 29 2008
Holocaust seminar
Enjoy the view from Gadot Kayak in the Jordan River
Enjoy a night under a million stars on the banks of the Jordan River

Jordan Park
+972-4-692-1078

Friday, May 30 2008 - Tiberius
View deep into Syria from atop Mt. Bental
Hike to one of the sources of the Jordan River
Visit “Kinneret” cemetery
Tour Tiberius Boardwalk
Welcome the Shabbat at the hotel Group session and activity

Astoria Hotel
+972-4-672-2351

Saturday, May 31 2008 - Tiberius
Enjoy beach time in the Kinneret Group session and activity
Enjoy some free time at the hotel pool
Time for family and friends at the hotel Havdallah
Enjoy some free time on the Boardwalk
A night out

Astoria Hotel
+972-4-672-2351

Sunday, June 1 2008 - Jerusalem
Explore the ancient city of Beit She’an
Head to Tel Aviv
Israeli soldiers join the group
(Soldiers meet at Tel Aviv at 11:30 A.M. To co-ordinate your pick up please contact the tour guide two days before you join the trip)
Visit Independence Hall
Tour Old Jaffa and Neve Tzedek
Mega Event

Neve Ilan
+972-2-533-9339

Monday, June 2 2008
Visit Mt. Herzl
Enjoy lunch and a chance to swim (float) in the Dead Sea
Hike a trail in the Big Crater
Enjoy a Camel Trek
Enjoy a Bedouin Hafla (feast) and a World Music Festival

Mamshit
+972-8-943-6882

Tuesday, June 3 2008 - Eilat
Ascend Massada
Swim in the blue waters of the Red Sea
Enjoy some free time on the Boardwalk
Party at Eilat’s popular club Unplugged

Briza Hotel
+972-8-638-8888

Friday, June 4 2008 - Jerusalem
Visit Ben Gurion’s gravesite and learn about his legacy at Kibbutz Sde Boker
Closing session with Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President of Oranim Educational Initiatives
“What’s Next?” – A Session with Oranim alumni
Group closing session

Ma’ale Ha’hamish
+972-2-533-1331

Saturday, June 5 2008 - Home
Israeli Soldiers leave the group
Leave for Ben Gurion Airport back to NYC