The Holy Land Revisited The Military & Cultural History of

30 Oct - 9 Nov 2016

Tour Leader: COL P.J. Dermer, USA(Ret)

13198 Centerpointe Way Ste. 202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285 703-590-1295 * Fax 703-590-1292 [email protected] * www.miltours.com Military Historical Tours is proud to offer another in our series of historic tours of the world. Our tour starts in Tel Aviv and proceeds to the historic sites of Israel, cov- ering nearly three thousand years of history, with a compre- hensive “on the ground” exploration of the areas visited, and continuing to Jerusalem, the legendary “City of Faith” - home to the world’s three great religions and where we conclude our historic pilgrimage in one of the most beauti- ful cities in the world. By popular demand, an optional ex- tension to , visiting the fabled city of Petra, is offered at an additional cost.

Our tours include exclusive cultural, religious and military events, such as guest dinner lectures and speakers on subjects of historic interest; optional battlefield explorations; exclusive access to private mu- seums; private receptions and much more. Information on the events that are offered on your particular expedition will be included in your registration information packet.

All of these things, along with the most experienced staff of Program Directors, Tour Leaders and Histori- ans will combine to make your trip the most enjoyable, relaxing, entertaining and educational experience possible. We welcome your phone calls, letters or e-mails to discuss your tour with one of our Battlefield Tour Leaders. Call us toll free at 800-722-9501 or e-mail us—we look forward to hearing from you! Tour Itinerary

(Day 1) Sun 30 Oct—Depart USA for Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

(Day 2) Mon 31 Oct —Arrival in Tel Aviv Following our arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. This evening we join together for a traditional “Fisherman’s Feast” at the old Port of Jaffa for Welcome Dinner and briefing by your Tour Leader and & Israeli hosts. Hotel: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv (Meals: Dinner–D)

(Day 3) Tue 1 Nov—Gaza Strip Next we will visit Yad Mordechai, this kibbutz established by survivors of Warsaw Ghetto, and named in memory of the commander of the Ghetto uprising Mordechai Anilevitz. During the Independence War Kibbutz Yad Mordechai was the first to be attacked by the Egyptian Army. Then Tour Price $ 2,995* stop at Netiv HaAsara, which borders * - Based on double Occupancy the north end of the Gaza Single Room Supplement $ 875 strip for a lookout of the area. Jordan Post Tour Price $ 695* Single Room Supplement $ 100

Tour Price Includes: * Moderate-Deluxe Hotel Accommodations * Air-conditioned motorcoach * Meals as indicated in the itinerary * Emergency Medical, Evacuation, Repatriation, and baggage insurance included in each tour * Trip Kit containing tour ball cap, bag tags, name badge and travel info * “History on Tour” information packet, contain- ing maps and other information * Admission fees to all sites, museums and spe- cial attractions listed * Services of experienced MHT Directors & English--speaking local guides.

Airfare not included: Get your own or Book Op- tional MHT Airfare: Round-trip economy or busi- ness class airfare from your hometown to Ben Gurion (TLV) price quoted upon registration! Afterwards, head to the Black Arrow Memo- Mamluk, and British Eras. Lunch at Kib- rial site that honors the operations of the butz Gesher. In the Jordan Valley we’ll Paratroopers and Special Unit 101 that con- stop a Memorial for IDF soldiers who fell ducted retaliatory raids against the Egyptians in the “Valley of Chases” trying to stop in Gaza during the turbulent 1950s. This terrorist infiltrations from neighboring location also gives has visitors a lookout Jordan. Ascend up the Judean Mountains point into looking over the Gaza Strip. Meet until our arrival in Jerusalem, followed by with a Security Official that will discuss the check in at our hotel in Jerusalem. Group complex situation that exists between Israel dinner this evening in the hotel. Hotel Dan and the controlled Gaza Strip. Lunch Panorama Jerusalem (Meals: B/L/D) en Route at a local eatery. Time permitting (Day 7) Sat 5 Nov—Dead Sea & we stop at the Ad-Halom (Up To Here) After breakfast, we Bridge. This was the farthest north the will drive via the Judean Desert to the Dead Egyptian Army was able to penetrate in 1948 before they were Sea, the lowest elevation on earth. We will stopped by the newly created Israeli Air Force. Special visit to the stop at Qumran and visit the site where the Battery. Hotel: Dan Panorama Tel Aviv (Meals: B/L) Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will contin- (Day 4) Wed 2 Nov—Crusader Fortresses & Napoleon ue to Masada, the ancient fortress of King Following breakfast at the hotel, we drive north via the coastal high- Herod the Great, which rests atop an isolated way to the beautiful and captivating ancient port city Caesarea, once mountain in the desert. It was here, around a Roman capital and former Crusader stronghold. We'll continue to 73 AD that Jewish Zealots under Elazar ben Nazareth and visit the church of Annunciation and stop for lunch at Yair held out against the Roman Tenth Le- a local restaurant. Then travel to Acre on the Mediterranean coast. gion and, rather than submit to Roman rule, This was the last stronghold of the Crusaders, the Knights of the took their own lives in defiance. The site remains one of the world’s Cross, before their final expulsion from the Holy Land in 1291. most important archeological sites. We will also visit the museum Five centuries later at this same site General Napoleon Bonaparte’s by the visitors' center. Later we will drive to a Dead Sea Spa Hotel French were forced to withdraw after an unsuccessful attempt to to enjoy a buffet lunch and swimming in the Dead Sea. In the after- storm the walls. Explore the Crusaders' Halls and tunnels. After- noon we return to Jerusalem. Hotel: Dan Panorama Jerusalem noon drive across the Galilee and check into our kibbutz hotel (Meals: B/L) where we’ll have dinner. Hotel Kibbutz HaGoshrim (Meals: B/L/D) (Day 8) Sun 6 Nov—Jerusalem & Bethlehem (Day 5) Thur 3 Nov—The Long Struggle for the North We will begin our tour after breakfast with a tour of historic Jerusa- Today after breakfast at the hotel we will travel north through the lem, starting with a panoramic view of the city from the Mount of and the town of Kiriat Shmona to the Kibbutz Kfar Olives. We will also visit Gethsemane, the Old City, the Western Giladi. There we’ll visit the HaShomer (the Guard) Museum. This Wall, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In organization was the first Jewish defense organizing in the land of the Jewish Quarter learn about the fierce battle for Jerusalem be- Israel for almost 2,000 years & the genesis for the IDF. Then head tween 1947-1949. Travel to Bethlehem for lunch and then visit the up the Lebanese border to the Benaya Observation Church of the Nativity. The late afternoon will be free for leisure point. Receive a security brief from a former Israeli Officer about and shopping in Jerusalem. Group dinner this evening will be at the situation along the northern border. Next we will ascend the hotel main dining room, followed by a lecture by a representative of Golan Heights & drive by Mt. Hermon and Tel Faher the site of a the IDF or United States Security Coordinator/Defense Attaché. famous Six-Day War Battle. Lunch will be in one the Druze villag- Hotel: Dan Panorama Jerusalem (Meals: B/L/D) es on the Golan. Hear about this minority of Israel and the special (Day 9) Mon 7 Nov—Battles for Jerusalem situation these Golan Druze find themselves vis a vi Syrian and Isra- Our tour of the New City will begin after breakfast at the hotel with el. Afterwards stop at the Valley of Tears the site of the main Syri- a visit to “Ammunition Hill” with a focus on the story of the Six- an attack during the Yom Kippur War and where only a few Israeli Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. Hear the per- tanks held off a massive armored assault against the IDF. Head to sonal story of a veteran soldier of the battle. We will continue to the the Har Bental overlook, from this former military base we can look military cemetery at Mt. Herzl Israel’s national cemetery where we into Syria and learn about the changing dynamics created by the can visit the gravesites of Israel’s greatest political leaders and mili- Syrian Civil War. Then we’ll visit the Golan Heights Winery, one tary heroes. Lunch en route to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of of the most advanced wineries in Israel. Israel combines traditional the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display. Enjoy Jerusa- winemaking knowledge with cutting-edge wine related technolo- lem at night. Hotel: Dan Panorama Jerusalem (Meals: B/L) gies. Time permitting we'll end the Golan Heights tour at Mitzphe Observation Post. For Dinner, we’ll go to the famous Dag al (Day 10) Tue 8 Nov—Battles for the Roads HaDan restaurant that sits over the Dan River. (Hear Personal Testi- Following breakfast at the hotel and hotel check out. Just outside mony of an IDF Veteran) Hotel Kibbutz Jerusalem stop at Castel, the site of a major battle for Jerusalem HaGoshrim (Meals: B/L/D) during the War of Independence for a panoramic view of the road leading to (Day 6) Fri 4 Nov—Baptism & Jordan Valley Jerusalem. The Castel is an old Crusad- Following breakfast, we head to the north part of er fortress built on top Byzantine ruins. the Sea of Galilee to visit the Mount of Beati- Make a quick stop at Har Adar (Rader tudes and Capernaum. Later, we will stop at Mt) a former Arab Legion position, Yardenit the official baptismal site of the Jordan. then have a look out from the over the Stop at Kibbutz Gesher which was held under region from the top of the tower. Then siege in the 1948 War of Independence and was we will drive to Latrun, where fero- almost completely destroyed by the onslaught cious fighting took place in 1948, and from the Jordanian Arab Legion. Today the origi- visit the Armored Corps Museum. nal bunkers where Jewish fighters fought to de- (Meals: B) Group will have the day use fend their settlement and new country during the of hotel rooms to freshen up before our 1948 War of Independence have been renovated transfer to BGN Airport for our interna- into a visitor center. Along the banks of the Jor- tional flight to the USA arriving the dan see a bridge with parts from the Roman, following day. Optional Petra Jordan Post Tour Tour includes:

(Day 10) Tue 8 Nov—Eliat Over- ♦ Round trip domestic flights (Ben night Gurion - Eilat - Ben Gurion) Domestic flight fromTel Aviv to Eilat. ♦ 2 Overnights in Eilat 3 star hotel Flights depart from Ben Gurion Air- (including breakfast) port -Terminal 1. Eilat is a sunny and On Petra day tour included: vibrant resort by Red Sea, offering ♦ Transfers from Eilat to border & ample restaurants, cafés and shops return along the beach promenade. Overnight ♦ Border crossing assistance in Eilat. ♦ Transportation in Jordan a/c bus

(Day 11) Wed 9 Nov—Petra Tour or minibus (as per group size) Following a hotel breakfast, Morning ♦ Accompanying pick up from Eilat Hotel. Transfer to Arava Border, escorted bor- Jordanian English der crossing to Jordan & travel to Petra via Aqaba (about 2 hours). speaking guide In Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the "Red (border to border) Rose City." Petra was originally inhabited by the Nabateans fa- ♦ Lunch in Petra mous for their rock-cut architecture, tour begins at the gate of the (served buffet style, Archaeological Park. Walk the illustrious Al-Siq Gorge, a narrow in a local Petra ho- canyon with a winding trail. At the park's entry, there is an option- tel) al short horseback ride, till the opening of the gorge. At the end of ♦ Petra entry fee + canyon, reveals itself the legendary Treasury Monument. Enter the horseback ride stone carved shrine then walk along the dry riverbed & explore (optional short horse sites found along its path: the Amphitheatre, Kings' Tombs, Ro- ride upon entry only man Market Road & more. Hear the story of the Nabateans, re- & does not include tip to the horseman.) sourceful desert people that have established Petra as their capital on the “Spice Route”. Not included Trans- Lunch break - lunch is served, buffet style, in one of Petra's hotels. portation in Eilat (to/ Afternoon, travel back to the border & time permitting, short tour from airport), Israel- of Aqaba, Jordan Red Sea port city. Cross back to Israel & transfer Jordan border taxes to your Eilat hotel. (B/L) $60 p/person (paid at

(Day 12) Thur 10 Nov—Return to Tel Aviv for Flight Home the border in cash

Airport. Domestic flight back to Ben Gurion for flight home as we USD), drinks, tips & say Goodbye to Israel. (B) personal expenses.

‘16 Return

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Israel MHT

5285 - 22193 VA Woodbridge,

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