Browse Itinerary
Reserve Your Trip
- Day 1 - Welcome to Jerusalem
- Day 2 - Jerusalem: 100 Years of History
- Day 3 - The Old City: Crossroads of Three Faiths
- Day 4 - Masada and Bethlehem
- Day 5 - Voices of the West Bank
- Day 6 - Exploring the Galilee
- Day 7 - Ancient Ports: Caesarea Maritima and Jaffa
- Day 8 - Seeking Peace: Peres’ Legacy and Kibbutz Life
- Day 9 - Departure
Israel and Palestine: Beyond the Headlines
There are
few places in the world that raise passions as much as the Holy Land, where
thousands of years of tumultuous history have brought together — in peace and
in struggle — diverse peoples driven by faith and devotion. In the heart of
Jerusalem’s Old City, a pilgrimage site for thousands of years, Muslims in keffiyehs,
Hasidic Jews and Egyptian Copts cross paths with nuns carrying crosses in the
footsteps of Jesus. Experience this fascinating melting pot of faith and
history from a variety of perspectives, hearing from scholars, journalists and
political leaders about life in Israel and the West Bank today — and discussing
the prospects for peace after so many years of conflict. Spend two full days
exploring incomparable Jerusalem with a Los Angeles Times editor and local
experts. Then head 2,000 years into the past, visiting King Herod’s Masada and
the Christian sites of the Galilee. Meet with local leaders in Bethlehem, enjoy
an unusual perspective from residents of a kibbutz on the edge of the Gaza
Strip and, in Tel Aviv, delve into the legacies of the late peacemaker Shimon
Peres.
Oct 25-Nov 2, 2020
9 Days
8 Nights
Israel
Asia
Expedition Highlights
Delve into
Jerusalem’s captivating Old City to discover sites central to three major
faiths and take an optional walk along the city’s ramparts.
Explore ancient
history on visits to Masada, Tel Shiloh and Caesarea and stroll the timeless,
winding lanes of Jaffa.
Float in the Dead
Sea and visit important New Testament sites on the shores of the serene Sea of
Galilee.
Discuss current
events with foreign policy experts, journalists, local residents and political
leaders from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Our Expedition Experts
Nicholas Goldberg
Los Angeles Times editorial page editor
Day 1
Welcome to Jerusalem
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet your guide and driver for the
transfer to Jerusalem. Check in to your hotel, just steps from the Old City,
and gather with fellow travelers and your Los Angeles Times expert for a
welcome dinner tonight. (D)
Day 2
Jerusalem: 100 Years of History
Start the day with an introductory talk on the Israeli and Palestinian
conflict by Dr. Eran Lerman, a foreign policy expert who formerly served on Israel’s
National Security Council. Then revisit one of the darkest chapters of recent
history on a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s poignant memorial to the victims of
the Holocaust. Head into East Jerusalem to the American Colony, a historic hotel
that has drawn politicians and intellectuals for more than a century, and enjoy
lunch at the Notre Dame rooftop restaurant. This afternoon, explore the history
of the Jewish Underground at the Museum of Underground Prisoners, a former
prison where members of the Haganah and other underground groups were held in
the last days of the British Mandate. If you wish, take a walk along the Old
City ramparts from the Jaffa Gate to the Zion Gate, seeing everyday scenes of
Old Jerusalem from a bird’s-eye perspective. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,
L)
Day 3
The Old City: Crossroads of Three Faiths
Jerusalem’s Old City covers less than one square mile,
but it’s home to some of the most sacred sites of the world’s three main
religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Divided into four uneven quarters —
the Jewish Quarter, the Arab Quarter, the Christian Quarter and the Armenian
Quarter — each with its distinct personality, this ancient city is filled with
pilgrims and worshippers of all stripes. Begin atop the Mount of Olives for a
panoramic overview of the city and stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane,
where Christians believe Jesus prayed
the night before his arrest. Then head into the Jewish Quarter to see the
Western Wall, the only surviving piece of Judaism’s hallowed Second Temple. See the adjacent Temple Mount, home of
Al-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in
Islam, where Muslims believe Mohammed ascended to heaven. Then make your way
along the Via Dolorosa, the path which Christians believe Jesus took carrying
his cross to the crucifixion site, and step into the Holy Sepulchre, the
storied home of six different Christian sects. After lunch on your own, regroup
for a lecture by a local scholar on centuries of faith and conflict in
Jerusalem. Then hear from Khaled Abu Toameh, a
Palestinian journalist, who will share insights on current events and everyday
life in the West Bank and Gaza. (B)
Day 4
Masada and Bethlehem
Travel east to Masada, King Herod’s fortress built atop a high mesa. It
was here, in AD 73, following the sack of Jerusalem, that 960 besieged Jews
sacrificed themselves instead of surrendering to the Roman army. Ride up the
slopes in a cable car to explore the fortress ruins and take in views of the desert
scenery that extends in every direction. Then head for the Dead Sea for a
therapeutic float in its mineral-heavy waters. In the Judean Desert, stop to
see St. George’s Monastery, a fifth-century church tucked into the narrow chasm
of Wadi Qelt. Continue to Bethlehem,
where the mayor or one of his deputies will greet you for an introduction to
everyday life in this legendary place. Enjoy a tour of the town before
returning to Jerusalem for an evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 5
Voices of the West Bank
Travel north to Ramallah, the de facto capital of the West Bank, and discuss current events with Professor Khalil Shikaki, a prominent Palestinian political expert. Next, hear a different viewpoint on a visit to the Israeli settlement of Shiloh, where an archaeological dig has revealed evidence of the 3,500 -year-old Tabernacle as well as several Byzantine churches. Meet with settlers at the town’s synagogue, whichwas designed to look like the ancient tabernacle. Continue north to the Galilee and check in to our hotel overlooking the historic center of Nazareth. (B, L, D)
Day 6
Exploring the Galilee
Spend the morning exploring New Testament sites along the tranquil
shores of the Sea of Galilee. Begin at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus
gave his famous Sermon on the Mount, and take in sweeping views of the sea and
the mountains beyond. At Capernaum, where Jesus performed miracles among fishermen
who would become his disciples, visit a house said to have belonged to Peter. Then
step into the church at Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and
fishes. This afternoon, you’ll be joined by Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin, a former spokesperson of the
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), for a scenic drive in the long-disputed Golan
Heights along the Syrian border and a talk on the current geopolitics of
northern Israel. Stop for a wine tasting at one of Israel’s most celebrated
wineries before returning to Nazareth. (B,
L)
Day 7
Ancient Ports: Caesarea Maritima and Jaffa
This morning, meet with Aida Touma-Suleiman, an Israeli-Arab member of
the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) to learn about the role of Arab citizens
in Israel. Then, trace the Mediterranean coast south to Caesarea Maritima, a
major port built by King Herod. Explore the ongoing archaeological excavations
here that have, over the years, revealed a complete Roman city with a theater,
temple, palace and harbor. Continue south to Jaffa, an old Arab fishing port
adjacent to Tel Aviv where winding alleys now harbor artists’ studios and
galleries. Enjoy time walking around this picturesque spot and stop for a bite
to eat on your own. Check into our hotel on the Tel Aviv waterfront before an
evening at leisure. (B)
Day 8
Seeking Peace: Peres’ Legacy and Kibbutz Life
This morning, visit the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, founded
by Shimon Peres, former president and longtime peace proponent who worked
closely with Yitzhak Rabin to find a peaceful solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Learn about his vision and the work of the Peres
Center in promoting peace through socioeconomic cooperation and development. Then
journey south to Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a lush and tranquil community situated just
a few hundred yards from the Gaza Strip. Hear from residents about life on the
kibbutz, and the impact of recurring conflicts between the IDF and Hamas, and
meet a former member of the Knesset who resides there. Return to Tel Aviv for a
final lecture on the ripple effects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the
Mediterranean region. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 9
Departure
After a final breakfast, transfer to the
airport for individual flights home. (B)