Optional Tours

Participants and accompanying persons may enjoy a variety of optional tours and visit the most interesting sites in Israel. 

Symposium Tour A: Jerusalem – Old City (Optional)

Wednesday, July 10 (12:30-22:00)
Jerusalem is a meeting place for East and West, new and old, beauty and ruins, and sacred to the three major monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam - all adding to its uniqueness. On this tour you will visit the most significant sights of Jerusalem. Experience its religious sanctity, its historical sites, scents and colors.   
Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Enter the Old City and walk through the Jewish quarter to the excavated and restored Cardo (the Roman ancient road). See the Jewish Wailing Wall and continue to the Christian Quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Note: modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites. 
Lunch box & oriental dinner included.
Price: US$80 (~€62).
Departure: 12:30 From the David Intercontinental Hotel - 2nd floor (near the escalator)
                      Ticket required.
Drop off at end of tour: At Symposium hotels in Tel-Aviv.
Note: The tour will operate with a minimum of 35 participants. Registration is required by June 10, 2013.

Symposium Tour B: Acre & Haifa (Optional)

Wednesday, July 10 (13:00-21:00) - CANCELLED
 

Registered Accompanying Persons Tour   
Tour C: Haifa & Zichron Ya’akov

Monday, July 8 (09:00-17:00)
This tour is Included in the Registration Fees for Accompanying Persons.
See tour details in "Social Program - Program for Accompanying Persons"
 

Sunday, July 7 (09:00-13:00)
Visit the main historical and cultural sites of the city, view the Bauhaus building style of Tel-Aviv which has earned it the "white city" title and from 2003, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the Diaspora Museum, Stop at the Rabin’s Square, place of assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Continue to Rothschild Blvd., the historic district of Ahuzat Bayit, and location of the Hall of Independence.  Visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel-Aviv, built in 1909.
Price: US$55 per person (~€42)
Departure: 09:00 From the David Intercontinental Hotel (Symposium Venue)
Drop off at end of tour: At Symposium hotels in Tel-Aviv.
Note: The Tour will operate with a minimum of 15 participants. Registration is required by June 10, 2013.

Tour E: Masada and the Dead-Sea

Saturday July 6
Friday, July 12
Saturday, July 13
(07:30-18:00)
Drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Visit the rock fortress of Massada built by King Herod the Great, King of Judea during the Roman period. Ascend by cable car and tour this ancient fortress where the Zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73AD. Continue for a relaxing floating adventure on the Dead Sea. This extremely dense and saline sea, with great concentration of minerals is a world-renowned attraction for its therapeutic qualities.

Price: US$109 per person (~€84)
Pick up by Rent-a-Guide: From 07:20 from your hotel lobby in Tel-Aviv (no voucher needed)
Drop off at end of tour: At your hotel in Tel-Aviv.         

Saturday, July 6
Saturday, July 13
(07:30-18:00)
Drive via the coastal road and the landscape of the lower Galilee to to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Continue via Cana to Tiberias, the lovely resort town. Drive along the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Visit Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves. Continue to Yardenit Baptismal Site, where the Jordan River leaves the Sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea.
Note: modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites. 
Price: US$85 per person (~€65)
Pick up by Rent-a-Guide: From 07:20 from your hotel lobby in Tel-Aviv (no voucher needed)
Departure:   From 07:20 from your hotel lobby in Tel-Aviv (no voucher needed)Drop off at end of tour: At your hotel in Tel-Aviv.     

Tour G: Pearls of the Western Galilee:
Caesarea, Haifa, Acre and Rosh Hanikra

Friday, July 5
Friday, July 12
(07:30-18:00)
Drive along the coastal road to Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital and port, walking tour of the theatre, archaeological ruins and excavations. Continue to Haifa, scenic view of city, port and Bahai Gardens. Continue via Nahariya to Rosh Hanikra to visit the limestone grottoes on the border with Lebanon. Return via Acre to visit the Crusader and Turkish Underground City and crypt. Walk through the Old City and oriental market, the Arab Mosque and the Old Port.
Price: US$98 per person (~€75)
Pick up by Rent-a-Guide: From 07:20 from your hotel lobby in Tel-Aviv (no voucher needed)
Drop off at end of tour: At your hotel in Tel-Aviv.

Registration for tours should be made on the Symposium Registration and Accommodation Form.

For additional information on sightseeing tours please contact the Symposium Secretariat and travel agent: Diesenhuas-Unitours – Convention Department

Tours Cancellation Policy                                                    

Notification of cancellation should be made in writing only and sent to the Symposium Secretariat: Diesenhaus-Unitours – Convention Department
Fax or e-mail

For cancellations received by June 25, 2013 - full refund will be made.
Thereafter – no refund.