Israel and PalestineBeyond the Headlines

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ITINERARYDay 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

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.

Israel and Palestine Beyond the Headlines

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DAY 1 Welcome to JerusalemArrive 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)

EXPEDITION EXPERTNicholas GoldbergNicholas Goldberg is the editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times. He is a former editor of the op-ed page and the Sunday Opinion section. In the 1990s, before coming to The

Times, he was Middle East correspondent for New York Newsday. Based in Jerusalem, he covered Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as the rest of the Arab and Islamic world. His writing has been published in The New Republic, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Nation, The Sunday Times of London and Washington Monthly, among other places. He is a graduate of Harvard University.

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DAY 4 Masada and BethlehemTravel 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 BankTravel 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 GalileeSpend 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)

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ACCOMMODATIONS

4 NIGHTS Inbal Jerusalem Located at the edge of Liberty Bell Park, the Inbal Jerusalem is a stylish hotel just steps from the Old City. Rooms are contemporary and elegantly appointed, and the hotel features a fitness room, pool and spa, as well as a pool bar and a variety of dining options.

2 NIGHTS Golden Crown Nazareth Hotel

Overlooking the beautiful Jezreel Valley, the Golden Crown Nazareth Hotel blends western and Middle Eastern design in modern, well-appointed rooms. Amenities include a pool and spa, a fitness center and two restaurants.

2 NIGHTS Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv The beachfront Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv boasts a rooftop pool overlooking the Mediterranean and a prime location near the art galleries of Gordon Street. Rooms afford views of the city or sea, and the hotel offers a spa and health center, three restaurants and a rooftop bar.

DAY 9 DepartureAfter a final breakfast, transfer to the airport for individual flights home. (B)

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)

DATES & PRICINGDATES PRICING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DEPOSIT

Oct. 25-Nov. 2, 2020 $7,195 $1,995 $500

WHAT IS INCLUDEDComprehensive educational program by content experts and professional on-site guides

All accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary

All ground transportation within the itinerary unless otherwise indicated

All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary

Entrance fees

Gratuities to porters, drivers and guides for all included arrangements

The assistance of an ATA expedition manager for comprehensive logistical and customer service management on the expedition

Wireless listening devices

The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights or other services

Comprehensive pre-departure information about the destination and what to expect on the expedition, including a suggested reading list

Transfers to and from airports for those arriving or departing according to the designated itinerary (exceptions may apply)

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDU.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the departure point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your home

Travel and trip cancellation insurance

Passport, visa, airport departure and baggage fees

Meals not specified in the itinerary, and food and beverages not part of the included meals

Personal items such as telephone, fax and internet charges, laundry, room service and alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included

Gratuities for non-group services

Expenses you may incur resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action and flight delays

Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip, and sightseeing not included in the itinerary

LAND COSTPrices are listed in U.S. dollars and are based on a person sharing a room with another. Although we do our best to maintain the

listed price, because our prices are set over a year in advance, we reserve the right to increase costs due to circumstances beyond

our control, tariffs, taxes and VAT received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. The

land cost is based on a minimum number of guests as described on the trip page.

BOOK NOW 855-890-5298 expeditions.latimes.com (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. PT)

See complete Terms and Conditions at LATexpeditions.com. The Los Angeles Times’ travel programs are managed by Academic Travel Abroad Inc. (ATA), a professional travel company hired as an independent contractor.

Meal Key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, T=Tasting, R=Reception