Haifa Shore Excursion - This tour explores Safed, the center of Kabala, and also the Golan Heights Region where you see sites and learn about the struggles between Israel and Syria.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Haifa, you depart for Safed, which, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias is one of the four holy cities in Israel. Located in the mountains of the Upper Galilee (3200 feet above sea level), Safed has excellent views to the Golan. Safed is well known as the center of the Kabala movement and many people come here to learn about the mystical meanings of Kabala. While you are here you visit the Joseph Caro and the HaAri Synagogues. At the Joseph Caro Synagogue you see the Shulhan Aruch (The Set Table) which dates to the middle ages and is still used as the main source for understanding Jewish religious laws. The HaAri Synagogue is the perfect place to learn more about Kabala. Before departing you have a short amount of time to walk the narrow cobblestone alleys of the Artists' Quarter.

Next you continue to Golan Heights and stop at an observation point over the city of Kuneitra and the Syrian territory. The city of Kuneitra was destroyed and subsequently abandoned during the Six-Day War of 1967. Today it lies in the demilitarized zone between Syria and Israel.

Next is a stop at Tel Facher where you see a former Syrian army camp and visit the Banias springs, located at the foot of Mount Hermon. The Banias waterfall gushes out of a limestone cave creating natural pools and is one of the natural wonders of northern Israel.

Later this afternoon you visit Tel-Hai and see the Roaring Lion monument and learn about the heroic battle of Josef Trumpeldor and his comrades in 1920. The battle which took place here is thought to be the first military engagement between what was to become Israel and what was to become Syria. While there were only a small number of fighters involved, Josef Trumpeldor's dying words have become heroic in influencing the Zionist movement.

At the end of the day, you return to the port in Haifa.

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)

Exemption from Paying Israel VAT taxes