The invitation to join the Esra bus to Tiberias offered the opportunity to "enjoy a cultural holiday in a 16th century atmosphere". Very enticing!

A full bus of enthusiastic participants left Raanana via Tel Aviv on October 24, on a lovely autumn morning. Our first major stop was the Domus Galilae Center, situated very close to the Kinneret. This is a Catholic establishment recently completed and beautifully designed jointly by architects from three countries - Israel, Spain and America. It comprises a place of worship, auditoriums and a library. The centerpiece in the library, set in a very large dome in the center of the room, is a Torah, covered in the traditional velvet, complete with crowns. This is acknowledged as being the most important book on which the Catholic religion is based. The Center is set in beautiful gardens and has wonderful vistas.

We then visited the Yigal Alon Museum, which gives insight into the work and vision of Yigal Alon and the history and development of the Galilee area, and also contains the remains of the ancient Galilee boat. There is a most interesting pictorial account of the finding, rescuing and preservation of this 2,000 year old boat. A fascinating museum to visit.

Then to Tiberias to check into the Casa Dona Gracia. It is described as the only Museum Hotel in the world and is indeed a unique experience. It is a place in which you travel back in time to the 16^th centuryin a hotel with a living museum. All of the furnishings and artifacts are of that period. On our arrival we were greeted with date tea and music in the lobby.

Before dinner in the Ladino Hall we enjoyed a fascinating and informative talk by Irit Achdot about Dona Gracia. Her Hebrew name was Hana Nassi. She was the daughter of a Jewish family who were expelled from Spain and Portugal. Dona Gracia married into a very wealthy family of ship owners and she became one of the richest women in the world at that time. She used her legendary fortune to assist her Jewish brethren. With the cooperation of the Turkish Sultan she worked to re-establish a Jewish homeland in Tiberias. We then toured the museum, with its beautiful furniture, glassware and ceramics, and recreations of scenes from the history.

After dinner we dressed up in the costume room. There we were, resplendent in brocade and velvet flowing robes, elaborate headdresses and glittering jewels, to further enhance our experience of going back in time. After being photographed   in our splendor, we were entertained by a beautiful and talented young singer, Galit Pinto, from Haifa, and we all enjoyed the dancing. This was followed by a full-length movie, again set in the 16^th century.

The next day our group was led by Tzvi Schaick, the hotel general manager and curator of the House of Dona Gracia on a fascinating three-hour historical walking tour and lecture on old Tiberias. One of the places visited was a Greek church and community center set in beautiful grounds with a terrace overlooking the Kinneret, where we sat, listening to Tzvi's stories about the history of the city. During our tour, we were met in a square by waiters from the hotel, who served us with delicious cold date tea from a beautiful large old brass teapot.

After lunch in Tiberias we visited Tamar B'kfar, where we saw a short movie on the history of the family who established the date farm almost 100 years ago and who continue to live and work there. The store has an astonishing array of date products and many other goodies. The final stop was Yardenit, the baptismal site on the River Jordan, which was also fascinating.

The trip was very well organized, every detail was taken care of, and we thank Lynn Pressman, the tour leader, and Audrey Goodman, who did it all so efficiently and pleasantly, as well as our very well-informed guide, Bess Hoffman. We had a wonderful time and acquired much knowledge. Thank you Esra.