DAY 1
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. You will be greeted by your tour guide and will transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
DAY 2
After enjoying our Israeli breakfast, we will visit the unique displays of the Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora showcase Jewish experience from the exile after the destruction of the First Temple 2,600 years ago to the present. Next we will visit the Palmach Museum, an experiential museum, covering the Palmach legacy through the stories of individuals and groups. We will join a group of young Palmach recruits from its establishment, and advance through the story of the Palmach until the end of the War of Independence. In the afternoon, explore Old Jaffa by its restored Ottoman-era lanes, lined with galleries, Judaica shops, Gan HaPisga - the Summit Garden with its fabulous view of Tel Aviv, the Kedumim Square visitors center, and the authentic fishing port for strolling and dining. The flea market and more shopping is near the landmark Ottoman clock tower. Next we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv’s new hip neighborhood where the intellectual elite lived during Israel’s early days. Our day will conclude with a stroll through the funky shops and cafés along Sheinken Street, the “Greenwich Village of Tel Aviv”.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
DAY 3
On Mount Zion we will visit the tomb of King David and place a stone on the grave of Oskar Schindler, who saved 1200 Jews employed in his factory in Germany during the Holocaust. We will walk through the Jewish Quarter and can visit the stores along the Cardo, a typical Roman street built in the 6th century, and stop at the four Sepharadic synagogues restored after the 1967 war. We will then stand at the Western Wall, the most holy site, as for centuries people have been going there to bewail the loss of the temple in 70AD. The Wall is not part of the temple itself, rather a continuation of Herod the Great's retaining structure that holds in the arches known as Solomon's stables (the huge dressed stones at its bottom date from that time), but this has not stopped its Sanctification and the practice of writing prayers on pieces of paper that are placed in cracks in the wall in the belief that God will take more heed of them. Next a visit to the colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda, the open-air market.
Overnight in Jerusalem
DAY 4
Today after breakfast we start our day on Mount Scopus. Mount Scopus' hebrew name means "mount of the spectators" as it is one of the few places from which both the Dead Sea and the Dome of the Rock can be seen. It has consequently always been seen in terms of military importance. Next we will visit the Israel Museum, the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and one of the leading art and archaeology museums in the world. Next we will drive to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament and see the Menorah with the biblical emblems. We will then visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance and education center which is an emotional and heartrending experience, but seeing the exhibits and remembering the Holocaust gives the more than one million individuals, world leaders and dignitaries who pass through its doors annually a meaningful way to commemorate the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Next enjoy the Time Elevator Jerusalem, this multimedia experience relates the history of Jerusalem from King Solomon until the 20th century. Moving chairs and special effects make the experience fun for children.
Overnight in Jerusalem
DAY 5
After breakfast we will drive to Latrun and visit Yad La’Shiryon, the IDF Armored Corps center. Here we can climb on the tanks and learn about the battles that secured the road to Jerusalem. We will then “see it all…small” at Mini Israel. Mini Israel in Latrun is the “Showcase of Israel.” Exhibited in it are hundreds of amazingly exact models, at a scale of 1:25, of the most important architectural, historic, archeological, religious and social sites as well as buildings of importance to all religions and cultures inhabiting the country. We will then drive to Kfar Hanokdim. When we arrive at the village, the Bedouin host invites us to come inside a Bedouin tent to relax around the fire and sip Bedouin tea spiced with desert herbs. After we have settled down, the Bedouin host will perform the ancient coffee making ceremony. While he drums a traditional rhythm, the coffee beans roast on the fire. Finally, the host grinds the coffee in a stone mortar. As the coffee making ceremony is finishing, fire baked pita will be passed around for tasting. The fun continues on a donkey and camel trek that will take us on a circular route that goes next to local Bedouin settlements allowing you to see the layout of desert life from a camel's or donkey's view point. Duration of trek – 40 minutes. End the evening with dinner. The Bedouin hosts, dressed in white Jalabiyas, welcome us and invite us to sit on soft, comfortable mattresses. We will be seated in a circular fashion around the Sania (a large tray). In the center of the Sania is the Magluba- a rice and vegetable dish served on thin pita breads. Accompanying the Sania are different salads: Arabic vegetable salad, thick tahini salad, cabbage salad, homemade pickles and thick Pourna Pita bread with Za'atar (hyssop herb) and olive oil. Shortly afterwards, you will be served grilled meats: Kfar Hanokdim's special homemade Kebab and crispy chicken wings. All the dishes are lavish, in accordance with Bedouin hospitality. As your Bedouin host notices that you have finished your meal, fruits, Bedouin tea spiced with desert herbs and coffee will be served. Relax for the night away from the city noise and manmade lights – enjoy serenity under a clear, star lit desert sky. We will stay the night in a Bedouin tent made of black goat's hair. The tents are decorated in an authentic style and fully equipped with rugs and soft mattresses.
Overnight at Kfar Hanokdim, Arad
DAY 6
After our peaceful nights sleep, enjoy early breakfast of pourna pita bread with olive oil and hyssop, Saj pita, spiced Bedouin tea and Turkish coffee and more... We will then begin our journey to Eilat. We will stop in the Negev, and take a thrilling Jeep ride down into the unique Makhtesh Ramon and drive along the most famous road in antiquity – the Incense Route. Just before reaching our destination we will stop at Timna Park. The star of Timna Park is Solomon’s Pillars, towering sandstone columns so perfectly formed that you might really think they were a gargantuan public works project initiated by the biblical king for whom they are named. But of course, they, like all the other formations in the 23-square-mile park, are nature’s handiwork. So are stripes of magma frozen in geological time in the cliffs, and the sandstone, in its soft palette of pastels, shaped by wind and water into strange shapes like “the mushroom” and “the sphinx.” One of the shorter hiking routes takes you right through Solomon’s Pillars to behold the image of the Egyptian goddess Hathor carved into the stone, and to her ancient shrine at the foot of the cliffs of the other side. Treasure the memories and fill a bottle with the multicolored sand for which the region is famous before departing again to Israel’s Red Sea Riviera.
Overnight in Eilat
DAY 7
After our Israeli buffet style breakfast, enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city of Eilat at your leisure. The bay is one of the major attractions, thanks to the beautiful beaches, the developed water sports and some of the best diving spots in the world. In the south of the city is the Coral Reserve, with splendid tropical fish among the reefs. Within the precincts of the reserve is the Underwater Observatory, which you may choose to visit, with a marine museum that displays collections of fascinating sea animals.
Overnight in Eilat
DAY 8
Begin our day with an early breakfast before the arrival of our transportation to the Jordan border. After visa assistance at the Jordanian Border, drive straight to Petra through desert highways. Your ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra which was built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe). Petra was renowned for its massive architectures, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback ride, about 700m, until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 1.2 Km long (walking distance). There is also a possibility to rent a chariot to inside Petra and back to the gate outside. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as The Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman Theater, Roman Street, Qassier Rl-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh's daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate visitors. After the visit, enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant, followed by a drive back to the border. En route, stop for a short visit in Aqaba, with possibility for a short walk in the town. Cross back to Eilat.
Overnight in Eilat
DAY 9
Enjoy a delicious Israeli buffet style breakfast and get ready for an exciting day. We will drive back up north to our first destination where we will ascend by cable car to the mountain fortress of Masada for a tour of this amazing excavation and a discussion of the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Next we descend to the lowest point on Earth to float on the unsinkable mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea and break for lunch. We will continue our drive north to Lake Kineret.
Overnight at a Kibbutz in the Galilee
DAY 10
We will start our day exploring Manara Cliff, with its cable-car, zip line, rock-climbing wall, rappelling and mountain-slide coaster cars. Next we will visit one of the oldest moshavot in Israel. Rosh Pina has aged gracefully over the past 120 years. The small town of today is very different from the moshava founded in 1878 when a group of ultra orthodox Jews settled here and became farmers with the support of the Baron Edmund de Rothschild. Today it is a place of trendy cafés and restaurants. Our exploration continues in the mystical city of Tzefat, The ancient Galilean city is the highest city in Israel, and commands a breathtaking view of the Galilee in the winter with its green mountains and the white snow-capped peak of Mount Hermon. The artists’ quarter is located in what was previously the Arab quarter of Safed. Continue to Tiberias, located on the shores of Lake Kineret. Tiberias is Israel's lowest city at 200 meters below sea level. We’ll pass through the famed fish market. All aboard! Relax and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kineret.
Overnight at a Kibbutz in the Galilee
DAY 11
After breakfast we will drive up to Akko, a city of fascinating historical heritage, a rare blend of East and West, authentic sights form the past, a unique meeting place of art and religion alongside the remains of various cultures – all these have made Acre one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Then on to Haifa, Israel’s third largest city with its highlights, including The Baha’i Shrine and Gardens World center of the young Baha’i faith with its magnificent terraced gardens that are a Haifa landmark, the panoramic of the city and the bay from the Louis Promenade, the gentrified old German Colony, with its galleries and restaurants. We will then visit the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great who once held the seat of Roman rule. We’ll view the excavated Roman Theater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound, which was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today, it draws major venue attractions for concerts and festivals. We will walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct once used for conveying water to the city. We will continue on to Tel Aviv to turn in for the night.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
DAY 12
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home.
PLEASE NOTE! We reserve the right to omit any site and/or change the itinerary
Should it be necessary due to local conditions.
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Israel Adventure Experience
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