Israel

Day 10

Morning

Breakfast; Check out

Track A / The Quest for Peace: Jerusalem is a microcosm of the Arab-Israeli conflict, conveying the human, political, and territorial dimensions. Stop at several observation points overlooking the security barrier, as well as checkpoints to the West Bank, for a geo-strategic survey of the neighborhoods surrounding Jerusalem.

Track B / A Cultural Mosaic: Embark on a fascinating and unique art and culture tour into Jerusalem’s complexities and its human and cultural diversity through the prism of local artists and creatives.

Track C / From the Mt of Olives to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher: Walk down the Mt. of Olives, stopping at Dominus Flevit, visiting the olive trees at The Garden of Gethsemane as well as the beautiful Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate (St. Stephens Gate), and from the Monastery of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. Walk through the Old City along the Via Dolorosa to the Christian Quarter and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditional site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.

Track D / Israel’s Wine Route: Embark on an Israel Wine Tour with a wine expert, visiting a number of boutique wineries in the Judean hills, including; Tzora Winery, Nevo Winery and Flam winery. Enjoy lunch and tastings.

Transfer to Ben-Gurion International airport for flight home. VIP Assistance through airport.

Return flight to the USA

Overnight: Flight

Day 9

Morning

Breakfast

Take a cable car or hike to the top of Masada to tell the ancient story of the 960 men, women, and children that were the last to resist the Romans during the Great Jewish Revolt almost 2000 years ago. The story of Masada has become synonymous with Israel’s quest for freedom and independence in modern times.

Visit the lowest point on Earth and experience effortless floating on the Dead Sea’s hypersaline waters.

Evening

Farewell Dinner

Transfer to Ben-Gurion International airport for flight home. VIP Assistance through airport.

Return flight to the USA

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8

Morning

Breakfast

Remembering the Holocaust: A comprehensive tour of Yad Vashem including the Historical Museum, The Children’s Memorial and the Hall of remembrance. As the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem safeguards the memory of the past and imparts its meaning for future generations.

Afternoon

Visit the Israel Museum. Ranked among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums, the Museum houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Holy Land model of Second Temple Period Jerusalem.

Evening

Enjoy one of the country’s trendiest culinary experiences curated by Chef Tali Friedman, one of Israel’s celebrity chefs. Begin with a private tour of one of the most colorful markets in Israel, Machane Yehuda, followed by cooking and dining with the chef on the market’s rooftop!

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7

Morning

Breakfast

The Holy Basin: Venture into the alleyways of the holiest place on Earth: Jerusalem’s Old City. See and sense the religious and cultural focal points of all four quarters and of the three great monotheistic religions. See the Old Arab Bazaar, historical and modern places of interest in the Jewish Quarter and Christian Quarter and an overview of the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock and the El Aksa Mosque.

The Mysteries of Oriental Kabab Making: Dive into the 130-year-old tradition of making Kabab with Ras El Hanout (a Middle Eastern spice mix that will cause you to salivate), creating your own hummus and salad, kataif (a local type of savory pancake) and finishing with Knafe, the ultimate Middle Eastern dessert.

Afternoon

Optional: Visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Fields in Bethlehem. Built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus, the Church of Nativity is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world.

Evening

Dinner

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 6

Morning

Breakfast; Check out
Travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley

Afternoon

Welcome to Jerusalem! Begin your stay with a panoramic overlook of the city from the Mount of Olives.

Jerusalem’s Forgotten Treasure Rediscovered: Joined by one of the site’s head archeologists, explore the City of David, the historic nucleus of Jerusalem. Declared the capital of the united monarchy some 3,000 years ago by King David and home to some of the most jaw-dropping archeological discoveries in recent years.

Lunch

Early evening

Welcome the Shabbat at the Western Wall.

Evening

A Cathedral in Time: Traditional Shabbat dinner with a local family.
“The Sabbaths are our great cathedrals; and our Holy of Holies is a shrine that neither the Romans nor the Germans were able to burn; a shrine that even apostasy cannot easily obliterate.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 5

Morning

Breakfast

Northern Exposure: A jeep ride along Israel’s border with Syria. Hear a geo-political update on the Syrian Civil War and its impact on Israel with Captain (res.) Ilan Shulman, former IDF paratrooper and intelligence officer.
Taste the “fruit of the vine”, have lunch and taste wines at a local winery.

Afternoon

Jesus’s Central Galilean Ministry: Visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, remembering the verses of Sermon on the Mount. Continue to Tabgha, the site of Peter’s Primacy Multiplication of Loaves and Fish and the Calling of the Disciples. Visit the Synagogue of Magdala in Mary Magdalene’s hometown, which offers clues about Judeo-Christian worship from the time of Jesus and Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ movement and his home during his Central Galilean Ministry.

Evening

Dinner at Magdalena

Overnight: Galilee

Day 4

Morning

Breakfast

The Story of Rehaniya and Mi’ilya: Begin this deep exploration of the people of the Galilee in the Cherkess village of Rehaniya. Learn about the Circassians who made this place their home after being exiled from their homeland in the Northwest Caucus. Taste artisanal coffee and chesses that can only be found in this small village.

Continue Westward to the Christian village of Mi’liya. Walk along the picturesque streets, dipped in green and visit the ancient olive press to learn how real olive oil is made. Meet with the parish’s pastor Abuna Nadim to hear the stories of the people who make up this village.

Finish your visit by raising a toast to both of these unique villages at Julia, a small boutique winery in the heart of Mi’liya.

Evening

Meet Chef Youssef Khanna, one of Israel’s most celebrated chefs, and his mother and learn how to cook a traditional Christian – Galilee meal. Use locally grown hand-picked produce to get the most authentic taste of the Galilee.

Late evening

The Mystic Realm of Judaism: Walk through the alleys of mystical Tzfat, a small 16th century town where faith, prayer and mystical thought gave the world the concept of “Tikun Olam” – “Repairing the World”.

Overnight: Galilee

Day 3

Morning

Visit the West Bank Settlement of Alfei Menashe for a 360-angle of the ever-changing geo-political situation of the region.

Continue to Caesarea, the legendary port city of King Herod the Great. The ancient ruins, strewn along the Mediterranean tell the story of a port that rivaled Athens, a city that served as the administrative capital of the Roman Empire for over 600 years and was a key strategic asset for anyone who wanted to cloak themselves with the sanctity of the Holy Land.

Lunch in Caesarea

Afternoon

Where the Modern Dwells In Between the Ancient: Explore the city of Akko with a local expert. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Akko is a fascinating living example of incredible ethnic diversity and of the infusing of ancient remains with modern day to day life.

Dinner with Uri Yeremias, Akko native and owner of what is considered to be the best fish restaurant in Israel – Uri Buri.

Overnight: Akko

Day 2

Morning

Breakfast

A Tel Aviv State of Mind: Walk along Rothschild Blvd, the trendy main avenue of Tel Aviv. This is the place to see and be seen, to drink a shot of Espresso “Al Fresco” or to try your first “Gazoz” (an Israeli fizzy drink).

As you admire the scenery around you feel yourself slowly immersing in the Tel Aviv state of mind. Stop by Independence Hall, where the new state was declared in 1948 – A moment of resurrection for the Jewish people in their homeland.

Continue to Neve Zedek, the first neighborhood built outside the walls of Jaffa, in 1887. This gentrified hotspot, a sort of Tel Avivian SoHo, has become one of the most sought-after locations in Israel and is home to some of the coolest galleries, showrooms, wine bars, and small restaurants in the city.

Afternoon

Start-Up Nation: In a region rife with challenges, Israelis have honed the art of problem solving and turned their small desert nation into a powerhouse of invention, an unparalleled ecosystem of creativity and resourcefulness. Continue the afternoon with a Start-Up Hop along Rothschild Blvd – The story of Israeli innovation told through a fast pace hop from one Israeli startup company to another.

Evening

Option 1: Dinner followed by a nightlife experience.

Let a local expert take you through the nightlife culture of Tel Aviv. Take a deep dive into the local scene and drink, dance, and party with Tel Avivians at the hottest spots in the city.

Option 2: A Non-Stop Urban Playground: Over the last two decades Israel has positioned itself as a global gastronomic hub with Tel Aviv being its ever-buzzing epicenter. Embark on a Restaurant Hop through some of Tel Aviv’s famous culinary spots, led by a culinary expert and critic. So much incredible food to try, so why not try at all at once?

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 1

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport.

VIP assistance from aircraft and through passport control to baggage claim.
Meet your driver and transfer to Tel Aviv.
Check into the hotel.

Evening

The Gateway to the Land of Israel: Explore the ancient port city of Jaffa.
For more than 5,000 years this magical port city, brimming with life, color,
and excitement, served as the setting for the first leg of the journey for the
sailors, pilgrims and adventurers who “washed upon the shores” of the Holy
Land and the place where Jonah the Prophet embarked on a journey that
would become one of the most famous stories ever told.

Celebratory Opening Dinner

Overnight Tel Aviv

Ramon Crater Extension

Day 1 – “It Is in the Negev that the Creativity and Pioneer Vigor of Israel Shall Be Tested.” – David Ben Gurion

Morning: Breakfast

Walk in the footsteps of one of Israel’s most influential figures as you visit David Ben Gurion’s home and grave in Sde Boker. Here in the middle of the desert, Israel’s first Prime Minister chose to build his home and set a personal example to emphasize the importance of settling in the periphery.

A Taste of the Desert: Visit a Bedouin tent ride camels and indulge in a Bedouin feast!

Afternoon: Afternoon to enjoy leisure
Optional/ Visit the Mitzpe Ramon Visitor’s Center to hear the tragic story of Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut; the Center presents Ramon’s life in a moving exhibit, connecting his life with the State of Israel, and emphasizing the significance of Israel’s first visit to space.

Evening: Dinner

Late evening: Optional/ A nighttime stargazing tour with telescopes. Hear fascinating explanations of constellations and galaxies, as well learning about the habits of the many animals in this region that come out at night.

Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon

Day 2 – The Ramon Crater: The Wonders of the Desert

Morning: Meet Hadas, founder of Lasha Bakery, a premium supplier of bread and pastries to boutique hotels around the country. Participate in a delicious bread baking workshop that reveals the technical, spiritual, historical and traditional aspects of bread making.

The Shifting Layers of the Ramon Crater: Embark on a jeep ride in the Ramon Crater, including an explanation of this incredible geological phenomenon, the flora and fauna of the area, and a discussion on the local culture.

Afternoon: Amid the seemingly inhospitable desert landscape, numerous boutique wineries and homestead farms have cropped up over the past decade. Tour the region, visit the wineries and homesteads, taste the fruits of their labor, and meet the unique pioneers, who are quite literally making the desert bloom. Visit will include Carmey Avdat Winery, Orlyya Farm and Kornmehl Farm.

As per departure: Transfer to Ben-Gurion International airport for flight home.
VIP Assistance through airport.

Return flight to the USA

Overnight: Flight

Jordan Extension

Day 1 – The Vast Jordanian Landscape

Morning: Breakfast; Check out
Travel to Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing terminal.

Border crossing procedures; meet your Jordanian guide and driver.

Take a jeep ride through Wadi Rum, the largest valley in Jordan. For more than 12,000 years, different cultures have left their mark on this valley, and rock paintings, graffiti, and temples can be found throughout. If you look out into the vast horizon it’s not hard to imagine Lawrence of Arabia galloping on his stallion as the real T.E. Lawrence actually passed through the valley during the Arab Revolt of 1917 – 18.

Lunch

Afternoon: Travel to Petra
Evening: Dinner
Overnight: Petra, Jordan

Day 2 – The Ancient City of Petra

Morning: Breakfast; check out

A comprehensive tour of Petra, an archaeology site renowned for its rock-cut architecture. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a World Heritage Site, UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”.
“A rose-red city half as old as time” – John William Burgon

Lunch in Petra
Afternoon: Travel to border, border crossing procedures; enter Israel
Domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport

Evening: VIP Assistance through airport. Return flight to the USA
Overnight: Flight