Day 1 – Tel Aviv

  • We will walk the alleys of old Yaffo (Jaffa, Joppa), a town built of sandstone, see its excavations, listen to its outstanding stories and visit the port and the flea market.
  • We will start the tour of restless Tel Aviv by visiting Independence Hall, where the State of Israel was declared, and have a fascinating look into these times.
  • After lunch, we’ll drive out of town to hear the amazing story of a 1940's clandestine bullet factory, the Ayalon Institute.
  • Relax on the public beach of Tel Aviv and in the hotel's pool and enjoy the Old Port. You can also rent bicycles and ride along the beaches.
  • Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 2 – the Total Jerusalem Experience

  • The day will start at the most beautiful lookout in the city– the Mount of Olives.
  • The foundation of an Israelite capital and a holy center – learn about King David’s life, while viewing the City of David. Walk through the immense water system and enjoy walking in the water of Hezekiah's tunnel, down to the newly-excavated Siloam Pool. Then we’ll walk all the way up to the Temple Mount in the ancient drainage tunnel of the Jewish city.
  • At the southern wall excavations we’ll walk on the same paving stones, climb the very same steps Jewish pilgrims walked 2,000 years ago. We will see the remains of the gates they used when visiting the Temple.
  • Participate in a bar mitzvah at the Wailing (or Western) Wall (Mondays and Thursdays).
  • After lunch, we’ll walk around to experience the colors, sounds and smells of the Arab and Crusader Markets. We will also take in the view the Old City from various rooftop sites.
  • View the Temple Mount from a high vantage point, and learn how it was established as a Moslem holy site.
  • Experience the story of the destruction of the Jewish city in the Burnt House and the Herodian Quarter in the Jewish Quarter.
  • Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 3 – More of Jerusalem

  • A morning three-hour visit to the Holocaust Museum – Yad Vashem and the Mt. Herzl Cemetery.
  • Tour Sataf (with the very young kids when the others are at Yad Vashem) – a place in the mountains, where two families restored ancient agriculture. We will see the irrigation systems and springs and crawl through a cave into which one of the springs flows.
  • Ein Kerem – Walk through an extremely picturesque neighborhood, with lovely sights and stories.
  • Wander the frenetic Mahane Yehuda Market during the busiest time of the week.
  • Overnight in Jerusalem

 

Day 5 – Judean Lowlands

  • We will drive out of the city into the hills to see the place of the battles of Joshua in the Ajalon Valley.
  • Driving by the ancient town of Beit Shemesh, we will stop nearby at a beautiful area, which was the place where Samson killed the lion. Learn of Samson’s extraordinary story. We’ll also ponder the conflicts between the Israelites and the Philistines.
  • Was David an innocent boy when he fought Goliath? View the battlefield in the Elah Valley from the top of Tel Azeka, and learn about the mind of a politician in formation.
  • Explore the amazing underground world of Maresha and join a family archeological dig in one of the caves.
  • Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 6 – Dead Sea

  • This morning, we will drive to the Dead Sea area, and will focus on facts, myths and symbols concerning the famous fight of a bunch of Jewish zealots against masses of Roman soldiers atop the mighty cliff of Masada.
  • Enjoy the many colors of nature, and see some unique animals at the lovely oasis of Ein Gedi. Take showers and dips at the waterfalls and pools.
  • In the afternoon we will lose all sense of gravity while floating on the heavy water of the Dead Sea. Cover yourself with the therapeutic black mud, for which the Dead Sea is famous.
  • Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7 – Going north via the Jordan Valley

  • This morning we will leave Jerusalem and drive north through the Jordan Valley. Beit She'an, the most remarkable and well-preserved Roman city in the country, is a wonderful way to understand Roman everyday life, by walking down the streets and learning about the many buildings there.
  • Learn about the way mosaic floors were created during a visit to the ancient Beth Alpha Synagogue, with its impressive mosaic floor.
  • After lunch, we will relax by swimming in the great natural pools of Sahne National Park.
  • Overnight in the Galilee.

Day 8 – Southern Golan

  • We will start our tour today by visiting the partially restored Talmudic 4th century village of Katzrin, and learn how people lived then and what they produced. We will even make our own wine! (in the summer).
  • It is beautiful to see how the mighty vultures glide gently through Gamla Canyon. We will also look at the ancient Jewish town of Gamla, and learn of its desperate heroic struggle against the Romans in 67 CE.
  • We will enjoy the Sea of Galilee from an extraordinary point of view, and then descend to the lake.
  • Walking and swimming in the Majrasse, one of the loveliest streams flowing into Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), is great fun for the end of the day.
  • Overnight in the Galilee.

Day 9 – Northern Golan

  • We will begin the day at the ancient city of Dan , the place from which a main source of the Jordan River originates. Follow the water on a relaxing hike.
  • Driving up the mountains, we will get to a unique medieval Nimrod fortress named "The Leaping on its Prey," which was built in a special place on Mount Hermon.
  • We will enjoy a fun jeep ride on the slopes of the Golan Heights and converse with the driver, a Golan kibbutznik.
  • At one of the Druze villages the Golan, we’ll stop to have a delicious lunch.
  • A chocolate workshop in Kibbutz Ein Zivan is sure to be a fun place!

  • Overnight in the Galilee.

Day 10 – Lower and Western Galilee

  • The magnificent remains of the rich town Tzippori (Sepphoris), which was a residence of the Mishna scholars (200 C.E.), will be our first stop. We will savor the view of the entire Lower Galilee from the top of the Tzippori fortress. There are mosaic floors here, which are remarkable for their artistic qualities.
  • Experience two hours of family fun – milking goats, preparing cheese, baking pitas, riding donkeys.
  • Go down the Rosh Hanikra white cliff by cable car to visit the caves dug by the ocean waves.
  • Overnight in the Galilee.

Day 12 – Eastern Galilee

  • Starting out the day, you will hear enchanting tales of the mysterious Kabbalistic mountain city of Tzfat (Safed). Visit its unique synagogues and beautiful artists' quarter.
  • We can visit one of the wineries in the area.
  • In the afternoon, we will enjoy a quiet rafting trip on the Jordan River .
  • Sunset is the best time to enjoy horseback riding and the amazing view of the Sea of Galilee.
  • Overnight in the Galilee.

Day 13 – Coastal Plains

  • In the morning, we will have a complete tour of the World Heritage Site – the old town of Akko. Walk on the tops of the walls and ramparts. Admire the mighty Crusader fortress and explore its mysterious subterranean world.
  • The afternoon will find us at the magnificent ruins of Caesarea Maritima – the city built by Herod the Great with one of the largest ports in the east Mediterranean Sea. We will see the glory of the city in virtual shows, and will tour the remains of the horse racing stadium, theatre, Herod’s palace on the beach and the famous aqueduct. We can also take an underground walk in the water.
  • Arriving in Tel Aviv, we will kiss good bye, until your next trip to Israel!.