Thursday - Departure - Fly to Israel

For many people, flying at the end of the work week is ideal. This way, you'll land in Israel on a Friday which can give you the first Shabbat to unwind and relax in Tel Aviv. It's a good idea good to rest up before the touring begins. You just arrange your own flights, and we will handle everything else!

Note: Ben Gurion Airport is about 25 mins from most Tel Aviv hotels and 45 mins from Jerusalem.

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Day 1: Friday - Arrival to Israel

You will be met at the airport by a driver who will take you to your hotel. Whether it's a taxi, rental car, minibus or full size bus, we've got you covered!

If you want your arrival to be seamless, or you need a little extra assistance (would enjoy some help with your luggage), we can arrange for a VIP representative to meet you at the plane, and walk you through passport control, baggage claim, and directly to the waiting driver with no delays.

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Here are some wonderful hotels in Tel Aviv. We can help you choose and reserve just the right place for your group:

Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel

David Intercontinental 

The Best Western 

The Melody or rent an apartment via www.airbnb.com (choose a "Superhost" for the places with the best service).

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Shabbat dinner can be arranged at the hotel (let us know ahead of time), or the hotel concierge can recommend nearby restaurants.

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Day 2: Saturday (free day with no guide or driver)

Enjoy the famous and plentiful Israeli breakfast buffet at your hotel served until around 10:30 am.

Relax at the pool or on the beach, or enjoy exploring Tel Aviv on your own. Most shops will be closed, but many restaurants will be open. Beaches and the promenade that span the entire length of the city are the place to be! Lunch can be ordered in the hotel, and there are options for tours available this day: Old Jaffa walking tour, Graffiti walking tour, Art Museum of Tel Aviv, and others.

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Day 3: Sunday (guide and driver)

8am Breakfast buffet

9am Your driver and guide will meet you at your hotel at 9am. Be ready for an amazing day! 

Visit the port city of Old Jaffa and discover why the name of the city means "beautiful" while walking through its ancient walkways and modern galleries. You will also get amazing views of Tel Aviv, and learn more about this city that grew out of the sand dunes.

Take a driving tour through Tel Aviv’s historic boulevards including Rothschild and Neve Tzedek. Learn about Tel Aviv's striking styles of architecture.

Visit the Israel Innovation Center and take a peek into why they call Israel the "Startup Nation." Learn about the high-tech scene. 

Try a local specialty at Jaffa's famous restaurant called Dr. Shakshuka, or grab a quick lunch while strolling in the Carmel Market (aka the Shuk). Sample local delicacies such as halva, hummous, and dates.  

See Independence Hall where David Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948 and hear the exciting story of the establishment of the State of Israel. (The building is under renovation for the next few years; we will see it from the outside).

Head to Rehovot for a guided tour of the Ayalon Institute which was an underground bullet factory where ammunition was made in secret before Israel’s War of Independence.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner out at the Old Port (The Namal) by the Mediterranean Sea or at the popular Sarona Market.

*Additional options on this day: surfing lesson, Segway tour, experience Dialogue in the Dark at the Blind Museum, a graffiti tour, a bicycle tour, and more. Tel Aviv is an eclectic city with so much to offer!

Dinner Recommendation: Blue Sky restaurant on the rooftop of the Carlton Tel Aviv Hotel on the Beach.

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Day 4: Monday (guide and driver)

8am breakfast buffet 

9am check out, load the luggage on the bus

Depart for the drive North along Israel’s coast towards the Galilee passing the cities of Herzliya, Netanya and more.
Visit Caesarea by the Sea, a two thousand-year-old port city built by Herod the Great. You will be amazed by it's beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and impressive archaeology.

We will drive up to Mt. Carmel and stroll in Zichron Yaakov, a charming 1st Aliyah town. We will walk on Founders’ Street where modern Israel was conceived in 1882, and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tishbi Winery.

*Optional visit to Haifa to view the Bahai Gardens and the port, a visit to Acco, or the Grottos at Rosh Hanikra which can include an ocean kayaking excursion and sunset dinner.

Check in to hotel up North. There are some wonderful options such as Pastoral on Kibbutz Kfar Blum or Hagoshrim Hotel for a Kibbutz experience (dinner is included there). Or perhaps you would enjoy the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Tiberias.

 

Day 5: Tuesday (guide and driver)

8am Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

9am departure

Get ready for a 4 x 4 off road ATV adventure in the Galilee overlooking the Hula Valley! A local guide will lead the way to some of the most incredible views of Northern Israel. 

Visit Tsfat and fall in love with Kabbalah while strolling the ancient alleyways. Tsfat is known for it's beautiful historic synagogues, jewelry and art made by local Israeli designers, and spectacular mountain top views. 

Lookout over the Lebanese border from Kibbutz Misgav Am. Go close to Israel’s border with Lebanon, and hear from Aryeh Ben Yaakov - a kibbutz member originally from Cleveland who’s been living in Israel for 50 years - about Kibbutz life and the security situation.

Falafel/Shawarma lunch in Kiryat Shmona (The. Best. Falafel. Ever. Promise!)

Security briefing  on the Golan Heights including bunkers from the 6 Day War on Mt Bental, literally the end of the road with Syria.

*Optional visit to the De Karina Chocolate Factory for a hands-on workshop and chocolate tasting, or to the Golan Heights Winery for tastings, or to the Naot Sandal factory outlet store.

Dinner Recommendation: Decks - an elegant grill in Tiberias with an awesome view of the Sea.
 

Day 6: Wednesday (guide and driver)

8am Breakfast 

9am Check out, and load the luggage on the bus.

Visit Tiberias one of the four holy cities of Israel with its breathtaking views of the Sea of Galilee - the Kinneret

*Optional banana boating on the Kinneret, a water hike through Nahal Kibbutzim, or swimming at the Sachne (Gan Hashlosha) Springs.

Tour the impressive ruins of the ancient city of Beit Shean, a key Biblical town and a marvel of Roman era architecture.

Head to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley (2 hour drive) in which we see the border between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In this drive south towards the holy city, we will pass through several landscapes.

Stop for lunch along the way.

Welcome to Jerusalem! We will take a few moments on our arrival for an amazing view and Shehechiyanu blessing upon first seeing Jerusalem from the Mount Scopus lookout at the Hebrew University.
Check in to Jerusalem accommodations.

Dinner Recommendation: Eucalyptus, located in the artist quarter just outside the Old City of Jerusalem, serves a modern Israeli interpretation of Biblical cuisine.

Here are some great places to stay.

The Waldorf Astoria

The David Citadel

Inbal

The Prima Kings

Vacation apartment rental at 7 Rav Kook

 

Day 7: Thursday (guide, no driver)

8am Breakfast at the hotel

9am be ready for a fun, exciting and fascinating day walking through ancient Jerusalem.

Walk through the new Mamilla Promenade on the way to the Old City, and discover the New City along the way.

Old City tour including the surrounding walls, the Roman Cardo, some of the 4 Quarters and much more!

Lunch in the Jewish Quarter - many options.

Approach the Western Wall and walk through the underground tunnels along hidden parts of the Wall in the famous Western Wall Tunnels.

Good walkers will enjoy a visit to the City of David; and for the adventurous (bring your water shoes!), there's an option to walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel. 

Dinner recommendations: Rooftop of the Mamilla Hotel, which embraces the fresh Jerusalem breeze, while offering a magnificent view of the Old City or the King's Garden balcony restaurant at the iconic and elegant King David Hotel.

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Day 8: Friday (guide & driver or ride on the new light rail cable car)

8am Breakfast at the hotel

9am Visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial.

Lunch and shopping at the Mahane Yehuda Market, the world’s largest kosher open street market. Friday afternoons are packed with pre-Shabbat shoppers, musicians and the best food of the week at the lowest prices. Touring on Fridays ends at around 2pm to allow time to return to the hotel get ready for Shabbat.
Optional visit to the Western Wall for Shabbat Services (this is recommended to be part of the amazing atmosphere of singing, dancing, and visitors from around the world)

Shabbat dinner at the hotel is a wonderful way for your group to experience a traditional Shabbat surrounded by others doing the same.

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Day 9: Saturday - a much needed day of rest (no guide or driver)

Breakfast at the hotel is served until 10:30  

Morning of leisure and sleep in or visit the Western Wall, The Great Synagogue or The Italian Synagogue (all within walking distance).

Time to chill at the pool, optional walking tour in the afternoon or just enjoy Jerusalem on your own. Most of the city is closed, but some museums are open, and the Old City is bustling.

Dinner Recommendations: Joy Grill House at Mamilla, Anna Ticho - quaint Italian restaurant with an art gallery, or Cafe Rimon on the famous Ben Yehuda Street.

*Option for this day: home hospitality: enjoy a Shabbat lunch with a local English speaking family this is happy to open their home to visitors.

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Day 10: Sunday (guide and driver)

8am breakfast in the hotel

9am Drive to the Dead Sea area, the lowest place on Earth!

Cable Car or climb up (weather permitting) Masada the Great Desert Fortress to hear the story of the Jewish rebels who fought the Romans 2000 years ago.

Arrive to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel with plenty of time to swim in the Dead Sea or pool, and relax before dinner.

Overnight at a Spa Hotel on the Dead Sea.

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Day 11: Monday (driver only)

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel for the Israeli breakfast buffet, perhaps book a massage or take one more dip in the Dead Sea.

Driver will take you to the airport to fly back home with wonderful memories.

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Please note:

Package tours are all custom designed; the pace and sites are chosen to fit your group. Of course, your group being ready on time each day means we will get to do everything planned.   Please see more information about how to pack for your trip and our terms and conditions on our FAQ page.

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What’s included:

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• Private licensed tour guide for 7 days of guided tours

• Transportation for 7 days of guided tours with a professional driver on a luxurious air-conditioned full size bus or minibus and driver, and with complimentary water bottles

• Airport pickup and drop off for the group

• All entrance fees to the sites and activities listed: (this is a sample; you will receive list of included activities for your specific itinerary)

  • Independence Hall

  • Caesarea National Park

  • ATV/Rangers off road adventure

  • Kibbutz Misgav Am on the Lebanese border

  • Beit Shean National Park

  • Masada National Park

  • City of David National Park

  • Western Wall Tunnel Tour

  • Yad Vashem

  • Several lunches