Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion where you will be met and assisted with your transfer to the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most cosmopolitan city.

Take some time to refresh after the flight or walk along the promenade, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea breeze and feeling the city’s vibe.

Evening: Meet your fellow tour participants and your expert guide during the delicious Welcome Dinner at the Hotel.

Dinner & Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel-Aviv

After enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to Plant a Tree in Israel.

Continue to Tel Maresha in the area of Beit Guvrin, ancestral home of King Herod, and participate in an archaeological dig. This hands-on experience includes digging, sifting, pottery examination and a tour in Beit Guvrin National Park with an exciting crawl through unexcavated cave systems.

Then, head to Machon Ayalon, a secretive bullet factory established by the Haganah underground movement in 1945. As the largest bullet factory during that time, it produced 2.23 million bullets between 1946-1948, while keeping this secret from the ruling British military.

If time permits, on to Tel-Aviv’s popular Nachalat Benyamin, an open pedestrian Arts and Craft Fair where you will find a variety of hand made products as well as performance artists making this a lively Friday afternoon event in Tel Aviv.

Return to the hotel to freshen up before Friday Night Dinner

Dinner & Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel-Aviv

Spend the day at leisure in honour of Shabbat. Consider resting or catching up with friends and relatives, attending a Shabbat service or enjoy Tel Aviv at your own pace. Your hotel is well situated along the splendid beach promenade and near the “Namal” a chic port whose promenade is filled with cafes, pubs and sheer vibrancy. 

Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel-Aviv

After breakfast and checkout, we’ll visit the old port city of Jaffa; take in the breath-taking view of modern Tel Aviv alongside ancient Jaffa with its striking contrasts. Stroll through the narrow picturesque alleyways of this old city, passing the quaint Art Galleries while enjoying the special Mediterranean ambiance.

Drive to Caesarea, the “Dream by the Sea” constructed by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC and named after Caesar Augustus. Enjoy a tour of the rich remains spanning from the time of the Romans to the Islamic period: the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, the Crusader harbour, and Herod’s palace– all will be brought to life in a new multi-media show dedicated to the events and personalities shaping this seaside wonder.

Then, head to Haifa; see the meticulous Baha’i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often described as the “eighth wonder of the world.”  Then proceed to a nearby Druze Village where we get acquainted with the Druze people and their way of life. On to your Kibbutz Hotel.

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Pastoral Kfar Blum

Today our journey through the Golan begins with a special opportunity (subject to the political situation) where we’ll visit an Army Base, speak with the soldiers who defend the northern borders and observe the life of an active combat unit.

Descend from the heights of the Golan, taking in spectacular views of the area as we make our way to Tel Dan, a town that has seen many different occupants in the course of 6000 years. Its setting in the lush valley supplied by the Dan River makes it one of the loveliest sites to visit in the North.

On to Mt. Ben Tal, the site of a courageous battle fought during Israel’s war for the Golan.  A short drive up, the mountain-top provides both scenic beauty and a glimpse back at the past – including former bunkers.

Afterwards, a sweet treat as we head to De Karina Chocolate Boutique and Factory established by a family of chocolatiers who settled in Israel in 2003 from Argentina. The guided tour will take us through the factory where we learn about the history of the chocolate making industry before tasting some of the most delicious chocolate ever.

We complete our day with an exciting Jeep Tour. Traveling in open jeeps, we’ll hear the sounds of natural inhabitants of this area and observe the active wildlife.

Return to the Kibbutz Hotel.

Dinner and Overnight: Kibbutz Pastoral Kfar Blum

Following breakfast and hotel checkout, proceed to Safed, the ancient city that was home to the mystics of the Kabala. Wandering the twisting alleyways, you’ll encounter tiny, historic synagogues and have an opportunity to visit the galleries of Safed’s celebrated artists’ colony.

Continue to Mitzpeh Hoshaya’s Kfar Kedem, where the day-to-day life of this ancient land is recreated. Hear the words of the prophets as you thresh grain, spin wool, press oil from fresh olives and wine from fresh grapes, and take to the trail on donkeys.  Leave with a Homing pigeon and send a special message back to Kfar Kedem as you release the pigeon on his path back home.

Drive through the Jordan Valley, homeland of the Prophet Elisha, to Beit Shean. Visit the largest excavated Roman city in the Middle East that was home to approximately 40,000 people. See the Roman temple, artisan workshop, public baths and a magnificent amphitheater that is still used for performances.

Drive en-route to Jerusalem through the Judean Desert road. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, stop for a ceremony of Shehecheyanu, a blessing that celebrates special occasions giving thanks for new and unique events, all while taking in the sweeping views of the eternal city.

Check-in at Orient Hotel in Jerusalem and Meet with the Rabbi for  rehearsal before we approach the big day…

After another sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, drive to the City of David, an exciting area of discovery in the heart of ancient Jerusalem- home to many of the most impressive finds of recent years. A true highlight of the tour is a visit to the underground water system including brand new discoveries from the Canaanite Period. You might explore the cool wet Hezekiah’s Tunnel, or choose the recently opened (and dry…) tunnel which brought water to the city in the time of Herod.

Continue to the Southern Wall Archaeological Park (Davidson Centre) and experience a fascinating presentation describing the Temple Mount and life as it was two millennia ago. Arrive at the Kotel – the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and finish the day’s adventure walking back in time through the Western Wall (Rabbinical) Tunnels, a fantastic route running under the Old City.

Drive to Genesis Land (Eretz Beresheet), located in the heart of the Judean Desert.

Here you’ll have a chance to experience life as it was in biblical times. You will be greeted by Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, and by a train of camels which will lead you down to Abraham’s tent, where we’ll enjoy “Hafla”, the local dinner.

Dinner & Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

The big day is here and we’ve made sure that it’s everything you hoped for and more.

Following breakfast at the hotel, descend through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, continuing straight to Masada. Ascend the mountain by Cable Car to this last stronghold of the Zealots who chose death rather than surrendering to the Roman Legion in the Jewish Revolt against Rome some 2000 years ago.  Masada is now declared a UNESCO “World Heritage Site”.  Join the Rabbi for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service at a select location overlooking the Dead Sea and the Mountains of Moab.  After, tour Herod’s Palace, the synagogue, the bath house, the water system and the fascinating storage rooms. Descend Masada and drive to the Dead Sea for an unforgettable dip at the Dead Sea; float effortlessly in the therapeutic mineral-rich waters before proceeding to Ein Gedi for a hike through this beautiful oasis to the most spectacular waterfalls—a perfect family day to remember.

Return to Jerusalem and get ready this evening for the “Night Spectacular” Sound & Light Show at the Citadel Museum.

Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then continue to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Memorial- strategically situated on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron (“Mount of Remembrance”). The museum tells the story of the Holocaust from a unique perspective by emphasizing the experiences of Jewish victims and survivors using original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. Tour this sprawling complex and visit the Grove of the Righteous among the Nations, the Children’s Memorial and take part in a special “Yizkor” (memorial service) in Bikat Ha Kehilot (The Valley of Communities). A special program will be provided for children (accompanied by one parent).

Proceed to Mt. Herzl, the site of Israel’s national cemetery which is named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, whose tomb lies at the top of the hill.  See the burial place of Israel’s former prime ministers and presidents, prominent Jewish and Zionist leaders, as well as those of young men and women who paid the ultimate price to make the dream of modern Israel a reality.

Enjoy the Machane Yehuda Market and immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Jerusalem’s Shuk (market). Wander around the many local vendors selling delicious cheeses, pastries, spices, nuts and much more. Taste halva, ice cream and fruit drinks.

Return to the hotel with time to relax and freshen up before Shabbat services and Shabbat Dinner at the hotel.

Dinner & Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Enjoy sleeping in a little later today, and after breakfast we will have an optional walking tour available of Jerusalem with our guide.

Tonight, we’ve planned a Festive Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration/Farewell Dinner in honour of the children’s hard work and the dedication they have shown. Enjoy a specially arranged dinner planned around the freshest of local bounty and live entertainment (subject to group size) as we welcome in 2024! It will be a night to remember.

Dinner & Overnight: Orient Hotel, Jerusalem

Unfortunately, our journey has come to an end……

Check-out from hotel and transfer to the airport for your international departure flight arriving the same day.