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Price range
From $4,299 per person
Upcoming Date
09 Nov 2024 - 15 Nov 2024
Tour Time
7 Days (Inc. Arv./Dpt.)
A fully-accessible trip that includes the classic sites as well as a glimpse into modern Israel.

Highlights

Join a small group led by an experienced tour guide.
Visit significant Jewish and Christian sites.
Magical visit and bird watching in the Hula Valley.
Culinary experiences - market tasting tour, authentic Druze meal and more.
Explore Israeli tech on a Agri-tech tour in a northern kibbutz.
Swim and attempt floating in the Dead Sea.
Contact us for any further questions and special requests.

Itinerary

1 - Saturday ( November 9 ) : Shalom, welcome to Israel!

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Activities:

  • Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. - Airport private transfer to Tel Aviv can be arranged.

  • Check-in to the hotel - Please note: check-in time on Saturdays is in the evening around 6:00 PM.

  • Free evening and dinner on your own - Rest after your long flight and acclimate to the new time zone. (meals not included on this day)

  • The meals, activities, and transportation are not included on this day. For those who wish to book a private tour or any extra services, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

  • Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv

2 - Sunday ( November 10 ) : The Israeli Story

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at the hotel & check-out - Every morning you'll enjoy a buffet Israeli breakfast at the hotel.

  • Meet your guide and begin your journey - Gather and meet your guide and fellow group members at the hotel's lobby.

  • Tour of the Independence Trail - Spend the morning getting to know the history of Tel Aviv through the Independence Trail which follows Tel Aviv’s heritage sites. Stop across the street from the Independence Hall, where on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion read aloud the Declaration of Independence as Israel was declared an independent Jewish state. Become familiar with Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture and Zionist history.

  • A culinary tasting tour and cultural experience in the Carmel Market and Yemenite Quarter - Touring the market reveals the taste of the ages of Tel Aviv and the diverse cultures and culinary traditions mix in this vibrant shuk. Through the delicious authentic tasting tour, its secrets and legends will be revealed to you. (The tasting tour replaces lunch)

  • Travel North and Tour Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea National Park is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. The park houses unique buildings from various periods, bearing silent witness to the upheavals see by Caesarea and the region over the past 2,300 years.

  • Check-in to the hotel.

  • Dinner at the hotel.

  • North

Overnight: North

3 - Monday ( November 11 ) : Physical and Spiritual Roots

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at the hotel.

  • Tour the ancient town of Magdala - This is a site where Jewish and Christian history crossroads - situated at the Sea of Galilee shores, the village was established in the Hellenistic Period and grew into a thriving fishing town. A decade ago, archaeological discoveries indicate the presence of an observant Jewish community in Magdala, as is evidenced in its First Century Synagogue, one of seven in the world. Tour the ancient village, including the synagogue, where you will see the Magdala Stone - a rare find believed to be a holder for the Torah and sacred scrolls. Continue to the newly beautifully designed Women's Atrium dedicated to women in the Bible and honor of women of faith across all times.

  • Visit the Yardenit site in the Jordan River - The Baptismal site Yardenit is situated at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. This is where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee on its way down to the Dead Sea. These are the waters in which some belive Jesus have been baptized by John the Baptist.

  • Drive to Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu - Enjoy lunch at the communal Kibbutz's main dining room.

  • Continue with Bio Bee Agricultural Tour - Bio Bee is the pioneer of organic farming in Israel. The Kibbutz established the first biological pest control company in Israel and is a world leader in the field of biological pest control and bumblebees for pollination. While visiting the field you will meet donkeys, learn about the benefits of organic farming, and how an Orthodox kibbutz has fused secular kibbutz ideology with Jewish values.

  • Drive back to the hotel.

  • Dinner at the hotel. - (meal included)

  • North

Overnight: North

4 - Tuesday ( November 12 ) : Memory and Life

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Activities:

  • Breakfast and check-out from the hotel.

  • Begin with a tour of Tel Megido - Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s main military centers in the north, is perhaps best known as Armageddon - identified in the New Testament as the site of humanity’s final battle. Twenty-five layers of remains attest to the city’s importance as a strategic crossroads since ancient times. Explore the remains of Bronze Age temples and the important city built by King Ahab of the Kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BC.

  • Drive to Jerusalem & lunch break. - Meal isn't included.

  • Meaningful tour of the Yad Vashem Museum - Israel’s National Memorial to the Holocaust. Tour this memorial to the darkest moment in the world and Jewish history, its children’s memorial, and exquisite gardens. Yad Vashem is an unforgettable place of tribute and remembrance. You'll be guided by a member of the Yad Vashem staff.

  • Check-in to the hotel.

  • Dinner at the hotel & free evening.

  • Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

5 - Wednesday ( November 13 ) : Jerusalem - Holy to All

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at the hotel.

  • Today you will tour the Old City of Jerusalem

  • Tour of the Jewish Quarter - Visit the Byzantine Cardo, and the archeological artifacts uncovered during archaeological excavations exposing over two thousand years of Jewish history, vibrant synagogues, and learning institutions, all jostling for space in these busy stone streets.

  • Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - The church is situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary and contains the last five Stations of the Cross, including the traditional sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of this site so holy to Christendom. (please note: some parts in the church aren't accessible.)

  • Lunch break in the Old City and time to explore the market - (meal not included)

  • Take time to reflect at the Western Wall - The Kotel is sacred because it is one of the last remnants of the Second Temple that was destroyed by the Romans. Feel the stones that have witnessed so much in the history of the Jews. Place your special and personal prayer in the cracks of the stones.

  • Tour of the Davidson Center and the Archeological Garden - Walk through the Southern Wall Archaeological Gardens. Get a glimpse of the glory of the Second Temple, the heart of the ancient Jewish kingdom, and the devastation that followed. Visit the Davidson Visitors' Center and enjoy a modern and interactive virtual presentation. The museum presents a taste of the archaeology of Jerusalem from different eras - covering the First Temple, Second Temple, Byzantine, Islamic, and the Crusades periods.

  • Return to the hotel, free evening and eat dinner at the hotel

  • Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

6 - Thursday ( November 14 ) : The Lowest Place on Earth

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at the hotel.

  • Drive to the Dead Sea Region.

  • Tour Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain by cable car to explore Masada, a natural fortress combining natural beauty and deep meaning. Explore the impressive excavations that reveal secrets of daily life in the fortress, hear about the scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.

  • Swim in the Dead Sea and have lunch at a local spa hotel - The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, a stunning, other-worldly landscape of shimmering blue water ringed by bare, orange and yellow hills. The waters hold a potent solution of minerals and salts that have strong healing properties. Together with its ethereal beauty, these health-giving minerals make the Dead Sea’s beaches and spas popular vacation spots. Attempt swim and float in the Dead Sea, and enjoy the spa facilities. Lunch is included.

  • Return to Jerusalem.

  • Group Dinner at Café Shalva - Shalva is a Jerusalem-based organization that provides services to children with special needs and their families. Graduates of Shalva work at the café, and the café’s profits go back to the center to support its programs. (Meal is included.)

  • Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

7 - Friday ( November 15 ) : Memory and Life

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Activities:

  • Breakfast and check-out from the hotel

  • Visit the Impressive Shrine of the Book and tour the Israel Museum - Visit the Israel Museum, the country’s largest cultural institute and ranked among the world's leading art and archeology museums. Linger over the renowned Israeli art, the Judaica collections in the Jewish Art and Life Wing, and in the Archaeology Wing visit the world's most extensive holdings of the Land of Israel. Among the highlights of the campus is the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical manuscripts in the world, as well as other rare ancient manuscripts. Tour with your guide followed by time on your own to explore the galleries that interest you the most.

  • Magnificent lookout of Jerusalem - Before your journey comes to an end, take in the finest views of the Old City, the Dome of the Rock, and the sprawl of New Jerusalem.

  • Farewell Lunch at a Local Restaurant

  • Group Transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport and Fly Back Home - Or extend your stay to enjoy time to explore on your own.

  • Farewell - We look forward to hosting you again in our beautiful country!

FAQ

What happens if I need medical attention in Israel?

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The level of medical care provided in Israel, as well as the facilities available, rank up top with the very best in Europe or the United States. There are excellent hospitals in all the major cities and many hotels have a doctor on call. It is required to purchase insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies (including COVID-19 coverage). For information about travel insurance, please click here.

General guide for tipping

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Tips are not included in the cost of a tour and are always at your discretion. Having said that, in Israel, it is customary to add a gratuity of 15-20% at a restaurant and to tip your guide and driver. For all groups ranging from 2-6 people, it is suggested that you tip the tour guide $70 -$100 (from the group) per day. For groups larger than 8, it is recommended to tip $8-$12 per person, per day + 50% for your bus driver. Please note! Unless stated otherwise, on our group tours, the hotels, restaurants with meals included and serving staff is being generously tips by our staff - on your behalf. If you are not sure, check with your guide or operator for further details.

What's the weather like in Israel?

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In Israel, the northern and coastal areas enjoy a Mediterranean climate, meaning summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool and rainy. Down south and in the east, it's much drier. Rainfall usually comes between October and early May, with the most rain falling from December to February. It is always best to check the weather forecast beforehand. Spring (late March – May): Daytime temperatures are generally very pleasant - around 65-70°F, though it can still be hot in some areas (such as the Dead Sea and Eilat). There is a slight chance of rain, but it doesn't happen often. It can be cooler in the evenings in the North and Jerusalem - approximately 45°F. Summer (late May - late September): Temperatures are usually in the high 80s-90s. At this time of year, humidity will be highest in Tel Aviv and Tiberias. Other areas such as Jerusalem are drier and cooler, particularly at night. The desert, Masada and Eilat are extremely hot, but dry. It will almost never rain in the summer in Israel! Fall (late September – November): Same as Spring, but the rain can begin towards the end of the season. Winter (December - early March): Winter can be mild and sunny, or severe and overcast. There's often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow at times! Temperatures will be in the 50s-60s most places, but in the 40s in Jerusalem and the Galilee hills, and cold at night. Pack layers and be prepared for anything! Weekly weather forecast

Terms of Payment

Deposit is due immediately to secure the booking.

Balance for the trip is due no later than 60 days prior to the first day of trip. An invoice will be sent 90 days before the trip.

Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions here.

Please note: 

  • The itinerary is subject to change as a result of unforeseen changes from suppliers, weather, etc.
  • This proposal is valid for 1 week for private clients, and 10 days for groups. 

 

Cancellation Policy

Bookings can be cancelled within 48 hours AFTER REGISTRATION, with a full refund.

For cancellations made:

·         Up to 60 days prior to departure, any payments above the deposit towards the trip will be refunded. The deposit is non-refundable.

·         60-30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded.

·         29-0 days prior to departure, the client will incur 100% of the cost of the tour.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing.

 

What’s Included
Hotel accommodation -a total of 6 nights at 4* hotels v
Meals: all breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners - as listed in the meal plan at the end of each day v
Bottles of water, as needed, and snacks v
Transportation in an accessible vehicle for entire trip v
Group transfer to the airport on departure v
Fees for sites and activities listed v
Private, licensed, English speaking, I4A tour guide v
Transfer from the airport upon arrival - can be added v
Programs, guide and transportation on Day 1, arrival day only v
Travel Insurance (recommended) v
Tips for tour guides and drivers v
Airfare v

Would you like to stay in touch?

Early bird special - $200 off per person.

Available only between October 1-10, 2021!!

Registration for the trip will open on October 1. Fill out this form to be notified when registration for the trip opens, so you can take advantage of early bird special pricing!

Would you like to stay in touch?