Mike and Adeena’s Excellent Israeli Culinary Adventure-October 2025

Activities:

• 10:00 a.m. Meet at designated meeting place/pick-up spots - Set out on your journey, starting in the north.

• Olive Press visit/activity and lunch - We’ll pick olives straight from the tree and see the process they go through to transform from fruit to oil. Hila will share with us the history and significance of producing olive oil in the Holy Land, a ritual the Jewish people have upheld for centuries. With traces of clay bottles used for olive oil found in the region which date back 8,000 years, olive oil production is deeply tied to Israeli flavor, culture, and peoplehood. We’ll sample high-quality olive oils

• Opening Discussion at Mount Adir - Mount Adir is a striking geographical feature known for its stunning views and rich biodiversity. It stands at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters (about 3,937 feet), making it one of the higher peaks in the region. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Sea of Galilee and the mountains of Syria. Mount Adir is also significant for its archaeological sites, reflecting the area's long history. Learn and hear what happened here in the past two years, the challenges, dangers and opportunities.

• Dinner with Erez Komarovsky - Chef and baker Erez Komarovsky is considered the godfather of Israeli baking and one of Israel’s most prominent culinary figures. Komarovsky is one part of "Erez and Hanan" high-end catering company, head of the ‘Galilean Cooking School’ in Matat, founder of the legendary "Lehem Erez" and the author of many cookbooks, baking and more.

• Drive to Hotel and check in

• Pereh Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Israelis take their breakfasts very seriously. Each morning, you’ll be met with a vast buffet of Israeli foods ranging from different breads, cheeses, salads, spreads, egg preparations, dips, olives, pastries, and so much more. Load up your plate with a little bit of this and a bit of that, but be sure to leave room for the rest of the day’s food!

• Late morning, enjoy hotel's facilities until 11am

• Travel to Majdal Shams - The largest Druze village in the Golan Heights, where children and other civilians were killed and wounded as a result of a missile strike on July 27, 2024.

• Choose between two tracks:

• Track 1:

• Take a geo-political Golan Heights Jeep Tour with an expert - While traversing the rich landscape, learn about the history, flora, and fauna of the area. Stop for a lookout over the border with Syria from Mt. Bental to get a better understanding of the geography and strategic role this region has for the State of Israel. Your local guide touches on the nuances of living so close to the Syrian border and what that has meant for Israel as it relates to security and humanitarian issues.

• Lunch in nature with Uri Mayer Chizzik - Sustainable Eating - Meet Dr. Uri Mayer-Chissick, a food historian, an expert on local and traditional food, and a guide of foraging tours of wild edible plants. Uri specializes in making natural and nutritional food tasty to all- at his local deli, at private events and outdoors. He reconstructs historical and periodical recipes and cooks with wild plants. Join Uri for a walk to pick wild greens then make a lunch with him from food that has grown native to this land.

• Track 2:

• Border Briefing with Lt. Guy Malal - Standing on Israel’s northern border with Col. (Ret) Guy Malal, a senior Geopolitical Lt. officer and gain insights into Israel’s security situation on the northern border and the Golan Heights.

• Tasting tour at Ghajar - Meet chef Ali Katib for a tasting tour in the only Alawite town in Israel, originally a Syrian village. Entry used to be restricted to residents only or those with special permits, but that changed recently when Israel lifted the restrictions. Hear about the town's complex, yet interesting story, have lunch at the home of Ali's mother, and taste the special Alawite cuisine.

• Entire group together: Meet residents of Metula and hear their story of the past two years

• Dinner at hotel

• Pereh Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Check out of the hotel and drive along the eastern shore of the Kinneret

• Kinneret Cemetery - At the Kinneret Cemetery meet the young pioneers who came to the shores of the Sea of Galilee a hundred years ago. Have a behind-the-scenes peek at their lives, dreams, and ambitions and their decision to “transform the landscape” by creating the institutions of modern statehood.

• Motor House - Visit the renovated, restored house which was built in 1910 and was home to the first pump
  in the area that drew water from the Jordan River in order to water the valley grounds. Between the years 1912-
  1930, a group of Yemenite new immigrants lived in very hard conditions in the area as they tried to grow crops
  in the area.

• Women and Wine with Hashizra at a winery/vineyard - Israeli wine culture has taken center stage over the last few years, with local wines winning some of the most prestigious global awards in the industry. Amid a traditionally male-dominated business, HaShizra was established as a sisterhood of wine and food, an innovative space for women to nurture their goals and dreams in the wine and food community, all while narrowing the industry's gender gap. Boasting a community of over 900 women (including Adeena) HaShizra is a place where women can band together to share knowledge, learn from one another, ask questions, and find inspiration from their peers. Meet some of Israel's rising stars within the wine world while tasting some lesser-known wines produced by these trailblazing women.

• Travel to Jerusalem

• Check in to hotel

• Restaurant in Jerusalem - TBD

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique (split into smaller groups) - Explore Jewish history in the Jewish Quarter, spanning from the First Temple era to the present. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter and, conditions permitting, visit the Temple Mount, a significant Muslim site. Delve into the complexity of a city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Optional: Volunteer with Metzilot Mazon - The Jerusalem Food Rescuers, aims to create a more Just and sustainable urban food system with less waste. Working with the wholesale market, they divert surplus produce that would have otherwise gone to waste and support communities that don’t have equitable access to food, engage in food literacy focused activities such as lectures and workshops with kids and adults, and run a sustainable catering business.

• Machane Yehuda Market Tasting Tour - In the heart of Jerusalem sits this bustling, multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor. Immerse yourself in the world of Middle Eastern cuisine as you indulge in a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda Market. Learn about the market's rich history, and meet the vendors who bring this place to life, as you experience the vibrant energy unique to this iconic culinary destination.

• Rachmo - Nestled in the heart of Jerusalem, Rachmo offers a delightful culinary experience that celebrates traditional Middle Eastern cuisine with a modern twist. With its inviting decor and a menu that reflects the rich culinary heritage of the region, Rachmo is a favorite spot for both locals and visitors seeking a true taste of Jerusalem's diverse food scene.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Agricultural volunteering

• Lunch Picnic with Baloosha in Tzora Forest

• Hike The Bible Path in Tzora Forest - This path is a unique hiking trail that invites visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area while deepening their connection to biblical history. Situated in the hills near Jerusalem, this scenic path is designed to highlight significant locations and themes from the Bible, featuring informative signs along the way.

• Starry Night Extravagaza in the Judean Mountains - It's not a mirage! Your evening under an endless canopy of stars awaits - with wine, spirits, music, and dinner in the most magical setting you can imagine. Enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by cocktails, wine, and a full bar consisting only of Israeli-made alcohol.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel - Check out of the hotel

• Drive to Tel Aviv

• ANU Museum of the Jewish People - The newly re-imagined ANU Museum of the Jewish People tells the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. Dive into this dynamic and interactive experience that represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities throughout different periods of history.

• Mike vs Adeena - Iron Chef-Style - Your two hosts are thrust into the hot seat for this Iron Chef-style cookoff. With just a short window of time, Mike and Adeena will create their best dishes using Middle Eastern pantry staples, telling their own stories through their interpretations of the ingredients they’re given. As they cook, they will share with us their passion for Israeli food and their journeys as they explore their own individual ties to the cuisine they both love so much. Efrat Enzel, renowned Israeli culinary consultant and TV host, will be with us to up the ante and add a little more fire to the kitchen to help bring out the chefs’ very best. You’ll get a front-row seat to witness the creative process of turning an ingredient into an experience with these two Israeli cuisine powerhouses.

• Tel Aviv - Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Via Sabra Jewish Brunch - We’ll ease into our morning with a Jewish Shabbat brunch, pulling together classic Shabbat breakfast dishes from different cultures: jachnun, malawach, bagels and lox, burekas, sabich, and more. The brunch will celebrate Israel’s culinary diversity and highlight the foods that come from the homes of different families. Through these dishes, we will partake in different ethnic traditions and sample recipes that have been brought to Israel from around the world and passed down through generations. Adeena, Mike, and Avihai from Via Sabra will each prepare and share their own favorite Shabbat morning dish, sharing through food and storytelling what Shabbat brunch means to them and how it connects to their families, backgrounds, and their experiences with Israeli culture.

• Tishrey Bar - During this workshop, Israeli wine takes a back seat to allow incredible Israeli spirits, which are having a BIG moment, to shine! Tishrey Bar uses locally-made liquors like arak, gin, and whiskey in its cocktails, mixed with Israeli spices and herbs. Each cocktail tells the story of Israeli innovation, whether that’s growing herbs in the desert, using contemporary distillation technologies, or aging whiskey in casks submerged in the Dead Sea. You’ll have a chance to mix your own drinks as well.

• Old Jaffa Walking Tour - Explore the enchanting charm of Old Jaffa, where ancient and modern are situated side-by-side and where people of all faiths meet. Jaffa is one of the most ancient port cities in the Mediterranean basin. Visit Jaffa Port, which for centuries was the gateway to the Land of Israel. Today Jaffa is a mixed city, where Jews and Arabs live alongside each other. Tel Aviv, Jaffa's much younger sister, was established centuries later, but the two were united into one municipality already in 1949, yet each part kept its unique feel and atmosphere. visit vibrant artist studios as well as archeological discoveries, while exploring the rich tapestry of cultures and history that defines this timeless Mediterranean gem.

• Dinner on your own

• Tel Aviv - Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Where Have We Been Since October 7? Conversation with Jessica Steinberg - Jessica Steinberg is the culture editor at the Times of Israel, covering Israeli life, culture, food, travel and business.

• Drive to Western Negev Gaza Envelope - Stop at key lookout point for an in-depth discussion of the complexity of the Gaza Border situation. Hear from our CEO, Avihai Tzabari about what happened here on October 7 and since.

• Lunch on own in Sderot

• Supernova music festival site - Stop at the Nova Festival memorial site - at Re'im Forest stop and bear witness to the tragedy of the Nova Festival.

• Cook dinner for soldiers - And enjoy dinner and a party with soldiers

• Drive to Tel Aviv

• Tel Aviv - Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Baking Together at Lehamim Bakery - Yaki Sagi and Uri Scheft have been friends for a long time. When Sagi of Kibbutz Be'eri, lost his bakery on October 7 and was evacuated with his family to a hotel in the Dead Sea, Uri invited Yaki to bake at his famous Lehamim Bakery. Their collaboration is one of hope and comfort. Yaki has been making his famous spanakopita which includes cheeses from the local 'Be’eri Dairy’ which has been closed since Dror Or, the manager of the dairy, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists.Uri's baking encompasses the myriad cultural influences of Israel and transforms them into magnificent baked goods that are loved by all of Tel Aviv.

• Explore Tel Aviv's Markets - We will split into three groups to explore Tel Aviv's storied markets. While Tel Aviv may be known for its nightlife and beaches, the markets here are where life really happens, particularly on Friday mornings as residents scramble to prepare for Shabbat. Through these culinary tasting tours, we’ll begin to scratch the surface of Israeli cuisine.

• -Levinsky Market - The Levinsky Market specializes in spices and Mediterranean delicacies. It is, in many ways, the best market in Tel Aviv, known for its variety, freshness, and special atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a rare Indian spice or some good quality saffron - this is the place. Shops offer a cornucopia of excellent cheeses, smoked fish, wines, and other delicacies. Tour the market and have "tastings" throughout.

• -Hatikva Market - Go on a culinary journey through Hatikvah Market, a lesser-known gem. Since the market's renovation, it has become a joyful, colorful place. Many say this is Tel Aviv's best market for variety, price, and authenticity. What began in the 1930s with a few produce stalls put up by local residents of Iraqi, Yemeni, Syrian, and Iranian backgrounds grew into a vibrant market.

• Free time to pack and shop

• Final dinner at Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel / Ha'achim - Asif, a non-profit culinary center in Tel Aviv, aims to cultivate and nurture Israel’s diverse food culture. We’ll tour the library where there are books selected by culinary experts that represent Israeli, Arab, and Jewish cuisine; visit the exhibition space that explores relationships between food, history, agriculture, and more; and finally, visit the rooftop urban garden which grows rare varieties of herbs, including over 250 types of ezov (hyssop), the main ingredient in the za’atar spice blend.. Light snacks will be provided.

• Group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport - Fly back home, or stay in Tel Aviv for those who planned to extend their trip.