Farhadian Weinstein Family Trip | December 2023

Activities:

• Visit Ayalon Institute - Shelli's Family and Parents - This clandestine ammunition factory was built in 1945 by the Haganah. In just three weeks, preparations for the factory were completed and it was code-named the Ayalon Institute. Above ground, it appeared to be no more than a kibbutz. However, located eight meters below ground, this was the country's largest bullet factory. It has been said that the bullets manufactured at the Ayalon Institute played a crucial role in the success of the War of Independence.

• Transfer south - And check-in to hotel

• Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion airport at 2:10 p.m. on flight LY8 - Your VIP agent will be waiting to greet you at the sleeve of the plane. After assisting with arrival procedures and collecting your baggage, you will be taken to meet your driver.

• Travel south - Check-in and dinner at hotel

• Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Time at leisure at the hotel

• Bedouin Hospitality and Camel Ride - Learn about the Bedouin heritage, lifestyle, and culture firsthand from a local. Experience the Bedouin's famous customs of hospitality over traditional coffee, tea, and conversation, followed by lunch.

• Weather permitting: Stargazing, Bonfire and S'mores - When night falls in the desert, a whole new setting is revealed, and what could be better than stargazing in Mitzpe Ramon, one of the best locations to do this in Israel (and in the world!)?

• Beresheet Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - And checkout from hotel

• Optional: Ein Avdat National Park - Hike in the Ein Avdat National Park, in a beautiful canyon in the Negev desert. The Ein Avdat Spring flows down in a waterfall towards an 8-meter deep pool of water. The canyon is part of Nahal Zin, which is the longest wadi or dry riverbed in the Negev desert.

• Ben Gurion's Desert Home - Paula and David moved to their Desert home in 1953, following their acceptance as Sde Boker Kibbutz members, which manifested Ben-Gurion’s pioneering vision of settling the Negev. Their home has remained as it was left in 1973, according to Ben-Gurion’s instructions in his will, that his home will be open for the public to come visit. Since 1974, visitors can enjoy a tour of his home – as they would if they were his own personal guests.

• Lunch on your own en route

• Be an archeologist for the day! - Explore Beit Guvrin National Park where you will be able to take part in an archeological dig. The caves of Beit Guvrin hold a rich trove of artifacts that visitors like you have uncovered over the years. Don’t forget to check out the amazing Bell Caves too.

• Continue to Jerusalem - And check-in to hotel

• Dinner on your own - We will be happy to make recommendations and reservations

• Enjoy the Christmas Spirit and Christmas Market at the Christian Quarter - One of the four neighborhoods of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Christian Quarter is home to a rich tapestry of Christians of many denominations. The historic and impressive Church of the Holy Sepulchre, encompassing the last 5 Stations of the Cross, dominates the area. Retrace the footsteps of generations of pilgrims, or eat some of Israel’s best hummus at one of the authentic restaurants in the quarter.

• Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• The Western Wall Tunnels - Shelli's Family - Explore what’s under the Muslim Quarter through the Kotel Tunnels Tour. The Western Wall is impressive, but its greatness is truly discovered when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels run along approximately 488 meters (1601ft) of the Western Wall, giving visitors a taste of the challenge that stood before Herod the Great during the biggest of all his immense building projects - the expansion of the Temple Mount.

• Day on own - Tali's Family - Friend's event in Jerusalem

• Weather permitting: Light and Sound Show at the Tower of David Museum - Amidst the archaeological remains in the David Citadel courtyard, the story of Jerusalem unfolds through virtual reality images. The Night Spectacular uses trompe l'oeil technology – the stones of the walls and structures fade into the scenes and the viewers are part of a multi-sensory experience.

• Dinner at a local restaurant on your own - We will make recommendations and reservations for you

• Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Tour Jerusalem’s Old City - And meet the people and places that make this place so unique. In the Jewish Quarter, uncover the layers of Jewish history from the time of the First Temple until the present day. In the Christian Quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Throughout the tour, explore the complexity of a city that is holy to the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Start with a short tour of the Jewish Quarter - The Jewish Quarter is best known for the Western Wall, but there’s a lot more to see and do here. See archaeological finds from the First and Second Temple periods, Roman ruins, vibrant synagogues, and learning institutions, all jostling for space in these busy stone streets.

• Lunch on your own in the Old City

• Muslim & Christian Quarters - Explore the maze of the Muslim and Christian quarters, meeting people who have lived in the Old City for generations, practicing their crafts and raising their families. Browse the famous Arab shuk (market) in the Muslim quarter. The Christian Quarter is home to a rich tapestry of Christians of many denominations. The historic and impressive Church of the Holy Sepulcher, encompassing the last 5 Stations of the Cross, dominates the area. Retrace the footsteps of generations of pilgrims, or eat some of Israel’s best hummus at one of the authentic restaurants in the quarter.

• Return to hotel and rest before dinner

• Dinner at MachneYuda - "This restaurant is considered one of the best in Jerusalem, possibly the country. Celebrity chef, Assaf Granit, grew up in Jerusalem and pays homage to the city's colors and cacophony in his elegant dishes. The menu changes twice daily, but it nearly always includes chamshuka, a fusion of chopped meat and hummus, and a raucous dessert ceremony of ice cream flung on tables covered in aluminum foil.”

• Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain from the east to explore Masada, scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.

• Dead Sea Boat Ride - Take a boat ride on the Dead Sea in a small group motorboat or in kayaks and see amazing salt formations and scenery. During this unique experience you will enjoy the wondrous muds, salt pearls, salt diamonds, water springs streaming to the sea and sink holes filled with sweet water. Learn about the ecosystem and the environmental issues connected to the Dead Sea.

• Lunch by the Dead Sea

• Dead Sea Bike - Bike in the spectacular scenery of the Dead Sea. Several route options available depending on the level of the riders. Riding off-road, explore the area between the mountains and the sea in the stunning quiet landscape of the area. (special sits and bikes are available for the younger crowd)

• Options in case of rain (not included in the price):

• Option 1: Israel museum

• Option 2: Workshop in Genesis Land - Genesis Land is situated in the heart of the Judean desert, on the way to the Dead Sea, in the land where the Patriarchs lived. A magical place, it enables visitors to experience life as it was in biblical times. Participate in fun workshops like mosaic making, pottery, etc and enjoy a biblical style meal.

• Option 3: Israel Aquarium - Check out the new Israel Aquarium, a huge aquarium that tells a fascinating submarine story. Visit the “Four Seas” gallery, where you will find an extraordinary exhibit of Israel’s seas – namely, the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea.

• Return to hotel

• Dinner at a local restaurant on your own - We will make recommendations and reservations for you

• Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin your day with a family Shuk Hunt at Machane Yehuda Market - After a short tour through the market, each family will be given instructions for the tasks you will need to complete together in the shuk. At the end you'll come together to share what you've learned.

• Return to hotel to get ready for Bat Mitzva Celebration

• Bat Mitzva Celebrations

• Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - And checkout from hotel

• Kfar Masaryk Kibbutz Experience - The Secrets of the Kibbutz Miracle-fascinating tours through kibbutz living. At the beautifully renovated original kibbutz buildings, visitors can get a glimpse of early 1940s kibbutz living – the pioneers (Halutzim), clothes, rooms, and pastime culture.

• Akko historical tour - Walk through 4,000 years of history in this ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient city of Akko, situated on the Mediterranean coast, is one of the oldest ports in the world, and a city shared by Jews and Muslims. Walk narrow streets past towering ramparts, deep moats, green domes, venerable synagogues, slender Muslim minarets, and secret passageways. Discover the subterranean city built beneath Akko in the Middle Ages by the Crusaders. Learn about the city’s ancient history, as well as its important role in Israel’s modern history.

• Lunch on your own in Akko

• La Chocolita - Learn how to make chocolate with an authentic music show at the Mohanna Family garden in Peki'in!

• Continue to your hotel - Check-in and dinner at hotel

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Take a geo-political jeep tour of the Golan 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 on your own en route

• Ein Keshatot (Umm al-Kanatir) - Ein Keshatot is is one of about 30 Jewish villages that existed in the Golan during the Talmudic Period, which was period of great growth in the area. The synagogue building was constructed in the 6th century CE (approximately 500 years after the destruction of the Second Temple), and was the center of local communal life. It served as a place for prayer, reading of the Torah, and various public activities.

• Druze Cooking Workshop and Dinner - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy a dinner of the foods you create. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - And checkout from hotel

• Start your day in Kfar Kedem - Go back in time and experience the lifestyle of our ancestors – dress like the Israelites, go on donkey riding, and Pita baking!

• Continue to the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology - The Technion played a key role in laying the country's infrastructure and establishing its crucial defense and high-tech industries. In the new millennium, Technion's role at the forefront of the global network of science and technology has never been more vital. Tour the campus and hear about the university's projects.

• Take time to explore and eat at Israel's latest hipster hangout - Haifa Lower City - Hear about the gentrification that the city is going through, the history, and the food scene that tells the story of the diverse communities in the past and present. (meal is not included)

• Continue to Tel Aviv - And check-in to hotel

• Dinner at a local restaurant (TBD)

• Shelli's family transfer to airport

• The Levee - Fine Stays, Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Go Beyond with Glenn Cohen - Engage in an exciting workshop where you will get to be a Mossad agent for the day! Use the city as your playground and be challenged with various clandestine tasks. (Upon availability).

• Lunch on your own at Jaffa Flea Market - Wind your way through the Flea Market which features everything from antiques to hip new clothing and design stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars.

• Dialogue in The Dark at the Children's Museum - A sensory experience for those who've already seen it all. Get to know the world and other people without the benefit of your sense of sight. Swap roles with your sight-impaired guide – and discover your other, dormant senses. Hearing, touch, smell, and taste – when sight no longer dominates your senses, how do you perceive your environment? You'll find your daily routines seem utterly different in the pitch-dark exhibition. Under the care of your sight-impaired guide, a walk in the park, the noisy city, and a boating excursion become real adventures. At the end of the tour, you'll reach a café where you'll be served by blind waiters. There, you can discuss your experiences with others. Dialogue in the Dark is based on social creativity. It sets the stage for real and meaningful human interaction. Dialogue in the Dark is not an exhibition about blindness; rather, it's about human non-visual awareness. Dialogue in the Dark challenges our prejudices.
  
  Dialogue in The Dark is an exhibition that tries to take as its starting point the non-visual perceptions of blind people in order to discover the unseen within and all around us.

• Dinner on your own - We will make suggestions and reservations for you

• The Levee - Fine Stays, Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Graffiti Workshop in Florentin - Tour the dynamic neighborhood of Florentine, Tel Aviv’s most bohemian and upbeat neighborhood and learn about contemporary Israeli culture through the writing on the wall, graffiti, bumper stickers and even painted garbage bins. In recent years Tel Aviv has become Israel's capital of urban art.
  Take part in an interactive fun graffiti workshop, where you'll make something on your own and take it with back home.

• Continue to Levinsky Market Tasting Tour - 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. (replaces lunch)

• ANU Museum of the Jewish People - In June 2021, after ten years of planning and construction, the largest Jewish museum in the world opened its doors. You’re invited to join a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. The Museum represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history. This story is about all of us and each and every one of us is part of it.

• Dinner on your own - We will make suggestions and reservations for you

• The Levee - Fine Stays, Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Tali's parents time at leisure in Tel Aviv

• Begin your day with a visit to Ayalon Institute - This clandestine ammunition factory was built in 1945 by the Haganah. In just three weeks, preparations for the factory were completed and it was code-named the Ayalon Institute. Above ground, it appeared to be no more than a kibbutz. However, located eight meters below ground, this was the country's largest bullet factory. It has been said that the bullets manufactured at the Ayalon Institute played a crucial role in the success of the War of Independence.

• Hatikva Market Tasting Tour - Hatikvah Market is 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, people-watching, and authenticity. The Hatikva Market was built in the mid-1930s as a response to the Arab Revolt, when residents of the village of Salama stopped coming to the neighborhood to sell their goods. What began with a few produce stalls put up by local residents of Iraqi, Yemeni, Syrian and Iranian background grew into a sprawling market spread out along the triangle of Ha’Etzel, Hahagana and Hatikva Streets.

• Travel to colorful Kuchinate: African Refugee Women’s Cooperative - For a coffee ceremony and to hear the story of this incredible social start-up. Meet founders Diddy Mymin Kahn and Sister Aziza, who have turned the lives of refugee women around by empowering them to find their voices and regain their dignity after very difficult life circumstances.

• Late checkout from hotel

• Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (TBD) - We will make suggestions and reservations

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport

• Farewell! Depart at 12:45 a.m. on Flight LY1 - We hope to host you again in our beautiful country!