Friends’ trip to Israel | Fall 2023

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion airport - 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.

• Private transfer to Jerusalem & check-in to your hotel - Please note check-in time is at 3:00 PM.

• Enjoy the day to relax

• Welcome dinner at a local restaurant - We will be happy to make recommendations and help with reservations, closer to the event.

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Every morning enjoy a delicious buffet Israeli breakfast.

• Meet your guide at the hotel's lobby to begin your Israel trip

• Begin with an intro to Jerusalem from a great lookout - From the Haas Promenade take in a wide view of Jerusalem's Old and New Cities and the surrounding Judean Desert as far as the eye can see. See Jerusalem's complex geography, strategic setting, and beauty. Begin the conversation about Jerusalem's centrality to Islam, Christianity, and Islam.

• Tour of the Jewish Quarter - 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.

• Arab Market - lunch and meet some interesting shop owners - Browse in the famous Arab shuk (market) in the Muslim Quarter. Check out the local hummus and sweets, the many stalls selling spices, pastries, pottery, sheepskin, embroidered clothes, and so much more. Meet store owners whose stores have been in their family for generations.

• Meeting with George Kahvedjian - Business owner George Kahvedjian is the son of legendary Armenian photographer Elia Kahvedjian who beginning in 1924 documented the history of Jerusalem through the lens of his camera. In the shop you can acquire a wide range of rare historical photographs of the Old City from before the Six Day War in 1967.

• 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 sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of this site so holy to Christendom.

• Western Wall - Proceed to the Kotel (The Western Wall), 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.

• The Western Wall Tunnels - Explore what’s under the Kotel 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.

• Free evening and time on own

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Israel museum - Visit the unique collections and expansive grounds of the Israel Museum, the country’s national museum. Linger over the renowned international and Israeli art, the world’s most complete Judaica collections and the charming Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. You can also visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts.

• Alternative track: Museum for islamic Art - Containing hundreds of objects representing the art of Islamic countries throughout the ages, the museum houses magnificent ceramic wares, figurines and tiles, as well as an outstanding collection of glass and metalwork, jewelry, and a selection of calligraphy, miniatures and textiles. In addition, a magnificent collection of antique clocks, watches, automata and music boxes is on display, including watches made by Breguet in Paris between 1769 and 1823.

• Machane Yehuda Market culinary tour - In the heart of Jerusalem sits this bustling, multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor,. And a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda Market is an adventure for your taste buds! Enjoy the hustle and bustle with all the rich fragrances, colors and sounds this iconic Jerusalem market offers. The tasting tour replaces lunch.

• Meet Dany Tirza - Tour the greater Jerusalem area with Colonel Danny Tirza, Security Expert and architect of the Security Barrier. View the city from many angles and engage in a conversation about the complexity of the barrier.

• Enjoy an easy afternoon to explore on your own

• Optional evening 'Shtisel' tour - A taste of the Ultra-Orthodox world-walk the streets of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, get to know the people, the food, and feel the vibrations of this life. On a busy Thursday night, when people are preparing for Shabbat, gain a more complex appreciation for the people by listening to their music, visiting synagogues, various institutions, seeing unique leisure, fashion, and art this world encompasses, and, of course by eating freshly baked challah.

• Thursday night Jerusalemite bar hopping

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Yad Vashem - Visit the museum at Yad Vashem, Israel’s National Memorial to the Holocaust. Tour this memorial to the darkest moment in 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.

• Concert at Eden Tamir Center (hopefully by the youth orchestra) - The Eden-Tamir Music Center is located in the ancient and picturesque village of Ein-Kerem (a neighborhood in modern day Jerusalem) near the Miriam Spring and an ancient Mosque surrounded by a quaint garden.
  The center was founded in 1968 by the renowned Piano Duo Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir, two of the leading Israeli pianists and pedagogues in Israel and around the world. They have contributed greatly to the promotion of classical music and to the education of the younger generation in Israel, and the Eden-Tamir Center, which stands to this very day, is an integral part of their heritage. It holds 20 seats and a beautiful foyer.

• After a meaningful morning continue to the lovely Ein Karem village - Tucked into the hills of Jerusalem is the biblical Ein Kerem, whose name means "the spring in the vineyard." Step into another world while you visit this quaint neighborhood.

• Lunch at Majda restaurant - Majda, a restaurant in the Jerusalem Hills village of Ein Rafa, is famous for its innovative fusion cuisine, beautiful property and views from its rooftop and an appearance on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. The menu is full of creative local dishes all prepared by Yakub and Michal, the Arab-Jewish couple who own Majda.

• Proceed back to Jersalem

• Erev Shabbat with a local family in their Sukkah

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Early breakfast

• Masada National Park - Hike up the Snake Path to explore Masada, a 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 Resort for swim and lunch - Israel’s 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 of the Dead Sea 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 for Israelis and tourists alike. At one of the local hotels, have lunch and 'float' in the Dead Sea.

• Hike Nahal Arugot - This beautiful nature reserve is a spectacular water hike. The trail takes you alongside and through the cool, fresh waters of Nahal Arugot, down waterfalls, along amazing canyons, and past caves. If you’re both quiet and lucky, you might even glimpse the sure-footed ibex and other local animals.

• Optional: 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.

• Dinner back in Jerusalem - (on your own)

• JERUSALEM HAKAFOT FOR SHMINI ATZERET!!!

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from hotel

• Agritour in Kibbutz Magal - Visit the kibbutz's olive and almond agricultural and production center, as well as Netafim, the world-renowned agricultural lead in irrigation methods.

• Tour of Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea National Park is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Here, amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences sit side-by-side. The city was initially built by King Herod in the 1st century BC, who dreamt of a major seaport to connect the Province of Judea with Rome. For this purpose, the king's men designed an entirely artificial harbor that was in use for about a millennium. Caesarea became a central city in Roman and Byzantine times as can be seen from the massive archeological remains on site. View the spectacular Roman amphitheater, still used today as a performance venue, as well as the hippodrome that held 20,000 spectators for chariot races.

• Suggested lunch at Uri Buri and meeting with Uri - For the past 40 years , the popular Uri Buri restaurant has offered a variety of delicately prepared fresh fish and seafood dishes, and boasts a wine list with over 100 different kinds of fine Israeli wines. (meal not included)

• Akko's highlights 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.

• Optional: Stone carving workshop - At the Old City, meet a local stone artist Saleem Amer and try your hand at stone carving - Try your hand at stone carving with local stone artist Saleem.

• Travel to the hotel & check-in

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Magical morning kayak in the Kinneret Savannah - Discover the hidden savannah. Row through one of the most beautiful spots in Israel, amongst the plants, trees, and waterfalls in the middle of this magical Kinneret savannah.

• Visit the ancient village of Um el Kanatir - Also known as Ein Keshatot, home to a Jewish village from the Period of the Mishna and Talmud, with a magnificent synagogue in its center. The ancient village is located above the Samekh Riverbed, looking towards the Sea of Galilee and the hills of the Galilee. Enter a synagogue that features the original Ark Complex – the most preserved and magnificent ever to be discovered in Israel. The synagogue was excavated and reconstructed with advanced technological methods, and today it stands at a height of one story. The Ein Keshatot site also offers a visit to the village spring, which flows into ancient pools, surrounded by shaded areas.

• Bazelet Winery - light lunch - And meeting with the winemaker

• Afternoon jeep tour of the Golan - Take a geo-political tour of the Golan with an expert local guide. 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 strategical 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.

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from hotel

• Tour of Tzfat - Morning tour of Tzfat which sits at a higher altitude than any other city in Israel and has been known since the 16th century as a major center of Kabbala, Jewish mysticism. Tzfat’s mystical aura adds to its special status as one of Israel’s four holy cities, along with Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Hebron. The old synagogues, narrow alleyways and artists’ studios add to the hilltop city’s unmistakable charm.

• Meet Artist Avraham Loewenthal - Meet Avraham Lowenthal in his studio. Lowenthal is a Kabbalistic Artist who will share his work and wisdom with you, through which we will learn about some of the symbols and principles of Kabballah.

• Lookout over the Israel-Lebanese border

• Druze cooking workshop and home hospitality - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy the feast you create. Learn about Druze culture and history from your hosts and from the food you eat.

• Kishor Winery - Wine Tasting at Kishor Winery located in Kishorit, a village for adults with special needs. The members of the community enjoy a full life, including meaningful employment. In conjunction with the professional staff, the members take an active part in the grape cultivation, bottling, and marketing of the wines. The Visitors’ Center also employs Kishorit members who host guests, interact with members of the general community, and give guided tours.

• Travel to Tel Aviv and check-in to your hotel

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Old Jaffa tour - Jaffa is one of the most ancient port cities in Israel and the Mediterranean basin. Today Jaffa is a mixed city, where Jews and Arabs live alongside each other. Tel Aviv, Jaffa's younger sister, was established centuries later, in the year 1909, but the two were united into one municipality in 1949, yet each part kept its unique feel and atmosphere. Jaffa has been regenerated in recent years with the old narrow streets and courtyards becoming a highly popular part of Tel Aviv’s urban tapestry.

• Stop at Maskit - Conceived in 1954 by Ruth Dayan, Maskit made contemporary luxury clothing utilizing traditional embroidery techniques from Hungarian, Yemenite, Bulgarian, Bedouin, Palestinian, Druze, Lebanese and Jewish artisans. The resulting works of art created more than jobs for immigrants; a brand was born.

• Wallk through the American-German Colony - In 1866, a group of 150 Christian Americans from Maine and the New England region, led by the eccentric (some say charlatan) preacher George Adams, left the United States, where the Civil War had just ended. They carried with them their faith, and the materials to rebuild their houses in the Holy Land, sailing 42 days to the disease-ridden Middle East. Join a fascinating journey that weaves its way through religious fervor, nationalistic jingoism, renewal and modern speculation to create a uniquely Tel Aviv neighborhood. Today, the neighborhood has both crumbling ruins and new villas- meticulously preserved 150-year-old homes next to four-story buildings with luxury apartments. Visit the Maine Friendship House and Immanuel Church, walk through the surprising streets, and learn the stories of the place.

• Continue with a Graffiti Tour - In the trendy neighborhood of Florentin, experience fun and artistic freedom. Discover new and daring Israeli Graffiti Artists that are gaining recognition around the world. Learn about the Israeli society through the art that is on the wall. We conclude the street experience with a real Tel Avivian street lunch

• Suggestion 1: meet and talk with Ronit Vered at Asif - Together with Ronit Vered, an Israeli food writer, editor and cook book author and an expert on Israeli and Jewish cuisine, survey the future trends related to food in Israel.

• Suggestion 2: Peres Center for Peace and Innovation - The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is a leading non-profit and non-governmental organization focused on developing and implementing unique and cutting-edge programs. The center presents the incredible story of Israel, the "innovation nation", and showcases the diverse fields and people behind Israeli innovation.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (meal not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• The Israeli Art collection at Tel Aviv Museum of Art - During this dynamic tour with Shirel Horovitz we'll figure out what makes Israeli art what it is and learn about its relationship with the Zionist narrative as well as the international art world. Tour the extensive Israeli collection at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and visually explore the Israeli narrative from the early 20th century until today. Alongside her art practice, Shirel lectures, leads art tours, teaches art and is an art consultant to a variety of private groups and institutions among them Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Alma Hebrew college, Classrooms Without Borders, Ashdod Museum of Art, Azrieli LTD, Hartman institute and more. Drawing from multiple fields of knowledge, Shirel weaves into each experience aspects of social issues, politics, economy, religion and more to create a vivid and nuanced image of the Israeli reality. Her knowledge, passion and love of all that is Art, Tel Aviv and Israeli history are nothing less than contagious.

• Tasting tour at the Carmel Market and the Yemenite Quarter - Continue to Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel), the largest market in Tel Aviv. Touring the market reveals the taste of the ages of Tel-Aviv in the youthful atmosphere of the city's central market. The Polish, the Persian, and the Yemeni... in this case, it is not the start of a joke, but the fascinating culinary traditions that mix in this place. The established market that was founded over 90 years ago, can now reveal its secrets, stories, and legends to you. (The tasting tour replaces lunch)

• Giborot - From the early days of the establishment of Tel Aviv as the first Hebrew city, women have played a key role in building the foundation. Learn about Golda Meir, Rachel the Poet, Tzina Dizingoff, Ahuva Ozeri and others who were the movers and shakers that were part of making this city so great.

• OR

• 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.

• Free afternoon and dinner at a local restaurant - (meal not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enjoy an eas morning to experience Tel Aviv weekend's Friday morning atmosphere - Check-out the Nahalhat Binyamin Art and Craft market or just sit for a good coffee at one of the local cafes.

• Check-out and drive south

• Tour of Rahat and a personal meeting with Elham - Elham will take you on a tour of the modern Beduoin city, Rahat, and will share her personal story and perspective on the Afro-Beduion culture.

• Naot Farm - tour and light lunch - Naot Desert Farm is one of the many havot bodedim (lone farms) built by Lea and Gadi Nahimov, modern-day pioneers who are making David Ben-Gurion’s vision of the desert blooming come to life. Visit the goats and taste some delicious cheese.

• Visit the grave of David and Pola Ben-Gurion - Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, whose vision for settling the desert continues to bloom today. Throughout your stay, you’ll see his vision come to life.

• Drive to the hotel and check-in

• Beduion authentic meal in a tent

• Optional: guided star gazing session in Ramon Crater

• Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enjoy a relaxing day at the hotel - Spa treatments are available.

• Jeep tour in Maktesh Ramon - Afternoon jeep ride in Makhtesh Ramon. Ride through the stunning Negev Desert and get to know the endless variations of the landscape. Explore the area of Makhtesh Ramon and immerse yourself in the details of the land around you. End your tour with a glass of wine and see the beautiful sunset.

• Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Leisure day

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from hotel - Beresheet

• Private transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and fly back home

• Ben Gurion Airport - You will be greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by your driver, who will transfer you to the hotel.