Goldstein Israel Family Trip

Activities:

• Welcome to Israel - Shalom - welcome to Israel. Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

• VIP Arrival - Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion airport. Your VIP fast track assistant will 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.

• Head north towards Caesarea - And stop for coffee and refreshments on the way north at one of the known coffee carts

• Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea National Park is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Explore the 2,000-year-old Roman theater, Crusader harbor and 12th-century ramparts. 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. 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.

• 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, Muslims and Christians. Discover the impressive subterranean well-preserved Crusaders Middle Ages city,
  walk narrow streets past towering ramparts, venerable synagogues, slender Muslim minarets, and secret passageways. Learn about the city’s rich history, as well as its important role in Israel’s modern history.
  Continue to the vibrant Akko's shuk, a fun bazaar full of fresh produce, cheap eats, spices, and souvenirs. Akko also has several of the best hummus spots in all of Israel which are a “must-taste.” Have dinner at the shuk (not included)

• Quick lookout on the Golan and Sea of Galilee

• Check in to your hotel

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Visit Tzfat (Safed) - Go on a journey through time and spirituality in Tzfat Old City, the city of Kabbalah. Marvel at splendid synagogues, vibrant art galleries, and picturesque alleyways. Engage with local artisans, discover Kabbalistic secrets, and savor the unique atmosphere that has inspired generations.
  Lunch at the Lachuch restaurant (Azamera) in Safed.

• Continue to the Lower Galilee

• Christmas Tour of Nazareth - Set in the Lower Galilee, Israel’s biggest Arab city, Nazareth, is a fascinating place. It combines traditional, simple Arabic charm, Christian history, and grand old Arabic architecture. Nazareth is home to many important early Christian sites, including the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, and the Synagogue Church, as well as an authentic, living Arab souk (market).

• Druze Home Hospitality - Together with your hosts in their private home, prepare traditional Druze Galilean dishes and then enjoy a meal of the foods you learned to cook. Get to know your hosts and their culture and history. Hear about the strong bond between the Druze community to the State of Israel and their contribution to the IDF. Dinner is included.

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Golan Heights Jeep Tour - Take a geo-political tour of the Golan Heights 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 the way (or at Coffee Anan on Mount Bental)

• Short hike in the Eden Springs - ***PLEASE NOTE - the place is under construction as of today. Should it still be closed, we'll change to a different hike, like Jilabun, or Ein Taufik.

• Ein Keshatot (Umm al-Kanatir) with a unique Bat Mitzvah Ceremony - Visit the charming Ein Keshatot site, also known as Um-el Kanatir, 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 Kinneret 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 site offers a combination of nature, archeology, and ancient art while connecting to Jewish heritage.

• Festive family dinner

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Late start to the day

• Check out an start heading South

• Visit and tour Aram Naharayim - The inspiring story of the Old Gesher and Naharayim historic sites started with a dream, in this case an electrifying one – literally. From 1932 until 1948, engineer Pinchas Rutenberg harnessed two rivers, the Jordan and the Yarmoukh, at their confluence to create the first hydroelectric power plant in the Middle East.

• Continue South through the Jordan Valley

• As you ascend into Jerusalem stop for a lookout on the Mount of Olives - The Mount of Olives offers a panoramic lookout over the city. There are countless Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions about Mt. Olives, including that from here the Messiah will come, and from here the dead will be resurrected in the vision of the End of Days. Enjoy a beautiful lookout of the Holy Basin, the old and new city of Jerusalem.

• Check in to your hotel, and dinner on own

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• The Jewish Quarter Jerusalem - 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.

• Hurva Synagogue - Founded in the 18th century, the iconic Hurva synagogue in the old Jewish quarter was destroyed in 1948, leaving only an arch against the sky. Today, the Hurva has been restored to its early splendor as the heart of a vibrant Jewish community, offering marvelous views across the Old City from the balcony around its domed roof.

• Cardo Old City Jerusalem - Explore the Jewish Quarter including synagogues, alleys and small shops of the Byzantine Cardo. You will see the artifacts uncovered during archaeological excavations that confirm two thousand years of Jewish presence in the Old City. Tour the Davidson Center, the Southern Wall Archaeological Gardens and Southern Kotel excavation.

• 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.

• Arab Market - 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.

• Ramparts Walk - For a great introduction to your Jerusalem visit follow the Rampart Walls which were built in the 16th century for the Ottomans' soldiers patrolling. Today you can walk on the walls and enjoy a bird's-eye view of both the Old City with its alleys and shrines and the New City spreading on the surrounding mountains outside the Walls.

• Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kottel

• Dinner at the hotel or home hospitality

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

• Early start for the day

• Ein Gedi National Park hike - Nahal David beautiful desert oasis, is a spectacular water hike for all ages. Trails in a range of levels of difficulty take you alongside and through the cool, fresh waters, down waterfalls, along sheer cliffs, and past lush greenery and invasive species. According to tradition, David sought refuge from King Saul, and his courage and leadership are commemorated here. If you’re both quiet and lucky, you might even glimpse the sure-footed ibex and other local animals.
  ***Stop for a short snack after Ein Gedy

• 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.

• Dead Sea Resort for swim and lunch (lunch first) - 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 your hotel in Jerusalem

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Later start for the day

• Start your day at the City of David - Take a trip back in time through the layers of Jerusalem’s past. It was on this hill where King David founded the Kingdom of Israel capital, and where it continuously excavated over the last 120 years, discoveries are regularly made. Tour the palace of King David, ritual purification pools, and the tour's highlight - a walk through water in Hezekiah’s Tunnel built to protect the water supply. Exit the site onto the magnificent road where the Jewish pilgrims walked, over 2,000 years ago. Get your flashlights ready!
  Please note: The walk in the tunnel isn't suitable for claustrophobic people. What to bring? water shoes, a flashlight, shorts, and a change of modest clothes for the rest of the day in the Old City.

• The Western Wall Tunnels - 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.

• Tasting tour at Machane Yehuda Market - 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.

• Afternoon and dinner on own

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast and check out of the hotel

• Yad Vashem (Private tour) - Visit the museum at Yad Vashem, 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.

• Head out of Jerusalem to the Jerusalem Hills

• Dig for a Day at Beit Guvrin (the Land of a Thousand Caves) - For a real hands-on and exciting experience head to Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park, in the heart of The Land of Thousands of Caves, and become an archeologist for the day. Take part in the digs at the vast spaces beneath the houses, these caves served as storerooms, olive presses, water cisterns, and later on as safe havens during the time of the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans. Don't miss out on a visit to the amazing Bell Caves in Tel Maresha as well as the impressive Roman amphitheater in Beit Guvrin. This activity is fun for all ages.

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

• Isrotel Kedma Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Maktesh Ramon Hike - Walk through the stunning Negev Desert and get to know the endless variations of the landscape. Explore the remarkable Makhtesh Ramon and immerse yourself in the details of the land around you.
  (Length and difficulty will be determined)

• ATV adventure in the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon) - Self driving tour through the cliffs of the Ramon Crater. Enjoy spectacular views while manage the adrenalin of the challenging route.

• Half day to rest and enjoy the hotel

• Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel

• Isrotel Kedma Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast and check-out of the hotel

• Sde Boker Grave of Ben Gurion - Visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, and his wife Paula, located near Sde Boker. One of his famous quotes is: "It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel will be tested, and this will be a crucial test" - his vision for settling the desert continues to bloom today. Overlook towards the breathtaking Tzin Valley and the Avdat highlands in the heart of the Negev. Throughout the day, you’ll see his vision come to life.

• Avdat National Park - Heading deep into the Negev desert, stop at Avdat on the ancient Nabatean Spice route. The nomadic Nabateans transported valuable spices, perfumes, and even wine, from the Arabian Peninsula to Europe along this route, over 2,000 years ago. Explore the impressive ruins, and learn the history of the desert’s significance on the culture and flavors of Israel.

• Sfinat Hamidbar Desert Bedouin experience - At Sfinat Hamidbar, be treated to desert hospitality and dinner in a Bedouin-style tent. The khan, or desert camp, is owned and operated by a Bedouin family from the Azama tribe. Hear the story of Israel's Bedouins and enjoy the food and atmosphere.

• Continue to Tel Aviv, check in to your hotel and dinner on own

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

• Carmel Market Tasting Tour - A culinary tasting tour and cultural experience in the Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel), the largest market in Tel Aviv. 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)

• The White City - Explore Lev Ha'ir, the Heart of the City, where the first roots of Tel Aviv were planted in 1909. Lev Hair contains some of Tel Aviv’s most beautiful buildings, being at the center of the UNESCO designated “White City” known for its Bauhaus, Eclectic, and International Style architecture. The area is densely populated, rooted in history, and with a glance towards the future with impressive skyscrapers, and a high concentration of start-up companies. Bordered by Habima Theater in the north and Florentin and Neve Tzedek in the south, Lev Ha’ir is a gateway to almost every district in the city. Lev Ha'ir is a cultural hub, filled with galleries, restaurants and parks.

• Neve Tzedek - Neve Tzedek is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa and is now one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in Tel Aviv. It was built in 1887 by dignitaries of the old Jewish community of Jaffa. Looking to head out of the ever-growing and over-crowded Jaffa, they built, what was considered back then, modern and comfortable housing.. In recent years, the neighborhood was restored and has become a trendy fun beautiful part of the city and a good place to try some Israeli Gelato!

• Rothschild Boulevard - Rothschild Boulevard was one of the first streets to be built in the city of Tel Aviv a little over 100 years ago. In the heart of the “White City”, it is lined with Tel Aviv’s iconic architecture, the Bauhaus style, which led to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of these buildings have been beautifully restored and now house the offices of financial institutions, creative firms, cafes, and luxury residences.

• Old Jaffa Sunset 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.

• Time to rest before New Year’s Eve - with a festive dinner and street party

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Late start to theday

• 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.

• Farewell Graffiti Workshop and tour - With a local talented street artist tour the dynamic neighborhood of Florentin, Tel Aviv’s most bohemian and upbeat neighborhood. Learn about contemporary Israeli culture through the graffiti on the walls and see an Israel that you might not know. Finally, express your creativity in an interactive fun graffiti workshop, and make something on your own that you'll take with you back home.

• Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market (Optional) - Enjoy time to explore the local artistic spirit in Nachalat Binyamin open-air market in the heart of Tel-Aviv. It has become synonymous with quality Israeli crafts and folk art. The market comprised over 100 stands representing specialty local crafts in virtually every medium imaginable: wood, stone, glass, ceramics, and various metals, all original and handmade. The unique architecture as well as the graffiti on the walls provide a perfect backdrop for the arts and crafts market.

• Sarona Market - Sarona was a German Templers colony established north of Jaffa during the Ottoman period in 1871. In the past decade, Sarona has been revitalized as a commercial center with a modern food market at its center. Explore the area's history and enjoy tastings in the market.

• Dinner with friends

• Isrotel Royal Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Day on own

• VIP Departure - Your VIP agent will meet you at the departures terminal to assist with check-in and security procedures for your flight.

• Farewell - We hope to host you again in our beautiful country!