Lisser Israel Family Trip | December 2023

Activities:

• Welcome - 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 from 3:00 PM.

• Relax and acclimate

• Welcome dinner at a local restaurant - We'll be happy to provide restaurant recommendations and assist with making reservations closer to the trip. (meal not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

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

• Begin with a lookout from 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.

• Tour and visit to the 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.

• Culinary and tasting tour in Machane Yehuda - In the heart of the city sits a bustling multi-ethnic market bursting with life, art, and flavor. 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. (tastings will replace lunch)

• Enjoy the rest of the day to explore on own - (dinner on your own, meal and transfers aren't included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Begin your day with a visit to Yad Vashem - 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.

• After a meaningful morning we will continue with a multicultural tour in Jerusalem Old City

• Magnificent lookout - 360° panoramic view from atop an ancient guard tower at Tower of David grounds. This is the only place in Jerusalem where the entire Old City, new Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, the Judean Desert and the Moab Mountains of Jordan, will be at your feet.

• Authentic lunch in the Old City - (not included, guide will be able to recommend a place)

• Tour of the Davidson Center and Archeological 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.

• Time to reflect at the Western Wall - The Kotel 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.

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

• 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.

• Proceed back to your hotel - (transfers are not included)

• Friday night Shabbat family dinner - (on own, not included). Optional and suggested: join a local family for home hospitality and traditional Shabbat meal.

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Sataf morning hike - Explore the Jerusalem Hills at the beautiful Sataf forest for a hike through the area. The Sataf is on the site of ancient agricultural terraces which date to the time of the ancient Israelites. Along the way - forage for edible plants and learn about the local Biblical cuisine.

• Lunch break - (not included)

• Tour and explore Ein Kerem - 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, browse local artist studios and galleries.

• Back in Jerusalem for the evening - recommended: check-out Machne Yehuda Market night scene

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

• Begin with a beautiful hike in Ein Gedi oasis - This beautiful nature reserve features Nahal David, a spectacular water hike for all ages. Trails in a range of levels of difficulty take you alongside and through the cool, fresh waters of Nahal David, down waterfalls, along jaw-dropping canyons, and past caves. If you’re both quiet and lucky, you might even glimpse the sure-footed ibex and other local animals.

• 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, enjoy the hotel's spa facilities and 'float' in the Dead Sea.

• Travel to your desert camp - Around 45 minutes drive.

• Bedouin desert style dinner

• Guided star gazing can be added

• Kfar HaNokdim

Activities:

• Early morning start

• Masada National Park - for sunrise and tour - Climb up the Roman Ramp to watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea and the hills of Jordan. 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.

• Proceed back to the desert lodge for breakfast and camel ride

• Check-out and travel north - Approximately 2.5 hours drive

• Brothers For Life - You will meet one of the staff members of Brothers for Life non-profit organization and hear about their special mission. BFL vision is that every wounded combat soldier receives the care and support needed to ensure his return to fulfilling and contributive life. (donations will be gratefully accepted)

• Travel to your hotel and check-in

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

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Banias nature hike - Take a refreshing walk around the Banias, one of Israel’s most beautiful nature reserves. The Banias spring feeds into the Jordan River, the reserve’s large waterfall tumbles down a 33-foot precipice year-round, and a nearby cave houses remains of a temple to the Greek god Pan. In the wars of 1948 and 1967, when the Golan was held by Syria, the site housed a Syrian officers’ club.

• Jeep tour in the Galilee with a geo-political focus - Take a fun and interesting jeep tour of Galilee with a local expert 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 and Lebanon 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 northern border and what that has meant for Israel as it relates to security and humanitarian issues.

• Lunch on route - (meal not included)

• Tour of Tzfat - Spend the rest of the day in 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.

• Druze home hospitality, cooking workshop and meal - 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. (dinner included)

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

• Akko historical tour and local market - 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.

• When it's lunchtime: eat an authentic lunch at the local market or at the famous fish Uri Buri restaurant - (meal not included)

• - OR -

• Caesarea National Park (site entry included) - 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.

• Continue to Margalit Winery - private visit and wine tastings - Margalit Winery is a family owned winery founded in 1989. Before founding the winery we made many experiments in quality winemaking, using various varieties, and distributed the wines free, amongst friends.
  It was launched in 1991. The interest in the tiny winery grew slowly, probably because of two reasons. It was the first small winery in the Israeli wine industry, which was then controlled by a very few large and medium sized wineries. The second reason was because of the wine’s quality and its uniqueness.

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

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your 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.

• 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. (lunch not included)

• Continue with a dynamic graffiti tour - 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.

• Independence Trail and architecture - Inspired by the Freedom Trail in Boston, the new Independence Trail leads to several of Tel Aviv’s heritage sites teaching visitors the history of this great city along the way. The trail ends across the street at Independence Hall, where on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion read aloud the Declaration of Independence as Israel was declared an independent Jewish state. Along Rothchild Blvd., you will also discover the development of the city through the architecture styles. As you might know, Tel Aviv has more Bauhaus buildings that any other city in the world, so many that it is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - (on own, meal and transfers aren't included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• A full day to explore the city on your own - see recommendations below - (a guide, transfers and activities aren't included and can be added)

• 1. ANU Museum of the Jewish People - 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.

• 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.

• 3. The Israeli Society through Israeli Art - In this dynamic tour with a local artist and art expert guide, you will figure out what makes Israeli art into what it is, and what’s it relationship with the Zionist narrative as well as the international art world. This tour through the extensive Israeli collection at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is an amazing way to visually explore the Israeli narrative from the early 20th century until today.

• 4. Carmel Market Tasting Tour - 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)

• 5. Bread and pita baking workshop at a private home in Jaffa

• Farewell dinner at a restaurant - (on own, meal and transfers aren't included)

• Recommended: Tel Aviv weekend's night life experience - We can recommend bars and great places. Night life tour is available.

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Day to explore on your own - (a guide and activities aren't included and can be added)

• Check-out by noon and private transfer to Ben Gurion Airport - VIP fast track assistance upon departure is available and not included.

• Fly back home - safe travels

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