Luxury Women’s Tours – Israel Trip Spring 2024

Activities:

• Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport - Group assistance at the airport, meet your guide and driver, and transfer to Jerusalem.

• Welcome ceremony at Mount of Olives - Make a toast, "She'echeyanu" to appreciate the moment. 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 the sprawl of the new city of Jerusalem.

• Check-in to your hotel, rest and get aquainted to the local time - Please note: check-in time is from 15:00.

• Reception and introduction - We'll meet at the hotel for a welcome drink, introduction and to get to know our group members.

• Welcome group dinner

• Jerusalem

Activities:

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

• Tour of the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book - 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. You'll have a guided tour as well as free time to explore on your own.

• Culinary and tasting tour at the Machane Yehuda Market - In the heart of Jerusalem sits this 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. This tour replaces lunch.

• Free time at downtown Jerusalem

• Tower of David Sound & Light Show - 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 on own

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Private tour of the Yad Vashem Museum - 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.

• Lunch break - (meal not included)

• Ein Kerem Village - After a meaningful morning, we'll continue to the quaint neighborhood of Ein Karem. Tucked into the hills of Jerusalem is the biblical Ein Kerem, whose name means "the spring in the vineyard." Step into another world while visiting local artists' studios and important sites.

• Paintbar - painting workshop - Deepen your experience with Ein Kerem's beauty by Immersing yourself in the stunning views that surround us as we draw and paint with inspiration from our natural surroundings. Professional and dynamic instructors will guide you step by step, revealing the magic behind creating breathtaking artwork.

• Evening - optional: join a local Jewish Reform Kehilat Harel synagogue for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat

• Shabbat meal and home hospitality with Rabbi Josh and his family - Rabbi Josh is a Talmud scholar, a documentary filmmaker, a registered tour guide and specialty chef at Jerusalem’s iconic Tmol Shilshom Restaurant. Overyour meal, Rabbi Josh speaks on a wide range of topics from his riveting personal story to an explanation of Jewish tradition and an introduction to the Talmud.

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Tour the Old City, learn about the importance to three religions, the complexity, and the ancient history

• Begin your tour of the Old City with the best lookout from the top of the David Citadel - Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Old and New Cities, as an introduction to your day and the places you will be visiting.

• Mount Zion - The traditional site of the tomb of King David, is holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. On the ground level are several Jewish synagogues. The second level the contains the Cenacle room where two major events in the early Christian Church are commemorated: the Last Supper and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles.

• Tour of the Jewish Quarter - 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.

• Lunch break and time to explore at the 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. (lunch is included)

• Take time to reflect at the 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.

• Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Walk the Via Dolorosa, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. This is one of the most celebrated places on a Christian pilgrimage. Continue to the Holy Sepulchre situated on the hill called Golgotha or Calvary. The Church contains the last five Stations of the cross including the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial.

• Free evening and dinner on your own - (meal not included)

• Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from the hotel

• Travel north and drive along the coast line

• Caesarea National Park - On the Mediterranean coast, Caesarea is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. Here, amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences sit side-by-side. Caesarea, built by Herod, was the Roman capital of Palestine as well as important seat of early Christianity. Explore the 2,000-year-old Roman theater, the hippodrome, Crusader harbor and 12th-century ramparts.

• 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.

• Travel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Bahai Gardens - From the Louis Promenade at the top of Mount Carmel, we will admire the stunning scenery. Nicknamed the Balcony of the Country, a 400-meter long promenade at the top of the Baha'i Gardens offers a view of the entire Haifa Bay, all the way to the border with Lebanon. This impressive spot offers a truly spectacular view, so have a camera ready!

• Travel to the Sea of Galilee and check-in to your hotel

• Dinner on your own - Dinner is available at the hotel's lobby (not included)

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Mount of Beatitudes - Firstly, you'll enjoy the beautiful views of the Sea of Galilee, Golan, Tiberias and Mount Arbel. This is where it is believed Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. A Catholic Church was built 1930's by the well-known "Architect of the Holy Land" Antonio Barluzzi, using the local dark basalt stone. Its octagonal walls commemorate the Eight Beatitudes, each graced with the first words of one of the eight verses of the Sermon on the Mount. The church is surrounded by a marvelous garden, that allows the visitors a quiet place to contemplate and pray.

• Explore the Golan Height through a jeep tour - Take a geo-political tour of the Golan with an expert. While traversing the rich landscape, learn about the history, flora, and fauna of the area. Stop at Mount Bental for a lookout over the border with Syria 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.

• Tel Winery - This is a woman-owned micro boutique winery, offering intimate tours led by the passionate and knowledgeable Lital. All wines are single varietal, made exclusively from Northern Golan grapes and feature high acidity and fruits flavors which provide for a refreshing sip. Meet the wine maker and taste the excellent local wines.

• Magical sunset ride in Agamon HaHula - The Hula Valley sits in part of the northern Syrian African Rift Valley which stretches as far south as Mozambique in Africa. Each migration season, over 500 million birds travel through the Hula Lake. Enjoy a magical visit, ride a golf cart or bike and watch the birds flying and land before roosting when night falls.

• Free time at Rosh Pina and dinner on your own - (meal not included)

• North

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Relaxed morning and time for a morning swim in the Sea of Galilee or the hotel's pool - The Sea of Galilee, known to Israelis as the Kinneret, is fed by the Jordan River, rainfall and springs on the northern side. More properly designated a lake, The Kinneret is the only fresh-water lake in Israel, as well as the lowest fresh-water lake in the world, at an altitude of 209m (685ft) below Sea Level.

• Check-out from the hotel

• Havat Rom - 'Farm to Table' - A visit to a magical organic farm, located on a mountain with a beautiful view of Meron Mountain. This is an agricultural organic farm, where they use ancient knowledge along with modern tools. Trying to find the balance between humans and nature. After a tour of the farm, visit the goats, and enjoy an excellent meal from the fresh produce and excellent cheese.

• 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).

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

• Dinner on your own - We will be happy to give restaurants recommendations and assist with booking in advance. (meal is not included)

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Visit the American-German Colony hidden gem - 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 Immanuel Church, walk through the surprising streets, and learn the stories of this place.

• Tour and time to explore Neve Tzedek - Begin the day at the First Train Station that was established during the Ottoman period and connected Jaffa with Jerusalem and other cities in the region. Walk to Neve Tzedek, which is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa and is currently one of the most beautiful and desired locations in Tel Aviv. It was built by some of the dignitaries of the old Jewish community of Jaffa in 1887. 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, after a period of neglect, the neighborhood was restored and has become a trendy fun beautiful part of the city and a good place to try some Israeli Gelato!

• History, heritage and archetecture along the Independence Trail - 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 also includes the 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.

• Culinary tour in the Carmel Market - 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)

• The Israeli Art Collection tour with an expert - In this dynamic tour we'll 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. What is the story the Arts Establishment tells about Israeli Art?

• Free evening and dinner on your own - (meal not included)

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel

• Israeli Fashion Tour - The tour addresses the relationship Israeli fashion has with the various aspects of living in Israel including identity questions, sub-groups in Israel, immigration to Israel, wars and cultural life and social entrepreneurship. Meet old and new fashion brands, designers who use ancient crafts and other professionals who use the best technology. The tour will focus on women designers and innovation in the fashion world. We will walk, talk and shop.

• Lunch and free time at the Jaffa Market - Wind your way through the Flea Market which features everything from antiques to hip new clothing and design stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars. (meal isn't included)

• Afternoon tour of the picturesque Old Jaffa - 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. Though the two were united into one municipality in 1949, each part has retained 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.

• Group dinner at BlackOut Restaurant - Experience dinner that will trigger your senses at BlackOut Restaurant, located in Jaffa Port. In total darkness you will be served various dishes, escorted by blind waiters. There is so much to be “seen” when eyes are closed. Nalaga’at "please touch" Center – the first of its kind in the world, seeks to promote interaction between deaf-blind, deaf, and blind individuals and people able to hear and see, regardless of cultural or social distinctions.

• Closing session and farewell to your guide

• Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at your hotel & enjoy a morning at leisure

• Recommended: stroll through the Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market - Open on Tuesday or a Friday, visit Nahalat Binyamin, an open-air market in the heart of Tel-Aviv that has become synonymous with quality Israeli crafts and folk art. The market is comprised of over 100 stands representing specialty crafts and folk art in virtually every medium imaginable: wood, stone, sand, glass, ceramics, and various metals with most if not all containing materials or themes found only in Israel.

• Check-out time is at 11:00 AM - For those who are extending we can offer extra nights at the same hotel.

• Group transfer to the airport - Fly back home. we look forward to hosting you in our beautiful country.