Parsons Family trip – December 2026

Activities:

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

• Stop at a Coffee Cart on the way north - Discover Israel’s vibrant coffee cart scene—mobile cafés in scenic spots, serving excellent local brews, community vibes, and spontaneous encounters that turn everyday landscapes into social gathering points.

• HanuChristmas in Akko - Discover the magic of Akko Old City on a short cultural walk—ancient streets, artists and markets come alive with unique Hannuchristmas celebrations, where Hanukkah and Christmas blend in a rare, festive coexistence.
  A great way to start your Israel journey!
  (Including dinner)

• Continue to your hotel - And check in

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Start your morning ascending the Golan Heights

• 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.

• Visit Oz 77 memorial at Emek HaBacha - Visit Oz 77 and Emek HaBacha to understand Israel’s resilience—standing where courage, sacrifice, and history shaped the fate of the Golan Heights. the location in which the Syrian army was blocked by the IDF, with a short hike (15 minutes) through the old tanks and incredible views.

• Head west towards Safed

• Visit Safed - Safed, pronounced Tzfat in Hebrew, sits at a higher altitude than any other city in Israel and has been known since the 16th century as a major center of Kabbalah, 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.
  Visit the Old Synagogues, meet a Chassidic family and have time for shopping

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Start your morning at Agamon HaHula - Ride through the spectacular Hula Valley on bikes or golf carts. The Hula Valley is 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. This wetland paradise is the perfect stopover for small water birds, cormorants, herons, pelicans, raptors, storks, and cranes.

• Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) - Explore Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee—ancient synagogue stones, Jewish symbols, and a striking modern church hovering above tradition, history, and living spirituality.

• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee - The best way to appreciate the beauty of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water, is by taking a boat ride across the blue water, especially at sunset as the sky changes color and the sun sinks behind the dreamlike hills that surround the lake.

• Tour and Bar Mitzvah Ceremony at Korazim National Park - A Jewish town in a basalt landscape overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The beautiful synagogue at Korazim was the center of the community in the time of the Talmud (3rd to 5th century CE), and known for its extraordinary basalt carvings, the region’s most common stone, which depict floral and geometric patterns permitted by the Jewish law.

• Late lunch at Tibi's - Lunch at Tibi’s Restaurant in the Galilee is a delicious culinary stop—rustic country ambience, fresh local ingredients, standout meats and creative dishes, perfect for savoring great food after exploring scenic northern Israel.

• OPTIONAL - EVENING CHRISTMAS TOUR OF NAZARETH
  *Parsons family note - if grandparents are joining the trip - the driver can drop them off at the hotel before leaving for Nazareth.

• Return to the hotel

• Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Late start to your morning - And check out around noon

• Kibbutz Tour of Kfar Blum - Experience life on a kibbutz in northern Israel—walk green fields, meet community members, hear stories of cooperation and resilience, and discover how shared living continues shaping modern Israeli society.

• Druze Galilean dinner and a quick workshop - Together with your hosts in their private home, have a quick chance to learn about the Galilean cuisine with 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.
  *this will be a 30 minute workshop, not a full one.

• Drive south to Jerusalem - With a quick stop on the way, check in to your hotel and dinner on own

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - This day, involves a lot of walking. Should the grandparents join, they will split up from the grop after the first part of the City of David and meet up again, at the Western Wall.

• City of David - where it all begun - 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!

• 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.

• Old City tour - Tour Jerusalem’s Old City and meet the people and places that make this place so unique. explore Jewish history in the Jewish Quarter, spanning from the First Temple era to the present. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter and, conditions permitting, visit the Temple Mount, a significant Muslim site. Delve into the complexity of a city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Erev Shabbat at the Western Wall - Take time to reflect at 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.

• Take your time and relax, back at the hotel, before dinner

• Shabbat Dinner with a local family - Enjoy an authentic and intimate Shabbat dinner in a private home in Jerusalem with a local family, get an introduction to Jewish Shabbat traditions, and understand why Friday night is family time and what it means to Israelis.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Start your morning early - And head south to Masada

• 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.

• The Dead Sea - the full experience - At 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Known in Hebrew as "The Sea of Salt", it is also one of the saltiest lakes in the world - with about 34.2% salinity.
  This is 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.

• Ein Gedi Ancient Synagogue - The landscape, climatic conditions and water sources at the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve have created a unique ecosystem of springs, waterfalls and pools surrounded by lush greenery in a desolate desert setting. Hike up to and cool off in the refreshing pools and waterfalls of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The stunning Ein Gedi oasis consists of two separate waterways: Nahal David (David’s Stream), and Nahal Arugot, where remains of a 6th-century synagogue were discovered.

• Return to Jerusalem - And catch the sunset overlooking the Old City, if you return in time

• Dinner on your own - Dinner on your own - enjoy an evening at leisure and dinner at a local restaurant, we will be happy to make restaurant recommendations and reservations.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Start your day late

• 'Shtisel' Tour - Walk the streets of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods and get to know the people, the food, and feel the vibrations of this life. 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 traditional foods.

• Tasting tour 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.

• Tower of David Jerusalem Museum - Visit the newly renewed Tower of David Museum—an immersive, high-tech journey through Jerusalem’s story, crowned by a breathtaking lookout over the Old City and beyond.
  
  Dinner on own next to the museum and return for the evening program.
  
  Evening program: the Tower of David Sound and Light Show - The ancient walls serve as a stage for a nighttime show which is a celebration of Jerusalem's profound story. Enjoy a multi-sensory experience amidst the archaeological remains in the Citadel's courtyard.

• Tower of David Jerusalem Museum - Visit the newly renovated and stunning Tower of David Museum located in the iconic David citadel. The museum has pioneered the use of new and interactive digital technologies, games, and virtualizations that add a new dimension to understanding the site itself and Jerusalem as a whole, emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Climb up to a magnificent lookout to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Old City and the New City spreading on the surrounding hills outside the Walls. This is a great introduction to what you will see in the rest of the day.

• Isrotel Orient Jerusalem

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - And check out

• Israel Museum - Among the highlights of the campus is the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical manuscripts in the world, as well as other rare ancient manuscripts. Tour with your guide followed by time on your own to explore the galleries that interest you the most.

• Head west, towards the Gaza envelope

• Shuva Achim Hospitality Tent - What started as a field hospital at the beginning of the war in Moshav Shuva, turned into an incredible refreshment spot for soldiers, where they give out clothes, goodies and hot meals to the soldiers serving the in the Gaza Envelope. The name "Shuva Achim" means in Hebrew return brothers (and sisters) - praying that all soldiers will return home peacefully. You will help with what is needed, meet soldiers for a casual talk and show your appreciation.

• Nova music festival site (might split the family, due to ages of kids) - Stop at the Nova Festival memorial site - at Re'im Forest stop and bear witness to the tragedy of the Nova Festival.

• Hahummus Shel Tehina - Lunch at Hummus Shel Tchina is about connection—an iconic Sderot hummusiya founded to bring people together, staying open through hardship, driven by community, resilience, and a shared love of homemade hummus.
  Continue for a short stop at the Sderot Memorial

• Head north and check in to your hotel in Tel Aviv

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Old Jaffa tour - Explore Old Jaffa—an ancient Mediterranean port where artists, archaeology, and layered cultures meet, seamlessly woven into vibrant modern Tel Aviv.

• Adina Plastelina Jewelry - Visit Adina Plastelina Gallery in the heart of Old Jaffa—a medieval Zodiac Path space revealing layers of history, archaeology, and art inside a former Ottoman-era hamam.

• Lunch at Guetta Restaurant - On Jaffa's Jerusalem Boulevard, across from the Gesher Theater, Gueta restaurant keeps to its traditional Tripoli style of cooking, using old recipes that have been passed through generations.
  *Parsons family note - if grandparents are joining, a taxi will be arranged to take them to the market, instead of walking and then the driver will drop them off at the hotel before the graffiti tour.

• Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel) - Vibrant culinary walk through Carmel Market—where Tel Aviv’s Polish, Persian, and Yemeni flavors meet. Taste, stories, and energy blend in this historic, ever-young market.

• Continue to Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market - Stroll through Nachalat Binyamin Art Market—a lively open-air showcase of Israeli craftsmanship, handmade art, colorful stalls, historic architecture, and vibrant street graffiti in the heart of Tel Aviv.

• Finish the day with a Graffiti Tour (OPTIONAL - NOT INCLUDED) - Explore contemporary Israeli culture through an urban inquisitive graffiti tour in the Florentin neighborhood. What stories do these images and words tell about the people living here? What social issues are reflected in the art on the walls? What is unique about graffiti in Israel and Tel Aviv specifically? In this dynamic tour through Florentin, Tel Aviv's best-known neighborhood for graffiti, you will answer these questions, share your interpretations, and gain an appreciation for this expressive form of art.

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• ANU Museum of the Jewish People - The newly re-imagined ANU Museum of the Jewish People tells the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. Dive into this dynamic and interactive experience that represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities throughout different periods of history.

• 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.

• Time to rest at the hotel

• Sarona Tunnels - The Sarona Tunnels in Tel Aviv offer a fascinating underground experience, connecting the city's vibrant Sarona Market with its historic German Templar Colony. Explore and discover hidden gems below the surface.

• Sarona tour + dinner - Sarona is a renovated complex in the heart of Tel Aviv, originally a German Templar Colony, the site sits at the heart of what is a new central business district of the city, with offices and apartments surrounding the beautifully landscaped complex, in which 33 original Templar buildings dating up to more than 140 years, have been painstakingly restored, and today house boutique stores, artist galleries, quaint cafes, and some of the city’s hottest restaurants and bars.

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• OPTIONAL DAY - NOT INCLUDED (OTHERWISE - DAY TO REST)

• Head south to 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.

• Ayalon Institute - The Ayalon Institute is a clandestine ammunition factory built in 1945 by the Haganah. a Zionist paramilitary organization. Above ground, it appeared to be no more than a kibbutz bakery. However, eight meters below ground was really 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.

• Dig for a Day at Beit Guvrin - 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.

• Sphera Winery tour and tastings - Wine tastings at Sphera Winery - a boutique winery that crafts exclusively white wines made from grapes grown in vineyards throughout the country. Fusing nature, innovative technology, and artistry touch, Sphera focuses on the fine details and subtle nuances. Owners, Sivan Rav Hon and winemaker Doron Rav Hon champion a clear and minimalistic philosophy, revealing the true essence of fruits in rich, complex flavors. Enjoy tastings of excellent wines amidst the scenic beauty of the Ella Valley.

• NEW YEAR'S EVE street party and dinner

• Crowne Plaza Beach Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Morning on own - At your [ace, check out of the hotel and prepare to depart to the airport

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