Price range
From $1780 per person
Upcoming Date
05-08 August 2023
Tour Time
4 Days (Inc. Arv./Dpt.)
BOOK THIS TOUR

Itinerary

1 - Saturday ( August 5 ) : Shalom and Welcome to Israel

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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 Tel Aviv & check-in to your hotel - Please note: check-in time on Saturdays is late evening.

  • Dinner at a local restaurant on own - We'll be happy to give restaurant recommendations and assist with making reservations.

  • Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv

2 - Sunday ( August 6 ) : Old and New Side by side

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at your hotel

  • Enjoy a 6 hours walking tour - (transportation is not included)

  • Begin at 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, 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.

  • 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.

  • Neve Tzedek - This is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa and 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.

  • Walk part of the Independence Trail - Inspired by the Freedom Trail in Boston, the new Independence Trail follows several of Tel Aviv’s heritage sites learning about the history of this great city along the way. The trail begins at the intersection of tree-lined Rothschild Boulevard and Herzl Street, home to Tel Aviv’s first kiosk. 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 on own at a local restaurant

  • Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meal Plan: breakfast

3 - Monday ( August 7 ) : Jerusalem - Holy to All

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

  • Transfer to Jerusalem

  • Begin with a 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.

  • 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.

  • Authentic lunch 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. (meal not included, your guide will recommend places)

  • A 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Optional: Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum - On this day you can add a private impactful visit to Yad Vashem. (Not included)

  • Transfer to your hotel & check-in

  • Optional: sound and light show at the Tower of David or City of David - For more information please contact us.

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

  • Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem
Meal Plan: breakfast

4 - Tuesday ( August 8 ) : Cultural mosaic

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Activities:

  • Breakfast at your hotel & check-out

  • Begin with a tour of 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.

  • Machane Yehuda culinary tasting tour - 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.

  • Private transfer to Ben Gurion Airport - VIP fast-track check-in procedures is available and not included (with this service you can get to the airport 2 hours before departure). Fly back home.

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

Meal Plan: breakfast, Market tasting tour

FAQ

General guide for tipping

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Tips are not included in the cost of a tour and are always at your discretion. Having said that, in Israel, it is customary to add a gratuity of 15-20% at a restaurant and to tip your guide and driver. For all groups ranging from 2-6 people, it is suggested that you tip the tour guide $70 -$100 (from the group) per day. For groups larger than 8, it is recommended to tip $8-$12 per person, per day + 50% for your bus driver. Please note! Unless stated otherwise, on our group tours, the hotels, restaurants with meals included and serving staff is being generously tips by our staff - on your behalf. If you are not sure, check with your guide or operator for further details.

What's the weather like in Israel?

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It is always best to check the weather forecast beforehand as the weather during Spring and Fall seasons can be unexpectedly warm or cold.

Spring (late March – May): Daytime temperatures are generally very pleasant - around 65-70°F, though it can still be hot in some areas (such as the Dead Sea and Eilat). There is a slight chance of rain, but it doesn't happen often. It can be cooler in the evenings in the North and Jerusalem - approximately 45°F.

Summer (late May - late September): Temperatures are usually in the high 80s-90s. At this time of year, humidity will be highest in Tel Aviv and Tiberias. Other areas such as Jerusalem are drier and cooler, particularly at night. The desert, Masada and Eilat are extremely hot, but dry. It will almost never rain in the summer in Israel!

Fall (late September – November): Same as Spring, but the rain can begin towards the end of the season.

Winter (December - early March): Winter can be mild and sunny, or severe and overcast. There's often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow at times! Temperatures will be in the 50s-60s most places, but in the 40s in Jerusalem and the Galilee hills, and cold at night. Pack layers and be prepared for anything!

Weekly weather forecast

Terms of Payment

Deposit is due immediately to secure the booking.

Balance for the trip is due no later than 45 days prior to first day of trip.

Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions here.

Cancellation Policy

Bookings can be cancelled within 48 hours, with a full refund.

Should it be necessary to cancel or postpone the tour due to force majeure circumstances, or Israeli government-imposed/air flight restrictions related to COVID-19,  a full refund may be possible, minus a $200 per person service fee.

For cancellations made:

  • Up to 45 days prior to departure, any payments made above the deposit towards the tour will be refunded. The deposit is non-refundable
  • 45 to 30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded
  • 29 to 8 days prior to departure, 25% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded
  • 7 to 0 days prior to departure, the client will incur 100% of the cost of the tour

Should members of a group booking cancel their participation, their deposits cannot be applied to the balance payment of other group members.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing.

What’s Included
Breakfast at the hotels and one lunch in the market v
Private licensed English-speaking tour guide for 3 days including transportation on 2 days v
Group transfers to & from the airport v
VIP airport service upon arrival v
Hotel accommodation v
Fees for sites and activities listed v
Bottles of water, as needed, and snacks v
Tips for tour guides and drivers v
Optional and suggested activities v
Transportation in the evening for dinners and time on own v
Airfare v
Testimonials
“Via Sabra's November 2019 tour "In Search of Israeli Cuisine" was fantastic. It combined learning about the places we visited with learning about and tasting the cuisine of these places. Many of the destinations were unusual; all were fascinating. Our guide Orit Levi's knowledge, enthusiasm, and charm enhanced the experience,”
Joan T
2019
Know before you go
Helpful articles from our Israel travel blog
Eat Like a Local: 10 Must-Try Foods in Israel
Tourism and Social Enterprises in Israel

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Early bird special - $200 off per person.

Available only between October 1-10, 2021!!

Registration for the trip will open on October 1. Fill out this form to be notified when registration for the trip opens, so you can take advantage of early bird special pricing!

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