Rubenstein Family Trip

Activities:

• Happy Rosh Hashana

• 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.

• Drive to Tel Aviv & check-in to your hotel - Please note: check-in time is at 6:00 pm.

• Dinner at a local restaurant - We will be happy to give you recommendations and make reservations.

• Tel Aviv: Poli House

Activities:

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

• Day to explore on own - Enjoy a full day to explore the city your way.
  Suggested tours you can add:
  - Israeli Fashion Tour
  - Israeli Cuisine culinary tour in Levinsky / Carmel Market.
  - Tour of Jaffa old city and Flea Market.
  - Surfing lesson in the Mediterranean Sea.
  - Bike tour on Tel Aviv promanade
  - What is Israeli Art? What can we learn about Israeli society from the art we see? Tour of Tel Aviv Museum of Art
  - Street Art tour in Florentine neighborhood
  - An urban tour of the city - architecture, art, history, and more.
  - Milk & Honey distillery - tour and tasting

• Tel Aviv: Poli House

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from the hotel

• Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and head north along the coast

• Tour of Caesarea National Park - It was Caesarea where King Herod built a large port in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar 2,000 years ago. Visit the Roman Theater, Herod’s palace, the walled Crusader town with its galleries and restaurants and Caesarea’s latest attraction, the Time Trek, a fascinating multimedia presentation.

• Wine tasting at Amphora Winery - Visit Amphorae Winery which deserves the coveted title of Israel’s most beautiful vineyard and can compete with rural vineyards around the world. At the heart of Makura Farm on Moshav Kerem Maharal in the north, decorated with a stone mosaic and shaded by a red tile roof, is the lovely winery building, with the forested slopes of the Carmel mountain ridge in the background.

• Travel to Rosh Hanikra - ("Head of the Grottos"), with the stunning chalk-white cliffs at Israel’s northernmost coastal border. Enjoy the view of the Mediterranean coastline stretched out before you, then take the cable car down beneath the cliffs to the grottos below and tour the system of underground marine caves eroded by pounding waves over thousands of years.

• Afternoon stop for a stunning view at the Keshet Cave - The Keshet Cave (also known as the Rainbow cave or Arch cave) in the Galilee, is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the land of Israel. Not only is the large natural arch with the shallow cave beneath it a pleasure to see, it also attracts hundreds of extreme sports enthusiasts who like to rappel from the arch down to the cave floor below. For those really looking for a thrill, dropping off the side of the cave and swinging under the arch with just the rope between you and the forests way down below is an unforgettable experience!

• Proceed to the hotel & check-in

• North: Amirey Hagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Tour in Tzfat - Jewish mysticism's birthplace - The city of Tzfat (also spelled Tsfat or Safed) is one of 4 holy cities in Jewish tradition, together with Tiberias, Hebron, and, naturally, Jerusalem. It resided on the top of Mount Canaan that is overlooking the green tops of Mount Meron on its west and the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights on the east. The city has become the center of Kabbalah scholars in the 16th century, many of them refugees (and descendants of refugees) of the traumatic Expulsion from Spain (1492). The setting of the city, coupled with the attempt to rebuild the shattered Jewish community and Jewish identity, inspired some of these renowned Rabbis to explore the hidden secrets of Judaism, the Tora ( aka - 5 books of Moses), and the principles of Kabbalah as they are obscurely worded in the 13th-century founding book of Kabbalah - Zohar ("The Glow").
  As part of our tour, we will walk in the alleyways of Tzfat, visit some of the main Synagogues of the city, and have a chat with one of the Kabbalah-inspired artists that reside in the ancient part of town.

• Optional: art mosiac workshop

• Havat Rom - 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. Enjoy a light meal from the fresh produce and excellent cheese.

• Afternoon at leisure and get preprared for dinner

• Friday night dinner at a Druze home - 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.

• Optional: go out for drinks in Rosh Pina at a local bar

• North: Amirey Hagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Visit Capernaum - Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a fishing village in the days of Jesus. This is where Jesus called his first disciples, the brothers Peter and Andrew. The remains of the ancient village were excavated starting the 19th century - some of the findings are a testimony to the rich Jewish lives in the early Roman times, and the existence of a Judeo-Christian community as Christianity grew and evolved in the land. Amongst other astonishing relics, we can still visit a very well-preserved synagogue and remains of the House of Peter and the Byzantine church that was built over it. A modern octagonal church is situated above the site nowadays - its glass floor allows a look at the remains under it. As the place in which Jesus, Peter, and the Apostles lived and preached, Capernaum is a main site of pilgrimage for Christians.

• OR

• A visit to Mount of Beatitudes - Mount of Beatitudes is a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee where 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.

• Swimming time in the Kinneret

• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee - The best way to appreciate the beauty of the Sea of Galilee 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. Alternative: water sports are available.

• Suggested: Dinner and a drink at Urban Wine Bar in Tveria

• North: Amirey Hagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Optional for this morning: Go rafting along the Jordan river

• Begin your day with a beautiful hike of the Banias stream - 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.

• Explore the Golan Height on a Jeep Tour - 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 for a lookout over the border with Syria from Mt. Bental to get a better understanding of the geography and strategical roll 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 rout

• Pelter Winery - The Pelter Winery was established in 2005 and is a study in Terroir. Taste the wines made from grapes grown on the rich Golan soil and hear the story of the winery. Together with the wine, enjoy a lunch of local cheese.

• North: Amirey Hagalil

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from the hotel

• Begin with a tour of Ancient Tzippori - Tzipori was once the capital of the Galilee, the seat of the Sanhedrin and the place where the Mishna was completed. At Tzippori, view the ruins and ancient mosaic floor to see how native species have been part of the national iconography for centuries.

• Speical visit to Rish Lakish - A family-owned olive oil press. Meet the family, see the process of making olive oil, and taste a variety of local olive oil produced here.

• Visit to Nazareth - Israel’s biggest Arab city, Nazareth is a fascinating place, set in the Lower Galilee. 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 back to Tel Aviv & check in to your hotel

• Tel Aviv: Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Yom Kippur Eve - Places will be closed early.

• Tel Aviv day to relax and explore on your own - See suggested activities on Day 2 - some will be available to book on this day.

• Dinner at the hotel

• Tel Aviv: Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel - Cold food will be served

• Day at leisure - Places will be closed down. Time to rest, swim in the sea or we can recommend local temples that are within walking distance for those who are interested.

• Tel Aviv: Royal Beach Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from the hotel

• Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and head together to Jerusalem

• 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.

• Tasting tour at the Machane Yehuda Market - In the heart of Jerusalem, 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.

• Check-in to your hotel & check out the rooftop pool

• Night life in Jerusalem - Recommended: for music and bars we recommend going back to the market and see it's night atmosphere. For something light check out Hadir Bar restaurant located in the beautiful garden of Hansen House.

• Jerusalem: Herbert Samuel Hotel

Activities:

• Jerusalem Lodging General - Overnight: Jerusalem

• Begin with a meaningful tour of Yad Vashem - Visit the museum at Yad Vashem, 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.

• Head to the Old City and climb up to a megnificant view of the Old and New city from Tower of David

• Tour 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.

• A visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - The Holy Sepulchre is 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. Several Christian denominations claim ownership to various parts of the site so holy to Christendom.

• Arab Market - Browse in the famous Arab shuk (market) in the Muslim quarter. Check out the local humus and sweets Its many stalls sell spices, pastries, pottery, sheepskin, embroidered clothes and so much more. Meet store-owners whose stores have been in their family for generations.

• Take time to reflect at Western Wall - Proceed to the Kotel (The Western Wall), sacred because it is one of the last remnant 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.

• Proceed back to the hotel & get ready for dinner

• Shabbat Friday Night Dinner: at a restaurant OR with a local family - You have an opportunity to experience an authentic Shabbat at the home of a host family in the heart of Jerusalem.

• Jerusalem: Herbert Samuel Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Begin your day with a tour of Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain by a cable car to 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.

• Ein Gedi oasis hike - 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. We will have the opportunity to 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), where David took refuge from King Saul; and Nahal Arugot, where remains of a 6th-century synagogue were discovered.

• Lunch on rout

• Time to swim and atempt floating in The Dead Sea - 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.

• Optional: magical boat tour in the Dead Sea

• Jerusalem: Herbert Samuel Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast & check-out from the hotel

• Explore Beit Guvrin - The caves of Beit Guvrin hold a rich trove of artifacts from the Greek and Roman times. Don’t forget to check out the amazing Bell Cave too.

• Meet Naftali Aklum - Drive to Be’er Sheva to meet Naftali, an Ethiopian activist who was born in Ethiopia in 1979, the youngest of 12 siblings. His brother Ferede Aklum z”l was determined to reach Jerusalem and set out from Ethiopia in 1978 on a long, dangerous trek through the desert, ultimately reaching Sudan. Naftali reached Israel with his family in 1980, at age one, thus fulfilling a dream that had been kept alive for 2,500 years. Hear his story and that of the Ethiopian Aliyah. (pending on availability)

• Visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion and his wife Pola - Israel’s first Prime Minister, whose vision for settling the desert is continuing to bloom. Throughout the day, you’ll see his vision come to life.

• Drive to Mitzpe Ramon & check-in to the hotel

• Dinner at the hotel (not included)

• Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Enjoy day at leisure - Spa treatments are available.

• Optional: Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center and / or bike tour

• Dinner at the hotel (not included)

• Beresheet - Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Afternoon take a jeep tour of Makhtesh Ramon - Makhtesh Ramon is a type of geological formation found only in Israel and northern Sinai. The steep rock cliffs surrounding a closed valley drained by a single wadi are the product of erosion. Ramon Crater is the largest of three in Israel.

• Stop for a beautiful sunset and a glass of wine

• Optional night desert experience: Star Gazing proffessional activity, bonfire and outdoor meal

• Dinner at the hotel (not included)

• Beresheet - Beresheet

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Check-out by noon

• Private group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport - Fly back home.

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