For first time visitors our traditional tour is built around Israel’s must-see sites, and I have included a few gems to spice things up – Israeli style!
Day 1 – Tel Aviv
Ancient Port of Jaffa, Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall, Yitzhak Rabin Square, the new Palmach Museum.
Gem of the Day – Neve Tzedek – first Jewish neighborhood outside of Jaffa.
Overnight – Tel Aviv (optional evening out – Israeli night club).
Day 2 – Mediterranean coast
Caesarea, Muchrakah on Mount Carmel – site of Elijah’s battle with the prophets of the Baal, Hecht Museum in the Haifa University, visit to a Druze village.
Gem of the Day – Mei Kedem (underground water caverns).
Overnight – Haifa (optional evening out – Haifa Theatre).
Day 3 – The Galilee
Akko underground excavations, Sefad, Teffen industrial zone.
Gem of the Day – visit my home in Koranit, one of the Misgav Region developments.
Overnight – North (optional evening out – Tiberias thermal springs).
Day 4 – The Golan Heights
Mount Bental Observation, Oz 77 Museum, Gamla Nature reserve, Katzrin winery.
Gem of the Day- Umm El Kanattir ancient synagogue – recently excavated.
Overnight – North (optional evening out – Tiberias promenade).
Day 5 – via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem
Kinneret cemetery, Beit Shean excavations, date farm in Moshav Argaman.
Gem of the Day – Beit Alfa ancient synagogue.
Overnight – Jerusalem (optional night out – Western Wall tunnels tour).
Day 6 – Jerusalem
David’s city, Hezekiah’s tunnel, Jewish Quarter, The Western Wall, The Burnt House, and the Cardo.
New Jerusalem: Yad Vashem, Mount Herzl, The Knesset.
Gem of the Day- a walk on the old city’s ramparts.
Day 7 – Masada and the Dead Sea
Early departure to Masada, Dead Sea float, Ein Gedi hike.
Gem of the Day – camel ride at Bereshit camp in Kfar Adumim.
Overnight – Jerusalem (optional night out – Israeli movie at the Malcha Mall).
Day 8 – Depart
Quick tour of Latrun Memorial site, or Neot Kedumim biblical nature reserve.
Gem of the Day – climb a real Israel Merkavah tank at Latrun.