This is the shortest and most basic tour to Israel we offer. The “Classic Jewish Israel 7 Days Tour” designed to be a framework for any kind of Jewish tour to Israel, be it a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah Tour, a honeymoon or wedding Tour to Israel, a congregation of a Temple/Synagogue traveling to Israel, or just a family or school Tour to strengthen your roots in Israel. Let our staff tailor-made this tour to your special needs and budget.
Starting Day: Monday
Day 1
Arrival – Jaffa – Welcome Dinner
Arriving at the Ben Gurion International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative, who will help you through the formalities and introduce you to the private guide we assigned to make this journey meaningful. We drive to the ancient city of Jaffa, the gateway to the Land of Israel, desired by generations of Jews. This is the perfect place to stroll through the alley-ways, watch the sunset over the Tel Aviv Seaside, and slowly get acquainted with the Land of Israel. Together with your guide, you will have a local Israeli Welcome-Dinner, afterward, you shall have a long blessed night in Tel Aviv.
Day 2
Tel Aviv (Independence Hall – Bauhaus – Carmel Market – Nachalat Binyamin) – Haifa – Zefat (Safed) – Dinner & Kabbalah Night Tour
We set out to the “First Hebrew City” – Tel Aviv. We start with the “Independence Hall”, House of Tel Aviv’s first Mayor, where David Ben Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel. We stroll through the Rothschild Boulevard, famous for the special BAUHAUS-Architecture that made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the colorful (and noisy) Carmel Market and get a taste of Israel, after which you can always feel the Avant-Garde culture at the Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Zone and fancy Sheinkin Street. Continue along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the modern Port-City Haifa, situated on the slopes of the evergreen Mount Carmel. Visit the famous Haifa Panorama lookout, overlooking the marvelous Bahai Gardens – a World Heritage Site. Driving through the wood-covered mountains of Upper Galilee we reach Zefat (Safed) – Capital of the Kabbalah. Towards sunset, we tour the different synagogues and look at some art-galleries, before entering a local restaurant for dinner. Night-time is when the real Kabbalah-Experience begins! A Kabbalist will meet us, and lead us on a spiritual night-tour through Safed, to get the spiritual teachings of the Kabbalah right under our skin! Spiritually aroused we drive to a Galilean Kibbutz, where we will spend the night.
Day 3
Kibbutz Tour – Golan Heights (Ancient Kazrin – Golan Winery – Syrian Border Outlook) – Jordan Valley – Dead Sea
After breakfast, we will tour through the Kibbutz led by one of the Kibbutz-members who will join us. Now we ascend to the Golan Heights, where we visit Ancient Kazrin, where a Talmudic village was reconstructed. Ancient Kazrin is also famous for its synagogue. An optional Wine-tasting at the famous Golan Winery can also be arranged. From here we drive to the Quneitra Observation Point where we can take a look over the Syrian Border, and hear about the current situation in the Golan. Drive through the Jordan Valley to our hotel by the Dead Sea. We will not miss, of course, some floating (not swimming!) on the Dead Sea, the deepest point on earth, taking advantage of its known healing-qualities. Overnight by the Dead Sea.
Day 4
Masada – Ein Gedi – Introduction to Jerusalem
Climb (by cable-car) the famous cliff-fortress of Masada, where Herod the Great built a magnificent palace in the middle of the desert. Massada was then used as a fortress by the Jewish “Zealots” who fought, few against many, against the pagan Roman Empire. Their heroic struggle became a symbol for the modern State of Israel. We walk through the Oasis of Ein Gedi, known since the days of King David. Ein Gedi, where four springs with fresh water meet the desert sun, is a place to enjoy the rich and unique flora and fauna that such an oasis can offer. We walk to the waterfall and back to the bus. From here we ascend to The Holy City, Jerusalem! We start our tour of The Eternal City with a panoramic view of the Old City from the Mt. of Olives Ridge. After an introduction to Jerusalem and a traditional Welcome Ceremony with Bread & Wine, we drive to our hotel in the Holy City, where we will spend 3 nights. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 5
Jerusalem New City: Yad Vashem – Knesset, Menorah – Israel Museum – Machane Yehuda Market – Kabbalat Shabbat at Western Wall
Visit “Yad Vashem” – the National Holocaust Memorial and Museum, ending with a visit at the “Menorah” by the Knesset, symbolizing the strength of Israel’s spirit over all those who tried to break it with physical power. Then we visit the recently renovated Israel Museum, take a look at the 1:50 Model of Jerusalem during the time of the Second Temple and the “Shrine of the Book”, housing the original Dead Sea Scrolls. At the end of this day we can experience the turmoil of last shopping for Shabbat at the Machane Yehuda Market, and maybe even participate at the “Kabbalat Shabbat” (Welcoming of the Sabbath ceremony) by the Western Wall. Festive Shabbat-Meal and Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6
Shabbat: Jerusalem Old City – Western Wall
Today’s program is designed to suit Sabbath-Observers. Stay in a hotel near the Old City, so that you can participate in the following program without desecrating the Shabbat.
We start at Mt. Zion, where we visit King David’s Tomb. Then we enter the Old City through the Zion Gate. We visit the Old and New sites in the rebuilt Jewish Quarter, and try to experience its special Shabbat-Atmosphere, which, of course, also includes a Shabbat-prayer at the Western Wall! The Shabbat-Afternoon is planned to be at leisure. Farewell Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7
Departure:
Transfer to the Ben-Gurion Airport and flight back home.
