Extended Jewish Tour - Israel

Private tour or for groups

It's time to Support Israel

Day 1:

Arrive at the Ben-Gurion main international Airport of Israel by Tel Aviv, where your Guide will meet you. Transfer to your Hotel. Dinner and Introduction to your tour by your guide.

O/N in or by Tel-Aviv.

 

Day 2:

We start with a stroll through the renovated alley-ways of Old Jaffa, the ancient port-city that gave birth to "The First Hebrew City" – Tel Aviv. Jaffa is one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land: Through its port the Cedar trees for Salomon's Temple were brought, the prophet Jonas tried to flee God, and in Jaffa the first pioneers embarked to resettle the Land of Israel. Today Jaffa's renovated alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. We drive to Caesarea Maritima, the magnificent port-city built by King Herod the Great. In Caesarea we visit the well-preserved Roman antiquities.  We continue our drive along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea to the modern port-city Haifa, situated on the slopes of the evergreen Mt. Carmel. The view from this mountain is famous for its beauty. Drive to the oriental city of Akko (Acre), where the Crusaders built their most important port. We can still visit the very well-preserved "Knights Halls" under the living oriental Bazaar with its colors and odors of the East. In the late afternoon we drive through the hills of Galilee to Tiberias, where we will spend the night. O/N in Tiberias.

 

Day 3:

In the morning we ascend to the holy city of Tzefat (Safed), the center of Jewish Mysticism, Kabbalah. We breathe its special, spiritual atmosphere, listen to its many legends, and visit some of its enchanted synagogues. Then we drive down from the Mountains of Galilee, and drive by the pioneer-settlement Rosh Pina, established 1882 on the shores of the Hula-Lake. A short time later we arrive at the Nature Reserve Tel Dan. Tel Dan is a good place for a relaxing hike in and around the water. In Dan, one of the sources of the Jordan River, archaeologists found some remarkable findings, such as the most ancient built arch in the world, and the very altar that was built by the biblical king Jeroboam on the border of the Kingdom of Israel.  From here we ascend to the wild scenery of the Northern Golan, passing by "Nimrod's Castle" and some Druze villages, to reach the Quneitra Observation Point. Here we can take a look over the Syrian Border, and hear about the current situation in the Golan. We end the day in Ancient Qatzrin, where a Talmudic village was reconstructed. Ancient Qatzrin is also famous for its synagogue. O/N in Tiberias.

 

Day 4:

Today we leave Galilee, in order to ascend to The Holy City, Jerusalem! We start with a panoramic view of the city from the Mt. of Olives Ridge. After an introduction to Jerusalem we cross the city and head for the famous "Chagall Windows" in the synagogue of the Hadassah Hospital in Ein Karem. Then we visit "Yad Vashem" – the National Holocaust Memorial, 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. Time permitting; we visit the model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period at the Israel Museum. 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 O/N in Jerusalem.

 

 

Shabbat, Day 5:

Today's program is designed to suit Sabbath-Observers. We will accommodate you 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.

 

Sunday, Day 6:

Today we are southwards bound, into the desert! 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. We climb (by cable-car…) the famous cliff-fortress of Massada, 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 will not miss, of course, some floating (not swimming!) on the Dead Sea, the deepest point on earth! O/N by the Dead Sea.

 

Monday, Day 7:

We leave the Dead Sea and proceed to the Arava Valley. Here we leave the main road, and drive along the Jordanian border, on the newly constructed "peace Road". Here we can learn about the good and interesting relations between the countries, and about the special, state-of-the-art agriculture developed in this arid desert region. Our next visit will be at the Timna Park, where we can see the most ancient copper mines in the world. The Timna Park is also known for its bizarre formations, carved by the wind: "Salomon's Pillars", "The Arches", "Spiral Hill", "The Mushroom" and more… After arriving in Eilat we have the afternoon at leisure. O/N in Eilat.

 

Thursday, Day 8:

Today is a lazy day in the Red Sea: In the morning we visit the Underwater Observatory, where we get the chance for a close encounter with the colorful Red Sea Coral Reef. After a short drive, we embark on a Yacht that takes us for a 4-hours-cruise with a view over 4 countries. As it is the last touring day, this time the Cruise will include a rich and Kosher BBQ-lunch! Snorkels and mask are also distributed on our Yacht, and we will anchor at a place where you will have the opportunity to enjoy Eilat's well-known coral reef. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure. In the evening we drive to the "Camel Ranch" just outside Eilat, where we have a biblical-style "Bedouin" Farewell-Dinner. O/N in Eilat.

 

Wednesday, Day 9:

Transfer to Eilat Airport and flight back via Ben-Gurion Airport.

 

For booking and information about Benayah's special quality and eco tours, please contact us:

00-972-8-6347022 or 050-3392525

mail: benayah@salamat.co.il