Israel Family and Friends Tour (10 days)
jerusalem, israel
Israel – 10 days/ 9 nights Family and Friends Tour sample Itinerary
Highlights: Tel Aviv, The Galilee, Caesaria, Akko, Tiberias, Golan Heights, Ein Gedi, Bedouin Village, Masada, Jerusalem
Day 1
Arrival in Israel
SHALOM and welcome to Israel!
Upon arrival to Israel, private VIP meet and greet, assistance in immigration and customs. After customs you will be transferred by your private driver to your hotel in Tel Aviv.
Rest of the evening is at leisure in Tel Aviv to relax, enjoy and get ready for your Israel Experience.
*Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 2
Tel Aviv
Mid morning half day private tour of Tel Aviv to include Rabin Square, Sarona compound, Neve Tzedek, Jaffa, the Jaffa Port, the Flea Market and the Bahus neighborhood section of Tel Aviv.
Anyone not interested in joining the tour will be able to enjoy free time at the Tel Aviv Beach, promenade or the hotel pool or a 2 hour private guided Segway tour (ages 16 and above).
Dinner at Manta Ray on the Beach.
*Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 3
The Mediterranean Coast and the Western Galilee
Today you will drive north along the Mediterranean Sea. You will visit Caesaria. A scenic route will take us to a breathtaking panoramic view of Haifa bay from the summit of Mt. Carmel.
Continue to Akko, visit the Crusader tunnels and the spice market.
Continue to Naharia and board a Military style torpedo boat and speed ride to Rosh Hanikra.
Enjoy boat tour of the grottos and the underwater caves. Based on weather conditions you will be able to see Sidon and the villages of southern Lebanon.
After your visit and a picnic lunch on the beach continue to the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) and the city of Tiberias. Arrive in time for a refreshing swim at the Sea of Galilee.
*Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4
The Golan Heights
Start your day with a visit to Capernahum. Continue for a jeep ride or ATV up the Golan Heights.
Visit Mount Bental and discover first-hand the strategic importance of the area as you climb the Heights and “capture” a former Syrian bunker, affording you a bird’s-eye view of Israel’s expansive Hula Valley below, once a constant and easy target for Syrian mortars and heavy artillery. Visit “OZ 77,” a memorial site and audio visual show with live footage commemorating one of the most important battles of the Yom Kippur War.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a Golan Heights Winery and taste some of the best wines of Israel.
End the day with fun raft down the Jordan River.
*Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 5
The Jordan Valley
Depart Tiberias on your way to Safed (Tzefat), the city of Kabbala, visit the old synagogues, the narrow old city streets and the boutiques and stores. Continue to a local kibbutz for a visit and an opportunity to visit the kibbutz working dairy farm and milk cows.
Drive south down the Jordan valley to the Dead Sea. Visit Ein Gedi, a desert oasis and nature reserve, where you will hike up to two waterfalls (choice of easy or moderate hike). In the Ein Gedi Natural Reserve you will be able to see many desert animals including the Ibix and the Desert Rabbits. From Ein Gedi proceed to Ein Zohar Spa for swimming, “floating” and “mudding” in the Dead Sea.
Tonight you will stay at Bedouin Village and enjoy the traditional Bedouin Hospitality. Upon arrival a Bedouin host invites you to come inside a Bedouin tent to relax and sip Bedouin tea spiced with desert herbs. After a traditional dinner, the Bedouin host will perform the ancient coffee making ceremony. Late evening story telling around the fire.
Your accommodations will be in private air conditioned rooms. The kids if they choose to, can enjoy communal sleeping in a large bedouin tent.
*Overnight in a Bedouin Village.
Day 6
Masada, Jerusalem
Your very early morning will begin with a climb onto Masada by walking up the eastern route, “the solela”, to experience a majestic sunrise on Masada. Visit Masada, King Herod’s desert fortress, palace and the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Roman domination in 73 CE.
After a tour of Masada descend back by walking down the “solela” and return to the Bedouin Village for a breakfast feast. After breakfast enjoy camel rides.
Depart the village on route to Jerusalem. Arrive in Jerusalem in early after noon and enjoy time on your, resting, touring or at the hotel pool.
Lunch and dinner on your own.
*Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7
Jerusalem- The Old City
Today you will visit Jerusalem’s Old City. Start your day with a short walk on the Old City Wall. Visit the City of David and the Tower of David revealing Jerusalem’s history.. Walk through the Jewish quarter, go down the Temple Steps, the original set of 15 steps that led to the Jewish Temple’s entrance, the Western Wall (the Wailing Wall) and the only visible remains of Herod’s splendid Second Temple.
Visit the Wall Tunnels, huge arched spaces located under the northern part of the Western Wall, apparently dug in the Hasmonean period (163 BC to 37 BC).
After a fun walk in water at the Hizkiyahu Tunnel (don’t forget your flashlights) depart the Old City for a special visit to a Military base where you will meet with the soldiers (male and female) and enjoy weapon demonstration (donation required).
After return to Jerusalem and time to refresh, enjoy casual dinner at the LINK. For the ones ready to continue, transferred to the City of David for a unique Sound and Light show on the Old City walls.
*Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8
Jerusalem- The New City
You will start your day with a visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum*. May we never forget the terrible price Israel paid to establish her country with the 6,000,000 Jews murdered by the Nazis. Visit the Children’s Memorial and the Communities’ Valley.
Drive to the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and the Menora. During this stop you will have a chance to learn about the Israeli political system and see many of the government offices including the Prime Minister’s office.
Continue for a visit and special lunch (optional) at Jerusalem’s most famous market, Mahne Yehuda. Enjoy lunch on your own at the market.
* Young kids will enjoy time, with English speaking University students baby-sitters at the Biblical Zoo (while Adults are at Yad Vashem).
Optional – refresh and continue to the the Kotel (the Wailing Wall) for Kabbalat Shabbat (receiving the Shabbat).
Adult dinner at Chakra, Kids dinner nearby the hotel (option for everyone to be together).
*Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9
Jerusalem- The Old City
Enjoy a late morning half day walking tour of the Armenian and Christian Quarters of the Old City and the Arab Market. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Continue to the Arab Market known as the “shuk”.
For anyone interested a special private tour to Bethlehem to include Manger Square, Byzantine Church of Nativity, the Armenian Chappell and the Crusader Church.
Late afternoon option includes a 2 hour private guided Segway tour (ages 16 and above) or just enjoy a free day at hotel pool and walking around the city.
Farewell Dinner at a local Moroccan restaurant including music and dancing.
*Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10
Departure
Private transfer to Ben Gurion airport and VIP service at the airport for your flight back to the USA.