Day 1 Monday (VIP Welcome & Transfer)

WELCOME TO HOLY ISRAEL!

VIP Welcome at Ben Gurion Airport

After landing, a Shalom Israel Tours representative will be waiting to welcome you as you exit the plane. Your party will be transported in a private vehicle to the flight staff passport control, continue to luggage identification and transfer to your luxury chauffeured vehicle.

Welcome Transfer to Tel Aviv

Stretching along a beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean Sea for 100 years, Tel Aviv is considered the face of modern Israel. Nicknamed “The White City” for its abundance of Bauhaus style architecture, Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2003.

The Tel Aviv North Port

Relax & stroll the north port, also known as the “Namal.”  The remodeled port won the European Biennial of Landscape Architecture, a prestigious European award for landscape architecture. Here you’ll find live performances, art, shopping, and great restaurants.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options

Day 2 Tuesday (Private Guide & Vehicle)

TEL AVIV – ISRAEL’S MODERN JOURNEY

Old Jaffa Port & Market

Built 4,000 years ago, the Jaffa Port is the oldest in the world. The prophet Jonah embarked on his ill-fated journey from this port, and building materials for the First and Second Temples were delivered to Jaffa. The metropolis of Tel Aviv is largely an extension of Jaffa.

Neve Tsedek Neighborhood

One of Tel Aviv’s first neighborhoods, Neve Tzedek was built in 1887. This area has housed several famous artists and writers, including Nobel Prize winner S Y Agnon. Today, Neve Tzedek is home to several boutique art galleries, independent cafes and cultural centers.

Nachlat Binyamin Arts Fair

The first and biggest of its kind in Israel, this average street comes alive every Tuesday & Friday. Displaying Israeli-made crafts, jewelry, home décor and art, all goods on display are hand made and sold by the artists, making a visit to this market a memorable experience.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Established in 1932, the museum’s permanent collection contains some of the most popular artists and art movements from the first half of the twentieth century including German Expressionism, Futurism, Surrealism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

Michal Negrin Artist Factory Tour

The visit at “The World of Michal Negrin” includes a viewing of a film and a guided tour through the walls of the famed brand name, including the studio and factory; demonstrating all the stages of design and production and how Michal’s world is weaved together.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options

Day 3 Wednesday

ISRAEL’S COAST – ANCIENT PORTS

Ralli Museum Caesarea

The Ralli Museum sits on two acres in Caesarea. A sculpture garden decorated with olive, palm, and citrus trees surrounds the museum itself. Latin American and Spanish paintings and sculptures are exhibited, including works by Salvadore Dali and Aguste Rodin.

Tishbi Winery & Chocolate Tasting

Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting in the Tishbi Winery Visitors’ Center outside Binyamina. Wine and chocolate naturally go together, and Tishbi Winery specializes in both. The winery’s recently redesigned visitors’ center is designed to assault all the senses at once.

Zichron Yaakov Town Visit

Visit one of the first Jewish settlements in the Holy Land, home to Israel’s first large-scale winery. It was founded in 1882 by Baron Edmund de Rothschild and named in his father’s honor. Today, Zichron is a picturesque town, featuring cafes, vistas and a historic center.

Ein Hod Artist Colony

Ein Hod is a picturesque artists’ village, the only one of its kind in Israel and one of the few such villages in the world. Nestled in natural vegetation and bordered by an ancient olive grove, it lies on the slopes of Mt Carmel, in breathtaking landscape overlooking the sea.

The Hecht Museum, University of Haifa

This museum features archaeological artifacts representing the material culture of the Land of Israel from the Canaanite period to the end of the Byzantine era. Particular emphasis is placed on two collections: Jewish coins and inscribed seals from the Biblical period.

Dinner & Overnight: Coastal or Haifa Hotel Options

Day 4 Thursday

THE GOLAN HEIGHTS & TZFAT – ADVENTURE & MYSTICISM

Tzfat Old City & Artist Quarter

Tzfat is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It has served as a spiritual center since the 1600s, when famous Kabbalists roamed here. Tzfat awaits art lovers, soul-seekers and historians to cobblestone alleys, medieval synagogues, galleries and mystical atmosphere.

Kabbalah Glassblower Presentation

Blow your mind and come meet the famous Kabbalistic glassblower of Tzfat, Sheva Chaya. Watch her fascinating live glass blowing presentation and hear her inspiring life story; from Denver high school valedictorian to Princeton to the studios of Tzfat.

Famous Tzfat Candles

Famous for reviving the ancient art of candle making, craftsmen skillfully convert pure beeswax into a large variety of Chanukah candles, Hand-dipped paraffin tapers, and hand-crafted works of art distinguishing Tzfat Candles as one of the world’s best candle makers.

Dinner & Overnight: Northern Israel Hotel Options

Day 5 Friday

THE JORDAN VALLEY – HIGHWAY OF KINGS

Belvoir (Kokhav HaYarden) National Park

Explore a rebuilt and thoroughly excavated 12 century Crusader fortress. See how the Crusaders used a moat and towers to fend off Saladin’s forces for a year and a half. Don’t miss the sculptures by German-born Israeli artist Yigael Tumarkin, which adorn the site.

Beit Alfa Synagogue

Built during the Byzantine era, this excavated synagogue is most well known for its miraculously preserved mosaic. The mosaic vividly portrays the Binding of Isaac, the Temple of Jerusalem and the Zodiac, demonstrating Roman influence on Jewish culture.

Qasr Al Yahud Jordan River Point

We’ll stop at the point where the Nation of Israel crossed the Jordan River and entered the Land of Israel after their 40 years of wandering in the desert. This is also the site of Elijah’s ascension to heaven in a fiery chariot after he and Elisha crossed the Jordan River.

Jericho Valley Lookout Point

The community of Mitzpe Jericho is located on the edge of the Judean desert and offers stunning panoramic views of the Dead Sea, Jordan River, the ancient city of Jericho and the surrounding hills. The observation deck here is shaded and surrounded by a lush garden.

Friday Night Tour to the Western Wall

On the eve of Shabbat, Jerusalem transforms; stores shut down, and streets and alleyways fall silent, as all begin to anticipate the weekly Shabbat. Our 2000-year-old tour will pass through Jaffa gate and the Golden Menorah, and end at the Wall right as Shabbat begins.

Shabbat Dinner & Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 6 Shabbat

SHABBAT IN HOLY JERUSALEM

Shabbat Morning at Leisure & Lunch

Enjoy breakfast and your morning at leisure and Shabbat lunch at your hotel.

Nachlaot Neighborhood Shabbat Tour

Discover hidden nooks and crannies in the historic alleyways of the quaint neighborhood of Nachlaot, established by those who left the comforts of the Old City Walls in the 1860s. Today’s Nachlaot is inhabited by old-timers, hippies, and young American immigrants.

Tower of David Night Spectacular

In the evening you’ll head back to the Tower of David’s rooftop to view an epic nighttime extravaganza of sight and sound, depicting the conquests of the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Turks and others, as they tried to overtake Jerusalem. This show is simply “Spectacular.”

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 7 Sunday

JERUSALEM – THE ETERNAL CAPITAL

Western Wall Tunnels Tour

These famous underground tunnels contain remnants of entire rooms from the Second Temple period. At Warren’s Gate, you’ll stand just a few feet away from where the Holy Ark stood, and feel the yearning of the Jewish people for the Temple for thousands of years.

Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls

Founded in 1965, this is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and one of the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Here you will find the oldest existing biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in the Shrine of the Book.

Hadassah Chagall Windows

Renowned artist Marc Chagall brought his artistic talent to Israel by creating twelve stained glass windows that explore the Biblical symbolism of the 12 tribes of Israel. The sun filtering through the stained glass creates a brilliantly radiant depiction of famous Jewish imagery.

Hutzut Hayotzer Artists Colony

Two years after the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, a no-man’s land between the New and Old City of Jerusalem was transformed into an artist’s colony. The artists, meet and welcome you personally. A visit to Hutzot Hayotzer is a must for the discerning visitor interested in Jerusalem’s History and in international level of art, design and craftsmanship.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 8 Monday

THE JUDEAN DESERT – KING HERODS FORTRESS

Masada Mountain & Cable Car

Ride via cable car to the top of Masada and explore what remains of King Herod’s palace. See what it was like to live there as you view the preserved baths, cisterns and barracks. It was here that leader Eleazer Ben Yair kept the Roman Legion’s siege at bay for three years.

Dead Sea Float Experience

Yam Hamelach, literally meaning “Sea of Salt,” is 417 meters below sea level, making it the lowest place on earth. Its salty water contains unique healing properties, which, combined with the nutrient-filled mud found on its shores, creates one luxurious and healthy day.

Ein Gedi National Park

In the biblical period, David hid from Saul amongst the streams and canyons of Ein Gedi. Today, Ein Gedi serves as a refuge from city life and from the arid desert. Enjoy a nature walk amongst date trees, waterfalls, caves and ibex. On a hot day, cool off in the water.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 9 Tuesday

FAREWELL FOR NOW…WE’LL MISS YOU!

Farewell Transfer…We’ll Miss you!

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your temporary departure from Israel…Bye for now!