The Ultimate Classical Tour

• Our journey starts today as we depart on our flight to Israel- the Promised Land. Sit back, relax, enjoy your flight, and prepare for a life-changing experience.

• Meals:  On Board Flight
• Accommodation:  On Board Flight

• Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport and after passport control, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for check-in.
• The rest of the day will be free to enjoy the hotel and the nearby famous Tel Aviv promenade.

• Begin your journey at Latrun, a historical site from the Crusader period, known for its strategic hilltop location.
• Explore Yad La-Shiryon, Israel’s Armored Corps Memorial and Museum, with its vast collection of tanks and exhibits on Israel’s Defense Forces. Enjoy the panoramic view of Ayalon Valley where the Bible states Joshua said “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Ayalon.” (Joshua 10, 12).
• Continue to Modiin, home of the ‘Maccabees,’ and visit the ancient synagogue at Um El Umdan, revealing Jewish religious life from 2000 years ago. Proceed to the ‘Maccabees’ graves, an archaeological site connecting visitors to the heroes of the Hanukkah story and the Hasmonean dynasty.
• End your day at the ANU Museum of Jewish people (Diaspora museum) with interactive exhibits celebrating Jewish history and culture.

• Start the tour of Tel Aviv at the historic train station ‘Park HaTachana’, a restored complex from the 1892 Jaffa-Jerusalem railway.
• Explore the renovated buildings, now housing boutiques, cafes, and cultural spaces, while learning about its role in Tel Aviv’s development.
• Continue to the ancient Jaffa Port, a 4,000-year-old harbor, and marvel at the Andromeda Stone and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Stroll through the narrow alleys of the Old City, steeped in history and culture, from biblical tales and ancient trade routes to Ottoman rule and stories of Napoleon’s conquest. Head to Neve Tzedek, one of the first neighborhoods built outside Jaffa’s walls, and enjoy the restored architecture, chic boutiques, and cozy cafes.
• Conclude your journey at Nachalat Binyamin, experiencing its vibrant Friday artists’ fair with local artisans, handmade crafts, and live performances.

• Accommodation: Tel Aviv (view hotels)

• Enjoy a free day of Shabbat! You may explore Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps!
• Discover the famous boardwalk along the Mediterranean Sea.
• Tel Aviv is home to numerous art galleries, cafes, and museums, as well as the beach! The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a very highly rated institution, while the Eretz Israel Museum offers a historical perspective on the history of Tel Aviv.
• For those who prefer to shop, there are several shopping malls that open after the end of Shabbat till late night.
• Stroll along the famous tree lined Rothschild Boulevard, and take in the magnificent villas and buildings occupying the most expensive real estate in Tel Aviv.

• Drive through the awe-inspiring Judean Desert, leading you to the extraordinary Dead Sea, the Earth’s lowest point, and situated approx. 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level.
• Stop at Qumran, visiting the historic site where the famed Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, and hear about the unique Jewish community living here at those times.
• Continue your journey and drive south along the beautiful shores of the Dead sea to the historic site of Masada, where you will ascend to the mountain fortress built by King Herod, via cable car. Explore the remarkable remains of walls, palaces, a synagogue, and a bathhouse witnessing the heroic last stand of the Zealots against the Romans at the end of the Great Rebellion.
• Descend from Masada via cable car and continue your adventure to the Dead Sea. Immerse yourself in its mineral-rich mud and indulge in a therapeutic float on its waters, believed by many to offer revitalizing effects.

• Today is a free day to enjoy the special atmosphere of Shabbat in Jerusalem. You may want to discover some museums and re-visit the Christian Quarter in the Old City.

• After breakfast enjoy a free day in Eilat. This resort city lies on the shores of the Red Sea, Israel’s most southern point.
• On a clear day you can see neighboring Jordan and Egypt.
• You can swim in the Red Sea, or enjoy other water activities, including numerous ecological preserves.
• You can even meet and pet dolphins at Dolphin Reef!
• For those who prefer to be on the water and not in it, there’s yacht sailing.
• There are camel tours, AV tours, and Jeep tours of the scenic desert, and so much more!
• There are also the beautiful botanical gardens, and several amusement parks for the kid in you.

Optional Day Tour to Petra, Jordan including Lunch:
After breakfast, enjoy a full Day tour to the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. You will be transferred from your hotel to the Arava border point, cross into Jordan, and drive to Petra. Petra was established possibly as early as 312 BC, though it was only rediscovered in 1812. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was also chosen as one of the Smithsonian’s ’28 Places to See Before You Die’ list. A visit to Petra is one of the true highlights of any trip to the Middle East, with its red tinged city carved by the Nabataeans out of solid rocks, remaining exquisitely preserved even to this day. Petra can be entered on foot or in horse drawn carriage. After your visit to Petra, we will stop for lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the border. If time permits, we will also make a short stop in Aqaba before crossing into Eilat.

• At the end of the day, you will be driven back to the Arava border and transferred back to your hotel in Eilat.

• Leave Eilat behind and head to Mitzpe Ramon. Take a captivating pause to marvel at the geological wonder of the Ramon Crater; visit the remarkable visitors’ center, which offers unique insights into this extraordinary natural formation.
• Drive to Sde Boker, and stop at David Ben Gurion’s, Israel’s first prime minister, hut and grave. Enjoy a breathtaking view overlooking the magnificent Zin Valley.
• Conclude your tour at an authentic Bedouin tent to learn about the rich culture of these desert nomadic tribes and enjoy a delightful light lunch.
• Arrive in Tel Aviv for overnight.

• Meals: Buffet Breakfast and Light Lunch
• Accommodation: Tel Aviv (view hotels)