This is perhaps the most extensive tour package of Israel with an in-depth review of its Jewish history and Heritage. Our 11 days Jewish heritage Israel tour covers a wide range of sites and activities, unfolding Israel’s history and culture in the most exciting way. From the Golan Heights to the Red Sea, and from the Tel-Aviv to the Negev desert. Our hand-crafted tour proposal combines outdoor activities in enchanting landscapes, as well as cultural and food experiences, and much more.
11 Days Jewish Heritage Tour to Israel
Day 1 – Explore Caesarea
- WELCOME TO ISRAEL!. Assisting you with the passport control and the baggage claim, you are ready to go!. Your first stop could be Caesarea, former metropolis in Roman times. You will appreciate the new visitors center the wealth of archaeological remains, especially around the port.
- If time permits, you can also join a tour of Atlit Detainee Camp. In the 1940s the British detained here Jewish immigrants eager to reach the Land of Israel.
- Reaching Haifa, you will appreciate the grand view of the Bahai Gardens in Haifa before checking in and setting dinner.
Overnight: Haifa
Day 2 – The Jewish Heritage in the Galilee
- Visit the ancient site of Sepphoris, an important Jewish center in Talmudic times. Here, in the 3rd century CE the Mishna was compiled.
- Tour the ruins of the site, including its biggest collections of mosaics in Israel.
- Explore the enigmatic mosaic floor of Sepphoris’ synagogue, which presents a surprising combination of Jewish and Pagan subjects.
- At nearby Beth Shearim delve into the burial caves of the biggest Jewish cemetery in the Galilee in antiquity, including the burial of the famed R. Yehudah “the Prince”.
- Back in Haifa visit “Elijah’s cave” and learn about the local traditions of the site.
Overnight: Haifa
Day 3 – The Jews of Akko and Peki’in
- drive to Akko, a central city since Canaanite times and former capital of the Crusaders.
- Stroll among the antiquities and local market of Akko’s old city.
- visit the British era prison where Jewish underground members were arrested and some executed,
- Continue to Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, where a cable car will lead you into the caves carved in the soft chalk rock, all at the very border between Israel and Lebanon.
- After lunch head to Peki’in to visit the synagogue of a Jewish community whose ancestry traces back to Roman times(!).
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 4 – Jewish Sprituality in Safed
- Drive to Safed, former center known for Kabbalah philosophy and now as Jewish artists’ colony.
- Stroll along Safed’s main street and appreciate its Jewish Art galleries.
- Visit Ha’ari Hakadosh synagogue, and where Rabbi Yosef Karo compiled the “Shulchan Aruch”.
- Nearby, visit the famous tomb of the Rashbi, the most popular Rabbi’s tomb in Israel.
- Drive along the border with Lebanon and learn about Israel’s northern frontier.
- Explore the old synagogue of Bar’am, one of the best-preserved synagogues from antiquity.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 5 – Explore the Golan Heights
- Ascend the Golan Heights and reach the top of Mt. Bental. Here you can view both Israel and deep into Syria. You can also explore here an unmanned IDF bunker.
- Nearby visit the 1973 battle site “Valley of Tears“. Here, in October 1973 a small tank force heroically successfully held against a massive Syrian attack.
- Join an ATV tour next the Syrian Border to appreciate the beauty of the Golan’s countryside and its special geo-politics.
- Have a special lunch experience in a Druze village.
- View the site of Gamla. Here, 2000 years ago, the Jewish city was conquered in a brutal Roman assault. Today the site is part of a nature reserve. It combines the archaeological site with unique eagles nestling enclaves and breathtaking vistas of the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 6 – Traverse the Land and Greet Jerusalem
- Have an optional sail on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Kibbutz Ginosar.
- See the unique first century CE synagogue discovered in 2009 in Magdala. Assess the meaning of the enigmatic decorated stone found in its center. Combine it with an optional visit to Capernaum‘s ancient synagogue.
- Visit the tomb mark of Maimonides and possible other Rabbi tombs marks in Tiberias.
- Assess the archaeological discoveries that may relate to the ancient Sanhedrin found in ancient Tiberias and Hamath Tiberias.
- Pass by Kinneret farm and cemetery, and learn about the first Jewish Pioneers here, who also founded the first kibbutz in the world (!).
- Have a typical Israeli “Al Ha-esh” lunch experience in Beit She’an, followed by a tour of the site’s rich remains from Roman times.
- Reach Jerusalem towards sunset and greet with a “Sheheyanu” from the Mount of Olives grand view of the city.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 7 – Unfolding Biblical Jerusalem
- Reach the city’s earliest layers uncovered at the City of David. Enjoy the 3d movie introduction at the visitors center and continue into the city’s ancient water systems.
- Walk along the dark and waterfilled “Hezekiah’s Tunnel“ or the dry and lit “Canaanite tunnel”, up to the “Pool of Siloam.
- Review the significance of the pool in the days of the temple, and ascend through the Herodian drainage channel, to the Southern Wall Archaeological Park.
- Appreciate the rich presentation at the Davidson Center, and head for lunch in the Jewish Quarter.
- Explore the Jewish Quarter at sites the “Burnt House“, or the Hurvah Synagogue. Combine it with some Judaica shopping in the “Cardo“.
- * In the evening you could go to the Tower of David Night Spectacle or the City of David Night time Show.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 8 – The Temple Mount and the Western Wall
- Ascend to the temple Mount. View the Muslim monuments and assess the remains that might relate to the Second Temple.
- Join a 1.5 tour of the Western Wall Tunnels, learning about the foundations of the Temple.
- Return for a visit to the Western Wall itself, and possibly joining the virtual tour of Virtual Tour of the Second Temple.
- Drive to Gush-Ezion for to train in an anti-terror facility. Practice on your Krav-Maga skills and some live shooting.
- Visit Herodium and learn about Herod’s lost tomb, and the use of the site by the Bar-Kokhba rebels.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 9 – Float on the Dead Sea
- Drive towards the Dead Sea. Optional stop on at Sea Level sign for fun and short Camel Ride.
- At Masada we admire the site which witnessed a great drama 2000 years ago. See the wealth of remains and assess its tragic end for the Jewish rebels.
- Have an authentic kibbutz lunch experience at Kibbutz Ein Gedi , followed by a stroll in the kibbutz’ famous Botanical Gardens.
- Alternatively drive to one of the hotels by the Dead Sea for a lunch and swim experience.
- On the way back to Jerusalem stop for a view of the caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered (Qumran).
- If time permits, learn how Biblical Tsitsit was made at the unique Tekhelet Factory.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 10 – Track Goliath and Samson in the Shephela
- Drive to the pastoral low hills countryside of the Shephela.
- Reach the summit of Tel Azekah and assess the reality behind the biblical story of the Battle site of David and Goliath.
- Tour biblical Lachish and learn about its devastation by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.
- Dive along the historical 1948 ““Burma Road”, and learn about the battles of providing Jerusalem with vital supplies during the War of Independence.
- Time permitting, join a tour of the 1948 Secret Bullet Factory (“Machon Ayalon”).
Overnight: Tel-Aviv
Day 11 – Fun in Tel-Aviv
- Enter Independence Hall, on Rothschild boulevard, where the state of Israel was declared.
- Continue on Rothschild boulevard and learn how Tel-Aviv was established and developed into Israel’s metropolis.
- Continue to Jaffa and learn about its rich history. Stroll in its scenic alleys and enjoy its special art galleries.
- Continue to the Flea Market for a lunch break and chance finds of rare vintage memorabilia.
- Reach Rabin Assassination site. Here, in 1995 the Israeli prime minister was shot by opposition to the contemporary peace process with the Palestinians.
- Time permitting, visit the Palmach Museum, the ANU Museum, or try the extreme jet fighter flight simulator (“The Squadron”)!
