A 7 days Jewish Heritage tour to Israel is an ideal length of time to explore the Holy Land in-depth. You will reach both its biblical sites and modern-era destinations, abosrbing Israel in all dimensions. From the Golan Heights to the Dead Sea, and biblical Jerusalem to Innovation centers at Tel-Aviv. This tour will unfold many of Israel’s known highlights, as well as some of its best hidden gems.
7 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.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 2 – Jewish Sprituality in the Galilee
- 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.
- Head back to the Jordan valley for kayaking on the Jordan river, or some watersports in Tiberias!
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 3 – 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 4 – 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 5 – 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“.
- End they day with pilgrimage to the plaza in front of the famed Western Wall.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 6 – 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), before heading to Tel-Aviv.
Overnight: Tel-Aviv
Day 7 – Be a Tel-Avivian
- 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”)!
