Explore the wonders of Israel with your Shaarei Tikvah community as we see the sites, taste the foods, and meet the people!
Together we will journey throughout Israel on an itinerary designed for first-time travelers and returners alike. Some highlights include wandering through the Old City of Jerusalem and celebrating Shabbat in this holy city, walking in the footsteps of our ancestors in the Judean Desert, riding camels in the desert, traveling through the mystical city of Tsfat, and sampling the delights of Tel Aviv's colorful food and craft markets. We'll also have a communal celebration for those who will be reaching b'nei mitzvah in the 2024 calendar year. We hope you'll join us for this incredible opportunity!
The double occupancy cost of our trip is $2,925 with child room-sharing discounts available. For program questions, contact Rachel Mann. For travel registration questions, contact Authentic Israel at register@authenticisrael.com.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on availability and local considerations
DAY 1 > THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
Baruch HaBah - Welcome to Israel!
-
- Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on your self-booked flight
An airport VIP greeting and complimentary transfer to our Jerusalem hotel is included for all travelers arriving between 7:00am and 4:30pm today - A complimentary "pre-tour" is available for travelers already in Israel from the night before or travelers arriving to Ben Gurion Airport by 9:30am today
- Evening: Get oriented over a welcome dinner at Joy Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex followed by the Tower of David Night Spectacular in the Old City
- Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on your self-booked flight
OVERNIGHT: Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 > FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
The Old City of Jerusalem
-
- Experience a panoramic introduction to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
- Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David excavations and explore the Canaanite Tunnel deep under the city
- Travel to the bustling open-air Mahane Yehuda Marketplace for pre-Shabbat shopping and lunch on own
- Return to our accommodations - Freshen up, relax, and experience the quiet that descends on Jerusalem before the start of Shabbat
- Option to attend a Kabbalat Shabbat experience at a local shul or at the Western Wall
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner as a group at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3 > SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
Shabbat in Jerusalem
All touring today is on foot
-
- Morning: Option to attend local services or explore Jerusalem on your own
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon Old City Walking Tour - Scale the Rampart Walls of the Old City, explore the historic Jewish Quarter, and the bazaars of the Christian Quarter
- Evening: Discover Jerusalem nightlife and grab dinner on your own at Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall or at the First Station Market (on own)
OVERNIGHT: Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4 > SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
Loss & Renewal in Israel
-
- Depart Jerusalem and travel to Beit Guvrin National Park where we will pick up new skills on the Dig-for-a-Day archaeological workshop
- Break for lunch on your own along the way
- Head south into the desert where we'll visit the Bedouin community of Laqiya where we'll meet members of a women's cooperative
- Continue into the Judean Desert for a camel riding adventure and a memorable desert tent dinner feast at Kfar Hanokdim encampment
- Evening: Desert nature walk, stargazing, and dark light scorpion search
OVERNIGHT: Kfar Hanokdim Encampment, Judean Desert (Private Cabins)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5 > MONDAY, DECEMBER 30
Adventures in the Judean Desert
-
- Morning: Summit Masada via the Roman Ramp route
- Explore and recount the story of Masada - Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
- Take a short nature walk to the desert oasis at Ein Gedi National Park and view wild ibex in their natural habitat (a packed lunch is provided today)
- Experience the wonder of effortless floating on the Dead Sea at Kalia Beach
- Travel northwards to the Galilee via the Jordan River Valley, part of the vast Syrian-African Rift
- Check-in and dinner at our country hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee
OVERNIGHT: Ramot Resort, Golan Heights
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6 > TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
Mystics in the Galilee
-
- Morning hike in the Galilee at Nahal Amud Canyon
- Walking tour of ancient Tsfat - The historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Lunch on own and personal exploration time in the Tsfat artists' colony - including a visit with local Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal
- Sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing followed by a gourmet dinner at Decks Restaurant in Tiberias on the waterfront
OVERNIGHT: Ramot Resort, Golan Heights
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7 > WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
Perspectives from the Golan Heights
-
- Ascend the Golan and explore the region on a historical off-road jeep trek
- View Israel's neighbors and navigate former IDF bunkers at the summit of Mount Ben-Tal, a dormant volcano in the northeast corner of the Golan
- Travel to Ein Kinya village to learn about Druze culture over a traditional lunch
- Continue west to Haifa, Israel's most diverse city, and check in to our hotel on the slopes of Mount Carmel with an overnight bag
- Evening: Dinner on own in the historic German Colony neighborhood of Haifa
OVERNIGHT: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 8 > THURSDAY, JANUARY 2
Along the Mediterranean Coast
-
- Travel along the Mediterranean Coast to explore Caesarea - Herod's Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach
- Arrive to Tel Aviv - Israel's cultural and commercial capital - tour the ancient port city of Jaffa and browse the Jaffa Flea Market (lunch on own)
- Learn about the State of Israel's founding values at Independence Hall on Rothschild Boulevard
- Free time to explore Tel Aviv on your own and enjoy its Mediterranean beachfront
- Evening: Discover the richness of Jewish Ethiopian culture and enjoy a traditional meal at the Battae Heritage Center in Tel Aviv
- A transfer is included to Ben Gurion Airport for travelers flying on overnight flights
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- VIP greeting at Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to our arrival hotel
Included for all travelers arriving between 7:00am and 4:30pm on the arrival day - Return transfer to Ben Gurion Airport
Included for travelers departing on the final evening of the program (overnight flights) - A licensed Israeli guide accompanies the group daily
- Travel on a luxury touring bus daily, except Shabbat
- Accommodations per the itinerary, including hotel porterage
- Breakfast daily and additional meals per the itinerary
Including taxes and tips for restaurant meals - Entrance fees and programming per the itinerary
- Gratuities for the guide and driver
- All applicable taxes
A 17% VAT (tax) applies for Israeli passport holders at hotels. Contact us to make arrangements
Not Included:
- International flights (a travel agent is available for those seeking assistance)
- Travel insurance or local medical insurance (available separately)
- Premium beverages at group meals, e.g. wine
TRAVELING TO AND FROM ISRAEL
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Israel and we expect to designate a community flight for those wishing to travel together. Airport transfers will be provided for anyone arriving to Ben Gurion Airport between 7:00am and 4:30pm on December 26th. At the end of the program, travelers will be escorted back to Ben Gurion Airport in time for overnight flights departing on the evening of January 2 or the early AM of January 3 (departing no later than 1:00am). Travelers wishing to arrive early or stay later will be accommodated at the group hotels by special request based on the group hotel rate.
Back to Top
WHAT IT COSTS
LAND PACKAGE: $3,200/person
- Based on double hotel room occupancy
- Single hotel room supplement: $985/person
- Discount for children 13+ sharing a room with two adults: $400
- Discount for one or two children 12 and under sharing a room with two adults: $750
REGISTRATION
Sign up for the program by completing the online registration
PARTICIPATION TERMS
- To reserve your place on the program, a $300/person deposit is due with your registration and is fully refundable until August 15, 2024.
- A late fee of $100/person will apply for travelers registering after August 15, 2024.
- The balance of payment is due by October 15, 2024, after which all payments are non-refundable.
- Cancelation must be made in writing to Authentic Israel. We encourage you to obtain travel insurance prior to making the final payment.
- The program may be paid for by check or credit card. However, if you wish to pay by credit card, a 3.0% processing fee applies (credit card fees are not refundable).
- Pricing is subject to a minimum of 25 confirmed travelers as of August 15, 2024, and we encourage you not to book any flights until the program is fully confirmed. All program payments will be considered fully refundable if the minimum group size is not reached by August 15, 2023.
*Some benefits are only available if the policy is purchased within 14 days of your initial registration.
Back to Top