ISRAEL REVISITED

2025 PROGRAM DATES

6 Days | April 28 - May 3, 2025
9 Days | April 28 - May 6, 2025

Return to Israel to cover new terrain and discover off-the-beaten-path treasures on a tour that coincides with Israel's major national holidays.

Together, we’ll explore the beautiful Carmel Mountain and the Western Negev Desert. We'll revisit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv from a new perspective, and we'll tap into the innovative spirit that defines nearly every aspect of Israeli society today.

Israel Revisited is scheduled to coincide with the national holidays of Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day). Together we'll observe the national siren where the entire country stands in honor of those lost, and we'll experience the authentic joy of celebrating Israeli independence, dancing in the streets of Tel Aviv.

On Israel Revisited, you’ll broaden your perspectives and gain a fresh appreciation for a country that is small in size, big on wonders!

NOTE: Israel Revisited can be connected with a week-long travel experience in Poland as part of March of the Living for Adults

PROGRAM ITINERARY

Below is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on local considerations

MONDAY | APRIL 28, 2025 | The Land of Renewal

  • Arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport and head north to the Carmel Mountains region
  • Check-in to our hotel in Zichron Yaakov, the historic pioneering town founded by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild in the Carmel Mountains (guaranteed check-in at 3pm)
  • Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30pm to gather as a group and depart for dinner
    An optional walking of Zichron Yaakov will be offered to those arriving earlier in the day
  • Evening: Shehecheyanu at the Caesarea Aqueduct Beach followed by a welcome dinner at the Aresto Restaurant in the Caesarea Port

OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov (Deluxe Rooms)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

TUESDAY | APRIL 29, 2025 | A Young Nation of Immigrants

  • Celebrate the pioneers who risked it all for a new beginning in the Land of Israel at the Beit Ahronson Museum
  • Experience how Israel absorbs its immigrants of today at Yemin Orde Youth Village- including a shared lunch with the student community
  • Atlit Detention Camp- Learn about the challenges faced by Jewish refugees arriving on the shores of Israel following the Holocaust
  • Evening: Take part in a local ceremony commemorating the start of Yom HaZikaron - Israel's Memorial Day
  • Dinner is included at the hotel this evening

OVERNIGHT: Elma Arts Hotel, Zichron Yaakov (Deluxe Rooms)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 30, 2025 | Remembering the Sacrifice

Today is Yom Hazikaron, Israeli Memorial Day 

  • Depart from the Carmel Mountains and travel toward Jerusalem
  • Stop en route at Kastel Fortress, the site of a key battle for Jerusalem in the 1948 War for Independence - observe a minute of silence as the national Yom HaZikaron siren sounds
  • Arrive to Jerusalem, and sample your way through Jerusalem's iconic Mahane Yehuda open-air marketusing the "Shuk Bites" tasting card
  • Celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 recounting the story of Ammunition Hill
  • Evening: Dinner on your own and join Jerusalem's Erev Yom HaAtzmautcelebrations!

OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

THURSDAY | MAY 1, 2025 | Celebrating Independence

Today is Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day

  • Option #1 - Day tour to Masada and the Dead Sea
    (an extra $150/p cost applies – email us to include this day tour)
  • Option #2 - Free day to enjoy Jerusalem on your own
  • Option #3 - Celebrate Independence Day in Jerusalem taking part in March of the Living's parade from City Hall to the Western Wall
  • Evening: Attend a special Yom HaAtzmaut concert and event sponsored by March of the Living International with dinner included

OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

FRIDAY | MAY 2, 2025 | Returning to the Old City

  • Explore new discoveries at the City of David complex, including the recently excavated Herodian Road, once used by pilgrims on their way to the Temple
  • Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the ancient Jewish Quarter, including a visit to the restored Hurva Shul
  • Break for personal exploration and shopping time in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
  • View of the Temple Mount from the Aish HaTorah rooftop and proceed to the Western Wall
  • Return to our accommodations and prepare for our Shabbat in Jerusalem
  • Kabbalat Shabbat options followed by a Shabbat dinner is at our accommodations, joined by Lone Soldiers in the IDF

OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

SATURDAY | MAY 3, 2025 | Shabbat in Jerusalem

All touring today is on foot

  • This morning is free to enjoy Jerusalem on your own or attend Shabbat services
  • Shabbat lunch is included at our accommodations
  • Afternoon: Return to the Old City to tour the world heritage sites of the Christian Quarter and Arab Shuk(bazaar), including a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
  • Evening Options:
    • An optional airport transfer is included for those departing on overnight flights
    • Group night out at the First Station – a vibrant cultural center on the site of Jerusalem's original train station

OVERNIGHT: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

NOTE: Travelers have the option to end their program on Saturday night, and a transfer will be provided to Ben Gurion Airport this evening at no additional cost. This package option does not include the hotel in Jerusalem on Saturday night unless otherwise arranged in advance.

SUNDAY | MAY 4, 2025 | Israel’s Biblical Landscape

  • Depart from Jerusalem travel to the Judean Hills
  • Explore a region rich with Biblical history on an off-road jeep tour of the Judean Hills
  • Marvel at the terraced hillside grapevines, and then enjoy a tasting and tour at the Tzora Vineyards winery
  • Take part in the cross-generation tradition of planting a tree in Israel at Neot Kedumim Biblical Nature Reserve’s JNF forest
  • Check in to our Tel Aviv hotel along the coast
  • Evening: Discover gourmet Ethiopian cuisine and be inspired by its female founders at Balinjera Restaurant

OVERNIGHT: Tal by the Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

MONDAY | MAY 5, 2025 | Memory & Service in the Western Negev

  • Travel to the towns and kibbutz communities of the Western Nevev to bear witness to the devastation of October 7, 2024 – including a visit to the site of the Nova Music Festival
  • Break for a traditional Moroccan-style lunch in the border city of Sderot
  • Take part in a volunteer project in support of the Western Negev communities
  • Return to Tel Aviv, stopping to visit the Yaakov Agam Museum of Art – discover the life story and iconic works of Israel's pre-eminent modern artist (time permitting)
  • Evening: Free evening and dinner on your own in Tel Aviv

OVERNIGHT: Tal by the Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

TUESDAY | MAY 6, 2025 | Arts & Culture in Tel Aviv

  • Our final morning begins at ANU – The Museum of the Jewish People on the campus of Tel Aviv University – view the Codex Sasson display and celebrate the diversity of Jewish life and traditions from around the world
  • Break for lunch on own in Jaffa with time to explore the Jaffa Flea Market
  • Discover the complexity and beauty of the graffiti art in Tel Aviv’s Florentine neighborhood – including the moving public art created to memorialize October 7th
  • Celebrate the spirit of Tel Aviv at the Nahalat Binyamin Street Festival and Carmel Market
  • Evening: Final shopping time, wrap-up session, and closing dinner at Sarona Market, the historic German Templar Colony transformed into a cultural center
  • An optional airport transfer is included for those departing on overnight flights

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

REGISTER

Sign up at least five months in advance to guarantee your participation and receive a $100/person savings off the posted program costs. All payments are fully refundable up till December 15, 2024 – making your savings entirely commitment-free.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Benefit from our no-hidden-costs approach so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest! 

  • Airport Transfer
    An airport greeting and a private transfer to our arrival hotel is complimentary for those arriving at Ben Gurion Airport between 6:00am and 4:20pm on the first day of the program
  • Deluxe Hotels
    A combination of centrally located, 4-star and 5-star hotels per the itinerary
  • Guide and Program Leader
    A licensed Israeli guide accompanies the group on 24 x 7 basis, and an additional program leader joins groups of at least 25 participants
  • Touring Bus
    A luxury private air-conditioned touring bus with a dedicated Israeli driver
    Saturday in Jerusalem is a walking tour day without a bus
  • Two Meals Daily
    Includes tax/gratuities at restaurant meals
  • All Programming
    Site entrance fees and all touring experiences noted in the itinerary
  • All Applicable Taxes
    Additional VAT (tax) applies for Israeli citizens at group hotels
  • Remote Audio Headsets
    For groups with 20+ travelers
  • Israel Sources & Resources booklet

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to/from Israel
  • Local medical insurance (optional)
    Get peace of mind with a local health insurance policy and receive medical care without any co-pays, deductibles or paperwork. LEARN MORE.
  • Travel insurance (optional)
    Insure your investment, and plan ahead for the unexpected with a travel protection plan. LEARN MORE. 
  • Meals not marked as included
  • Hotel incidentals
  • Israeli staff gratuities
    Suggested $100-$125/person

TRAVELING TO AND FROM ISRAEL
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Israel. A VIP airport greeting and transfer to our hotel will be provided for anyone arriving to Ben Gurion Airport between 6:00am and 4:20pm on the program arrival day. Guaranteed hotel check-in is available starting at 3:00pm (luggage can be stowed earlier). On the final evening of the program, a transfer will be provided back to Ben Gurion Airport in time for flights departing between 11:00pm and 1:00am.

Travelers arriving in Israel early can extend their stay at the group hotel based on our group rates. Contact us for additional details.

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PROGRAM COSTS

Sign up at least five months in advance to guarantee your participation and receive a $100/person savings off the posted program costs. All payments are fully refundable up till December 15, 2024 – making your savings are entirely commitment-free.

Double Room Occupancy  Single Room Supplement
Program Land Costs | 6 Days $2,500/p $850/p
Program Land Costs | 9 Days $3,250/p $1,150/p
Masada & Dead Sea Day Tour
Optional supplement on May 14		 $150/p $150/p

ENROLLMENT TERMS

NOTE: Israel Revisited can be connected with a week-long travel experience in Poland as part of March of the Living for Adults

  • To reserve your spot, a $250/person fully refundable deposit is due at the time of your registration (all program costs are listed in US Dollars). The deposit becomes non-refundable on December 15, 2024.
  • The balance is due by February 10, 2025, after which all payments are non-refundable and exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis at Authentic Israel's discretion
  • Cancellations must be made in writing, and we encourage you to obtain a travel insurance policy
  • Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to the initial $250 deposit). Note: credit card fees are not refundable
  • Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny acceptance on the tour according to their sole discretion

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FAQs

Who staffs the tour?

Israel Revisited is led by a licensed Israeli guide who accompanies the group on a 24/7 basis. An additional program leader joins groups of at least 25 participants. Our staff are charismatic educators eager to share the beauty of Israel. Each group is assigned a deluxe touring bus with a dedicated driver.

How active is the touring?

Because we want you to get the most out of your travels, our touring days are full, and there is quite a bit of travel on foot. While none of the walks are strenuous, you will find at the end of the day that you have taken a large number of steps. Be prepared for an average of 3-4 hours of walking a day over all manner of surfaces (e.g., cobblestone paths, uneven walkways, etc.). Travelers requiring walking support or with mobility constraints will not be well accommodated on this program.

How is this a Jewish experience?

Israel Revisited is a pluralistic Jewish travel experience open to all. Group meals are kosher, and there is no bus-based touring on Shabbat. The itinerary is designed for travelers of all backgrounds seeking a "second timers" experience in Israel through the lens of Jewish history and identity.

How all-inclusive is the experience?

In short, you’re responsible for arranging your own flights to and from Israel, and we take care of most everything else! The program covers two meals a day, all touring, a fantastic staff team, accommodations (including luggage porterage), deluxe motorcoach transportation, and round-trip airport transfers on the arrival day and on the last night of the program. You’ll be responsible for one meal a day, specialty beverages at group meals and staff gratuities.

How are special dietary needs accommodated?

Travelers be sure to note any special dietary needs as part of your registration. We will coordinate with our hotel and restaurant meal providers to arrange special accommodations as necessary. We try to accommodate all food and allergy considerations, however, we cannot make absolute guarantees on behalf of our meal-providing partners.

How do I get ready for the trip?

Approximately three months prior to your trip, we'll distribute a pre-trip package to help you prepare for your upcoming travels. You'll also be invited to a trip Facebook group to connect with fellow travelers before the program and stay in touch after.

How does Authentic Israel approach safe travel?

Providing safe travel experiences is our guiding consideration. We appreciate our responsibility and the trust that travelers place in us. We care about their well-being like family. Key security-related protocols that we follow include:

  • Traveling on private transportation only
  • Traveling with a licensed Israeli guide at all times who has been trained in security response
  • Avoiding travel to areas of heightened concern
  • Use of hotels with a guard and a secure area
  • 24/7 support from our headquarters office in Israel
  • Close coordination with the Israeli security services via the "Situation Room"
  • Willingness and ability to modify our programming, staffing structure, and/or overall protocols as needed based on actual conditions where we travel.

Finally, in the rare event of an acute security event, we have issued full refunds in the past, and we will continue to follow this principle should we deem the situation appropriate.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about our approach to providing travel experiences that are safe, meaningful, and joyous.

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REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL TRAVELERS

We know you’ll love the Israel Revisited experience, but don’t just take our word for it. Check out these real reviews from past travelers who have completed the journey.

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