Return to Israel to discover off-the-beaten-path treasures in the Jewish Homeland.
Together with our expert staff we’ll make new discoveries in the ancient city of Jerusalem and the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv. We’ll explore the beautiful terrain of the lush Carmel Mountain and the rugged Negev Desert, 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 HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), 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 who have been 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 perspective and gain a fresh appreciation for a country small in size but big on wonders.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on local considerations
DAY 1 > TUESDAY: Welcome in the Carmel Mountains
- Arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on your self-booked flight
An airport VIP greeting and complimentary transfer to our Carmel Mountains hotel is included for all arriving by 4:15pm this day - Welcome dinner and tour at the historic Carmel Winery in Zichron Yaakov
OVERNIGHT: Beit Maimon Guest House, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 > WEDNESDAY: A Young Nation of Immigrants
- Celebrate the pioneers who risked it all for a new beginning in the Land of Israel at the First Aliyah 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
- Ein Hod Artists’ Colony – Explore this picturesque village of artists and craftspeople in the Carmel Mountains
- Evening: Take part in a local ceremony commemorating the start of Yom HaShoah – Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day
OVERNIGHT: Beit Maimon Guest House, Zichron Yaakov
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 3 > THURSDAY: The Land and History of the Galilee
- Tour of a spice farm and gourmet market at Beit Lechem HaGlilit, a restored Templar Colony in the Galilee
- Experience the rich Jewish history of the Galilee at the Beit Shearim catacombs and at Tel Meggido overlooking the Jezreal Valley
- Ascending to Jerusalem, stopping for a shecheyanu at the Haas Promenade
- Check-in to our accommodations in Jerusalem, and continue for dinner at Ima Restaurant, a gourmet Mediterranean restaurant in Mahane Yehuda market quarter
OVERNIGHT: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4 > FRIDAY: Returning to the Old City
- Enter the Old City and visit the Western Wall complex with the option to tour the Kotel Tunnels or the Southern Wall Excavations
- Continue on to the heart of the Jewish Quarter at Zion Gate – Explore the restored Hurva Shul and view the Temple Mount from the Aish HaTorah rooftop
- Return to our accommodations and prepare for Shabbat in Jerusalem
- Shabbat dinner is included at our accommodations joined by Lone Soldiers in the IDF
OVERNIGHT: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5 > SATURDAY: Shabbat in Jerusalem
All touring today is on foot
- Morning Option #1: Attend Shabbat services in Jerusalem
- Morning Option #2: Explore the layered history of Jerusalem through the ages at the Tower of David Museum, and follow the path of the Rampart Walls around the Old City from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate, including a visit to David’s Tomb on Mount Zion
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon: Walking tour of Jerusalem’s historic Rehavia neighborhood, viewing the Prime Minister’s residence and the President’s residence along the way
- Free evening and dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 6 > SUNDAY: The Jerusalem Foothills
- Morning Options
- Yad VaShem World Holocaust Remembrance Center – Option to tour the main museum complex or tour the Yad VaShem art museum and archives
- View the Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital and visit Yad L’Kashish, the landmark initiative to empower the elderly of Jerusalem
- Explore the geo-political contours of Jerusalem on a guided tour with guest educator, Avi Melamed
- Depart from Jerusalem, and head south to the Negev Desert, stopping en route to visit Latrun Fortress, the site of a key battle for Jerusalem in the 1948 War for Independence
- Arrive to the Ramon Crater, check-in and dinner at our accommodations in this thriving desert town by the edge of the crater
OVERNIGHT: Isrotel Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7 > MONDAY: The Desert Blooms
- Morning Options:
- Learn about the geological phenomenon of the crater at the Ramon Crater Visitor Center
- Go for a morning hike in the wilderness of the Ramon Crater floor
- Learn about the enduring legacy of Paula and David Ben Gurion at Sde Boker, and tour of the Ben Gurion University desert agriculture research facility
- Off-road jeep tour in Nahal Tzin with a professional geologist
- Sample the fruits of a desert winery at the Boker Valley Vineyards Farm
- Evening: Experience a traditional Poike Pot dinner and bonfire in the desert wilderness
OVERNIGHT: Isrotel Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 8 > TUESDAY: Innovation & Adaptation in the Desert
- The Salad Trail – Experience (and taste) the wonders of Israel’s desert agriculture revolution
- Travel to Sderot – Visit a fortified playground and look out across Israel’s frontier with Gaza
- Tour of Israel’s world-leading desalination plant in Ashkelon, and learn how Israel has addressed its persistent water challenges through innovation and conservation
- Arrive to Tel Aviv, and check-in to our beachfront accommodations with dinner included
- Evening: Attend a ceremony marking the start of Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day
OVERNIGHT: Herods Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 9 > WEDNESDAY: Yom Hazikaron – Remembering the Sacrifice
- The Rabin Center – Recount the story of the State of Israel though the lens of Israel’s most famous soldier-statesman – and stop at the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial in Kikar Rabin
- Save a Child’s Heart – Meet children who have come to Israel from around the world seeking life-saving treatment and care
- Explore the ancient port city of Jaffa, and then travel up the Tel Aviv coastline on a bicycle tour from Jaffa to the stylish Tel Aviv Port (walking tour alternative available)
- The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Tel Aviv on your own
- Evening: Join in Tel Aviv’s local Yom Haatzmaut celebrations!
OVERNIGHT: Herods Hotel, Tel Aviv
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 10 > THURSDAY: Yom HaAtzmaut – Celebrating Independence
Late check-out is included up till 6:00pm today
- Option #1 – Day tour to Masada and the Dead Sea
- Option #2 – Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day with the people of Tel Aviv
- Beit HaTfusot – Explore the Diaspora Museum on the campus of Tel Aviv University
- Discover the graffiti art of Tel Aviv’s Florentine neighborhood
- Tree planting ceremony, wrap-up session and closing dinner at Neot Kedumim Biblical Reserve
- Evening – Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for overnight flights onwards
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Benefit from our no-hidden-costs approach so that you can enjoy your experience to the fullest. With the exception of one meal a day and gratuities, Israel Revisited is an all-inclusive package.
- Airport Transfer
A VIP airport greeting and a private transfer to our arrival hotel is complimentary for anyone arriving to Ben Gurion Airport by 4:15pm on the first day of the program - Deluxe Hotels
4-star centrally located accommodations with porterage included - 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
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
What’s Not Included
- Flights to/from Israel
- Local medical insurance (optional)
- Travel insurance (optional)
- Meals not marked as included in itinerary
- Hotel incidentals
- Israeli staff gratuities (suggested $100/adult traveler)
WHAT IT COSTS
Sign up at least four months in advance to lock in your spot and receive a $100/person discount. All payments are fully refundable up to four months in advance, so your savings are absolutely risk free.
Land Package: $2,550/Person
Double room hotel occupancy rate
Double room hotel occupancy rate
Single Room Supplement: $800/person
REGISTRATION
Sign up for Israel Revisited by completing the online registration form
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS
- To reserve your spot, a $250/person deposit is due at the time of registration
- The deposit is refundable up to four months prior to the program start date, after which it is non-refundable
- The balance is due no later than two months prior to the program start date, after which it is non-refundable
- Cancellations must be made in writing, and we encourage you to obtain our group-discounted travel insurance policy
- A late registration fee of $50/person applies for enrollments within two months of the program start date
- Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3.5% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to initial $250 deposit). Note: credit card fees are not refundable
- Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny acceptance on the tour according to its discretion
FAQs
Who staffs the tour?
Israel Revisited is led by a licensed Israeli guide who accompanies the group on a 24/7 basis. Our staff are charismatic educators eager to share the beauty of Israel. Each group is also assigned a deluxe touring bus with a dedicated driver.
How active is the touring?
Israel Revisited is an active tour designed for adults. Our days are full of experiences designed to provide you with the full flavor of Israel. Although the program does not have age guidelines, the itinerary involves a good amount of walking and some long days. Participants may take a break from the active schedule at their own discretion.
What's the composition of the group?
Israel Revisited groups generally range from 15-30 travelers. Average group size is 20 travelers.
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 motor coach 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 make a good faith effort to accommodate food allergy considerations, however, we can not make absolute guarantees on behalf of our meal providing partners.
How do I get ready for the trip?
Detailed pre-trip material are distributed approximately three months prior to arrival. You’ll also be invited to a trip Facebook group to connect with fellow travelers before the program and stay in touch afterwards.