Classic Israel – An Essential Journey

On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, a VIP representative will meet you at the sleeve/jetway of the plane. He will facilitate passport control procedures, luggage identification and escort you through customs to your awaiting driver for the transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv. A stay at the Dan Tel Aviv means overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean waters at the go-to property for international guests including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and past US Presidents.

Dan Tel Aviv

Drive through the green hills of Judah to the Beit Guvrin region and the land of a thousand caves where you will have a chance to participate in an actual archaeological excavation and tour the caves. Next, meet a special guide/chef in Moshav Mata where you will become familiar with the local plants that have been growing since biblical times. Take part in a hands-on cooking workshop preparing together traditional dishes based on the ingredients of herbs, vegetables and fruits you picked and enjoy lunch! Finally, you will visit Jaffa, one of the oldest biblical cities in the world and an important seaport since antiquity. Jaffa has much to offer in the way of art galleries, gift-shops and restaurants found tucked away amongst the winding, cobblestone streets.

Dan Tel Aviv

Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your guide and private driver. Start the day at the Palmach Museum and learn about the history and establishment of the State of Israel. Depart Tel Aviv heading northward along the coast to Caesarea and its Roman and Crusader antiquities to see the excavated Roman Theater echoing theatrical performances of long ago. Visit the hippodrome and port, as well as the Crusader City. Drive via Haifa’s Panoramic Road from where you will be able to see the golden dome of the Bahai Shrine that is set amid beautiful gardens and serves as a significant landmark of the city. Continue further along the coastline to Rosh Hanikra where a cable car will lower you toward the grottos, created by the constant action of the aquamarine waves. Drive through the Galilee to your hotel, the Pastoral Hotel Kfar Blum. This five-star property is located in the heart of the Galilee landscape, a step away from the Jordan facing Golan and Galilee Mountains. The property has a range of especially designed rooms surrounded by lawns and flowers and its restaurant offerings provide a culinary experience of Galilean taste local to the area.

Pastoral Hotel Kfar Blum

This morning, board a jeep to ascend the Golan Heights. During the course of the expedition, you will pass former Syrian army headquarters and positions overlooking the Galilee. Proceed to one of the highest mountains on the Golan Heights, the Bental Volcano, which will give you a terrific view of the Israeli/Syria lines as you hear of the importance of this area to Israel. While here, meet a Military Officer who will give you a thorough explanation and insight on the complex situation between Israel and Syria. Stop at Kibbutz Ortal on the Golan Heights for a tour of the Kibbutz to see a communal lifestyle unique to Israel. Meet with members, for an informal chat and enjoy lunch in the Kibbutz dining room. Conclude the day with a fun kayaking expedition down the Hatzbani Stream, one of the sources of the Jordan River.

Pastoral Hotel Kfar Blum

Following breakfast, meet your private driver and guide and drive to Safed, city of the mystics. While here enjoy visiting the underground tunnels located in the ancient Jewish quarter, see the of old structures, communal areas, underground rooms and crawlspaces. The site commands a beautiful view of the surrounding hills of the Galilee. Travel south via the shores of the Sea of Galilee and along the Jordan Valley to Sde Eliyahu. Here, meet an expert who will take you on a tour of this unique Kibbutz which specializes in organic agriculture. Ascend to Jerusalem and check into your hotel, the prestigious King David Hotel. With its fusion of contemporary luxury and rich history, the King David Jerusalem Hotel in Israel blends the splendor of a bygone era with modern luxury. It overlooks the Old City walls and is a short walk to the historic and important sites located there.

King David Hotel

Today you will see the places that make the Old City such an important world heritage site. Start the day at the Haas Promenade, which offers a magnificent view of the city and from where you will hear about the area’s historical and geographical importance. Continue to the Old City to see its surrounding areas as you enjoy a walk on the walls of Jerusalem, starting from the Jaffa Gate. From this unique viewpoint you will see the different gates that adorn the circumventing walls, each with its own fascinating story and history. Enter the Old City through the Zion Gate to take an in-depth tour of the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo. On to the Western Wall and time for a moment's reflection and prayer at this holy place, follow the tradition of many from around the world that placed their prayers in the cracks of the wall. Proceed to the Christian Quarter including a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the crucifixion and burial place of Jesus. Then, enjoy winding through the narrow, busy streets, and colorful Bazaars filled with small shops. This evening, make your own way via the Mamilla Complex to the David's Tower (Jaffa Gate) to enjoy an amazing Sound and Light Spectacular Show where you will be treated to a colorful series of moving images that turn the massive walls, arches, towers, turrets and archaeological ruins into lifelike depictions of events that took place over the millennia.

King David Hotel

This morning after breakfast meet a senior political correspondent for the Jerusalem Post Newspaper. He will give you a fascinating insider’s look into the "Political Landscape in Israel today". You will then visit Yad Vashem accompanied by a local curator to tour the central memorial and museum dedicated to the Holocaust. Proceed to the colorful Mahane Yehuda open air market of Jerusalem to see how the locals do their shopping in preparation for the Shabbat. Take in the sites, smells and noises of the market as you meander about the stalls.

King David Hotel

Depart Jerusalem and drive east through the Judean Desert to the oasis of Ein Gedi for a hike through the cascading waterfalls, where you may even get to see wild animals roaming freely in the desert. Continue to the mountain-top fortress of Masada for an in-depth tour of the site. Ascend the cliff top fortress by cable car. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below. Then, stop at a private beach along the shores of the Dead Sea to take a dip in the buoyant waters, relax on your back and think of nothing else but the sea and the salt all around you. Freshen up in the facilities provided and return to your hotel in Jerusalem.

King David Hotel

Enjoy your final morning at the property which may include a quick walk to the Old Town. You are met by your driver and privately transferred to the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport.