Historical, Cultural and Gastronomic Journey with Rabbi Cohen
KOSHER
The Israel Experience with Rabbi Cohen
13 days: 24th December 2022 to 5th January 2023
DAY 1
Saturday, December 24th
Overnight: Tal on the Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
Group meeting and transfer to Tel Aviv.
Time permitting short Panoramic city tour of Tel Aviv – Jaffa
Opening dinner in Tel Aviv in the hotel (Depends on arrival time)
Rosh Hodesh – With Reform Community
DAY 2
Sunday, December 25TH – Rabbi Cohen’s Introduction to his native Tel Aviv
Overnight: Tal on the Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
See some of the heart and soul of Tel Aviv, get oriented and experience an insider’s glimpse of the first Hebrew city.
Light Lunch before continuing to Beit Hatfuzot –Guided tour of the Diaspora Museum, which will help us understand the connection between Jews in Israel and Jews around the world, and to hear the fascinating story of the Jewish people.
Hanuka lighting with a reform community, dinner on your own
DAY 3
Monday, December 26TH – Haifa
Overnight: El Mul Golan Hotel, Kibbutz Sha’ar HaGolan
Arab/Jewish City in our guided visit, we will observe the Bahai Garden and the German Colony, see and learn about the complex relations of this ancient city.
After free time/Lunch We will continue to some of the most holy Places for Christianity: Nazareth, where angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear a child, St. Joseph’s Church, the site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop and lastly the underground Synagogue Church, which is reputedly where Jesus studied and prayed. The Village and the Market will then be visited just before we will depart to our Hotel.
Dinner in Tzell Tamar Restaurant
DAY 4
Tuesday, December 27TH
Overnight: El Mul Golan Hotel, Kibbutz Sha’ar HaGolan
We will start our day with a visit to Beit She’an National Park where we will tour the excavations of the Roman Byzantine periods (the Roman Theatre, streets, temples, and much more), and visit the Decapolis. We will then take part in a local family cooking program preparing our own food with the local residents and then enjoying it together with them over lunch.
Dinner in Kibbutz Dining Hall
DAY 5
Wednesday, December 28th
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
This morning we will start with a visit to a Druze village, where we will experience the real Druze hospitality in a local family home, including a very typical Druze lunch and hear the stories from the locals about the reasons that led to the great connection with the Jewish people. Afternoon visit to Kibutz Magal where Rabbi Cohen’s father was one of the founders of the Kibutz in 1953!
Afterwards drive to Jerusalem.
Dinner in hotel
DAY 6
Thursday, December 29TH
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Today we will dedicate our day to the old City of Jerusalem. We will start our visit in the Western Wall Tunnels, we will then visit the location where the significant remains of the Second Temple stand and can be re-lived. We will exit from the Western Wall Tunnel through to the “Via Dolorosa” street for a tour in the old city, the streets Jesus walked on his way to his crucifixion, towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On the way along the Arab market in Jerusalem. Lunch will be on your own, in the Old City.
Dinner in hotel
DAY 7
Friday, December 30TH
Machne Yehuda Market
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Machne Yehuda Market, today we will have the chance to visit the famous and colourful market of Jerusalem, the best regarded market in the heart of Jerusalem. The tour includes premium food “tasting” experiences.
Free time in the afternoon, before Kabalat Shabat in one of Jerusalem’s reform communities.
DAY 8
Saturday, December 31TH
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
This morning we will visit the Israel Museum- an art and archaeological museum in Jerusalem. It was established in 1965 and regarded as Israel’s largest and foremost cultural institution, and one of the world’s leading encyclopaedic museums.
Shabbat Lunch in the beautiful neighbourhood of Ein Karem.
Late afternoon tour of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Jerusalem Havdalah
Dinner in our hotel with Champagne for the new year
*Option to go out to a restaurant for NEW YEAR CELEBRATION at your own expense.
DAY 9
Sunday, January 1st
Late start from hotel 10 am
Overnight: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
SADNAT HAHEDPES – guided tour at this exclusive and unique centre providing knowledge in the practice and theory of printmaking, the preservice of ancient print techniques and the development of innovative ones. The Workshop team provides guidance and knowledge to artists, curators, scholars, students and the general public.
Lunch on your own in Mamilla and Free time for shopping.
Afternoon visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, The official memorial authority for the Holocaust.
Dinner in hotel
DAY 10
Monday, January 2nd
Overnight: Isrotel Nevo, Dead Sea
Drive to the Dead Sea, first we will visit Masada, our guide will help us relive the spectacular and heroic stories of this fortress.
Then we will have Lunch at our Hotel in the Dead Sea .
This afternoon is all about enjoying and benefiting the Dead sea Natural treasures: SPA and swimming…more like floating.
Dinner will be at the hotel followed by activities in the Hotel Lobby.
DAY 11
Tuesday, January 3rd
Late departure from Dead Sea and drive to Tel Aviv
Overnight: Prima City Hotel, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Late departure from Dead Sea and drive to Tel Aviv.
We will start our visit with a Guided tour of Neve Tzedek, Rothschild avenue, Rabin Square and ending at Nachalat Binyamin where the traditional art and craft market takes place.
Lunch on our own in Nachalat Benyamin
Free afternoon in TLV
Dinner at the hotel
DAY 12
Wednesday, January 4th
Overnight: Prima City Hotel, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Archaeological and agriculture experience day, we will start today with a visit to the archaeological caves of Beit Guvrin National Park or Sorek National Park (Stalactites Cave) – depending on weather.
Continuing to Goat Farm for a tour and lunch, we will conclude the day with wine tasting at Barkan Winery!
Return to Tel Aviv – Dinner on our own
DAY 13
Thursday, January 5TH
Departure time – usually late evening / night
Old City of Jaffa and the Artist’s Quarter. An afternoon tour in ancient Jaffa’s alleyways and the colourful artists’ galleries. Tell your guide you would like to try a pastry from one of Israel’s best bakeries! Trust us – it’s worth the calories.
Lunch on our own, continue with free time in the flea market
Farewell Dinner at Yulia restaurant – Tel Aviv Port
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport and Departure
PRICE: $4450
Per person based on shared room.
Single Room $5600
Upgrades on request.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- All accommodation costs 3*-4* hotels
- Breakfasts at the hotels, and meals as mention in the itinerary
- All land transport costs
- Entrance fee to the monuments specified in the itinerary and all activities
- Group and airport Transfers
- Local English-speaking guides
- English speaking tour Leader
COSTS NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights
- Travel & Health Insurance including cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for local service providers: $180 will be collected at the beginning of the trip
All clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any problems before, during or after your trip, Yaya Food and Travel carries no insurance for your health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we recommend that you purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance, to include cancellation, as Yaya Food and Travel cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.