DAY 2

Monday, December 19TH
Hanukkah day 2 Nazareth and the Golan heights

Good morning Israel, after a fantastic Israeli Breakfast we’ll start our day with a visit to Nazareth, the cradle of Christianity, the city where, according to tradition, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the place where Jesus spent his childhood and youth. Nazareth, in the lower Galilee, is located in the heart of a valley surrounded by mountains that embrace several of the most important Christian sites in the world. This is a city of religion and faith, of spirituality and holiness, but also a city with a rich history, fascinating archeology, modern culture and Middle Eastern charm.

Then we will drive to the Golan Heights, one of the most fascinating and beautiful regions of Israel. Visit Mt. Bental – one of the best viewpoints in the area, where you can see how close the borders of Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan are. Hear stories about the 1948 War of Independence and the 1967 War, both having shaped the landscape of the area.

In Mt. Bental, meet with LTC. (Ret.) Eyal Dror to hear his fascinating stories about the “Good Neighbor” unit that provided aid to Syrian civilians in the Syria-Israel border area. During his service, Eyal experienced hundreds of extraordinary moments. From hopeful conversations with Syrian women and children who were raised to hate us but now understand that we are not the enemy to witnessing many difficult moments of despair and sorrow among the Syrian civilians.

Dinner in Acre

Overnight: Efendi Hotel, Acre

DAY 4

Wednesday, December 21st
Hanukkah day 4 – Jerusalem

Today, you will discover the variety of cultures, customs, tastes, and smells of the Old City in Jerusalem, one of the most interesting cities in the world!

Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Walk down the Mount and see the old Jewish cemetery, then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane. Walk through the Old City. Visit the Pool of Bethesda at the St. Anna Church. Continue through the Via Dolorosa, Lithostrotos, and Ecce Homo Arc, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Visit the four quarters of the Old City and hear about the unique characteristics of each of them. Learn about the ‘third dome’ of the recently renovated synagogue in the Jewish quarter, discover who really owns the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian quarter; what is the story behind the maps hanging on the walls of the Armenian quarter, and why is there an Austrian enclave in the center of the Muslim quarter. As you’ll see for yourself, every quarter has a unique history, secrets, architecture, cuisine, and atmosphere.
Visit Mount Zion, including the Tomb of David and the Room of the Last Supper.
Walk through the Jewish Quarter and visit the Western Wall and the “Cardo Maximus”, a Roman street.

Walk through the Oriental bazaars and buy your family a nice souvenir from the Holy Land!
Have dinner at one of the best restaurants in Israel – Free Dinner, we will be happy to recommend and make reservations for you according to your wish.

Overnight: Isrotel Orient, Jerusalem

DAY 6

Friday, December 23rd
Hanukkah day 6 – Jerusalem

Enjoy some free time in the morning for shopping in the Mamilla promenade.

At noon, arrive at Machane Yehuda, the famous market of Jerusalem. Culinary Tour: Visit the different stands and discover the unique and fascinating stories behind the people who work there. Experience the market through the stories, the people, the smells, and the taste. Take some time to shop in the market. Ask your guide which is the best shop to buy spices to take home!

Free time to prepare for Shabbat and enjoy hotel facilities.
Experience a traditional Shabbat dinner with a hosting family. Taste the traditional food, sing along with your friends, and just enjoy yourselves!

Overnight: Isrotel Orient, Jerusalem

DAY 8

Sunday, December 25TH
Christmas – Hanukkah day 8- Negev Desert

Open your eyes to a lovely and relaxing view of the “midbar” – desert in Hebrew.
Enjoy the hotel facilities and activities to choose from: Camel rides, Desert spa experience, Star Gazing, Hikes, Bicycle tours, Tour at Kibbutz Lotan – ecological Kibbutz And many more…

Lunch and Dinner at the hotel according to your wish.
Overnight: Six Senses, Shaharut

DAY 9

Monday, December 26TH
Crossing to Jordan and visiting Wadi Rum

Cross to Jordan through the Arava border crossing (Passport Control and Border Crossing)
2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum

Check in to the hotel
Overnight: Hayat Zaman Hotel, Petra

DAY 10

Tuesday, December 27TH
Petra

The day in Petra will be spent exploring these wonderful and magical sites.
Petra is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is no doubt that it is Jordan’s most valuable treasure and its greatest tourist attraction. It is a unique city that was carved into a sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab tribe who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for silk, spice, and other trade routes that linked China, India, and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece, and Rome.

To explore the spectacular treasures of the Red Rose city of Petra (“half as old as time”, as John William Burgon, the British poet said), enter through the impressive narrow gorge (the Siq) that leads marvellously to the magical monument, see the Treasury on the way, continue on to the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Cardo, temples, churches, museums, etc.

Dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Hayat Zaman Hotel, Petra

DAY 11

Wednesday, December 28TH
Eilat

This morning we will Cross back to Israel through the Arava border crossing.(Passport Control and Border Crossing) we will drive to Eilat.

Free morning for resting and chilling out on Eilat red sea Beaches and enjoy the hotel facilities
Optional activities –

– Diving: The Red Sea near Eilat is considered to be one of the best diving sites in the world! You will see stunning coral reefs, a huge variety of fish, and maybe even bump into a turtle or two… this diving experience is suitable for beginners and even for people with zero diving experience as well as advanced divers.

– Take a jeep tour through the breathtaking Eilat Mountains. On the way, the tour will stop at the Mount Yoash observation point, where you can see Israel’s borders with Egypt and Jordan. It’s possible to combine the tour with a one-hour hike through the stunning Red Canyon.

– Swimming with dolphins: Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience – snorkel and swim with the dolphins in Eilat’s coral reef and witness their daily routine first hand: playing, hunting for a mate, and teaching their young ones new skills.
After the swim, you can chill out at the Relaxation Pools on the reef. At the pools, you can choose to be pampered by the water team, listen to music underwater, and hear the relaxing trickling of the waterfalls. All of this is surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens.

At sunset, enjoy a cocktail party on a yacht sailing on the Red Sea. Whether you rested during the day or took part in an active jeep tour, this is the perfect ending to a wonderful day. Have some delicious cocktails as you gaze at the amazing mountain landscapes and simply enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.

Overnight: Dan Eilat Hotel

DAY 12

Thursday, December 29TH
Desert Winery and drive to Tel Aviv

Start heading north.

Eat lunch and enjoy some wine tastings at the Nana boutique winery. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit this amazing desert winery. The unique method of growing grapes in the desert creates a small fruit with powerful flavours and intense colours, and this gives the wine its strong special taste.
If time permits – visit Ramon’s crater Colors National Park – Ein Saharonim walking tour

Drive to Tel Aviv, and check in to the hotel.
Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 13

Friday, December 30TH
Tel Aviv/Jafa

Start the morning with a tour of Old Jaffa. Learn about the interesting story behind one of the most iconic symbols of the city – The Clock Tower. Walk along the promenade to the ancient port and find out why it no longer serves as an active port. Appreciate the unique combination between old and new in the city and just enjoy the perfect breeze from the sea.
Continue along the small authentic streets of the neighbourhood of Neve Tsedek, which is full of galleries and ‘Made in Israel’ jewellery shops. Check out the best two ice cream parlours in the neighbourhood and decide which one has the largest and tastier variety of flavours!

If time permits – take a walk to the Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts market.

Dinner at Hiba restaurant / Manta Rey
Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 14

Saturday, December 31st
Free time to enjoy the hotel facilities

Take an easy walk to the Tel Aviv Port
Evening – New Year Private Family Dinner

Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 15

Sunday, January 1st

This morning is all about feeling the deep connections created during these last two weeks.
Visit Dialogue in the Dark in Holon. You are used to seeing the world 80% of the time through your eyes. This morning, you will feel and see it through your other senses. A unique visit to the world of blind people.

Visit to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. Discover the incredible story of Israel, the Innovation nation, through a fascinating journey inspired by the vision of President Shimon Peres!

Afternoon free time for Shopping or enjoying the hotel facilities
Gala dinner at Goldman Court restaurant, right on the beach.

Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 16

Monday, January 2nd
Departure back home – depending on your Departure time we will plan the day.

*We need to finalize once we understand when you are departing as most of the flights to the US are night flights. You might depart between the 1st to the 2nd of January.