Discover Israel
Tel Aviv and the ancient Jaffa seaport, Galilee, the Golan Heights, Masada, ancient and modern Jerusalem, opportunity to visit Bethlehem; Optional extension: Eilat & Petra
| Style | Value Vacation Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, City Stays | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Shalom, and welcome to Israel, a country that deeply draws the inquisitive traveler like few other destinations on earth. From the soft chanting of Hebrew prayers at the Western Wall, the Muslim call to prayer and the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, to the ancient olive groves of Galilee and the stunning gardens of the Baha'i in Haifa, it’s impossible to miss the presence of religion in this holiest of lands. But as you’ll discover, a visit to Israel takes you well beyond faith, creed and politics.
Israel is both the setting of ancient history and modern future. The tech start-up culture in Tel Aviv echoes millennium-old Roman innovation evident in the ruins of Caesarea. Posh wine tasting or the country’s dynamic food scene (including unparalleled vegan options) trace their roots to the foods of the Jewish Sabbath and holiday festivals, copious and spicy Arab meze, pita and lamb kebabs and even Kibbutz dining hall concoctions from the early days of rationed food in the young Jewish state. The Dead Sea scrolls and Akko’s Arab bazaar coexist alongside more recent history, like the world’s preeminent Holocaust museum and Tel Aviv’s collection of international and Bauhaus architecture. Even the geographic locations which hold religious significance are stunning natural sites in their own right: consider the Dead Sea, the Judean Desert, the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights to name just a few.
And of course, you’ll experience all of this and more in true Friendly Planet Travel style: high-quality and centrally located hotels throughout your trip; licensed, local, English-speaking guides who will share a wealth of knowledge, and comfortable and convenient coaches to whisk you away to your next destination! Our Discover Israel small group tour will challenge and intrigue you with an up-close-and-personal look at this surprising country and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip airfare from JFK or Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv, including taxes & fees
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 8 nights’ accommodations in superior class hotels
- 14 Meals: 8 breakfasts plus 1 lunch and 5 dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking guide on all tours
Optional add-ons
- Optional Eilat & Petra extension
Why you'll love it
- Taste the eclectic flavors of Israeli cuisine during a Carmel Market tasting tour or Vegan culinary tour.
- Experience a traditional Shabbat dinner with an Israeli family.
- Ride a cable car to the desert fortress of Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans in 73 CE.
- Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at a family-owned boutique winery in Galilee.
- Float in the extraordinarily buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, Earth's lowest elevation on land at 1,388 feet below sea level.
- Explore ancient and modern Jerusalem, including the City of David, the Western Wall, the Muslim Quarter, and the Church of Holy Sepulchre.
- Gain a true understanding of the Holocaust's impact at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
Itinerary at a Glance
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA/Overnight flight
- Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel
Day 2 Arrive Tel Aviv
- Arrive in Tel, Aviv, and after following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel
Tal by the Beach or similarDinner
Day 3 Tel Aviv
- Walk in Jaffa, the world’s oldest seaport
- Enjoy a culinary tasting tour
- Admire the Bauhaus architecture on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard
- Witness Tel Aviv's Street Art and Graffiti Scene
Tal by the Beach or similarBreakfast
Day 4 Mediterranean Coast & Western Galilee
- Explore the ancient city of Caesarea, capital of the Roman province of Judea
- Learn about the kibbutz way of life
- See where drip irrigation was pioneered
- Take a stroll in the picturesque town of Zichron Yaacov
Hotel Schumacher or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 5 Galilee and Golan Heights
- Visit Safed, the city where Kabbalah flourished
- Enjoy a wine tasting in the Galilee
- Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Hotel Schumacher or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 6 Western Galilee & Jerusalem
- Admire the Baha'i Gardens in Haifa
- Discover the Crusader port of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Explore the Druze village on Mount Carmel
- Join an Israeli family for a traditional Shabbat dinner
The Lady Stern or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 7 Masada & the Dead Sea
- Tour the stronghold of Masada built by Herod
- Float on the Dead Sea
- Enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David, Jerusalem
The Lady Stern or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 8 Jerusalem's Old City
- Discover the various quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem
- Explore the tunnels and excavations that reveal the ancient city
- See the Western Wall
- Visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre
The Lady Stern or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Jerusalem New City
- Visit Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- See the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum
- Have the opportunity to visit Bethlehem
- Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers
The Lady Stern or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 10 Jerusalem & Tel Aviv/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
- Some flights are overnight and arrive in the USA the following day (Day 11)
Breakfast
Eilat & Petra Post-Tour Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Eilat and the lost city of Petra, Jordan? You'll return to the U.S. 2 days after the return dates listed.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 10 Jerusalem/Eilat
- Board your flight to Eilat in the south of Israel
- Enjoy your beach-side hotel on the Red Sea
Leonardo Plaza Hotel Eilat or similarBreakfast
Day 11 Eilat & Petra, Jordan
- Explore the incredible ancient city of Petra, carved out of the rose-colored rock
Leonardo Plaza Hotel Eilat or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 12 Eilat/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Tel Aviv and overnight flight back to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Israel?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Jordan?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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