PART 1 / Ambassador to Bulgaria

Be a part of a close-knit group of Jewish teens from North America, Bulgaria and Serbia instilling hope in a Jewish community with a remarkable past. Join the 10-day Ambassador to Bulgaria experience, and take part in community service projects, build lasting friendships with local Jewish teens from Eastern Europe, and tour a beautiful land that is one of Europe's best kept secrets.

Why Bulgaria?

For over a decade, BBYO has a tradition of organizing groups of North American teens on missions to Bulgaria. BBYO is proud to have a thriving local chapter in Bulgaria and regularly invites Jewish teens from Bulgaria to international events in North American and Israel. The Ambassador to Bulgaria experience is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this tradition, view what it means to be Jewish from a different perspective, and form lasting friendships with Jewish teens abroad.

PART 2 / Israel Journey

Join teens from around the world on a once-in-a-lifetime summer in Israel. Israel Journey is a three-week cross-country experience – from the Golan Heights in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the far south…and everything in between. Along the way, we walk in the footsteps of Jewish history, experience the vibrancy of modern Israeli culture, and connect with Israel’s colorful society.

The program includes visits to all of Israel’s most important sites – ancient Jerusalem, contemporary Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Negev Desert. the Dead Sea and the heights of Masada. We also make time to experience Israel’s off-the-beaten-path charm -- enjoying a bonfire on the beach, taking part in an active archeological dig, sampling unique Middle Eastern cuisine, and participating in the re-birth of Israel by planting a tree in a new forest.

The Israel Journey experience is more than just a tour. It is also about discovering the meaning of contemporary Zionism, exploring our Jewish identity from an Israeli point of view, delving into the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, and connecting to our Jewish soul through a series of meaningful community service and spiritual experiences. Join us on the journey.

WEEK #1 / Ambassador to Bulgaria
Land in Sofia and begin a 9-day program of service, cross-cultural bridge-building, and touring in Bulgaria. Travel from cities, to villages, to mountains, and to the resort coast of the Black Sea. We will also spend a special Shabbat in Sofia hand-in-hand with the Jewish community of Bulgaria before lifting off for Israel the following Tuesday morning.

WEEK #2 / Jerusalem & Mediterranean Coast
Land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and begin the ascent to Jerusalem where we will spend the first part of the week walking the Old City and exploring the history of our ancestors. From Jerusalem we head up the Mediterranean Coast to the Western Galilee where we spend our first Shabbat on the beach.

WEEK #3 / Galilee, Golan Heights & Tel Aviv
Travel eastwards through the Galilee as we learn about the mystics of ancient Safed (Tsfat), take in the beauty of the Golan Heights, learn about kibbutz life, and explore the greenest and most water-filled region of Israel. We close out week two with a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural capital and one of the world's most trendy cities.

WEEK #4 / Eilat, Negev Desert & Jerusalem
Head due south to Eilat, Israel's southernmost tip where we snorkel in the tropical Red Sea and learn about Israel's unique desert ecology. Continue on for a sunrise hike to Masada followed by an unforgettable float in the Dead Sea. The trip concludes by returning to where we started in Jerusalem with a somber visit to Yad Vashem followed by a moving Shabbat experience at the Western Wall.

Program Package

• Round-trip flights from NYC
• Accommodations (hotels, kibbutz lodging, and Bedouin tent!)
• All meals (kosher or vegetarian/allowance)
• Activities & entrance fees
• Deluxe motorcoach
• Dynamic staff team
• Security escort & monitoring (Israel)
• Medical insurance (excludes pre-existing conditions)

Trip Links

• Program Itinerary
• Pre-Trip Prep Bulgaria 2011
• Pre-Trip Prep Israel 2011
• Why Israel, Why Now?
• Safety & Security
• Register Now for Ambassador to Bulgaria + Israel Journey

How the Connection Works

As a connected experience, this program combines the following two travel experiences: Ambassador to Bulgaria + Israel Journey #3. At the end of the first program there will be a "bonus day" of light touring for those in the group who are also making the connection. The following day includes a supervised flight to the next destination country with some time for rest and relaxation before starting fresh with a new group. Trip connections are always supervised, all-inclusive, and they are planned to give teens a break between experiences.

7-Day Israel Extension

Keep the memories going and extend the core Israel Journey program for a fourth week. We call it Israel Journey Plus. The first half of the “bonus week” takes place at Gadna, the IDF's basic training-style program for high school teens from abroad. The second half of the week is a community-based service project experience. These campus-based experiences provide an excellent alternative to the traditional touring format. The experiences are designed to open a window on two unique aspects of Israeli society. Make the most of your time in Israel. Learn More: Ambassador to Bulgaria + Israel Journey Plus