Explore the ancient beauty of Italy & Slovenia on Euro-Quest: Mediterranean and then continue on to the Land of Milk & Honey for the classic Israel Journey experience. Spend a full five weeks of summer travel with BBYO Passport.

PART 1 / Euro-Quest Mediterranean

Join us as we travel along the breathtakingly beautiful Mediterranean coast of Italy to the source of Western Civilization. Euro-Quest Mediterranean is a two-week teen travel experience that visits world-famous sites like the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, the leaning Tower of Pisa, the canals of Venice, the Vatican, and Michelangelo's David sculpture.

Along the way, we walk in the footsteps of history in ancient Rome, explore the picturesque Tuscan countryside, hike in the Italian Alps, relax on the Mediterranean coast, and raft in the back-country of neighboring Slovenia. Of course, we also make time to enjoy the delicious local Italian cuisine.

As a BBYO Passport experience, Euro-Quest Mediterranean is also about connecting with the unique history of the Jewish People in Italy. We visit centuries-old synagogues, spend a special Shabbat with the Jewish communities of Venice and Rome, and learn about the original ghetto of Venice and what it stood for.

Euro-Quest Mediterranean is a well-balanced combination of must-see touring, eye-opening Jewish experiences, and a unique opportunity to forge friendships with teens from around the world in beautiful land.

PART 2 / Israel Journey

Fly from Rome to Tel Aviv for a once-in-a-lifetime summer in Israel. The 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 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 debating 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 / Milan, the Alps & Venice
Land in Milan and the journey begins in stylish Milan before heading north to the Italian Alps and the Boremeo Palace in the middle of Lake Maggiore. We continue eastwards to Verona - home of Romeo & Juliet - and then on to Venice where we will travel the canals by gondola and spend a special Shabbat in the historic Jewish Ghetto district.

WEEK #2 / Florence, Pisa & Rome
Week two begins with a side trip to neighboring Slovenia where we raft down the Soca River through some of Europe's most beautiful terrain. We then head due south to the Tuscan countryside and onto Florence and Pisa where we will climb a certain leaning tower. We conclude our experience in Rome, a city that is both ancient and stunningly modern, with visits to the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, and much more.

WEEK #3 / 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 #4 / 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 #5 / 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 Mediterranean 2011
• Pre-Trip Prep Israel Journey 2011
• Why Israel, Why Now?
• Safety & Security
• Register Now for Euro-Quest Mediterranean + Israel Journey

As a connected experience, this program combines the following two travel experiences: Euro-Quest Mediterranean #1 + Israel Journey #4. 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.