Euro-Quest Western + Israel Journey

PART 1 / Euro-Quest Western

Tour the grand capitals of Western Europe – Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. Euro-Quest Western Europe is a two-week teen travel experience that visits world-famous sites like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Champs-Elysees, and the canals of Amsterdam.

Along the way, we also include off-the-beaten-path experiences – a bicycling tour of windmills in the Dutch countyside, a visit to the Champagne region of France, and solemn reflections at the D-Day landing site on the beaches of Normandy.

As a BBYO Passport experience, Euro-Quest Western is also about connecting with the colorful history of the Jewish People in Europe. We visit centuries-old synagogues, spend a special Shabbat with the Jewish communities of London and Brussels, and confront the devastating effects of the Holocaust at the Anne Frank House and at Fort Breendonk.

PART 2 / Israel Journey

Fly from London 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 / Holland & Belgium
Land in Amsterdam and the journey begins in this magical city of criss-crossing canals, the masterpieces of Van Gogh and the home of Anne Frank. In Holland, we also make time to explore the Dutch countryside, and learn how to make traditional cheeses. From Holland we head south to Belgium where we visit the diamond district of Antwerp, stop for a a moving visit at Fort Breendonk, the transit point to Auschwitz. We close out our first week with a relaxing Shabbat in Brussels, the headquarters of NATO, the European Union, and delicious Belgian chocolate!

WEEK #2 / France & England
Travel from Belgium to France via the picturesque countryside of Champagne. In Paris, we explore a city of world treasures, world class shopping, and world famous food. Walk under the Arc De Triumph, stroll along the Champs Elysses, tour the Palace of Versailles, and explore the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci at the Louvre Museum. On our way to England, we break for a solemn visit to the D-Day Normandy landing on Omaha Beach before spending the night at sea crossing the English Channel. Our experience caps off in London with visits to famous sites like Big Ben, the Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a special Shabbat in London meeting with local Jewish teens.

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 Western 2011
• Pre-Trip Prep Israel Journey 2011
• Why Israel, Why Now?
• Safety & Security
• Register Now for Euro-Quest Western + Israel Journey

As a connected experience, this program combines the following two travel experiences: Euro-Quest Western #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.