Length: 29 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
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Meet Bulgarian Jewish teens and help serve their community as an Ambassador to Bulgaria, and then continue on to the Land of Milk & Honey for the classic Israel Journey experience. Spend four weeks this summer traveling with BBYO Passport.

PART 1 / Ambassador to Bulgaria

Be a part of a close-knit group of teens 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.

• A Mission of Service. The Ambassador to Bulgaria is primarily a service experience in a community in need of our support. Travel from city to city and village to village and leave your mark through projects such as restoring local synagogues, cheering up orphans, volunteering at a Jewish seniors home, and helping to feed the hungry.
  

• Building Bridges with Local Jewish Teens. What sets the Ambassador to Bulgaria experience apart from all other BBYO Passport programs is that our teens from North America are paired up for the entire ten day program with local Jewish teens from Bulgaria and Serbia. Experience Bulgaria through their eyes and learn what it means to be a Jewish teen today in a very different culture. Ambassador to Bulgaria is a cross-cultural experience with opportunities for real bonding and lasting friendships abroad.
  
  
• A Unique Teen Travel Experience. Ambassador to Bulgaria is also an opportunity to learn about a country with a remarkable past and to tour its beautiful countryside. Go hiking in the Balkan Mountains, relax on the shores of the Black Sea, and explore ancient monasteries and ornate synagogues.

PART 2 / Trek Israel

Fly from Sofia to Tel Aviv for a once-in-a-lifetime summer in Israel. Trek Israel 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.

We do not simply travel throughout Israel. We hike it, rappel it, raft it, and swim it. Take part in the 4-day "Sea-to-Sea" hike as we cross from the Mediterranean Ocean to the Sea of Galilee on foot. Learn how to navigate and survive in the desert like our ancestor did. Explore Israel’s most scenic terrain, and you will connect to the beauty of the Land of Israel in a way that few ever do.

The Trek Israel 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 trails of Israel!

Itinerary Snapshot

• 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
  Begin the Sea-to-Sea Hike trekking from the shores of the Mediterranean and concluding on the beaches of the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, we cross through canyons, scale mountains, and learn intimately about the history, people, and natural beauty of the Galilee -- Israel's greenest region. We close out week two with a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural capital and one of the world's most trendy cities. The middle Shabbat is a "Host Family Weekend" where participants can either stay with local friends/family or participate in a supervised alternative program (see note below).
  
  
• WEEK #4 / Eilat, Negev Desert & Jerusalem
  Head due south to Eilat, Israel's southernmost tip where we snorkel in the tropical Red Sea, learn about Israel's unique desert ecology, and experience what it means to wander in the desert as part of a desert orieentering activity. 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.
  

Learn More

• Sample Itinerary
• Trip FAQs (Coming Soon)
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Why Israel
• Why Now
• Safety & Security
• Scholarship Info
• Register Now

Host Family Weekend

The Israel Journey itinerary includes a Host Family Weekend during the second Shabbat of the program in Israel. This is a perfect opportunity for participants to connect with family and friends in Israel. Participants without Host Family Weekend plans are encouraged to pair up with a friend on the trip. A supervised alternative program is also offered based in central Israel near the Mediterranean coast. The supplemental cost for the optional supervised weekend program is $275.

How the Connection Works

As a connected experience, participating in this program actually means combining two separate experiences. At the end of the first program, we will fly together to Israel with plenty of time for rest and relaxation before starting afresh with a new group. Trip connections are always supervised, and they are planned to give teens a break between experiences.

Keep the Memories Going / Israel Extensions

Ambassador to Bulgaria + Trek Israel can be combined with a 7-day extension program after the core trips. Choose between a meaningful community service project or the Gadna experience -- the IDF's basic training-style program for high school teens from abroad, followed by a kibbutz experience where you will be paired with Israeli teens. Israel Extension programs are all campus-based and provide a wonderful alternative to the traditional touring experience. Each extension option is designed to open a window on a unique aspect of Israeli society. Make the most of your time in Israel. Learn more...

• Extension Track #1 (Post-Trip): Kibbutz Mifgash & Gadna Basic Training
  
• Extension Track #2 (Post-Trip): Kibbutz Mifgash & Community Service

Sample Itinerary

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you an idea of what this travel experience is all about. Keep in mind that the actual itinerary may vary from the schedule below. That said, this sample itinerary is meant to give you a taste of the overall program. A formal itinerary, including a list of accommodations and phone numbers, will be sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY #1 / Sunday / Departure!
• Arrive to JFK Airport’s at 5:00pm EST for ice-breakers & orientation
• Depart for Bulgaria on Alitalia Flight 611 at 9:55pm (change of planes in Rome)
• Spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #2 / Monday, June 29 / Arrival to Sofia
• Arrive to Sofia at 5:30pm
• Meet Bulgarian staff and travel to Sofia
• Introductory tour of Sofia and tour of the Rila Monestary
• Welcome dinner with Bulgarian & Serbian teens at the JCC
• Orientation program & icebreakers with local teens
• Overnight: Club Vladaya – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #3 / Tuesday / Plovdiv
• Travel to Plovdiv
• Walking tour in the old city of Plovdiv
• Service program at seniors home
• Travel to Bojenci
• Overnight: Hotel St Kirik – Bojenci, Bulgaria

DAY #4 / Wednesday / Veliko Turnovo
• Travel to Etura
• Program with local craftsmen
• Sightseeing tour of the old city of Veliko Turnovo
• Light show in Veliko Turnovo • Returnto Bojenci
• Overnight: Hotel St Kirik – Bojenci, Bulgaria

DAY #5 / Thursday / Black Sea
• Travel eastwards to the Black Sea
• Relaxed afternoon of swimming & water sports in the Black Sea
• Overnight: Varna Hotel – Varna, Bulgaria

DAY #6 / Friday / Return to Sofia
• Travel back to Sofia • Visit to the Sofia Synagogue
• Service project in the synagogue
• Return to hotel to prepare for Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat service in the synagogue
• Home hospitality Shabbat
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen, Sofia – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #7 / Saturday / Shabbat in Sofia
• Shabbat program in Sofia • Havdalah ceremony – end of Shabbat
• Closing dinner at local Bulgarian restaurant
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #8 / Sunday / Bulgaria Outdoors
• Travel northwards to the Balkan Mountains
• Explore the Lukovit Caves
• Nature walk into the Balkan Mountains
• Closing dinner with Sofia Community
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #9 / Monday / Blagoevgrat
• Travel to Blagoevgrad
• Service program at local orphanage
• Overnight: Hotel Maliovica – Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

DAY #10 / Tuesday / Welcome to Israel!
• Return to airport for early morning flight to Tel Aviv
• Arrive to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
• Meet Israeli guide and begin ascent to Jerusalem
• Jerusalem introduction and shecheyanu prayer at the Haas Promenade
• Explore King David’s Jerusalem at the “City of David” complex
• Walk through Hezekiah’s ancient water tunnel under Jerusalem
• Overnight: Neve Ilan Guest House, Jerusalem Hills

DAY #11 / Wednesday / Jerusalem’s Old City
• Enter the Old City from the Jaffa Gate
• Walk along the top of the Rampart Walls to the Zion Gate
• Explore the Jewish Quarter’s alleyways, tunnels & rooftops
• Tour of the Southern Wall excavations & Davidson Center
• Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall
• Experience layers of Jewish history on the Kotel Tunnel Tour
• Dinner at Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall
• Overnight: Neve Ilan Guest House, Jerusalem Hills

DAY #12 / Thursday / The Exile
• Tzurim Valley – Take part in an active archeological excavation
• Crawl through the caves of the Bar Kochba Rebellion
• Begin traveling northwards along the coast
• Catacombs of Beit Shearim – Jewish life in Israel during the Exile
• Check-in to hotel in Nahariya on the Mediterranean
• Evening: BBQ party on the beach
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #13 / Friday / The Western Galilee
• Explore the ocean caves at Rosh Hanikrah
• Hike to the Montfort Castle in Nahal Kziv
• Tour of old Acco seaport and Crusader-era castle
• Return to Nahariya to prepare for Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat service at local Reform synagogue in Nahariya
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Nahariya

DAY #14 / Friday / The Western Galilee & Sea-to-Sea Hike - Day #1
• Explore the ocean caves at Rosh Hanikrah
• Tour of old Acco seaport and Crusader-era castle
• Ceremonial 1st leg of “Sea-to-Sea” hike starting on the Mediterranean coast
• Hike up to Montfort Castle via the lower Nahal Kziv canyon
• Return to Nahariya to prepare for Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat service at local Reform synagogue in Nahariya
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #15 / Saturday / Shabbat on the Beach
• Shabbat program at hotel
• Relaxed afternoon at the beach
• Evening: Israel movie night – “Ushpizin”
• Overnight: Beit Kaye Guest House, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #16 / Sunday / Sea-to-Sea Hike – Day #2
• Hike the upper Nahal Kziv Canyon to Mount Zevul
• Rest at Tamir Springs en route
• Hike from Mount Zevul to Hirbet Humema and break for the day
• Overnight: Camping under the stars at Hirbet Humema

DAY #17 / Monday / Sea-to-Sea Hike – Day #3
• Hike from Hirbet Humema to Mt. Meiron
• Explore the Druze Village of Peki’in en route
• Visit to the cave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Peki’in
• Ascend to the top of Mount Meiron via the Pisga Trail
• Overnight: Camping under at Ein Tina

DAY #18 / Tuesday / Sea-to-Sea Hike – Day #4
• Begin descent to the Sea of Galilee via Nahal Amud Canyon
• Celebrate the crossing of Israel with a swim in the Kinneret – The Sea of Galilee
• Kinneret Cemetery – The poets & pioneers of the Galilee
• Relax in the natural hotsprings of Hamat Gader
• Overnight: Karei Desha Guest House, Sea of Galilee

DAY #19 / Wednesday / Mystics of the Galilee
• Walking tour of mystical Tzfat – Birthplace of the Kabbalah movement
• Meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal
• Volunteer at an absorption center for recent Ethiopian immigrants
• Relaxed rafting down the upper Jordan River
• Evening: Cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing
• Overnight: Karei Desha Guest House, Sea of Galilee

DAY #20 / Thursday / Perspectives from the Golan Heights
• Ascend the Golan Heights
• Water hike down Nahal Jilaboun canyon
• View across Israel and her neighbors from atop Mount Ben-Tal
• Meet with resident of the Golan at Kibbutz Merom Golan
• Begin travel back to central Israel

Option A: Drop-off for Host Family Weekend in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)

DAY #21 / Friday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)
• Neot Kedumim Biblical Park
• Adam & Eve Ecological Village
• Latrun Armored Corp Museum

DAY #22 / Saturday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)

DAY #23 / Sunday / The Negev Desert
• Rejoin as a full group and begin heading south to the Negev Desert
• Table-to-Table: Service project harvesting crops for the hungry
• Visit to the Weitzman Institute – Israel’s cutting edge technology academy
• Sde Boker – Ben Gurion’s grave and contemporary Zionism
• Desert survival and orienteering experience
• Overnight: Camping in the Negev Desert

DAY #24 / Monday / Eilat and the Red Sea
• Rappelling into Ramon Crater en route
• Travel southwards to Eilat
• Beach time and snorkeling in the tropical Red Sea
• Hike the Red Canyon trail near Eilat
• Dinner at Yotvata dairy farm restaurant
• Evening: Shopping at Eilat’s sea-side flea market
• Overnight: Eilat Guest House, Eilat

DAY #25 / Tuesday / The Desert Blooms
• Hike to Mount Zefachot for view of sunrise over the Red Sea
• Bus tour along Israel’s border with Egypt
• Desert ecology seminar at Kibbutz Ketura
• Travel northwards along the Arava Valley
• Trek on camelback thru the Negev Desert
• “Hafla style” dinner feast at Chan HaShayarot Bedouin Tent
• Evening: Bonfire party under the stars
• Overnight: Kfar HaNokdim Bedouin Tent, Negev Desert

DAY #26 / Wednesday / Masada and the Dead Sea
• Sunrise climb to Masada via the Roman Ramp
• Tour of the Masada desert fortress complex
• Descend Masada via the famous Snake Path
• Floating & beach time at the Dead Sea
• Swim under the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
• Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon
• Evening: Speaker – Geo-politics of Israel with Neil Lazarus
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #27 / Thursday / Remembrance and Redemption
• Visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Mt. Herzl
• Visit to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament – Meaning of a Jewish State
• Hazon Yeshaya – Service project at a Jerusalem soup kitchen
• Shop for dinner at Mahane Yehuda marketplace
• Group picnic style dinner in a Jerusalem park
• Evening: Pre-Shabbat activity with Rabbi Ian Pear
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #28 / Friday / Cosmopolitan Tel Aviv
• Travel to Tel Aviv – Israel’s cultural & financial capital
• Celebrate the founding of modern Israel at Independence Hall
• Shopping at Nahalat Binyamin street festival
• Walking tour of Jaffa seaport and artist colony
• Group beach time in Tel Aviv
• Return to Jerusalem in late afternoon to prepare for Shabbat
• Re-enter the Old City for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel
• Overnight: Agron Guest House, Jerusalem

DAY #29 / Saturday / Shabbat in Jerusalem
• Option to attend Shabbat services at local synagogues
• Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods
• Relaxed picnic-style afternoon at Jerusalem’s Independence Park
• Program wrap-up and final dinner party
• Return to airport for late night flight to New York

DAY #30 / Sunday / Shalom!
• Arrive back to New York in the early morning

Who's Coming?