Length: 28 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
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About the Experience

A week-long exploration of southern Spain followed by the core three-week Israel Journey experience. Re-trace Sephardic Jewish history, climb the Rock of Gibraltar, and soak up the sun on Spain's "Costa Del Sol". Then travel on to Israel for a once-in-a-lifetime journey in the Land of Milk & Honey.

Spain & Gibraltar

Spend the first week exploring Spain’s southern Andalusia region. Walk in the footsteps of Sephardic Jewish history, climb the Rock of Gibraltar, tour the stunning Al-Hambra Palace, and soak up the sun of the Span’s Mediterranean beaches. Step back in time, and learn about a unique period in history when Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexisted harmoniously during the Golden Age of Spain; and then trace the tragedy that followed during the Spanish Inquisition. Our time in Spain concludes with a unique Shabbat hosted by the local Jewish community of Gibraltar before re-boarding our plane bound for Israel…

Onwards to Israel

Arrive in Israel and set off on 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 will 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 Euro-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.

Itinerary Snapshot

• WEEK #1 / Spain & Gibraltar
  Touch down in Madrid and begin traveling south into Spain's Andalusia region as we explore the grandeur of Golden Age Spain's Toledo, Seville, Gibraltar and Cordoba before breaking for a unique Shabbat on the Rock of Gibraltar. Before lifting off again for Israel, we make time to relax on Spain's Costa Del Sol on the Mediterranean Sea.
  
  
• 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. The middle Shabbat in Israel 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 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.
  
  

Learn More

• Sample Itinerary
• Trip FAQs
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Trip Video
• Why Israel
• Why Now
• Scholarship Info
• Register Now
  
  

Host Family Weekend

The Euro-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.

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 / Monday / Departure for Spain
• Depart for Europe in the early evening from JFK Airport, NYC
• Lift-off and spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #2 / Tuesday / Arrival to Madrid
• Arrive to Madrid in the morning
• Experience the unique spirit of Spain in Madrid’s central Plaza Espana
• Walking tour of the Royal Palace – official residence of the King of Spain
• Travel southwards towards Toledo
• Evening: Program introductions and introduction to Spain
• Overnight: Carlos V Hotel – Toledo, Spain

DAY #3 / Wednesday / Toledo
• Explore the old Jewish Quarter of Toledo
• Tour of the Synagogue Transito and the Sephardic Museum
• Travel southwards to Cordoba through Spain’s Andalusia Region
• Overnight: Hotel Occidental – Cordoba, Spain

DAY #4 / Thursday / Cordoba
• Explore the Mezquita mosque, dating back to Spain’s Moorish Period
• Tour the Sephardic Sinagoga in the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba
• Visit to the Maimonides Memorial in Cordoba
• Cool off from the heat at the hotel pool
• Evening: Flamenco dancing class
• Overnight: Hotel Occidental – Cordoba, Spain

DAY #5 / Friday / Seville
• Continue traveling southwards to Seville
• Tour of Seville’s famous bull-fighting ring
• Explore Alcazar Palace and get lost in the natural hedge maze
• Walk along the colorful Plaza de España
• Travel to the Rock of Gibraltar on the Mediterranean – Enter the United Kingdom!
• Kabbalat Shabbat service with local Jewish community of Gibraltar
• Overnight: Alhamar Hotel – Gibraltar, United Kingdon
DAY #6 / Saturday / Shabbat on Gibraltar
• Shabbat morning program & lunch
• Climb the Rock of Gibraltar on foot
• Explore St. Michael’s Cave and the Ape’s Den
• Look out onto the African Continent across the Mediterranean Sea
• Walking tour of Gibraltar’s Old Town district
• Evening: Fish & Chips dinner in Gibraltar’s Old Town
• Overnight: Alhamar Hotel – Gibraltar, United Kingdon
DAY #7 / Sunday / Costa Del Sol
• Re-enter Spain in the morning
• Beach day at Mabella on Spain’s “Costa Del Sol” on the Mediterranean
• Travel to Granada in the late afternoon
• Evening: Group night out in old city of Granada
• Overnight: Granada Hotel – Granada, Spain

DAY #8 / Monday / Granada
• Explore the world famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens
• Hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountains outside of Granada
• Board flight from Granada to Madrid and catch connecting flight to Israel

DAY #9 / Tuesday / Arrival in Israel
• Arrive to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in early morning
• Breakfast and welcome celebration at Neot Kedumim Park
• 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 #10 / 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 #11 / 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 #12 / 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, Mediterranean Coast

DAY #13 / 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 #14 / Sunday / The Return
• Learn Israeli martial arts on the beach with Budokan!
• Zichron Yaakov – The modern Zionist movement emerges
• Atlit Camp – The Holocaust and the migration to Israel that followed
• Travel eastwards to the Sea of Galilee
• View of the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, from atop Mt. Arbel
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #15 / Monday / 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
• Evening: Enjoy a traditional Druze feast in the village of Sajur
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #16 / Tuesday / Water & Israel
• Nature walk to Tel Dan at the headwaters of the Jordan River
• Relaxed rafting down the upper Jordan River
• Bike riding through the Hula Valley Nature Reserve
• Kinneret Cemetery – The poets & pioneers of the Galilee
• Evening: Cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #17 / Wednesday / 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
• Relax in the natural hotsprings of Hamat Gader
• Evening: Israeli movie night – “The Syrian Bride”
• Overnight: Kibbutz Afik Guest House, Galilee

DAY #18 / Thursday / Multiculturalism in Israel
• Coexistence program at Givat Haviva
• Tour of Caesarea – the Roman amphitheater on the beach

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

DAY #19 / Friday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)
• Adam & Eve Ecological Village
• Latrun Armored Corp Museum

DAY #20 / Saturday / Host Family Weekend
Option A: Host Family Weekend
Option B: Supervised alternative weekend (central Israel)

DAY #21 / 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
• Trek on camelback thru the Negev Desert
• “Hafla style” dinner feast at Chan HaShayarot Bedouin Tent
• Evening: Bonfire party under the stars
• Overnight: Chan HaShayarot Bedouin Tent, Negev Desert

DAY #22 / Monday / Eilat and the Red Sea
• Travel southwards to Eilat
• Overlook to the Ramon Crater en route
• Beach time and snorkeling in the tropical Red Sea
• Tour of Timna Nature Reserve & Solomon’s Mines
• Dinner at Yotvata dairy farm restaurant
• Evening: Shopping at Eilat’s sea-side flea market
• Overnight: Eilat Guest House, Eilat

DAY #23 / 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
• Evening: Israel Movie Night – “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan”
• Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad

DAY #24 / 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 #25 / 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 #26 / 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 #27 / 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 & closing session
• Late night bonfire party in the Jerusalem forest

DAY #28 / Sunday / Shalom!
• Return to airport for early morning flight to New York
• Arrive back to New York in the afternoon

Trip Q & A

This page contains trip-specific FAQ's. For program-wide info, check out the General FAQs page. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Do I need to make arrangements for a visa?

Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter both Spain and Israel for up to three months without visas (and Gibralter for up to one month). Citizens of many other countries receive this courtesy as well. If you are uncertain, please visit the websites for Spanish Tourism and the Israel Ministry of Tourism or contact your local Spanish & Israeli consulates. . To visit Israel, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure. NOTE: If you also have Israeli citizenship, you must enter and exit Israel using your Israeli passport, so make sure it is up-to-date as well!

Do I need any immunizations before traveling?

Spain and Israel are both first-world countries with top-rate health care systems. You are not required to have any immunizations or medications to travel to Spain or Israel. We view these issues as a matter of personal choice for which you should consult a trusted physician at least 4-6 weeks prior to trip departure. The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to Israel receive immunizations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B as well as have all routine vaccinations up-to-date. Similarly, for Spain they recommend immunizations for Hepatitis B in addition to routine shots. However, many travelers go to both Spain and Israel without any special vaccinations. We have provided the official recommendations by the CDC so you are aware, but please consult your physician who can help you to make an informed decision.

Can I make my own flight arrangements?

It is problematic for participants to make their own arrangements for flights to Europe, as our group package includes domestic flights during the program. If it is particularly difficult for you to depart from New York, please contact our office to discuss possible options.

Do I need to be in good physical shape to enjoy Euro-Israel Journey?

Euro-Israel Journey is designed to appeal to everyone with a basic spirit for adventure. Hiking is an essential part of exploring Israel, since much of the country's beauty and history is in its wilderness. However, most of the touring in Spain will be in cities, and there are many other exciting components to the Israel portion of the program as well. You don't need to be an athlete or a particularly "outdoorsy" person to appreciate it all.

What types of things will we be seeing in Spain?

Your time in Spain will combine sightseeing in places of general interest, like Madrid’s central plaza and the Rock of Gibraltar, with a step back into the history of Jewish life in that region of the world. You’ll be exposed to Spanish art & architecture, social traditions and beautiful countryside, and you will also get to celebrate Shabbat with a local Jewish community.

I’ve been to Spain and/or Israel before with family. Will I be bored on this trip?

Although there are certain sites the group will tour that may already be familiar to you, there is much on the itinerary that is “off the beaten path”. It is also a very different experience to travel with family than to explore a country with a diverse group of peers, many of whom will likely become close friends in the process. Finally, Israel is such a special country that most people find something unique that touches them each time they visit.

Will I have any free time?

While the trip itineraries are quite intensive, we do set aside plenty of time for relaxation and personal exploration. Because we take your safety and security so seriously, there will understandably be some limits on our flexibility when it comes to free time -- especially when we are touring in the larger cities. The second weekend that you are in Israel is a host family weekend, which is a great opportunity to visit with local family or friends. If you do not have family or friends in Israel, do not worry. You can either share plans with one of your friends on the trip, or participate in a supervised weekend program along the Mediterranean beach in Rosh HaNikrah (an additional cost applies).

I have friends/family who I would rather not visit for a whole weekend, but who would like to come see me. Will there be a chance for that?

Depending on where your friends or family live, there may be an opportunity for them to visit you at your hotel during a Shabbat afternoon or a lightly-programmed evening. Arrangements for such a visit should wait until you get to Israel and discuss the options with your trip guide.

What is the weather like?

In general, the weather in Israel during the summer can be quite hot, although the climate varies significantly in different parts of the country. It is very dry in the desert, with intense heat in the daytime and cool & windy nights. Along the coast near Tel Aviv, it is much more humid. In the mountains up north and in the Jerusalem area both the temperature and humidity are more moderate, although it is still very warm. The good news is that you never have to worry about rain. In Spain, the temperature is moderately warm, and although rain is possible, it is unlikely. To cover all your bases, bring plenty of T-shirts and a sweatshirt or light jacket, too. Because of the extremely strong sun in Israel, you will usually be required to wear a hat and a shirt that covers your shoulders whenever you are outside.

How much clothing will I need to bring? Will there be an opportunity to do laundry? What kind of suitcase do you recommend?

About two months prior to the start of the program, we will post a detailed pre-trip preparation manual for each trip, which will include suggestions for the type of clothing needed. In general, we recommend that you bring at least about two weeks’ worth of the basics (T-shirts, underwear, socks, etc.) At least once during the trip you will have an opportunity to send out a load of laundry to a service which will return it within a day or two. You should try to pack as light as possible, in a rolling suitcase or duffel, because you will need to be able to transport your own bags between your bus and accommodations at each stop of the trip.

Will I need a sleeping bag?

No, the only night when you will not be staying in a hotel or guesthouse you will be in a Bedouin tent, where sleeping bags and mattress pads are provided.

Will I need any special equipment to be able to use electrical appliances?

The electrical current in Israel is 220V, and in Spain it is 230V. Therefore, unless the charger for your mp3 player or camera says on the label that it works with 220V-230V current, you will need an electrical converter in order to protect the device from damage. Also, the outlets in Israel and Europe are a different shape from those in the U.S., so you will need a plug adapter to plug anything in. Converters and adapters can be purchased in most electronics or luggage stores. Remember, anything you bring with you is at your own risk, so we don't recommend bringing items that are extremely valuable to you.

How much spending money is recommended? Should I bring traveler’s checks?

How much money you will need depends mostly on your own shopping plans. All of your programming costs are covered, so you will only need money for snacks, personal souvenirs, laundry, and gifts for family and friends back home. Most people find that $100 per week is more than enough. You should not bring travelers’ checks, as you will not have an opportunity to cash them during the trip. Instead, we recommend the Payoneer pre-paid debit card system. (Information will be provided to participants.)

Are scholarships available?

When it comes to Israel travel, many scholarships are available. Jewish communities throughout North America have created special funds to help high school-age teens get to Israel over the summer. Translation: money for you! Check out the Scholarship Info page for tips on how obtain scholarship funding.

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