Length: 10 Days
2009-2010 Grades: family
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Calling All Parents & Families!

Experience the beauty of Israel on this 10-day tour for adults & families with an optional 2-day extension to Eilat on the Red Sea. Join travelers from across North America to experience Israel's rich history, modern culture, and natural beauty. The itinerary is full of Israel's must-see sites like Jerusalem, Masada, Caesarea, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, and the Judean desert. Along the way, we also experience Israel's off-the-beaten-path charm, culture, and ever delicious food. Learn more: Sample Itinerary

The Israel Family Journey experience is organized and operated in-house by our own staff; which means we can provide the highest level of customer service and a truly "authentic" experience in Israel. References are always available upon request.

Is the Israel Family Journey trip right for me?

The Israel Family Journey is intended for both adults and families with a spirit for adventure. Each day is packed with experiences that are designed to give you the full flavor of Israel. The itinerary is Jewish heritage-focused, all meals are kosher, and there is no bus-based touring on Shabbat. In other words, this tour is designed for Jewish travelers of all backgrounds and ages looking for an active experience. Group sizes typically range from 15-40. Membership or prior affiliation with BBYO is not necessary to participate in the Israel Family Journey

Early Registation Discount / No Risk Registration!

Register at least six months in advance of the program start date and automatically receive a $100/person discount! Sign-up now by completing the program Registration Form and take advantage of no-risk registration terms!

PROGRAM DATES

The following are confirmed and guaranteed upcoming Israel Family Journey trip dates. Additional program dates may be added upon request. Thsee dates are based on the land only program in Israel. The optional group flight departs from NYC one day earlier than the scheduled Arrival Date and returns to NYC one day after the scheduled Return Date.

The program formally begins on Thursday evening with dinner included at the Jerusalem hotel. Participants arriving early or late can be accommodated by special arrangement.

10 Days Not Enough? Extend to Eilat & Petra

Extend your stay relaxing at the Red Sea resort city of Eilat and spend a memorable day visiting Petra – Jordan’s rose-colored Nabatean wonder of the world. Eilat resort extension add-on costs $550/person (based on double occupancy) and includes two nights accommodations in Eilat with breakfast daily, round trip domestic flights and all transfers between the Eilat Airport and the accommodations in Eilat. Exact domestic flights will be booked according to the travel needs of individual participants. The guided Petra day trip costs an additional $160/person and includes round trip transfers from Eilat accommodations, entrance fees, guide, and lunch (not kosher). Border fees are extra (~$45/person).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Each Israel Family Journey program includes the following packaged services:

• VIP greeting at airport & private transfer to Jerusalem for start of program
• 4-star hotels & kibbutz country guest house accommodations
• Licensed Israeli tour guide throughout program
• Two meals daily, including all Shabbat meals
• Luxury private air-conditioned touring bus
• Site entrance fees and all activity costs
• Not Included: International flights (optional), gratuities, 1 meal/day, and incidentals

Getting to Israel

The base price for the Israel Family Journey does not include international flights. Participants may opt for a group flight from New York City or arrange for their own flights to Israel. Participants making their own flight arrangements will be met at Ben Gurion International Airport upon arrival and escorted to the group hotel in Jerusalem by our staff.

GROUP FLIGHT. An optional direct group flight from/to NYC's JFK Airport is available as follows:  

   • June 30 - July 11, 2010: Delta Airlines / $1480 (including $78 taxes & fees)*
   • August 4 - August 15, 2010: Delta Airlines / $1480 (including $78 taxes & fees)*
   • December 15 - December 26, 2010: EL AL Airlines /$1330 (including $480 taxes & fees)*
   • June 29 - July 10, 2011: TBD
   • August 3 - August 14, 2011: TBD

NOTES ABOUT THE GROUP FLIGHT. Taxes & fees are subject to change at airline discretion and will be confirmed 60 days prior to arrival. The group flight is subject to availability and space will be confirmed upon receipt of registration. Participants opting for the group flight and the Eilat Extension may be subject to a deviation fee.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT TERMS

The base price of the Israel Family Journey is $1750/person (land only). Discounts apply for children. Registration for the Israel Family Journey is slightly different than most other BBYO Passport experiences. To view detailed program pricing information and sign-up, download the program REGISTRATION FORM.

Early Registation Discount. Register at least six months in advance of the program start date and automatically receive a $100/person discount! There are only a limited number of spaces available, so we encourage you to sign-up early.

Payment & Cancellation Terms. In order to reserve your place on the program, a $250/person deposit fee is due with registration. The deposit is FULLY refundable up to 120 days of the program start date.

• MAIN PROGRAM
  Participants who cancel within 120 days of the program start date will receive a refund, minus the $250/person deposit. Full payment is due no later than 60 days prior to trip start date. No trip costs are refundable within 30 days of the program start date. Program is subject to availability and based on minimum participation of 15 travelers. Confirmation of participation will be sent upon receipt of registration.
• GROUP FLIGHT
  Balance of payment for group flight is due in full 90 days prior to departure date and are non-refundable thereafter. Deviation fees may apply for participants requesting an extension, including the Eilat Add-On package. Group flight is subject to availability. Confirmation of availability will be sent upon receipt of registration.

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: Wednesday - Take off

Option #1: Meet up for group flight from NYC on EL AL Airlines
Option #2: Arrange your own flight, and we will meet you in Israel at the airport!

DAY 2: Thursday – Arrival in Israel!

• Arrive to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
• Airport greeting & meet Israeli guide
• Begin ascent to Jerusalem
• Check-in & dinner at hotel
• Evening: Tower of David – Sound & Light Show
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

DAY 3: Friday – Ancient Jerusalem

• Breakfast at hotel
• Panoramic introduction to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
• Tour of the City of David archeological park
• Walk through Hezkiah's water tunnel by candle light
• Explore the rooftops, alleys & tunnels of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter
• Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall
• Experience layers of Jewish history on the Kotel Tunnel Tour
• Pre-Shabbat shopping at Mahane Yehuda marketplace
• Return to Old City to experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel (optional)
• Shabbat dinner at hotel
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

DAY 4: Saturday – Shabbat in Jerusalem

• Breakfast at hotel
• Option to attend Shabbat services at local Jerusalem synagogues
• Shabbat lunch served at hotel
• Guided walking tour of local Jerusalem neighborhoods
• Free time to relax at Independence Park
• Evening: Experience Ben Yehuda Street & Israeli nightlife on own
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

DAY 5: Sunday – Contemporary Jerusalem

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit to Yad Vashem – Holocaust Memorial
• Lunch on own in the picturesque village of Ein Karem
• Walking tour of the Knesset & Supreme Court grounds
• Tree planting ceremony in the Jerusalem Bird Observatory
• Experience the energy of Mahane Yehuda marketplace
• Dinner at Anna Ticho House Restaurant in Jerusalem
• Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

DAY 6: Monday – Judean Desert

• Breakfast at hotel
• Early morning travel to the Judean Desert
• Ascend Masada via the Snake Path on foot or the cable cars
• Walking tour of the Masada complex
• Short nature walk to the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi
• Check-in & relaxed floating at the Dead Sea
• Evening: Traditional desert tent dinner feast at Metzukey Dragot
• Overnight: Prima Spa Club, Dead Sea

DAY 7: Tuesday – The Galilee

• Breakfast at hotel
• Travel northwards to the Galilee along the Jordan Valley
• Walking tour of mystical Tzfat – Birthplace of the Kabbalah
• Explore Tzfat’s unique artist quarter and meet with local artist
• Relaxed rafting on the upper Jordan River
• Sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing!
• Lakefront dinner at Tiberias promenade restaurant
• Overnight: Ramot Guest House & Resort, Sea of Galilee

DAY 8: Wednesday – Golan Heights

• Breakfast at hotel
• Ascend the Golan Heights
• Nature walk to Gamla on the Golan Heights
• Historical jeep trek through the Golan
• View of region and crawl through former Syrian bunkers on Mt. Ben Tal
• Evening: Relax at the Hamat Gader hot springs
• Dinner at Hamat Gader
• Overnight: Ramot Guest House & Resort, Sea of Galilee

DAY 9: Thursday – Mediterranean Coast

• Breakfast at hotel
• Begin travel westwards towards the Mediterranean Coast
• Overlook of Haifa from the Bahai Temple Gardens on Mount Carmel
• Experience traditional Druze hospitality and lunch at Ussafiya Village
• Tour of Caesarea – The ancient Roman amphitheater on the beach
• Arrive to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon
• Sunset walking tour of the ancient Jaffa seaport
• Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 10: Friday – Founding of Modern Israel

• Breakfast at hotel
• Crawl through the Bar Kochba caves at Beit Guvrin
• Tour of the Ayalon Institute – Story of the Haganah
• Recount the founding of modern Israel at Independence Hall
• Explore the Nahalat Binyamin street festival
• Festive Shabbat dinner at hotel
• Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 11: Saturday – Shabbat on the Beach!

• Breakfast at hotel
• Option to attend Shabbat services at local Tel Aviv synagogues
• Shabbat lunch at hotel
• Guided walking tour of Tel Aviv’s UNESCO-recognized “White City” neighborhood
• Experience a Tel Aviv-style Shabbat relaxing on the Mediterranean beach!
• Evening: Closing dinner at “Dr. Shakshouka” Restaurant in Jaffa
• Return to airport for late night group flight

DAY 12: Sunday – Shalom!

• Optional group flight lands in early morning in New York

EXTENSION PROGRAM

DAY 11: Saturday

• Catch domestic flight to Eilat following closing dinner in Jaffa
• Arrive in Eilat and transfer to hotel on the water
• Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Eilat

DAY 12: Sunday – Relaxation time in Eilat

• Breakfast at hotel
• Relaxed day at pool & private beach to enjoy Eilat
• Dinner at hotel
• Overnight: King Solomon Hotel, Eilat

DAY 13: Monday – Relaxation time in Eilat / Petra Day Tour (Optional)

• Breakfast at hotel
• Option #1: Relaxed day at pool & private beach to enjoy Eilat
• Option #2: Guided day tour of Petra in Jordan (lunch included, pick-up & drop-off at hotel)
• Evening: Board domestic flight from Eilat back to Ben Gurion Airport
• Transfer terminals for return flight to North America

DAY 14: Tuesday

• Optional group flight lands in early morning to New York

The Old City of Jerusalem

We will explore the ancient alleys, public squares, and rooftop passages that comprise the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. As you will see, Jerusalem's Old City is full of fascinating stories, charm, and energy. As we make our way through the Jewish Quarter, we will witness and learn about the striking changes that Jerusalem has undergone through the past 3000 years. Finally, we will arrive at the Kotel (Western Wall), where we will have time to think and reflect about our spiritual connection to Jewish history.

Yad VaShem

Yad VaShem is Israel's national Holocaust memorial. Situated in pine forest hills of Jerusalem, Yad VaShem is a uniquely solemn memorial complex. After walking through the main museum area, we will visit the central shrine area, the Sculpture Garden, the Forest of the Righteous Gentiles, and the especially powerful Children’s Memorial.

Masada

Masada was a desert fortress built on the heights of a flat-topped mountain that overlooks the Dead Sea. After ascending to its plateau summit, we will tour Masada's ancient ruins and bring to life the ancient legend of the mountain's inhabitants from two thousand years ago.

Swimming (a.k.a. floating!!!) in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It is also one of the most peculiar bodies of water in the world. The Sea is so incredibly salty and mineral-rich that your body will naturally float atop the water. It is a must-do experience while in Israel. Be sure to rub yourself in the mineral-filled mud before you go in - that very mud sells for hundreds of dollars back home!!

Mystical Tzfat

Located in the green hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Tzfat has long been a center of Jewish mysticism and intrigue. This ancient city is full of stone alleys, rich history, and colorful legends. In more recent times, a unique artist colony has found a home in Tzfat. A fascinating stroll.

Gamla

Gamla, whose name means “Camel” in Aramaic, was an ancient fortress and city, which served as the capital of the Golan region before and during the Roman conquest. Its name is a reference to its oddly shaped topography, which is a hill in the middle of a larger valley, thus resembling a camel’s hump. We’ll take nature walk up the hill and explore the ancient ruins.

Old Jaffa Seaport

Jaffa is an ancient city perched on the coast of the Mediterranean just north of Tel Aviv. Imagine a maze of stone alleys and a colorful local artist community, perhaps one of the most memorable aspects of this seaport city.

Shabbat in Tel Aviv

Start out with a festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel. Attend Shabbat services at a local synagogue in the morning if you’d like, and take a walking tour through Tel Aviv’s "White City" neighborhood of Bauhaus architecture, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the Mediterranean beaches.

Eilat Extension

After a vigorous cross-country tour of Israel, slow it down a bit on the beach in Eilat. Enjoy warm water swimming, world-class tropical snorkeling, plenty of water sports, and the simple relaxation of hanging out on Eilat's sandy beaches.

Trip Q & A

This page contains trip-specific FAQ's. For program-wide info, check out http://passport.bbyo.org/about/faq/

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