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If the idea of Israel conjures images of slowly touring museums and crumbling sights, think again. This seven night itinerary takes you from the cities deep into the Negev desert, and will have your heart pumping as you roar through the sand in a 4×4, explore deep canyons and finish it off with a soak in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea.
zodiac signs
old jaffa at night
After settling into the stylish Montefiore hotel in hip party capital Tel Aviv, you’ll set off on a night tour of the Old Jaffa, one of the world’s oldest port cities, where at night the large stone walls are lit to expose every grain. Explore the narrow alleys (each is named after a Zodiac sign) where you’ll stumble across art studios, galleries and shops selling intricate jewellery and trinkets.
dessert bliss
Arriving in Eilat after a short flight, you’ll be met by your open air 4X4 to take you off road on the dry Negev Plateau. There is something about going off road that gets us all excited, and on this desert excursion you’ll be driven to some jaw dropping canyons that put Petra to shame. The red layered walls of these Red and Eteq canyons have been smoothed by the coarse desert winds making great passages for you to stroll through. From here, head towards the Arava Valley where salt pools bring life to the arid lands, and offer the perfect haven for migrating flamingos.
the gorgeous terrain of timna valley
Next up on your Israeli adventure, drive towards the Timna Valley for lunar landscapes in reds, sandy beiges and dusky blacks, and the huge red-hued Solomon’s Pillars – a 20 foot high freestanding mushroom you won’t forget. Staying at a kibbutz overnight, you’ll have a truly authentic (but still comfortable) experience of Israel.
spicy routes and salty seas
In your 4X4, you’ll next re-live the spice route of the Nabateans, a group of Arab commercial nomads who trekked across the Negev with their camels. Stop off at archaeological sites and ruins before reaching the dramatic Ramon Crater: an open window into the creation of Earth. Its walls are made up of multi colour layers of rock beds embedded with history as it contains fossils of shells, plants and trees.
heavy salt deposits on shore of the dead sea
Time to wash off the sand and pamper yourself at the Dead Sea. Getting its name from its high salt concentration, which means nothing can survive in its waters, this sea (more importantly) means
you’ll float like a rubber duck. So rub some of the detoxifying mud on yourself, grab a book, float back and relax before making your way to Jerusalem.
jerusalem
For some urban adventure, Jerusalem is the perfect spot. Hole up in ultra luxurious hotel Mamilla with breathtaking views of the Old City walls, the Tower of David and Jaffa gates. Discover the beautifully resorted limestone houses and narrow alleys of the Jewish Quarter accented with bright flowers hanging from windows above. Fancy some shopping? Around the corner is the Machaneh Yehuda Market, the largest and busiest market in Israel.
the beautiful architecture of jerusalem
Here you’ll find everything from fruit and vegetables and traditional Israeli snacks to menorahs and barber shops. Continue your urban adventure in the ancient City of David, Jerusalem’s core, where you’ll touch history in the Hezekiah’s tunnel built over 2,000 years ago. Once used to supply water to the city, squeeze and wade your way through the narrow tunnel that winds and bends for over 500 metres from one side of the city to the other. Talk about getting under the skin of an ancient city.
