Israel is a feast for the mind and senses. Fulfilling all curiosities, this destination is teeming with rich culture, natural beauty and complex history. Bringing together Jerusalem\u2019s ancient walls and luring markets with the golden beaches and pulsating entrepreneurial rhythm of Tel Aviv, delve into the stories that have shaped the Holy land on a compelling six-night journey through Israel\u2019s past and present. Gain local insight with a visit to local communities, expert insight as you tour the Israel Museum with a Docent and historical insight with visits to old munitions factories and Holocaust memorials. Accompanied by some of the best guides in the business, you’ll leave no stone unturned in this culture-packed week in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Your Israeli narrative begins in Jerusalem. Landing at Ben Gurion Airport, you\u2019ll be whisked off by private transfer to the luxury Mamilla Hotel where for three nights you\u2019ll be perfectly based in the heart of the historic center. Relax and soak up the atmosphere from the comfort of Mamilla\u2019s sun-trap rooftop lounge and witness the sweeping vistas over the Old City with a glass of wine in hand. Over the next two days, you\u2019ll be diving deep into the hidden realms of ancient Israel. Start off uncovering the city’s sacred Jewish, Christian and Muslim sites with the expertise of your private guide, from the Kotel (Western Wall) and Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the heartbeat of ancient Jerusalem \u2013 the City of David. Lose yourself within its old passageways, hidden springs and underground tunnels that date back three-thousand years, where kings and prophets once wandered and where the original books of the Bible were written.<\/p>\n
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After working up an appetite, you\u2019ll then taste your way through tantalizing street food with a culinary guide at hand, showing you the ropes on where to source the best falafel and shashlik. Mahane Yehuda Market often referred to as \u2018The Shuk\u2019, is a popular marketplace for locals and tourists alike, serving up Middle Eastern flavors alongside the arrays of textiles, spices and fresh produce. Our top tip? Pick up a box of baklava to munch on as you go.<\/p>\n
Moving onto the next chapter of the tale, you\u2019ll venture onwards to the charming Arab village of Ein Rafa where you’ll gain insider access to the local community. Hear the personal stories of locals who have lived through the 1948 Israel War of Independence and the 1967 Six-Day War, gaining insight on the changes up to present day. From there, you\u2019ll be whisked over to the vineyards of Galilee to savour the varieties of Cabernet and Merlot, learning the art of winemaking from one of the world\u2019s oldest wine-producing nations. Wine has been flowing through the veins of Israel for centuries, developed from the ancient wine presses to the boutique wineries we see today.<\/p>\n
Before the day is done, your guide has one more fascinating history lesson to share with you at Mahon Ayalon, previously a top-secret underground ammunition factory in the late 1940s during the fight for Israel\u2019s independence. Finally, we reach the vibrant city of Tel Aviv for a final three nights spent at The Norman, a luxury boutique oasis in the heart of the White City, boasting an outstanding rooftop infinity pool with a spellbinding city skyline backdrop.<\/p>\n
Modern Tel Aviv and ancient Jaffa make for two beautifully contrasting locations. Over the next two days, you\u2019ll be experiencing the best of both, as your private guide shares the city\u2019s centuries-old beginnings and its modern development and how it got to where it is through vision, innovation and determination. Starting in the old port town of Jaffa, where Egyptian, Roman and Biblical influences still flood the streets, you\u2019ll then continue into Neve Tzedek, the oldest and most picturesque neighbourhood in Tel Aviv. Sample the delights of the bustling Carmel Market and immerse yourself within the Tel Aviv Museum of Art during a private experience led by a passionate art curator. After all that, refuel with a visit the home of a local woman who will induct you into the significance of coffee rituals in Arab society over a conversation of cultural insight.<\/p>\n
To fully experience Tel Aviv in all its reigning glory, your final tour will be set amidst the vivid nightlife that the city is famed for. From dining to dancing, your enigmatic private guide will unmask hidden gems, from cocktails at speakeasy bars to exclusive rooftop parties. Rest assured, you\u2019ll be dancing the night away and into your last morning in Israel.<\/p>\n
As morning comes, alas we say goodbye and \u2018Aleichem Shalom\u2019, <\/em>meaning \u2018upon you be peace\u2019<\/em>, to Israel. But after an enchanting week, we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll be leaving with lasting memories and spellbinding stories to tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Israel is a feast for the mind and senses. Fulfilling all curiosities, this destination is teeming with rich culture, natural beauty and complex history. Bringing together Jerusalem\u2019s ancient walls and luring markets with the golden beaches and pulsating entrepreneurial rhythm of Tel Aviv, delve into the stories that have shaped the Holy land on a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101059,"featured_media":241190,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["Israel"],"class_list":["post-240773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-israel","month-april","month-august","month-december","month-february","month-january","month-july","month-june","month-march","month-may","month-november","month-october","month-september","type-experience","need-to-learn","need-to-discover","what-culture","who-couple","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n