Program is tentative and subject to change. Connect with our Customer Care Team by calling: (888) 230-6008 Mon.-Thur. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
Heritage 
Home Hospitality 
Street Food 
Active 
Art & Culture - Food & Wine
Local Specialists 
Family Friendly
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
DEPARTURE
Thu. Dec 21, 2023
- Depart the USA.
DAY 2
THE START OF OUR JOURNEY
Fri. Dec 22, 2023
- Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Our representative will be on hand to assist with all formalities and ensure your journey has the smoothest of starts.
- Meet your tour educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Welcome to Jerusalem: Enter the vibrant and colorful ancient city of Jerusalem, experience the convergence of the old and new and stop to recite the traditional “shehechiyanu”.
- Check into the hotel.
- Kabbalat Shabbat at the hotel, followed by Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Shabbat dinner
DAY 3
THE DEAD SEA BASIN
Sat. Dec 23, 2023
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- Descend to the Dead Sea Basin and ascend by cable-car to Masada, Herod’s mountain palace and the site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against the Roman Legionnaires; discuss Masada’s role as a symbol of Jewish defence and its current significance in modern Israel.
- Short hike to Nahal David, the freshwater spring and waterfalls in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, where David hid from King Saul.
- Experience the weightlessness of the Dead Sea as you float in its waters.
- Return to Jerusalem and to the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
THE MOSAIC OF JERUSALEM
Sun. Dec 24, 2023
- Guided walking tour through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, for visits to archaeological treasures and other highlights, among them:
- A walk along the Rooftops of the Old City for a behind-the-scenes look at the various communities in Jerusalem and how they live alongside each other.
- The Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem in the 6th century.
- Hurva Square, the central square of the Jewish Quarter.
- Stop at the Kotel (Western Wall) and experience the special atmosphere of this holy site and then explore the Western Wall Tunnel, the underground continuation of the Temple Mount’s Western Wall, exposed in recent years.
- Visit the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other Christian sites.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
MEMORY AND RENEWAL
Mon. Dec 25, 2023
- Visit the National Military Cemetery on Mt. Herzl to recall landmark events in modern Israeli history in which these soldiers gave their lives. Visit the graves of Theodor Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin in the adjacent section for Leaders of the Nation.
- Adults & Older Youth
Visit the Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including:- The Avenue of the Righteous
- The new Historical Museum
- The Children’s Memorial
- A concluding Memorial Service
- Younger Youth
Visit Ein Yael, an interactive, living museum, located on a 2,000-year-old archaeological site. There is the option of taking part in weaving, ceramics, painting and other crafts typical of life in ancient times; OR Visit the Biblical Zoo, a beautifully landscaped habitat with a special focus on preserving Biblical fauna, geared to children of all ages (2-80). - All:
Experience the sites, smells, and tastes of Jerusalem while walking through the Machaneh Yehuda Market.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
ALONG THE RIFT
Tue. Dec 26, 2023
- Check out of the hotel and drive along the Jordan Valley, part of the enormous Syrian-African Rift.
- Visit the Kinneret Cemetery and hear about the dreams of the early young Zionist pioneers, the challenges they faced and the obstacles they overcame.
- Drive via Tiberias, an ancient/modern city located on the shores of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and one of Israel’s four holy Jewish cities, this is where the “Jerusalem” Talmud was codified and where Maimonides is buried.
- Drive north to Tsfat, a center of Jewish mysticism for hundreds of years and a contemporary artists’ colony, including:
- A guided visit to the Ari, Caro or Abuhav Synagogue, each with its great stories and mystical messages.
- A stroll along the quaint Artists’ Colony and shop in the galleries and crafts shops.
- Check into the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
NATURE AND SECURITY IN THE NORTH
Wed. Dec 27, 2023
- Walk through the Tel Dan Nature Reserve located on the largest tributary of the Jordan River and the Biblical settlement of Dan.
- Take a Jeep tour off-road up the Golan Heights in the footsteps of Israeli soldiers and their battles in the Six-Day War; enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and gain an insight into the strategic complexity of the Golan.
- The panoramic views from Mt. Bental (overlooking the abandoned Syrian town of Kuneitra) give sharp insights into Israel’s security situation on the Golan Heights, and the enormous challenges it faced in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
- Option 1: Wine Tasting at a local winery on the Golan Heights.
- Option 2: Enjoy the culinary delight of a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory in Ein Zivan.
- Ready-Steady-Cook! Who are the champion cooks on the trip? Find out in a cooking competition where laughter and fun are at the top of the menu. Guided by a professional chef, we’ll split into teams and prepare a meal using the flavors of the Galilee. And after the cooking comes the eating with dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
COAST TO COAST
Thu. Dec 28, 2023
- Check out of the hotel.
- Up There Where We Belong: The Agamon Hula (Hula Lake), Israel’s best place for bird-watching, is home to thousands of storks, cranes, pelicans and flamingos. We’ll learn why early Zionist efforts to drain these swamps have been replaced by environmental protection. And for those with a need for speed, there’s bike-riding and golf-carting.
- Visit a Druze village in the Carmel Mountains for a window into the unique world of the Israeli Druze community, with Home Hospitality lunch.
- Drive to Caesarea, one of the Land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Empire; visit the Herodian Theater and new excavations along the Mediterranean shore concluding with the new interactive audio/visual program ‘The Stars of Caesarea,' located in the 900-year-old Crusader city built on the same site.
- Enter Tel Aviv, also known as “the city that never sleeps. ” A place of sun and fun, its centers of culture and history are complimented by great beaches, stores, and entertainment.
- Check into the hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9
THE FIRST HEBREW CITY
Fri. Dec 29, 2023
- Visit the Ayalon Institute, near Rehovot, for an eye opening tour of a clandestine munitions factory used during the British Mandate.
- Beginnings: Modern Tel Aviv grew out of ancient Jaffa. Gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea; learn why Jaffa, mentioned in the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, is so historically important; and see how its Old City reflects the present as well as the past.
- Walk through Jaffa's famous flea market – Shuk Hapishpeshim.
- Calling Boutique-Loving Hipsters: Browse your way through Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market before we check out the hustle and bustle at the Carmel Market.
- From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the newly-opened Independence Trail in Tel Aviv and embark on a remarkable journey that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the establishment of Israel in 1948.
- Kabbalat Shabbat services: As the sun sets over Tel Aviv, join Israelis from diverse backgrounds in welcoming Shabbat through prayer, song, and community. This musical Shabbat service will be with Beit Tefilah Israeli.
OR - Kabbalat Shabbat services at HaKehila Hashivionit in Shoham, led by Rabbi Rinat Safania-Shwartz.
- Home hospitality or communal Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Shabbat dinner
DAY 10
SHABBAT IN TEL AVIV
Sat. Dec 30, 2023
- Visit ANU – Museum of the Jewish People, the largest Jewish museum in the world, and join a fascinating journey that portrays the story of the Jewish people through the generations and up to the present time. The Museum represents all parts of the Jewish people and highlights the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history.
- From Templers to Chefs: Sarona was once a colony of Templars, German Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, but is now a center of Tel Aviv cuisine. Tour its food and spice markets and visit the Historic Olive Mill and Press House for olive oil tasting. Afterwards, there will be time on your own to explore.
- Three Stars in the Israel Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.
- Late check-out from the hotel and depart for a festive farewell dinner.
- Group transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for the departure flight to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Dec 31, 2023
- Return to the USA.
RATES & LODGING
participants
30+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,980
Cost p/p in single room
$6,650
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($890)
Jerusalem: Dan Panorama
- Nights: 4
- Room Category: Jerusalem
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Pastoral Kfar Blum Hotel
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Classic
- Hotel Website
Tel Aviv: Dan Panorama
- Nights: 2+LCO
- Room Category: Tel Aviv
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 8 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 9 days of touring with a tour educator (guide), in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Group arrival transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Group departure transfer & assistance at the airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 5 dinners.
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the airport & hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Israel.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- Value Added Tax is currently not applicable to tourists visiting Israel. Should the law change, you will be notified accordingly, and VAT will be added to your final invoice.
- Gratuities: Recommend guidelines for tipping are provided in the terms section.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected]
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 90 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- Please use the following information: Citizens Bank: 1 Citizens Drive, Riverside, RI 02915 Routing number: 021313103 (Domestic only) ACH: 036076150 SWIFT Code: CTZIUS33 (International only)
- Beneficiary Instructions: For the benefit of J² Adventures. Account number: 1001858331
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 89 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits. Please refer to the small print tab on your trip’s webpage or in your proposal for your cancelation policy and fees.
- Protect your investment for $495 p/p: Should you cancel your trip up to 5 days before your departure for any reason, our POM program offers you a trip refund. Call 888-230-6008 or e-mail: [email protected]
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C’s). These T&C’s apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
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