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.
Family Friendly 
Heritage 
Archaeology 
Art & Culture 
Expert Scholar 
Food & Wine 
Nature Walks 
Rafting & Kayaking 
Jeep Tour
THE EXPERT
Program Itinerary
DAY 1
ON THE WAY
Wed. Jun 21, 2023
- Depart the USA.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
THE START OF A SPECIAL JOURNEY
Thu. Jun 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.
- 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.
- Check into the hotel.
- The City at Night: Tel Aviv’s food scene is on fire with world-class chefs and a huge range of happening restaurants. See and taste for yourself during a free evening with dinner. Afterwards, those who love the nightlife can sample the city’s bar, club and café culture or stroll along the refurbished promenade and port.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3
THE WONDER OF INDEPENDENCE
Fri. Jun 23, 2023
- Breakfast at an Israeli hotel is an experience in itself. Start the day with a bounteous buffet.
- Family Track:
- Founding Fighters: Walk in the footsteps of the young men and women who fought for the Palmach, Israel’s elite pre-State military force. The Palmach Museum is an experiential museum that allows you to follow the lives and fates of extraordinary individuals from their enlistment to battle in the War of Independence.
- From Hebrew City to Hebrew State: Walk along the Independence Trail 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.
- Teen Tour:
- Understanding the City Through Its Stomach: There’s no better way to experience the energy of Tel Aviv than to join locals lunching at the Carmel Market, which sizzles with food options from all over the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Choose from one of our recommended restaurants and eateries, then use your voucher to create your own taste of Tel Aviv.
- Join Ihab and Orah Ballah in Jaffa and talk about their peace-building initiatives.
- All:
- Calling Boutique-Loving Hipsters: Browse your way through Nahalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv’s arts and crafts market, before we check out the hustle and bustle at the Carmel Market.
- Return to the hotel and time to prepare for Shabbat.
- Shabbat candle-lighting at the hotel.
- 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.
- Blessings, Challah, and Friends: Friday night is the traditional highlight of the Jewish week and the Jewish stomach. Enjoy a Shabbat dinner at the hotel together with the Temple Isaiah Teen Tour.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4
THE FIRST HEBREW CITY
Sat. Jun 24, 2023
- Experience the diversity and dynamism of Jewish life at the rejuvenated ANU: The Museum of the Jewish People.
- Family Track:
- Arming for Independence. Visit the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot and uncover its role in the establishment of the state of Israel. This secret ammunition factory produced millions of bullets for Jewish forces fighting for a Jewish state and the end of British rule over Palestine.
- Teen Tour:
- Explore the latest street art and find out what it reveals about life, ideas, and ideology in Israel’s cultural capital. Accompanied by members of the Reform youth movement followed by some free time together.
- All:
- Return to Tel Aviv.
- Time to enjoy the sea and the sand of the Mediterranean.
- Three Stars in the Israeli Sky: At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal Havdallah ceremony.
- Dinner on own in the renovated Old Port of Tel Aviv, with its wonderful restaurants, cafés and shops, right on the water’s edge.
OR
At the Tachana, Jaffa’s Old Railway Station, renovated and restored as a great pedestrian complex, with restaurants, shops and open spaces for people-watching.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
THE COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTH
Sun. Jun 25, 2023
- Check out of the hotel and depart for the north.
- Israel at 75: Society, Politics and Security: Together with Temple Isaiah Teen Tour, discuss Israel's stunning achievements, failures and complexities with Major (Res.) Dan Feferman, a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, a leading think-tank focusing on issues of importance to Israel and the Jewish people. He is also a former foreign policy and national security analyst, strategist and adviser in the IDF.
- Drive along the coast to back in time to Caesarea, one of the Land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Period. Explore life 2,000 years ago with its ancient theater, palace, and bathhouse.
- Underwater Wonders: Take a guided snorkeling tour of the underwater archeological park in Caesarea. Two thousand years ago King Herod the Great built the city of Caesarea, a major city in his kingdom, together with the magnificent harbor of Sebastos, the largest and most sophisticated harbor in the known world at the time. See the ruins of this magnificent harbor and sunken archeological artifacts amidst the Mediterranean marine life.
- Check into the hotel and dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6
LIFE ON THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
Mon. Jun 26, 2023
- Paradise Springs is one of the places we’ll visit at the Tel Dan Nature Reserve. We’ll tour the remains of a 5,000-year-old city and find out why water is like gold in the parched Middle East.
- Hit the ground racing as we go off-road for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights that will combine natural beauty with insights into one of Israel's most strategically important areas. We recommend that you talk with your jeep drivers about their personal experiences and feelings about the Golan.
- Northern Borders: We'll gaze across the Golan and into Syria from the top of Mount Bental and gain powerful insights into Israel's geopolitical and security situation. Analyze the current challenges Israel faces on its northern border, examine the impact of the tragic civil war in Syria, and hunker down in bunkers from the battles that took place here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
- Option 1:
- From Golan Grapes, Fine Wines Are Made: Where the mountains kiss the sky, nature speaks to you at the Odem Mountain Winery, located at the foot of Mount Hermon on the Golan Heights. Winemaker Adam Alfasi strives to create the perfect balance between nature and modern technology in producing quality boutique Kosher wines. We’ll learn about Odem’s winemaking process before settling in for wine tasting.
- Option 2:
- Comfort You Can Eat: Enjoy the culinary delights of a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Chocolatier Karina Chepelinski continues her family's tradition of creating handmade premium chocolate. During this tour and workshop, taste various chocolates and learn what makes it so delicious. Then, experiment with quality ingredients to create your own chocolate masterpiece.
- All:
- Return to the hotel and dinner.
Overnight: Upper Galilee
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7
SERENITY & SPIRITUALITY IN THE NORTH
Tue. Jun 27, 2023
- Check out of the hotel.
- Cool Off Down the Jordan River: With the hot weather, it’s time to take to the water with rafting or kayaking down the Jordan River. This is the parched Middle East rather than the Rockies, so the current is mainly calm and suitable for ages five and up. Water shoes are recommended.
- Perhaps it's the combination of mysticism and art, and maybe it's the mountain air in Israel's highest city; entering Tsfat, there is a sense of something uniquely Jewish but not quite of this world. Here, you'll:
- Visit the Ari synagogue and share in the inspiration and innovation that moved Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Holy Ari) and his fellow mystics. In Tsfat they developed the Kabbalah, the esoteric insights of Judaism and created Kabbalat Shabbat, the prayers sung on Friday evenings to welcome the arrival of the Sabbath.
- See the Caro synagogue, built originally, like the Ari, in the 16th century. It is where Rabbi Joseph Caro, one of the greatest of all Jewish legal authorities, taught and lived. Hear the story of how he was visited here by a maggid, an angelic messenger, who revealed secrets of the Torah.
- Walk through the cobbled streets and alleyways to the Artists' Colony with its galleries, shops, and studios.
- As we drive south on the Trans-Israel Highway, there will be an opportunity to see the Security Barrier which runs along the seam zone between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and to learn about the barrier’s effects on Israeli security and Palestinian communities.
- A First Look at the Holy City: Over the centuries, many have been moved and awed by their first sight of Jerusalem. We'll stop at the Haas Promenade for a stunning overview of the city and celebrate our arrival with a special ceremony and the traditional “shehechiyanu” blessing of thanksgiving.
- Check into the hotel.
- High Times in the Holy City: Jerusalem at night provides a very different vision of the Holy City. Check out how the locals let their hair down during a free evening and explore Jerusalem nightlife. Our suggestions include:
- The Mamilla Mall, an upscale, open-air food and shopping area located outside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate.
- Joining the crowds strolling through the Ben Yehuda and Nahalat Shiva Pedestrian Malls.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
THE OLD CITY MAZE
Wed. Jun 28, 2023
- The Art of Tikkun Olam Meet elderly, often impoverished, immigrants who are finding a sense of purpose and making beautiful artwork at Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Elderly). We’ll take a tour of this inspirational organization. Then, guided by professional artists, get creative as a family and make your own Judaica or handicraft.
- Family Track:
- Take a walking tour through Jerusalem’s Old City and the Jewish Quarter and experience the center of Jewish life, history, and holiness. Among the highlights will be:
- A climb to the rooftops to see and discuss the ties and tensions between the different faith groups and communities of the Old City. From this one spot, we’ll look out over the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, venerated by Christian groups as the burial place of Jesus; the golden Dome of the Rock, which is sacred to Islam; and the Jewish Quarter’s famous Hurva Synagogue.
- The Cardo, the main street of Roman-controlled Jerusalem and its spectacular Byzantine-era columns.
- King Hezekiah's “Broad Wall,” a massive wall built to protect Jerusalem from invasion 2,700 years ago.
- Hurva Square, the center of modern-day life in the Jewish Quarter.
- No visit to Israel is complete without experiencing the Kotel (Western Wall), widely considered Judaism’s holiest site. Each year, over one million notes containing prayers and wishes are placed in the cracks of the wall. We’ll discuss the wall’s historical and contemporary importance and experience its unique atmosphere.
- Going Under, Going Deeper: Explore the Western Wall Tunnel, the underground continuation of the Kotel, and examine important archaeological discoveries that are revising our understanding of daily life in ancient Jerusalem.
- Teen Tour:
- At the Heart of It All: Explore the City of David, the core of ancient Jerusalem, and learn how the city was administered during the First Temple period. Our visit will include wading through the 2,700-year-old water tunnels, an architectural wonder of King Hezekiah’s. followed by a tour of the Old City Highlights.
- Meet with a leader from IRAC (Religious Action Center) to learn about social justice initiatives in Israel.
- All:
- Return to the hotel.
- Parents night out! Enjoy a free evening out on the town.
- Kids: Movie and pizza night at the hotel.
- Teens: Check out local Israeli Pizza places with Israeli Peers.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
I’M DIGGIN’ ISRAEL
Thu. Jun 29, 2023
- Digging for Roots: We’ll literally get in touch with the land and history of Israel during an archaeological dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves. Get your hands dirty uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period, 2300 years ago before crawling through the Maresha Cave Labyrinth. The non-crawlers among us will visit a more spacious part of the cave complex in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Tanks and a Tribute: Pay tribute to the men and women of Israel’s armored division at the Armored Corps Memorial and Museum in Latrun. Located atop a militarily strategic hill on the main route from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Latrun and the nearby Ayalon Valley hosted many significant battles, from the time of Joshua Ben-Nun and Judah Maccabi to modern-day battles during the War of Independence and the Six Day War. Learn about the history and valor of the armored corps and view the tanks from various eras on display.
- Return to Jerusalem.
- A Special Celebration. At a Special Location: A special Vow renewal ceremony will take place overlooking the old city walls.
- Dinner on own on vibrant Emek Refaim Street, in Jerusalem’s German Colony.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
CREATING MEMORIES
Fri. Jun 30, 2023
- Adult Option:
- Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your guided tour will include:
- The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees symbolic of the renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah.
- The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts, and personal possessions saved from the ghettos and camps.
- The Children’s Memorial, commemorating the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
- Teen Tour:
-
Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your guided tour will include a specially designed tour for youth and educational experience.
- The Avenue of the Righteous, where trees symbolic of the renewal of life have been planted along with plaques honoring brave non-Jews who saved Jews during the Shoah.
- The Historical Museum, a state-of-the-art interactive display reflecting decades of research and educational expertise. The story of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on individual victims, is told through survivor testimonies, original artifacts, and personal possessions saved from the ghettos and camps.
- The Children’s Memorial, commemorating the 1.5 million children lost during the Holocaust.
- A memorial service where we will pay tribute to those who were lost.
-
Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, an essential emotional and educational experience. Your guided tour will include a specially designed tour for youth and educational experience.
- Kids Option:
- Two by Two the Animals Went into the Ark: The Biblical Zoo is one of Jerusalem’s loveliest places. It has a great collection of animals with a special focus on creatures mentioned in the Bible. It includes 62 acres of open areas where the animals live, a zoo train if you don’t feel like walking, a petting zoo, and other activities to keep all ages enthralled.
- All:
- Explore the colorful and ethnically diverse Mahane Yehuda market of Jerusalem.
- Return to the hotel and time to prepare for Shabbat.
- Shabbat candle lighting at the hotel.
- Experience the diversity and joy of Shabbat in Jerusalem as people from different backgrounds come together for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat at the First Train Station, an outdoor cultural center.
- Enjoy Shabbat dinner at the hotel together with the Temple Isaiah Teen Tour.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11
MASADA & THE DEAD SEA
Sat. Jul 1, 2023
- Option 1:
- Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore the Dead Sea region.
- As Low as It Goes: We'll drive to the Dead Sea Basin, 1412 feet below sea level and the lowest place on earth. The desert, the landscape, and the views are breathtaking.
- The Last Stand: Take the cable car to the top of Masada with its extraordinary views and fascinating archaeological remains. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where Jewish rebels are believed to have made their final attempt to resist Roman invaders (c 74 CE). We'll learn about Masada's importance as a symbol of Jewish defense and discuss its influence on modern Israel.
- We’ll drive by Qumran, where a separatist Jewish sect from the Second Temple period created an isolated community and where the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the most ancient and important religious manuscripts in existence, were discovered.
- The Sea of Salt: Float into happiness at the Dead Sea. Not much can live or swim in what is the saltiest piece of water in the world, nine times saltier than the ocean, but the weightless feeling of floating is great fun.
- Option 2:
- Climb via the Snake Path to the top of Masada. Stop at the Dead sea and feel the weightless.
- Option 3:
- Spend a free Shabbat in Jerusalem, including the following options:
- The Israel Museum.
- The Tower of David Museum.
- All:
- Return to the hotel.
- Late check out of the hotel and transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight.
Overnight: Flight
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Sun. Jul 2, 2023
- Return to the U.S.A.
RATES & LODGING
participants
35+
Cost p/p in double room
$4,640
Cost p/p in single room
$6,565
Child As 3rd (Reduction)
- ($1,406)
Tel Aviv: Carlton
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Premium sea view
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Hotel HaGoshrim nature
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Classic room
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: The Inbal
- Nights: 4+LCO
- Room Category: Standard room
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodations. Late check out on the day of departure is included.
- 10 days of touring with a tour educator (guide) on a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Extra guide included on June 23, June 24, June 28 & July 1.
- Extra bus for touring is included on June 23 & July 1.
- Youth Counselor included on June 28 & June 30.
- Daily breakfast & 4 dinners.
- For Teens : Daily Lunch & Dinner (Pizzur) (Dinners with Family group on June 23,25,26 & 30).
- 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.
- Camel riding for option 1 on July 1.
- 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.
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