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.
Archaeology
Art & Culture
Local Specialists
Home Hospitality
Nature Walks Food & Wine
Special Access
Street Food
Cooking Workshop
Program Itinerary
- Board your flight and embark on your journey of discovery and connection with the people, history, and culture of Israel!
- Arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
- Meet your J² Expert Educator who will accompany you on this journey of education and inspiration.
- Begin with a stop at the Jaffa lookout for a panoramic introduction to Tel Aviv and an overview of your adventure in Israel, followed by a guided walking tour of ancient Jaffa, exploring its archaeological sites, the historic port, and its significance as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Jaffa's Flea Market - Shuk Hapishpeshim, where the bustling stalls, eclectic treasures, and rich history create a sensory adventure.
- Check into the hotel.
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
- Walk along the 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.
- Explore the vibrant Nahalat Binyamin arts and crafts market, followed by a visit to the bustling Carmel Market - perfect for fun shopping and enjoying local cuisine.
- Enter the Gan Meir Gay Center of Tel Aviv for a tour and dialogue regarding the progress and challenges of the LGBT rights movement, with activists and members of various LGBTQ organizations.
- Pay a visit to Yitzchak Rabin Square, a historically significant site where Prime Minister Rabin was tragically assassinated in 1995, and main square which brings people together in Tel Aviv.
- Return to the hotel to get ready for Shabbat.
- Come together to welcome the Shabbat with a service on the beach.
- Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
- Meet local Reform couples who will be joining you for the day.
- Travel to the Israel-Gaza border to meet a resident of Kibbutz Zikim. Learn about the events of October 7 and their aftermath.
- Continue your journey to the site of the Nova Music Festival, which has transformed into a poignant living memorial for those who lost their lives on October 7. As you walk through the grounds, you will witness the heartfelt tributes and commemorative displays that honor the victims. The memorial stands as a place for reflection, mourning, and remembrance, ensuring that the legacy of those affected endures.
- Lookout to Gaza from Givat HaTaspitaniot and learn about the role of women in the army, and those who were abducted and killed on October 7.
- Devote time to reflection and processing with your tour leader and educator before returning to Tel Aviv.
- Mark the end of Shabbat with a communal havdalah ceremony & say goodbye to your new Israeli friends.
- Relish a free evening to experience Tel Aviv’s dynamic nightlife, whether it’s relaxing on the serene beachfront, enjoying bustling cafes, or exploring trendy local spots.
- Check out of the hotel and depart toward northern Israel.
- Visit the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot for an eye-opening tour of a clandestine munitions factory used during the British Mandate.
- Continue to Nazareth and walk through the Church of the Annunciation, one of Christianity’s holiest sites.
- Discover Sindyanna of Galilee, a non-profit organization that is creating economic opportunities for Arab women, one of Israel’s most underemployed sectors - and sample some of their award-winning olive oil.
- Check into the hotel.
- Join an Israeli-Arab family at their home to talk, over tea and coffee, about their lives and to join them for a GalilEat cooking workshop, followed by a traditional dinner.
- Check out of your hotel. Gaze across Israel's northern borders from a lookout, while gaining valuable insights into the country’s geopolitical and security landscape from an expert at the Alma Research and Education Center.
- Visit the Galil Mountain Winery on Kibbutz Yiron, located near the Lebanese border, and enjoy a guided wine tasting experience.
- Continue to Capernaum, an important Christian site on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, believed to be where Jesus performed miracles.
- Explore Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in an engaging, interactive tour of the Bio-Bee fields, where you’ll learn about innovative agricultural practices.
- Travel south through the scenic Jordan Valley, taking in its historic landscapes.
- Check into your Dead Sea hotel and enjoy dinner.
- Ride the cable car to the top of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the heroic final stand of the Jewish rebels against the Roman Empire in 74 CE and take in the breathtaking desert views.
- Hike through Nahal David, part of the lush Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, where you can explore waterfalls, wildlife, and desert landscapes.
- Return to your hotel to experience the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea’s mineral-rich waters and enjoy a buffet lunch at a Dead Sea hotel.
- Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your hotel.
- Come together for dinner at the hotel.
- Ascend from the Dead Sea Basin up toward Jerusalem.
- Enter Jerusalem, where you’ll stop at Mount Scopus for a panoramic view of the city. Take part in a traditional shehehiyanu blessing of thanksgiving to celebrate your arrival in the Holy City.
- Discover multiple faiths in the Old City. 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.
- Tour the Jewish Quarter and experience the heart of Jewish life, history, and holiness as you walk the ancient Roman-era Cardo, stand before King Hezekiah’s Broad Wall built 2,700 years ago, and gather in Hurva Square, the vibrant center of Jewish life today.
- Wander through the vibrant Old City market, the Shuk, taking in its colorful stalls and fragrant spices, sampling local flavors, and pausing to enjoy lunch on your own amid the lively atmosphere.
- 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.
- 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.
- Check into your hotel in Jerusalem.
- Meet elderly immigrants at Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Elderly).
- The new Israel National Library provides the opportunity to understand centuries of Jewish creativity through one of the world's most impressive collections of Jewish and Israel-related literature.
- Take time to explore Jerusalem’s lively Mahane Yehuda Market, where you’ll immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and scents of this dynamic hub. Wander through the colorful stalls and savor the flavors of the city’s diverse and dynamic culinary scene.
- Tour Tel Maresha in Beit Guvrin National Park, uncovering the ancient cave complex of a Hellenistic city. Wander through hidden chambers, discover artifacts, and learn about the region's fascinating history.
- In the evening, immerse yourself in Jerusalem’s vibrant nightlife, including shopping at Mamilla Mall or exploring the First Station and Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall.
- Visit Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Your guided tour will include the historical museum, the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, and the Children’s Memorial.
- Mount Herzl is Israel's national military cemetery and hosts the graves of the leaders of the nation. Since October 7, 2023, the fallen have joined this sacred place. Visit Mount Herzl and contend with the human price paid by Israeli families and the country in the Israel-Hamas War.
- Return to hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
- Join Jerusalem in welcoming the Sabbath with Kabbalat Shabbat services at Ezrat Israel, the pluralistic section of the Kotel (Western Wall).
- Return to the hotel for a celebratory Shabbat dinner together as community.
- Enjoy a morning at leisure in your hotel and explore the area before checking out.
- Explore Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, follow the historic route of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and see the path that has shaped centuries of tradition and pilgrimage.
- Travel east towards Tel Aviv.
- Discover the Sarona Market, which was once a colony of Templars, German Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, and is now a center of Tel Aviv cuisine where you can have a choice of where to have lunch on own.
- Experience the dynamism of Jewish life at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, dedicated to telling their story and representing their diversity, highlighting the creative works and cultural riches of a variety of communities in different periods of history until the present day.
- Conclude your journey by coming together to mark the end of Shabbat with a group havdalah service.
- Enjoy a festive farewell dinner and take time to celebrate your community and reflect on your time in Israel.
- Transfer to the airport for your flight.
- Arrive home.
RATES & LODGING
Tel Aviv: Royal Beach
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Bellavista
- Hotel Website
Upper Galilee: Hotel HaGoshrim nature
- Nights: 1
- Room Category: Superior
- Hotel Website
Dead Sea: Nevo Hotel
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Dead Sea & Pool View
- Hotel Website
Jerusalem: Orient
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Orient
- Hotel Website
What to expect
- 9 nights' accommodations.
- 10 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator (guide) in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 7 dinners.
- Gratuities for J² Expert Educator (guide) and driver are included.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Israel.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Late check out on the day of departure.
- 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.
- Peace of Mind Travel Protection Program (POM).
- 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:
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- 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 of $500 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.
- 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.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- 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.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
Stuff.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
The J2 App
available on the App Store & on Google Play.