We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.
DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Israel on an overnight flight. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.
DAY 2–5 | GOLAN HEIGHTS
We'll begin our trip by traveling to the Golan Heights and enjoy our opening ceremony either at the accommodations or on the beach. The group will stop at Golan Beach for a raft building challenge with the group, then enjoy a delicious shawarma lunch at a local restaurant. After, we'll head to Mount Bental for a panoramic view of Syria, then visit the site of the courageous battle that took place her during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. As we head back to the accommodations, we'll visit Ein Kshatot, an archaeological site in the Golan Heights.
After breakfast at the accommodations the next day, we'll make our way to ancient Tsfat to explore the historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands. There, we'll split into two different afternoon track options. One group will tour Otzar Hastam, a hands-on, multimedia experience that brings Judaism to life. the other will visit Sheva Chaya Tsfat Glass Gallery for a glass blowing demonstration. Then, teens will continue seeing the beauty of Tsfat, stopping for lunch and then heading back to the accommodations to prepare for our first Kabbalat Shabbat together in Israel. Spend Shabbat relaxing at the accommodations before Havdalah, then travel to Ginosar for a nighttime Shanti Boat Ride and Darbukot. We'll end our time in the Golan Heights with dinner before heading back to the accommodations to rest.
DAY 6–8 | ZIKHRON YAAKOV
After breakfast, we'll pack up and check out. Then, we'll visit Kinneret Cemetery, the burial site of Jewish pioneers of Kinneret Farm and other important figures. Teens will head to Kfar Blum for a kayaking activity and falafel meal, then explore Korazim National Park and take part in an archaeological dig. The group will continue to Yarka and experience Druze culture there before checking into the accommodations, enjoying dinner, and having some time at the pool.
Our next day begins with a visit to Beit Aaronsohn — Nili Museum, which tells the story of the courageous and heroic deeds of members of the Nili spy network. Then, the group will travel to Caesarea to visit the National Park. After, we'll have lunch in Haifa and then see the Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel. We'll split into four different groups for a tour of Haifa, covering religions, Zionism and Aliyah, the city and the sea, as well as science and tech. After the tour, we'll enjoy a group dinner at the accommodations.
Travel to Ein Hardalit, one of the springs that feeds into the Kziv River, and hike the area. Then, continue to Akko and visit the Jewish Arab Community Center to hear from a speaker. We'll enjoy a traditional Israeli meal in Akko for lunch before heading to Misgav for security crisis simulation at the Alma Center. Then, the group will have dinner at the accommodations
DAY 9–10 | SHEFAYIM
We'll start the day with breakfast before checking out and then heading to a service program with Yahel. Teens will choose from three volunteer opportunities: food security, environment, and children and youth at risk. After, we'll visit the ANU Museum of Jewish Peoplehood on Tel Aviv University’s campus. We'll end the day with dinner and an evening activity.
The next day, we'll travel to Tel Aviv after breakfast and split into tour groups with three different focuses to see the city: Arts/Graffiti tour, LGBTQ+ track, and Innovation track. After, we'll visit Shuk HaCarmel for lunch and time to shop around the shuk before heading to the beach. En route, stop by the Altalena Memorial. Once we've soaked in the sun at the beach, we'll have dinner in Sorona before heading back to our accommodations for an evening activity.
DAY 11–14 | JERUSALEM
Enjoy breakfast at the accommodations before checking out and traveling to Jerusalem. We'll start at the Haas Promenade, offering a panoramic view of the city. Then, the group will enter Zion Gate and tour the four quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City. After lunch, we'll uncover some of the most intriguing and important archaeological finds from the Second Temple. Then, everyone will have time to prepare for Shabbat in the Old City. We'll enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Kotel—or Western Wall—followed by dinner at the accommodations. In the evening, teens will be joined by inspiring speakers that represent the different voices of Israeli society.
The next morning, we'll continue with Voices of Israel in rotating tracks. Then, have a relaxed afternoon before Havdalah. The group will head to Ben Yehuda Street for a night out and dinner before heading back to the accommodations. We'll continue the weekend with a tour of the Jerusalem area. After, everyone will travel to Kfar Etzion in the Judean Hills and have lunch before hearing from an afternoon speaker. Enjoy a Kfar Etzion light and sound show, then stop by The Lone Tree, a centuries-old oak that is a symbol of the community. We'll head to Ma’ale Film School and meet with a producer there before returning to our accommodations for dinner and an evening activity.
On the next day, we'll tour Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and have lunch in the afternoon before seeing the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Teens will have the opportunity to pay their respects at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery for Zionist leaders and fallen soldiers, before walking through Mahane Yehuda open-air market. We'll end the day with dinner and an evening activity at the accommodations.
DAY 15–16 | MITZPE RAMON
After breakfast, we'll check out and travel to the Gaza Periphery for a morning tour. Teens will meet with a representative of Women Wage Peace, then have lunch. After, we'll tour the Salad Trail, which encourages visitors to get a feel for the lands and its produce. Once we've finished, we'll make our way to Mitzpe Ramon to check into accommodations, have dinner, and enjoy an evening activity.
We'll start our next day by traveling to Yerucham. There, teens will have the choice between two tracks: a Moroccan art workshop with Zuak—a one-of-a-kind studio that transports you to Marrakesh, Morocco—or a Kulna Moroccan Culture Center workshop. The group will stop by the Visitor Center of Mitzpe Ramon and spend time at Makhtesh Ramon, the world’s largest erosion crater. At the end of the day, we'll have dinner and take a night hike through the desert.
DAY 17 | BEDOUIN TENTS
Enjoy a beautiful breakfast before checking out of the accommodations and heading to Sde Boker to learn about Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Then, we'll travel to Ashalim to see the impressive MOP Negev solar power station and learn how agriculture development is bringing life into the desert. After lunch, we continue traveling to Lakia for a Bedouin tent tour and speaking engagement. Once we reach the encampment, the group will ride camels and enjoy a delicious meal before sleeping under the stars.
DAY 18–21 | JERUSALEM
We'll start the day early with a pre-sunrise hike up Masada to tour the mountaintop and learn why it’s important to Jewish history. Then, we'll hike back down and have breakfast before traveling to the Dead Sea, which is the lowest elevation point on Earth. Once we arrive, teens will marvel at being able to effortlessly float in the water. The group will travel back to Jerusalem and walk through Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace for lunch. Then, we'll prepare for our final Shabbat together in Israel.
On Shabbat, we'll have breakfast at the accommodations, followed by some Shabbat programming and time to relax together before Havdalah. Once Shabbat ends, we'll enjoy dinner with the group. The next morning after breakfast, teens will have a program with Maccabi Tzair, BBYO’s sister movement in Israel. Then, we'll travel to Beit Maccabi, stopping for lunch along the way. Once we arrive, we'll see the Maccabi Sports Museum and have pool time before traveling to Park Rishon for a special evening event and dinner with RootOne.
While bittersweet to think about, our final day will be packed with fun activities to end our time together. The group will hear from a guest speaker about Jewish peoplehood, then enjoy a hike on Derekh Burma before lunch. We'll end the day with an evening banquet to celebrate our amazing trip together before heading to the airport for our overnight flight back home.
DAY 22 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
