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 | UPPER GALILEE
Our journey begins with a trip to the north of Israel. We’ll stop and see Jaffa Port, entry point for centuries for prophets, visionaries, pilgrims, and tourists. Then, we’ll continue and settle into our accommodations in the Upper Galilee before sharing a BBQ dinner together.
The group will take part in icebreakers and other group activities to get to know one another. We’ll also kayak along the Hatzbani River, then ascend to Mitzpe Benaya for a view of the entire north—Lebanon, the Golan Heights, and the Sea of Galilee. As we prepare for our first Shabbat in Israel together, we’ll tour the mystical city of Tsfat, birthplace of “Kabbalat Shabbat.” Visit the glass blowing studio of a Kabbala artist. Watch as they make stunning creations infused with Jewish tradition. Enjoy Rappelling down the cliffs of Dalton and travel to the Kinneret for a sailing adventure with darbukas before exploring the Tiberias boardwalk.
We’ll wrap up our time in the Upper Galilee by ascending Mt. Bental, in the northeastern Golan Heights. Then, we’ll stop for a chocolate workshop at De Karina Chocolatiers on Kibbutz Ein Zivan. Wander through the bunkers at Tel Saki, site of a historic battle during the Yom Kippur War and site of the mini-series “Sha’at Ne’ila.” End the day at Majresa, walking and swimming through waste-level fresh water.
DAY 4–8 | WESTERN GALILEE
We’ll check out of our accommodations and make our way to the Western Galilee. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Zavitan, perhaps the best hiking trail the Golan has to offer. Then, we’ll bake pita, make olive oil, and live like a 4th century inhabitant of the Golan in the Ancient City of Katzrin. Take some time to cool off at the Aqua-Kef floating water park on the Kinneret.
Spend a day in Nazareth, an important site in the New Testament and home to one of Israel’s largest Arab populations. Meet with a local resident, who is a Muslim Arab and IDF veteran. Climb to the top of the Ottoman Fortress in Sheferam. Former seat of the Sanhedrin, Shefaram is now home to a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, and Druze. Enter the synagogue preserved by village residents, even though Jews have not lived there for over 100 years. Enjoy a Druze feast and hear about the community’s connection to Israel in the Druze town of Usefiya. Then, travel to Haifa to view the Bahai Gardens and explore the multi-cultural neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas.
DAY 9–13 | JERUSALEM
Our journey takes us to Jerusalem next. While we head towards the ancient city, we’ll tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Akko, visiting its port, underground Crusader city, and shuk. Then, walk through Atlit Detention Facility—the “welcome point” for thousands who arrived in the Land of Israel prior to independence. Hear their stories, tour the restored site, and re-enact the pre-state struggle of Jews to reach the land. Together, we’ll jump back 2,000 years when visiting Caesarea, the magnificent port city built by King Herod.
Dive into the story of Jerusalem—the people and the sites—from the Haas Promenade. Tour “where it all began,” the City of David. Travel through Hezekiya’s Tunnel to the Shiloah Spring. Enjoy a roof-top view of the Jewish Quarter, tour the narrow alleyways and hear the stories of pre-state life in the quarter, the capture by the Jordanians, and the rebuilding after the Six Day War. Stop to pay your respects and pray at the Western Wall before we descend below the surface of Ancient Jerusalem into the Western Wall Tunnels.
Visit Yad Vashem, museum and memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Then make your way to Mt. Herzl Cemetery to learn about the dreamers, statesmen, and fighters who created the State of Israel. Explore and taste your way through the Machane Yehuda Market before settling in with the group for your second Shabbat in Israel.
After a relaxed and restful Shabbat, take a geopolitical tour of Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries. Learn how these boundaries were established and what the strategic and demographic considerations are. Meet with Jewish and Palestinian residents of the Gush Etzion/Bethlehem/Hebron areas at the Shorashim Tent. Then, visit Kfar Etzion for the story of the area’s pre-state and contemporary history.
DAY 14 | KFAR HANOKDIM
We’ll leave Jerusalem and head into the desert to the Biblical Museum of Natural History for an interactive encounter with animals mentioned in the Bible. Hold, touch, play with, or just observe them from afar. Participate in a dramatic re-enactment of the battle of David and Goliath, while looking out at the original battle site from Tel Azeka. Dig at an active archeological site, uncovering remains from the times of the First Temple. We’ll arrive at a Bedouin tent village in time for a sunset camel ride and a Hafla (feast) before taking the evening to stargaze the vast desert sky.
DAY 15–16 | EILAT
Your group will rise before dawn for a sunrise hike up the Roman Ramp at Masada. Then, we’ll follow in the footsteps of King David on a short hike at the Ein Gedi oasis. The group will continue south to Ein Bokek for a float in the Dead Sea, then stop for ice cream at Yotvata dairy farm. Once we’ve arrived to the coastal city of Eilat, we’ll travel to see the Ink flag sculpture and hear the story of the capture of Umm Rashrash (Eilat). Take some time to snorkel and swim in the Red Sea as well as enjoy water sports on Hof Hananya. Hike through the deep gullies of the Red Canyon, then eat dinner on the boardwalk.
DAY 17 | NEGEV
Building communities in the desert, and in Israel in general, requires vision, creativity, perseverance and ideological commitment. Experience the pioneering spirit the pervades the desert and participate in a creative ecology workshop at a kibbutz founded on commitment to environmental ideals. Travel to Mitzpe Ramon to explore the giant crater and learn about Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon. Ben Gurion’s decision to retire to the desert kibbutz of Sde Boker, two hours south of Tel Aviv, expressed his commitment to making the desert bloom and settling it. Visit his home, peruse the stacks of books in his library, and discuss important periods in his life. Surf down the sand dunes of the Negev Desert and then eat a “Poyke” dinner at your campsite with the group.
DAY 18–21 | TEL AVIV
Arrive in Tel Aviv and explore the city’s history while walking the “Independence Trail.” Swim at Gordon Beach before settling in with the group for your final Shabbat in Israel. After Shabbat programming on Saturday, we’ll see Israel’s achievements in the tech sector at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. Then, experience the world as someone who is visually impaired at the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit at the Children's museum. After dinner at the hotel, meet with an Israel Education for a group discussion. Enjoy your final day in Tel Aviv playing with children from all over the world who come to Israel’s Save a Child’s Heart program for life-saving treatment, then spend some time at the beach.
DAY 22–28 | XPR TRACKS
We’ll spend our final days divided into three different, unique tracks that are designed to give teens a deeper look at Israeli society and how it has developed since the country’s inception. Teens will choose from one of the following options:
Art, Music, Food & Fashion: See the beauty of Israel through an artistic lens and learn how its diverse population has contributed to its rich and varied range of cultural institutions
Politics, Diplomacy & Espionage: Known as the only democracy in the Middle East, this track allows teens to learn how Israel’s complex political history took shape
Sports: Sports have played an increasingly important role in the development of the country, both at home and on the international stage. This track explores Israel’s sports culture and lets you get moving
Afterwards, we’ll come back together and make our way to the airport for an overnight flight back to the U.S.
DAY 29 | 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!
