Family Tour of Israel

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Jerusalem & Dead Sea, Negev Desert, Tel Aviv

This private tour of Israel is perfect for families wanting to experience the best of Israel's rich history, diverse culture and tremendous natural beauty. Accommodation is at Israel's leading luxury hotels and all touring is private.

Upon arrival, enjoy VIP airport assistance before being transferred to Jerusalem. Built entirely from white stone, Jerusalem glows and changes from white to pink to rose to gold with the changing of the light. Your expert private guide will customize touring according to your family’s interests and will bring the beautiful city and its incredible, multi-layered history alive. Of immeasurable religious, historic and archaeological importance, the entire Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa and the Western Wall, including the excavation tunnels under the Western Wall. Explore the narrow streets, twisting alleyways and airy plazas, ancient synagogues and churches, and bazaars and boutiques of the Old City's Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters. See the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion and walk upon the old city ramparts. Visit Jerusalem's most important museums, such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum and the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Perhaps also visit the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo or the Ein Yael Living Museum, watch a sound & light show at the Tower of David, enjoy the Time Elevator Jerusalem, join an archaeological dig, walk through the city's ancient underground water tunnels or visit caves in the Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park.

One day, enjoy a tour of the Machane Yehuda Market with a culinary expert guide. Sample local culinary specialties such as burekas (flaky filled pastries), chocolate rugelach and halvah and shop for regional staples such as tahini, za'atar, dried fruits and nuts. Alternatively, with an expert Palestinian guide, enjoy a private excursion to Bethlehem to tour the Church of the Nativity or to Jericho, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Perhaps also visit Ein Kerem, a charming village outside Jerusalem regarded as the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion into the Judean Hills for a family-friendly biking or hiking activity.

If desired, we can arrange many special interest activities around Jerusalem, such as a cooking class with a local chef, touring the ancient City of David, specialized shopping or exclusive meetings with local religious experts, geo-political experts, chefs, artists, fashion designers, winery owners or even former Israeli operatives.

En route to the Negev Desert, visit Masada, a historic mountaintop fortress, and a beach on the Dead Sea. If desired, relax in the salt and mineral-laden water, famous for its buoyancy and therapeutic qualities. Also enjoy spa access and a buffet lunch at a nearby hotel. If desired, you might also like to opt for a hike in the lush Ein Gedi oasis or perhaps visit Qumran, an archaeological site surrounding the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Next, spend some time in the arid beauty of the Negev Desert. Enjoy hiking or rappelling at the impressive Ramon Crater, see rock art at Mount Karkom, take a desert jeep excursion or visit a boutique winery. You may also choose to take an excursion to the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the storied Spice Route. Special-interest activities include visiting David Ben-Gurion's home on Kibbutz Sde Boker, visiting the Air Force Museum near Beer-Sheba or taking an ecology tour in the Arava Valley. Upon request, additional activities can be arranged, such as a special picnic lunch in the desert, stargazing tour or if the season is right, a nighttime tour to spot the region’s unique glow-in the-dark scorpions.

Conclude in Tel Aviv, a vibrant city on the Mediterranean Sea coast. During private touring, experience the best of Israel's largest city: the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, UNESCO-listed Bauhaus architecture, Old Jaffa, the Carmel Market, and museums such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Design Museum Holon and Beit Hatfutsot: Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. If desired, we can also arrange an excursion to the fascinating Ayalon Institute, a kibbutz that hid a secret underground ammunition factory. Additional options in Tel Aviv include specialized shopping or strolling the port district or fashionable HaTachana. During free time, perhaps spend time on the beach, shop in the city's markets and leisure districts and enjoy the city's excellent restaurants.

One day, enjoy a private excursion according to your family’s preferences. Options include the ancient ruins at Megiddo and Caesarea, Haifa and the Baha’i Gardens, Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation. Families with younger children might like to visit the ancient city of Akko (Acre) to walk on the ramparts or visit the Templar Crusader Tunnel, an underground passage that ran from a fortress to the sea, or Kfar Kedem, a re-creation of 2,000-year-old Galilean town, where you can learn to make pita bread or ride in a donkey caravan. Another option is to visit Rosh Hanikra, a series of grottoes.

This tour can be further customized according to your family's interests.