Sample Itinerary

Take a look at what all the hype is about! On the Taglit-Birthright Israel: Israel Your Way trip, your 10 day free trip to Israel will blow you off your feet. A trip like none-other, you'll experience Israel as a growing technology hub, learn about the politics of the formation of the State of Israel, travel from the northern tip to the lowest point in the world and return home with 50 new friends you never knew you had! Want to know more? Keep reading below!

DAY ONE | Shalom and Welcome Home!

• Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will meet your Tour Educator.
• Ascend to Jerusalem to say Shehehianu - a prayer of thanks said on special occasions - at a vantage point with a breathtaking view of Jerusalem with the Old City at its heart.
• Walk along the Ramparts of the Old City and discover a secret Jerusalem as you look down into hidden courtyards and alleyways.
• Enter the Old City and explore the Jewish Quarter to see the Cardo (the Heart) of the ancient Byzantine city, an ancient commercial venue where you can still shop today! Other ancient periods also put in an appearance – a wall from the First Temple period, remains from the time of the Maccabies and more.
• View the Southern Wall Excavation before pausing at the Western Wall, the Holiest place to the Jewish People.
• Descend underground to explore the Western Wall Tunnels, stretching under the Old City.
• Depart Jerusalem and head north to Haifa for a well deserved rest.

Overnight: Haifa

DAY TWO | The Jewish Genius - Modern and Ancient

• Step into a world of cutting edge technology where the gadgets, applications and programs we will be using in the future are born and developed. Major parts of Microsoft Windows, ICQ (the first messenger), your memory stick and much more was developed in Israel.
• Then tour the city of Zfat, the center of Mystical Judaism (Kabbalah). Explore narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries. Compare and contrast the technical and spiritual innovations created by the Jewish People.

Overnight: In the Galilee

DAY THREE | Northern Exposure

• Ascend the Golan Heights and peer deep into Syria from atop Mt. Bental – can you see Damascus? From here you can understand the strategic importance of this plateau.
• Look down on the Hula Valley and hear about Eli Cohen, Israel’s master spy.
• View the border with Lebanon and better understand the conflicts in the north.
• Then we turn our attention to a major issue in the region – water. Hike to one of the sources of the Jordan River from which the entire country gets its' water.
• In the summer, enjoy a kayaking adventure on the Jordan River. In the winter, follow in the footsteps of the Israeli Army in the Six Day War, conquering the Golan Heights as you enjoy an off-roading adventure!

Overnight: In the Galilee

DAY FOUR | The City that Never Sleeps

• Head south to the first Hebrew-speaking modern metropolis: Tel Aviv. As the center of finance, fashion, culture and the destination of cool Israelis, Tel Aviv has it all.
• We begin where the State of Israel was born, Independence Hall. Then explore the city, seeing some examples of Bauhaus Architecture, for which Tel Aviv is famous. Walk through the colorful Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts fair and discover cool treasures on trendy Shenkin Street.
• Today, our new Israeli friends, both soldiers and students, will join the group and spend the rest of the trip with us.
• Welcome the Shabbat Tel Aviv Style - at the beach as the sun sets.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY FIVE | Shabbat in Tel Aviv

• In the morning, go to services or enjoy some time to sleep in.
• In the summer, time will be spent at the beautiful beach and in the winter, exploring some of Tel Aviv’s more exotic neighborhoods, like Neve Zedek - Tel Aviv’s answer to New York’s Soho or Greenwich Village.
• As you tour the city pause at Rabin Square to reflect and talk about peace.
• Later, a group activity will lead up to Havdallah.
• Lonely Planet travel guide has officially titled Tel Aviv as one of the 10 top party cities in the world - tonight we will have a taste of the city's nightlife.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY SIX | Desert Delights

• Today will begin with a visit to the ancient city of Ramla to meet participants in a Masa Israel Journey Community Involvement program, before a unique experience of a boat ride in an underground reservoir built over a thousand years ago.
• Head south into the desert to learn about its most famous inhabitants - the Bedouins.
• Set off on a camel trek in the desert. This is how Abraham, Moses and our other forefathers got from place to place.
• Arrive at a Bedouin Village for a Hafla - a traditional Bedouin feast!

Overnight: Bedouin Tent in the Desert

DAY SEVEN | Desert Dwellers

• At Sde Boker, we will visit the grave of David Ben Gurion and discuss his dream of creating sustainable life in the desert. Then we will see how it is being done by visiting the Ben Gurion University’s International School for Desert Studies. Here the most modern and ingenious innovations are being tested to bring life to the desert – not just in Israel but for other arid areas around the globe. See how ancient techniques have found their way into modern desert technologies.
• Then hike at the Ein Ovdat National Park to the oasis – see how animals have adapted to live in these inhospitable lands and climb the cliff (you’ll never believe that you climbed that!).
• Later, meet the young people who are following in the footsteps of Ben Gurion and have come to the desert to help it bloom through community involvement. Enjoy a chance to perform a Tikun Olam (volunteer) activity.
• Tonight, an early bed time so that you have lots of energy for tomorrow.

Overnight: Arad

DAY EIGHT | Masada Rocks!

• Ascend Masada via the Roman Ramp to see the sunrise. Tour the site to hear tales of Herod and of the Jews who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans.
• Descend via the Snake Path to the Dead Sea. Swim (float), relax and have lunch at the Dead Sea.
• Continue on to Jerusalem for a preparatory session on the Holocaust.

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY NINE | Remembrance

• Visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. A program will be followed by a tour of the museum, the Children’s Memorial, the Valley of the Communities and the Boulevard of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• Onward to Mt. Herzl to the grave of Theodore Herzl and other Zionist luminaries such as Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, not to mention young soldiers who gave their lives to create and protect the State of Israel.
• Tonight, an excursion to Ben Yehuda Street.

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY TEN | Shalom U'Le'hitraot

Today will center on Israel’s democratic institutions:

• View the Supreme Court building, built with architectural elements inspired from Jewish Law.
• Then see the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Learn about the political system and challenges faced when combining ancient laws and traditions with modern life.
• Later, a farewell visit to the Western Wall.
• Closing sessions and a festive farewell dinner will mark the departure of the Israelis from the trip as you make your way to Ben Gurion Airport for your flight to North America.