Holyland Culinary tour
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Day 1
Arrival
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport where we will be met by our guide and driver. Transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv. Welcome dinner at one of Tel Aviv's famous restaurants. In recent years, Tel Aviv became a center for gourmet chefs and high-end restaurants. Tonight, we will be able to sample one of these unique places.
Overnight in Tel Aviv. -
Day 2
Jaffa, Tel Aviv, White City, Levinski Market, Old Port
This morning we will visit Old Jaffa. This is the oldest continuously used port in the world. We will stroll along the narrow alleys full of modern galleries and artist workshops and gaze upon the magnificent view of the shoreline. We embark on a tour of the old flea market with a local dancer artist who will explain to us about the many ethnic foods present in Jaffa and the local traditions. This tour includes samplings of many local foods. Continue to Tel Aviv's White City- a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its concentration of International Style architecture. On Rothchild Boulevard we will learn about how Tel Aviv became a small town with no culinary heritage to one of the world's leading centers of food and entertainment and then we will stroll along Levinski Street, considered one of the city's leading food markets. Immigrants from Greece opened small food shops here in the 1930's and today the area is one of Tel Aviv's main culinary spots. On to the old port of Tel Aviv where we visit the farmers market and the many restaurants in the area.
Tonight, we experience yet another one of Tel Aviv's gourmet chef restaurants.
Overnight in Tel Aviv. -
Day 3
Druze Lunch Experience, Morad Winery, Nazareth
In the morning we will drive north and visit the Druze villages on Mt. Carmel. Here we are hosted in a home, where we are treated to a local, home cooked meal. We learn about Arab and Druze cuisines and their historical significance. On to Morad Winery. This unique place produces special wines and liquors from a variety of fruits. We will learn about the history of the winery and the unique process they use. We will have the opportunity to sample a few fruit wines. Continue to Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit The Basilica of The Annunciation and Joseph's Workshop. Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel, is also a hub for local Galilean cuisine. Many famous chefs started their career here and the city's restaurants are still famous. We will visit Al Babour, a special flour mill and food store that presents a fascinating look into a bygone era. We will sample the local sweets Nazareth is famous for, especially the Baklawa and Knaffe at Mukhtar's sweets shops.
Return to our hotel in The Galilee. -
Day 4
Ein Kamonim
We start the day at the goat farm in Ein Kamonim. Here we will learn about cheese production in Israel and especially about the ancient Galilean cheese that can be dated back to Biblical times. On to Safed, an ancient city and the center of the Jewish Kabbalah. We walk among the narrow streets full of galleries and art shops. Visit the Meiri dairy, considered the oldest dairy in the country. Here they produce a variety of cheeses in traditional ways. Continue to the Golan Heights where we visit the Baselet Brewery. We learn about how they produce one of Israel's original boutique beers and sample the beer. Continue to Ein Zivan where we visit the De Karina chocolate factory. This is a unique small workshop that produces specialty chocolates. Enjoy dinner at a Galilean restaurant with wine service.
Return to our hotel in The Galilee. -
Day 5
Galilee Winery, Jordan River, Beth Shean, Jerusalem
In the morning we visit one of the Galilean wineries in the area. The Galilee region has become an international wine producing area and the Israeli wines produced here are well recognized around the world. On to Beth Shean. This archeological site, one of the largest in Israel, was a thriving Roman center of commerce until it was destroyed in an earthquake. We will visit the impressive ruins and continue along the Jordan Valley and the Judean Wilderness to Jerusalem. Before we arrive to Jerusalem, we will enjoy dinner at Canaanit Restaurant located in the Judean Wilderness. Here, Biblical atmosphere is recreated together with an ancient dining experience that includes traditional foods, breads, and meat.
Overnight in Jerusalem. -
Day 6
Old City, Bazaar and Food Markets, Home Hospitality
Today we explore the sites of Jerusalem's Old City. We will have an opportunity to visit some of the religious sites such as The Jewish Quarter, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa and The Holy Sepulcher. Walk along the busy streets of the bazaar and through the area of the "shuk". Here each street was dedicated to sellers of different types of food: meat, grains, herbs, and vegetables. Even today, the meat sellers’ shops are present, and the spices and herbs form a beautiful display. Our local guide will take us through the stories and traditions of the area, and we will visit the spice shops, storerooms and even a 150-year-old sesame mill. In the afternoon we will visit "Iris Amehaye" that will tell us about her family's history and culinary traditions and will cook a family dinner for us at her home.
Overnight in Jerusalem. -
Day 7
New City, Mahane Yehuda Market, Mea Shearim, Yad Vashem
In the morning we drive through the new city of Jerusalem. We see the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, The Giant Menorah, The High Court, and the other government buildings. Continue to Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the Holocaust for a tour and visit. In the afternoon, we visit Mahane Yehuda Market. This is Jerusalem's main outdoor food market. It is typical of Israel and The Middle East. The experience of the loud vendors promoting their merchandise, the smells and the variety of produce are truly amazing. During our tour with a local guide, we learn about Israeli food, cooking and culinary from an expert while sampling some of the local delicacies. On to Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhood. Tour the neighborhood with a specialty guide and learn about the life of the local traditional society and how food plays an important role in daily life.
In the evening we enjoy a dinner in one of Jerusalem's gourmet restaurants with wine service.
Overnight in Jerusalem. -
Day 8
Dead Sea, Swimand Spa Experience, Bedouin Experience
In the morning we descend to the lowest place on Earth: The Dead Sea. We arrive at one of the luxurious hotels along the Dead Sea where we can swim and experience the unique feeling of floating on the water. We will also experience some of the unique spa treatments available here such as mud treatments. In the afternoon we will be hosted by a Bedouin family in their traditional desert lodging. We learn about their culinary traditions and enjoy a hearty meal.
Return to Jerusalem for overnight. -
Day 9
Judean Hills, Winery Visit, Bakery Tour
In the morning we will drive to the Judean Hills area. This is the region where David fought Goliath, Samson slough the lion as well as the locale for many other Biblical events. This area also became a prosperous wine producing area lately. We visit one of the boutique wineries here and sample their produce. Return to Jerusalem where we enjoy a specialty bakery tour and learn about the unique and traditional ways bread has been baked in this land for millennia. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Eucalyptus Restaurant. This ancient stone building houses a restaurant that serves authentic Biblical food. This is truly a special experience.
Overnight in Jerusalem. -
Day 10
Departure
Transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport for our flight back home.