Explore Past to the Future - The Story of the Israeli State - 11 days for 11 days with Consolidated Tour Operators and discover unforgettable experiences - Photo 2

Past to the Future - The Story of the Israeli State - 11 days

Country:

Israel

Flight:

Not included

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Tour id:

139514

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  • Operator:

    Consolidated Tour Operators

  • Length:

    11 days

  • Group size:

    20 pax

  • Age:

    5 to 90

  • Difficulty:

    Difficulty levels:
    • Relaxing
    • Easy
    • Moderate
    • Serious
    • Heart-pumping
  • 15.10-25.10.26 guaranteed icon
  • 12.11-22.11.26 guaranteed icon
  • 03.12-13.12.26 guaranteed icon
  • 07.01-17.01.27 guaranteed icon
  • 11.02-21.02.27 guaranteed icon

Itinerary

Designed to bring together the vision of the Israeli State founders, the Past to the Future – The Story of the Israeli State tour is not the usual archaeological, historical and landscape tour of Israel.

Great for singles, couples and families who seek the perfect holiday vacation and still create a link to their roots, it is also an excellent opportunity for second-time visitors to experience many different highlights, and ideal for people who do not like to rush from one site to the other. 

Become more aware of a rich Jewish heritage, visiting sites that played a role in the establishment of the State of Israel from biblical to modern times, accompanied by a tour guide with a deep-rooted connection to the land who is not only a personal companion, but also has in-depth knowledge about history, politics, religion, culture and much more, which will bring biblical, historical and current events to life.

Visit the bustling metropolis of Tel Aviv including the famous Carmel Market, Jaffa, and Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighbourhood built outside the walls of the ancient port.

Along the Mediterranean coastline walk through Caesarea and Zichron Yaacov, as well as Israel’s major port of Haifa.

In the Galilee visit Tiberias, Tzfat, Rosh Pina and the Hula Valley, while enjoying the pastoral scenery of a Golan Heights kibbutz and winery. 

Step back in time while sightseeing Jerusalem's Old and New City, including the local Mahane Yehuda market, bazaars and the City of David, where Jerusalem began.

Other highlights while touring include adventure options of biking, hiking, kayaking, lantern tours and a Kabalat Shabbat service at the Western Wall.

Tour program

Day 1

Thursday, Arrival

•      Day 1 is arrival day. Touring begins the next day, so you can arrive at any time on any flight to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

• Upon arrival to Tel Aviv Airport you will be met by our representative who will be holding a sign with your name on for transfer to your hotel.

• Check in at the hotel in Tel Aviv.

• Overnight: Tel Aviv.

Please note: Airport transfers on arrival and departure are only provided on the designated tour arrival and departure day. Any passengers arriving and/or departing before or after the tour dates are required to make their own transportation arrangements for arrival and departure, unless pre or post arrival accommodation is reserved through ourselves - please ask us for details. 

Start point

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) (נמל התעופה בן גוריון), Ha-Mamri'im Rd, Central District, Israel

00:00 - 00:00

Day 2

Friday, Tel Aviv tour

• Our first day of touring will begin immediately after breakfast.  An interesting walking tour of Tel Aviv and Jaffa is ahead of us. We will start on Rothschild Boulevard, where we will see Tel Aviv's beautiful Bauhaus style architecture, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst the buildings will be the newly renovated Independence Hall, the site commemorating the declaration of the founding of the state of Israel on the 14th of May 1948. 

• We will continue on to Neve Tzedek – Tel Aviv’s very first neighborhood. 

• The next stop will be Jaffa, the world’s oldest port city, for a view of the old city and its well known artist’s colony.

• To end our day, you will enjoy free time at one of Tel Aviv’s busiest areas on Friday afternoons – the Nahalat Binyamin Crafts Fair and Carmel Outdoor Market - for great sounds, smells and of course, great shopping!

• Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 3

Saturday, Day at Leisure in Tel Aviv

• Day at leisure in Tel Aviv

• Overnight: Tel Aviv


Day 4

Sunday, Travel to the North

• After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and drive to Rehovot. 

• Our first stop will be at the Weizmann Institute which played a key role in the development of the state. We will enjoy the presentation of high technology and see the mansion house of Haim Weizmann, the first president of Israel. 

• Visit Caesarea, built over 2000 years ago by King Herod the Great, which served as a key Mediterranean port for centuries. Hear about Caesarea's role in Jewish history, including its part in the Great Revolt of AD66.

• Onwards to the Carmel Mountain range to visit Zichron Yaacov, for a stroll through the historic streets of one of the earliest settlements from Israel’s first immigration period founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

• Onwards to Mount Carmel and into Haifa - Israel's major port city, with a stop at the Louis Promenade for a great view of the Haifa Bay and the beautiful Baha'i Gardens. 

• Overnight: Haifa 

Day 5

Monday, Safed and the Galilee

• Check out after an Israeli breakfast in the hotel. Our journey will begin with a drive through the mountain ranges and valleys which extend from the west to the east of the Galilee region. 

• Drive up to Safed (Tzfat), where we will walk through ancient sections of the city and hear stories of the Kabbalists and their ancient synagogues. Our Tzfat tour will end with a visit to its famous artists’ colony. 

• Continue to Rosh Pina, originally founded in 1878 by a group of ultra-orthodox Jews intending to become farmers, with the support of Baron Edmund de Rothschild. Rosh Pina is one of Israel’s oldest colonies but today boasts a small town known for great restaurants, cafés and art galleries. 

• In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful Hula Valley, Israel’s first Nature Reserve, which has become one of the world's most important centers for bird watching and ornithology. 

• Overnight: Kibbutz hotel


Day 6

Tuesday, Golan Heights

• This touring day will give you an opportunity to enjoy the north of Israel in a unique and exciting way. 

• We will start our day by driving up into the Golan Heights

• Visit Tel Faher (Golani Lookout), a former Syrian outpost in the Golan which was the site of an intense battle during the Six-Day War. 

• Continue to Mount Bental, a beautiful spot for a panoramic view of the Upper Galilee, the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and Syria.  

• We will then walk through The Golan Olive Oil Mill and Visitor Center in Qazrin, a uniquely-designed building with ancient ambience, as your guide explains the olive oil production process, including the evolution from antique tools to modern machinery. 

• We will finish the touring day with a visit to the Golan Heights Winery for an Israeli wine-tasting tour and to get an up close and personal view of the wine production process.   

• The rest of the day is free to relax in the pastoral surroundings of the kibbutz! 

Some afternoon options include: a biking or hiking tour, rappelling, kayaks.

Evening Option (Seasonal) - a lantern tour in either the Valley of the Lost River or Nimrod Fortress. 

• Overnight: Kibbutz hotel

Day 7

Wednesday, Travel to Jerusalem

• Check out from the hotel and depart for our touring day. 

• Our first stop will be at the Tel Hai Museum. This memorial is dedicated to a dramatic battle in 1920 led by Joseph Trumpeldor, a hero known for his national loyalty. 

• Then we will descend to the shores of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) for a short visit to Tiberias, a city which was a significant spiritual center during the Mishna and Talmudic periods. 

• We will drive south through the Jezreel Valley - a green fertile plain and inland valley, covered with fields of wheat, melon, oranges, beans, chickpeas, cotton, sunflowers and corn. 

Passing by the city of Afula we continue south to the point where the road begins ascending from the coastal plain to the hills of Jerusalem.

• Situated in the narrow opening known as Bab-al-Wad (Gate of the Valley), we arrive at Khan Sha'ar HaGai, a reconstruction of an old Ottoman building, commemorating the courageous men and women who fought fierce battles and brought food, supplies and manpower to under-siege Jerusalem during the War of Independence.

• Continuing our journey we arrive to Jerusalem, stopping at Mt. Scopus for a magnificent view of the city and a brief explanation about the capital’s past and future.

• Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8

Thursday, Old City of Jerusalem

• After breakfast, we will start our tour through the Old City of Jerusalem

• We’ll walk through one of this ancient walled city’s many gates to see the restored Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall (Ha Kotel), the colorful bazaars and the Cardo

• Then, we will walk to the City of David for a virtual reality movie about King David’s historical city, and a “wet” walking tour of the ancient water system connecting Warren’s Shaft to the Shiloah tunnels (Hezekiah’s Tunnel). 

• We will continue to the Archaeological Garden and the new Southern Wall excavations (Davidson Center) - the same steps once used by pilgrims entering the Holy Temple. *Thursday is the day many Bar Mitzvah celebrations take place at the Western Wall.  During our walk, we will meet some of them and get to wish them a MAZAL TOV!

• Overnight: Jerusalem


Day 9

Friday, Jerusalem’s New City

• Visit the graves of Israel’s former prime ministers, and soldiers who died in battle, at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery

• We will then continue to the museum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, including the Valley of the Communities. 

• We will pass by the Knesset - Israel's Parliament building, as well as the famous Menorah and the new home of Israel's Supreme Court.

• Visit the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book with a display of Dead Sea Scrolls and visit the model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.   

• Then continue on for a neighborhood tour around the Mahane Yehuda Market to meet different local ethnic groups and taste some of their cultural foods. 

• Drive to the Western Wall to participate in meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat services as the Jewish Sabbath descends over Jerusalem.  

• Overnight: Jerusalem


Day 10

Saturday, Day at Leisure in Jerusalem

• Day at leisure in Jerusalem – or an optional tour to Masada and the Dead Sea (at additional cost).

• Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 11

Sunday, Departure

• Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your departing flight.

End point

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) (נמל התעופה בן גוריון), Ha-Mamri'im Rd, Central District, Israel

00:00 - 00:00

Terms & Conditions
   All services are booked by CTO Ltd.

Rates

All rates are shown in U.S Dollars (US$).

Rates are valid ONLY for tourists holding a foreign passport, and NOT for Israeli citizens.

A "Tourist" is a person who entered Israel on a foreign passport and his/her passport was stamped with Visa class B1, B2 or B3. All other persons entering Israel including those with dual citizenship, one of which is Israeli, are subject to 17% V.A.T.

Hotel Ratings

Israel does not have an official star rating system for hotels, therefore the hotels featured in our tours are presented as Tourist Class, First Class, Superior Class or Deluxe Class.

For hotel only reservations, the star ratings shown are the approximate equivalent standards of the Israeli tourism market.

Hotel check-in / check-out times

Check in: 14:00 (2:00 P.M.)

Check out: 12:00 (Noon)

Check in on Saturdays and Holidays - 2 hours after sunset.

Reservations

Multi-Day Tours

20% of the total package price will be paid as a deposit at the time of booking (The full amount is required if the booking is made within 6 weeks of the start of services).

The remaining balance is to be paid 6 weeks prior to the start of services. 

Daily Tours

The full amount will be paid at the time of booking.

Hotels

The full amount will be paid at the time of booking.

Once your reservation is completed, you will receive an order confirmation by email. Questions and requests for changes should be made through the contact us form or by e-mail to the company.

Special requests e.g. bed type, non-smoking room, connecting, etc. will be passed on to the relevant supplier, however they are not guaranteed unless specifically confirmed in writing by us.

Please note your name and details may not be registered with the hotel until 7-14 days prior to arrival.

Liability & Responsibility

Since there are no official hotel ratings in Israel, please note that the hotel categories are for indication only.

The Tour Operator acts only as an agent for companies, owners or contractors providing transportation, hotel accommodations or any other services and are not in any way liable for injury, loss, damage, delay or accident. Daily tours may be operated in conjunction with other Israeli tour operators/agents/suppliers.   

On tours, the sequence of the tour, hotels used, and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances.

Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. It is the responsibility of the client to make arrangements for any necessary visas required in advance for entry to countries which are part of the tours.


Cancellation Policy & Fees

Cancellations must be approved by CTO in writing. Unapproved cancellations will be treated as NO SHOWS!

Multi-Day Tour

Up to 14 days prior to the tour departure date – $75 per person administration fee.

Between 14 days until 7 days prior to the tour departure date - 15% of the package rate will be charged.

Between 7 days until 48 hours prior to the tour departure date - 25% of the package rate will be charged.

Less than 48 hours prior to departure - 50% of the rate will be charged.

Day of departure or NO SHOW - 75% of the rate will be charged.


Hotels

There are no refunds for no show or unused services.

Regular Season.
   Services can be cancelled with no penalties up to 3 full working days (Sunday to Thursday) prior to expected start of services.

Cancellations made within 3 working days of check-in are subject to a penalty equal to 1 nights stay.

High & Peak Season: (August, Jewish holidays and Christmas/New Year)
   Services can be cancelled with no penalties up to 14 days prior to expected start of services.

Cancellations made within 14 days of check-in are subject to a penalty of up to 4 nights stay fee.

(For Israeli consumers, cancellation is in accordance with the Israeli Consumer Protection Regulation (2010) and the Israeli Consumer Protection Law (1981))

Tour Details

Accommodation

  • 10 nights hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast basis. 

Transport

  • Sightseeing in a modern air conditioned motor-coach. 

Optional

  • Optional Masada & Dead Sea tour - $120 per person.

Additional Services

  • Assistance at the airport upon arrival.
  • Transfers from/to airport on arrival and departure.
  • Entrance fees to sites on the program.

Additional Services

  • Porterage at airport.
  • Tipping for guide, driver and hotel staff.
  • Beverages with meals.
  • Traveler’s medical baggage insurance.
  • Optional Masada & Dead Sea tour - $120 per person.

Meals

  • Buffet breakfast served in the hotel dining room.
  • 2 dinners in the Galilee are also included.

Guide

  • Service of a Government licensed guide on all touring days. 

Good to know

Currency

ILS

New Israeli Sheqel

Israel

Customer reviews

Overall Rating

5

Itinerary

5

Guide

5

Transport

5

Accommodation

5

Food

4.5

Operator

4.2

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?
You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.
Which payment options are available?
We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.
Can I change or cancel my reservation?
Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.
What documents are required to participate in the tour?
You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.
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