The Holy Land Exploration: An Off the Beaten Path Tour of Israel

What to expect on this itinerary
On this historically imbued 10-day tour of Israel, you will explore the Holy Land from a completely new perspective and will discover its most off-the-beaten-path treasures. Walk through the timeworn streets of Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood, uncover the ancient secrets of the Cave of the Patriarchs, traverse the streets of Israel’s controversial West Bank, and explore Judaism’s mystical Kabbalah a. From elusive blue grottoes in the north to the vast Negev Desert in the south, Israel is full of secrets that are waiting to be uncovered.
Customizable Itinerary
Jerusalem – Explore the Mea Shearim Area
You will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met at baggage claim by your personal driver. Upon arriving at your luxurious accommodation that is ideally situated in the heart of the city, your guide will allow you to settle in and freshen up before meeting you in the lobby when you are ready. From here, you will be transferred to one of Jerusalem’s most unique and oldest neighborhoods: Mea Shearim. Dressing modestly or conservatively is required because Mea Shearim is home to Israel’s ultra-orthodox Jewish sect.
What's Included:
Jerusalem – Visit the Cave of the Patriarchs
Negev – Glamping Beneath the Stars
Eilat – Swim in the Dead Sea
Eilat – Relax at Eilat’s Picturesque Beach
Safed – Discover Mystical Kabbalah
Safed – Tour Haifa’s Baha’i Gardens
Safed – Traverse the Golan Heights
Tel Aviv – Tel Aviv’s Trendiest Neighborhoods
Tel Aviv – Uncover the Secrets of Jaffa
Trip Highlights
- Uncover the secrets of the ultra-religious Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem and taste the centuries-old delicacies that are tucked within its ancient corners
- Venture on the road less traveled as you explore Hebron and visit the illustrious Cave of the Patriarchs in Israel’s West Bank
- Marvel at Masada’s stunning fortress when you watch the sunrise over the glistening Dead Sea
- Delight in a night of pure luxury under a sky of endless stars as you enjoy glamping in the Negev Desert
- Float weightlessly in the waters of the Dead Sea, which will alight all your senses
- Experience the beauty of Ein Gedi’s magnificent waterfalls and admire the Mediterranean charm of Eilat’s gorgeous beaches
- Discover the birthplace of mystical Kabbalah in the Blue City of Safed and visit Rosh Hanikra’s stunning blue grotto
Detailed Description
From the ancient blue streets of Safed to the delightfully trendy boutiques, restaurants, and rooftop terraces of Tel Aviv, Israel exists at the crossroads of modernity and antiquity. You will experience complete weightlessness as you float through the infamous Dead Sea and alight all your senses as you revel in the stunning beauty of Ein Gedi’s magnificent waterfalls. On this 10-day tour through Israel, you will have the opportunity to savor the best of Israel through its most unique and off the beaten path experiences.
Your trip will begin in Jerusalem, where you will enjoy a private guided tour of Mea Shearim, one of the city’s most elusive neighborhoods. Here you will discover the customs of the ultra-religious world while sampling some of the region’s most tantalizing delicacies. Next, you will continue onto the Cave of the Patriarchs in Israel’s fascinating and controversial West Bank, where you will learn of the history and religious significance of this ancient site. Moving south, you will delight in experiencing the vast Negev Desert and the warm and hospitable Bedouin people who inhabit it.
As your tour continues, you will float in the otherworldly Dead Sea and take in the serene beauty of Eilat, Israel’s southernmost point. From there, you will return to the north of the country, where you will uncover the secrets of Judaism’s mystical Kabbalah in Safed, delight in Haifa’s beautiful Baha’i Gardens, and traverse the rugged and alluring Golan Heights. Your trip will end in Tel Aviv, where you will have the opportunity to explore Israel’s most cosmopolitan city, visit the stunning beaches, and meander through the ancient streets of Jaffa. On this comprehensive tour of Israel, prepare to uncover the most unique treasures of the Holy Land.
Starting Price
$5,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 158 reviews
The staff at Zicasso's tour agency were easy to work with. They really listened to what I wanted to achieve on my trip, were flexible, allowed me to voice my opinion, and were very respectful of my budget. The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly, and concerned. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to visit Israel and neighboring countries. They were very professional and personable.
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Our travel agent was very attentive and prompt in helping us plan a trip to Israel. Sadly, we were unable to travel to the country because of the conflict in the region. She informed us of the cancellation while we were on the Nile River with another tour company.
In spite of very poor internet access, our travel agent helped us arrange a trip to Greece instead.
She has been very helpful in securing a refund for the canceled trip.
We highly recommend Zicasso’s company!
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Our organizer made the trip special and safe for us in countries with questionable safety. He was there every time we reached out and did all he could, from picking the best tour guides to ensuring we were comfortable.
We are so glad we did the trip, but cannot believe we visited Israel just before this horrible war.
We have recommended them to friends and family.
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When I contacted Irene to plan my family vacation I had no idea what to really expect when we arrived in Athens. What we received was more than I could have possibly imagined. Irene and Odysseas met us at the airport with hugs and enthusiasm. Every detail of our trip was planned and printed out for us. We were given phones in case we needed to contact them. Everything was explained in detail --before we could think of it, it was already planned! The guides she chose for our excursions were on time, knowledgeable, and gave us the best tours we could have asked for. This was a trip of the lifetime and Irene and her team did not disappoint! When I plan a return trip to Greece, Irene will be the FIRST person I call!
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We had an amazing trip. Kirsty and the travel agency were a joy to work with and made the entire process of planning what was a complicated trip seem effortless. From the very beginning, Kirsty listened to our goals, understood our limitations, and was able to create an incredible itinerary. Even when we had an unexpected life event and had to pivot our trip slightly, she took it in her stride and made the necessary changes without hesitation. Trying to visit three countries in one trip seemed ambitious, but with Kirsty's oversight, it happened.
With the exception of the transfer from the Israeli border to the Jordan border, all were seamless. The people we interacted with through the arrangements made by the travel company were wonderful. We did not have a single negative interaction with any of our drivers, guides, or aides at the transfer points. I would highly recommend this travel company.
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We had a fantastic time exploring Israel with our guide from the travel agency, Nathan! We learned much about Israel's rich history, culture, and people. Our agent expertly planned our trip based on our requests and interests, and each day our itinerary included interesting and thoughtful sites and tours.
We were surprised to find out that Nathan would be with us on each of our guided days since that had not been our experience on other trips. We are so glad that he was. It felt like we were traveling with an old friend who wanted us to have the best time and knew all the best places to take us to, to be sure that we did not miss them. Nathan is an excellent, knowledgeable driver and guide! He is a true Israelite, eager to share his love of Israel, its people, and its history with us. He did so in a warm and inviting manner while also giving us time to explore on our own.
The travel agency helped to arrange each facet of our trip, including our arrival and departure from Israel, which were notably efficient and greatly appreciated.
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