Israel Solidarity Tour
FINALLY it's here, after so many requests: a unique opporunity to travel Israel with me! You probably know how on Instagram I always speak about 'exploring the real Israel' and what better way than in this 8-day round tour of the REAL Israel! Together, we'll explore all the best Israel has to offer, volunteer to support the country during this time & meet with inspiring locals. The entire tour is created to help support local business owners, like a wine tasting in Tel Aviv with wineries from the Golan Heights whose vineyards burned down due to rockets from Hezbollah, or an art workshop with a woman whose gallery was destroyed on October 7 in Kfar Aza. Yes, this trip is about solidarity - but it's not your average solidarity tour.
Keywords this trip are CONNECT & INSPIRE.
What better way to support Israel than by visiting, especially now! Because of the security situation we will only visit safe & quiet areas, because safety first :)
TOUR DATE: 1-9 NOVEMBER, 2024
(*second possible date: mid December 2024)
For whom is the tour suitable?
The tour is suitable for all women over the age of 21. We'll be a group of 15-25 adults and you're most welcome to book as solo traveler or with a small group. The idea of the tour though is that everyone from all cultures & backgrounds can join and connect to fellow Israel-lovers! The tour is kosher friendly and we'll have Shabbat dinner, but if you keep Shabbat you can join - but on Shabbat we do have a day program for those not keeping Shabbat.
How long is the tour?
The tour starts on November 1st, 2024 in the evening and ends on November 9th in the morning.
What is the itinerary?
DAY ONE (Nov 1, 2024)
- Welcome to Israel! Check in to Market House Hotel in Jaffa & getting to know each other
- Shabbat dinner with lone IDF soldiers in local restaurant
DAY TWO (Nov 2, 2024)
- Breakfast & meet your guide for the tour!
- Visit the inspiring Healing Village for PTSD and war-related trauma in Rishpon
- Lunch with Galileat where you'll explore the fabulous Druze & Arab flavors of the Middle East
- Explore Caesarea National Park, one of Israel's most significant and beautiful places
- Dinner at local restaurant in Tel Aviv
- Wine & Cheese in Tel Aviv with wineries from the north who have been affected since the start of the war
What is the itinerary?
DAY THREE (Nov 3, 2024)
- Volunteer morning in Tel Aviv for soldiers and evacuees, to support the farmers of the communities bordering Gaza
- Tour of Tel Aviv, including Old Jaffa & Carmel Market
- Workshop at Eureka in Jaffa
- Meet an inspiring Israeli wonder woman at dinner!
DAY FOUR (Nov 4, 2024)
- Day in 'the south': start with preparing sandwiches for soldiers (they're so happy with something so simple as a sandwich when in active duty!)
- Art workshop with local gallery owner in Kfar Aza and learn her inspiring story
- Picnic lunch & meet an inspiring Nova Survivor in Re'im, visit the Nova Site and learn her empowering story
- Drive to Jerusalem and check in at Bezalel Hotel
- Dinner at local restaurant in Jerusalem
What is the itinerary?
DAY FIVE (Nov 5, 2024)
- Tour of Jerusalem: visit the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Western Wall Tunnels and other Old City highlights. We'll visit hidden gems too of course :)
- Lunch & dinner at local restaurants in Jerusalem
DAY SIX (Nov 6, 2024)
- Day at the Dead Sea: tour Ein Gedi, Masada, float in the Dead Sea & we'll do the Tales of Israel photoshoot at the Dead Sea!
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Drive to Mitzpe Ramon and check in to Adama Hotel
- Dinner at local restaurant in Mitzpe Ramon
What is the itinerary?
DAY SEVEN (Nov 7, 2024)
- Tour of the Negev: Jeep tour of the fabulous Ramon Crater, visit Bedouins and learn about their ancient way of living in the Middle East, wine & cheese at a local winery in the middle of the desert
- Lunch & dinner at local restaurants in the Negev
- Stargazing evening in the desert
DAY EIGHT (Nov 8, 2024)
- Day at the Gaza envelope: meet an inspiring local who created Rockets & Roses, turning Hamas rockets into jewelry!
- Visit the famous 'laundry truck' and help with doing laundry for the local soldiers. Something as basic as clean clothes makes them SO happy :)
- Drive to Tel Aviv and check in at Market House Hotel
- Closing evening of the tour: Shabbat dinner at local restaurant in Tel Aviv
What is included in the tour?
- Hotel accommodation from November 1-9 on base of double occupancy (you'll share a room with someone). Hotels are all comfortable, midrange boutique hotels with great breakfast. No budget hotels or hostels.
- The tour is fully guided & transportation is of course included.
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary are included, which is three meals a day from dinner on November 1st to breakfast on November 9th. Do you have any dietary preferences, like vegetarian/vegan or gluten free? Let us know in the booking form!
Flights & insurance are not included! Insurance is mandatory though.
How much is the tour?
with 24 participants: 4599 USD
with 20 participants: 5077 USD
with 16 participants: 5793 USD
Price is depending on how many participants sign up before August 30, 2024. Final price will be between 4599 & 5793 mentioned here.
How does payment work?
After we've received your booking form, we will contact you ASAP on the email address provided. A deposit of 30% of the final price must be paid to secure your spot and full payment must be made within 60 days prior to arrival.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation prior to 75 days, the cancellation fee is 30% of trip cost. between 75-61 days prior to arrival, cancellation fee is 40% of trip cost. between 61-45 days prior to arrival, cancellation fee is 50% of trip cost. between 44-31 days prior to arrival, cancellation fee is 60% of trip cost. between 30-15 days prior to arrival, cancellation fee is 70% of trip cost. 14 days or less, 100% cancellation fee
In case of postponement we will do our best to get some of the amounts paid to be used as credit for future trips up to 12 months, but cannot be refunded unless agreed otherwise.
Who is Puzzle Travels?
I personally choose Puzzle Travels as concierge of this tour, because organizing such round tours is their expertise! It's an amazing Israeli company with a base in the US too. You can read more about them here.