Itinerary · 7 days · Mixed

Classic Israel: a week across the country

Seven days from the Mediterranean coast to the desert, taking in the ancient land together with its modern story.

The Knesset Menorah in Jerusalem, the emblem of the State of Israel

The shape of the trip

This is a classic first week in Israel: seven days that take in the whole country, from the Mediterranean coast to the desert, and from the modern state to the thousands of years of history.

It’s really important for me to emphasise that this is here for inspiration, not to be a fixed package. It’s something like an average of the classic weeks I’ve guided, but none of those trips look exactly like it, because I custom-build each visit from scratch around you. Tell me what matters most and we’ll shape your own week from there.

We spend the first half based around Tel Aviv, working up the coast and into the Galilee, then move to Jerusalem for the second half, with the Old City, the West Bank, the Dead Sea and the country’s places of memory.

Day by day

Day 01 · TEL AVIV

Jaffa and Tel Aviv

We ease into the trip in the old port of Jaffa, exploring its winding alleys and remarkable legends, then cross into Tel Aviv in the afternoon for the Bauhaus boulevards and the energy of Israel’s first modern city. A morning of ancient stories, an afternoon of the new.

Tales of Jaffa → Tel Aviv: a city of visions →
Day 02 · NORTH

Caesarea, Haifa and Akko

We travel north up the coast through layer after layer of history: Herod’s great Roman port at Caesarea, a view over the Bahá’í Gardens above Haifa, and the Crusader fortress of Akko.

The northern coast →
Day 03 · NORTH

The Galilee — your choice of focus

A day in the green north, customized based on your interests: a Christian day in the footsteps of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee, or a Jewish day tracing Judaism through the ages, from the mosaics of Tzippori to mystical Tzfat.

In the footsteps of Jesus → Judaism through the ages →
Day 04 · JERUSALEM

Jerusalem: the Old City

Into the walled Old City and the heart of three faiths: the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount and the life of the four quarters.

Pilgrimage in the Old City →
Day 05 · THE WEST BANK

Bethlehem and Jericho

Across into the West Bank for the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the ancient oasis of Jericho, one of the oldest cities on earth. I arrange this day with a trusted Palestinian tour guide.

Bethlehem and Jericho →
Day 06 · SOUTH

Masada and the Dead Sea

Down to the lowest place on earth: the cable car up to Herod’s clifftop fortress at Masada, the story of its last stand, and a float in the Dead Sea.

Desert discovery →
Day 07 · JERUSALEM

Memory in Jerusalem

A reflective final day on how modern Israel remembers, at Yad Vashem and on Mt Herzl, with time in the Machane Yehuda market and at the Israel Museum before you head home.

Memory in Jerusalem →

Who it’s for

This is for first-time visitors who want to see Israel’s biggest traditional highlights in a week. It moves at a fair pace but never a rushed one, and it adapts to your interests, your faith background and how active you want to be.

FAQ

Will our trip look exactly like this?

No, and that’s the point. Think of this as inspiration: it’s something like an average of the classic weeks I’ve guided, but I custom-build every itinerary around you, so no two ever look exactly alike. We use it as a starting point and shape your own week from there.

Can we make it shorter or longer?

Easily. Tell me how long you have, what your interests are, and I’ll shape the route to fit.

Where do we stay?

The simplest is two bases: a few nights around Tel Aviv for the coast and the Galilee, then Jerusalem for the second half.

I’m happy to advise on hotels to suit your style and budget, and we can add a night in the Galilee if you’d rather not double back.

When is the best time to come?

Spring and autumn are ideal, with comfortable weather across the whole country.

Summer is hot, especially in the desert, so we start early and plan around the heat; winter is mild and green, with the odd rainy day. The week works year-round.

Can we change the focus of a day?

Yes, that’s the whole idea. The Galilee day comes with a Christian or a Jewish focus, and every day adapts to your interests and faith background. If there’s something you particularly want to see, we work it in.