Discover the Flavors of Israel: 9-Day Culinary Tour

Ancient history blends with modern amenities, a historic atmosphere mixes with glamorous ambiance, and cultural charms contend for the attention of travelers that pass through the capital of Israel, Jerusalem. You will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, meet your transfer, and be whisked away to accommodation in the center of the city’s spirited activity. Today will provide an opportunity to acclimate to your new surroundings and admire the history, cultural diversity, and scenery from colorful neighborhoods around town. In the evening, you will try the local flavors at humming markets as the sunset brings your first day to an end.

Sunrise will beckon in a new day, and you can eagerly anticipate your culinary discoveries. Your guide will show you to the Tayelet Haas Promenade overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. You will wander the stoned pathways down cobbled steps past lush lawns leading to the ancient limestone Western Wall. Your expedition will continue to the Old City’s cultural quarters, where you will peruse the processional route of Via Dolorosa Street to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the colorful Arab Markets for a taste of authentic Israeli cuisine.

This morning will bring with it the possibility of immersing yourself in Jerusalem’s trying history at the dramatic Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum. The museum’s evocative exhibits remember the Jewish people who fought the Nazis and offer insight into Israel’s traumatic history. You will follow up your tour through time at the Israel Museum and home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Shrine of the Book. In the afternoon, you will head to the Shuk Machane Yehuda market with a professional chef to browse fragrant spice stalls and fresh produce that will be used to create tonight’s tantalizing Israeli dinner.

You will leave after breakfast, making a stop in the Judean Desert surrounding Jerusalem to enjoy a camel ride across the sand valleys. You will plod across the sweeping arid plains to a home inside a nearby village and try your hand at preparing traditional Arabian pita bread. Your journey across the desert will continue afterward, and you will admire the Judean Desert scenery as you cross the Jordan Valley into Galilee. En route, you will visit the ancient Beit Alfa Synagogue to view the astonishing preserved mosaics, the Roman city of Beit She'an, and the Sea of Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee will backdrop your first morning here as you watch the sunrise from your balcony with a freshly brewed beverage in hand. You will join your guide after breakfast for a Jeep tour along the foothills of the Golan Heights. Druze villages, independent religious ethnic Arab communities, straddle the vast region, and you will be invited to indulge in authentic Druze cuisine with a local family as you pass through. Your guide will then take you to strategic positions on the Golan Heights, a nature reserve where wildlife thrives, and a winery for cheese and wine tasting.

Your travels this morning will take you from the Sea of Galilee to the Crusader city of Acre, where a network of underground tunnels and the elaborate Knight’s Hall will showcase a world lost to time. You will admire the impressive stone architecture, historic weaponry exhibits, and Crusader banners with notable sigils. You will then explore the flavors of old as you relish a culinary tour of Acre’s historical dishes before you continue to the breathtaking Hanging Gardens of Haifa. One last stop at Caesarea will highlight more Roman and Crusader history within Israel before you arrive at Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is a glamorous Israeli city on the Mediterranean seaboard that will invite you to seduce your senses during exciting experiences in and around the port. Today, you will wander Rothschild Boulevard to the Independence Trail and delve into the birth of the State of Israel as written in the history books. The storied exhibits of the Palmach Museum and mouthwatering foods found at the stalls of the Jaffa Flea Market will feature on this exquisite day tour of the best of Tel Aviv.

Your local food expert will meet you this morning after breakfast for a delicious taste bud tour of Tel Aviv’s quintessential treats, starting with the Carmel Food Market. You will explore the culinary history of Tel Aviv through spices, fresh produce, and unique cooking techniques. Watch closely while the chefs prepare intricate dishes as you will have an opportunity to cook authentic Israeli cuisine yourself, such as falafel, hummus, and Israeli salad. You will indulge in the food that you prepare as you toast your culinary expertise and then conclude your day with a tour of the graffiti of Florentin.

You will spend your last morning in Israel reveling in the time you have remaining to explore Tel Aviv after breakfast. You may wander along the promenade and appreciate the views of the Mediterranean seashore and sparkling sands of Aviv Beach, explore architectural areas that showcase century-old designs, browse bustling markets for delicious delicacies, or relax in the comfort of your accommodation’s swimming pool. You will toast to an unforgettable culinary adventure in Israel as Tel Aviv comes to life. You will transfer to the airport having tasted the best regional treats and made stunning memories.