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    with Oded Shakked of Longboard Vineyards

Overview

 

Join us on an authentic wine and culinary “MASA” (Hebrew word for journey) discovering the very best of Israel through the eyes of an expert, Oded Shakked of Longboard Vineyards.  A walking melting pot, Oded was born in Israel and has lived and worked (and surfed) on four continents before settling down in Sonoma County, California.  Oded has personally crafted this 10-day itinerary and he’s excited to introduce you to his home country during this intimate and heart-felt journey.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Excursion to the ancient port of Jaffa and whisky distillery tour
  • Tour of Tel Aviv and the Levinsky Market with tastings of local delicacies
  • Multiple winery tours with tastings, hand-selected by Oded Shakked
  • Visit to Roman Amphitheater and Crusader Fortress in Caesarea
  • Tour a local herb and spice market with an interactive spice workshop
  • Excursion to Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation plus a culinary tour & tasting of local products
  • Visit to Safed, city of Kabbalah and dairy farm visit
  • See the ancient city of Bet She’an with its fine Roman and  Byzantine relics
  • Cable car ride to the cliff-top Fortress of Masada
  • Free time at a resort in The Dead Sea to experience the buoyancy of the heavy saltwater
  • Excursion to Jerusalem historical sites, guided old city tour and Machane Yehuda Market
  • Discover Yad Vashem; The Israel Museum & Bethlehem
  • Visit the historic wine region in Judean Hills with wine tastings
  • Evening sound and light show  at the Tower of David

 

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Experts

Oded Shakked

Itinerary

 

Destination: Israel
From/To: Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
Dates: May 21 – 31, 2022
Length: 10 Nights

May 21
2022
Tel Aviv

Upon independent arrival into Tel Aviv, a group transfer is provided to your hotel. Get acquainted with your fellow travelers and your host Oded Shakked, at a special welcome dinner.  “Dinner from the Movies” will be lead by a renowned sommelier who will supply explanations about the wines served and stories about the food scene in Tel Aviv.  During the evening, every few minutes a scene from a movie that involves food will be projected on a large screen; afterwards you will be served a dish from this scene.
May 22
2022
Tel Aviv & Jaffa

Join your guide today for a visit to Jaffa and walk through the beautifully restored ancient port, where medieval pilgrims started their strenuous 2-day trek to Jerusalem.  Visit Milk & Honey (a whiskey distillery) for a taste of Israel spirits.  Return to Tel Aviv and get to know the true local spirit with a guided tour of Levinsky Market, including tastings of local delicacies.  The magic of this marketplace lies in its many legendary tales of culinary growth and discovery.  Dinner featuring local specialties is included tonight.
May 23
2022
Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Acre, Haifa & Galilee Area

Depart today for Vitkin Boutique Winery, a family owned boutique winery, considered one of the finest in the Israeli wine industry.  Since 2002 the winery produces quality wine from varieties such as Carignan, Cabernet Franc and Petite Syrah, which were varieties that did not merit any attention from the local wine industry.  Continue to Caesarea to visit  the Roman Amphitheater and the impressive Crusader Fortress and admire Herod’s stadium and harbor.  Then we visit Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Acre became the capital of the Crusader kingdom after its conquest by Richard the Lionheart.  Tour its immense underground with its secret passageways and the vaulted crypt of the Kings of St. John.  Next to Haifa, a city with a long history dating back to biblical times, and enjoy a visit to the golden-domed Baha’ i Shrine.  Enjoy a wine tasting at Margalit Winery.  Arrive at the Galilee hotel where dinner is included.
May 24
2022
Galilee Area

Start the day with a visit to a local herb and spice farm where you’ll enjoy an interactive workshop and learn about different spice mixes from 5 famous kitchens (Middle East, Moroccan, Egyptian, Indian and Oriental) as you hear funny anecdotes and stories from the different kitchens.  Next enjoy an authentic Druze lunch, in the afternoon drive to the Pelter Winery for a tour and tasting.  This winery is renowned for introducing the Australian concept and attitude toward wine to the Israeli wine market.  Enjoy dinner at Chef’s Restaurant tonight.
May 25
2022
Galilee Area & Excursion to Nazareth

Drive to Nazareth to visit the towering cupola of the Church of the Annunciation which stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home of the Virgin Mary.  Next, enjoy a culinary tour of Nazareth that will include tasting of typical local products.  Find the hidden gems that make this city unique and learn all about the Arabic cuisine.  Dinner at the hotel restaurant is included tonight.
May 26
2022
Galilee Area, Safed, Bet She'an & Jerusalem

Visit Safed, city of Kabbalah known for its special artists’ studios and beautiful synagogues.  Next head to Ein Camonim Dairy Farm for a visit and dairy lunch featuring local specialties.  Drive via the Sea of Galilee and stop at the ancient city of Bet She’an with its fine Roman and Byzantine relics.  Stop for wine tasting at Chateau Golan, then head south for a visit and wine tasting at Domaine du Castel Winery in Yad HaShmona.  On the way to Jerusalem, stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Old City.  Dinner tonight is at the hotel.
May 27
2022
Jerusalem, Excursion to Masada & Dead Sea

Drive through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth.  Enjoy the scenery as you follow the road between the salty waters and majestic desert mountains.  Ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada, and hear how 960 Jewish rebels made their last stand against Roman forces.  Continue to one of the comfortable Dead Sea resorts for free time to experience the incredible buoyancy in the heavy saltwater and receive a salt scrub gift.  Visit the Yatir Winery, located in the southern tip of the Judean Hills, for a tasting. Then its back to Jerusalem.  Cap off this evening with a dinner of authentic Middle Eastern specialties and drinks at a local restaurant
May 28
2022
Jerusalem & Excursion to Old City

Visit the Garden Tomb and after a stunning view of the city from the revered Mount of Olives, start your guided walking tour.  See Chapel of Dominus Flevit, designed in the shape of a teardrop to symbolize the tears of Christ, and arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night before his arrest.  Nearby are the Cave of the Assumption of Mary, believed to be the Virgin Mary’s tomb; and the Cave of Betrayal, where Judas betrayed Jesus.  Follow the Via Dolorosa with its Stations of the Cross, marketing the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.

In Golgotha, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, erected on the site of the crucifixion and which houses the remaining five Stations of the Cross.  Continue to the Western Wall, the only remnant of the Second Temple.  See the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, whihc are sacred to both the Jewish and Muslim people.  Stroll through the restored Jewish Quarter to Mount Zion and visit the Upper Room, where Jesus and his disciples had the last supper; and visit the Tomb of King David.  Return to Jerusalem and enjoy the evening at leisure.
May 29
2022
Jerusalem, Excursion to Yad Vashem, The Israel Museum & Bethlehem

Visit Yad Vashem, the “World Holocaust Remembrance Center” then continue to the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book and the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as a scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ.  Proceed to Bethlehem and see Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus.  Also visit the Church of the Nativity, which stands on the site where Jesus was born.
May 30
2022
Jerusalem

Join your guide for a food tour in the old city of Jerusalem.  Visit the Machane Yehuda Market, with over 250 vendors.  Experience the fascinating sounds, sights and smells as you enjoy tastings of some local products.

In the afternoon join your wine expert and head out to the Judean Hills, the historic wine region in Biblical times, which is today considered on of Israel’s finest quality wine growing regions.  Enjoy tastings at Tzora Vineyards and Sphera Winery.  Tonight experience the story of Jerusalem at an impressive sound and light show at the Tower of David, an ancient citadel near the entrance to Jerusalem’s Old Town.  Oded hosts a special farewell dinner tonight.
May 31
2022
Jerusalem & Tel Aviv

Your tour ends today.  Bid a fond farewell to fellow travelers and new-found friends.  A transfer is provided to the Tel Aviv airport for your independent flight home.