FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS
Classic Israel
A bit of everything, in the right order: the coast, the Galilee, the desert, and Jerusalem at the end: balanced, unhurried, and planned around you.
FIRST TIME IN ISRAEL
Small country. Enormous first trip.
Israel is smaller than New Jersey, and somehow holds Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, a Mediterranean coastline, two deserts, the lowest point on earth and the best breakfast culture you will ever meet. The good news: with a private guide and vehicle, one trip really can hold it all, without feeling like a race.
The classic first journey runs seven to ten days. It bends easily (more faith, more food, more hiking, more beach) but its skeleton has been polished by twenty years of travelers telling us what made their trip feel whole.
THE SHAPE OF THE TRIP
Nine days, the classic way
Old Jaffa, the Carmel Market, Bauhaus boulevards, Independence Hall, and an evening on the beach promenade. A soft landing, with your feet in the sea.
Caesarea’s Roman harbor, the Baha’i Gardens over Haifa, and Akko’s underground Crusader city, then north to the Galilee.
The Sea of Galilee’s holy shoreline, Tzfat’s blue lanes, a Golan lookout and a family winery.
Beit She’an’s Roman streets, the mosaic synagogue of Beit Alpha, a swim at Gan HaShlosha, and on to the Dead Sea for sunset.
The cliff-top fortress at first light, En Gedi’s waterfalls, and the famous float, then up to Jerusalem.
The Mount of Olives, the Old City’s four quarters, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The City of David, the Israel Museum, Machane Yehuda for lunch, and a last evening walk when the stone turns gold.
Have more time? Add two or three days in the Negev and at the Ramon Crater. Have seven? We trim with a scalpel, not an axe: the trip stays whole.
WHAT TRAVELERS SAY
In their own words
“Dina Horn is an incredible professional guide with many years of experience. [...] My husband and I spent 10 days with her and we enjoyed every minute. We feel like we've made a very dear friend.”
“Thank you Dina for an amazing private guide experience for our first time in Israel. [...] Dina was also great with my two young kids (ages 6 and 7) and kept them entertained, engaged and informed.”
“I contacted Dina about setting up a personalized tour for me of Israel for 5 days. She is the best! Wow, I saw so much of Israel, it was incredible! [...] It was an experience and trip that I will never forget!”
Excerpts from TripAdvisor reviews, word for word; [...] marks text left out. The reviews are from 2015 to 2020 and mostly describe tours guided by our founder, Dina Horn. Ofir has guided alongside her for 17 years.
START YOUR ITINERARY
Tell us about your first trip
A few lines are enough. No commitment. You’ll hear back personally, usually within a day.
“My husband and I spent 10 days with her and we enjoyed every minute. We feel like we’ve made a very dear friend.”
What happens next
1 · We write back with a few short questions.
2 · You receive a proposed day-by-day plan.
3 · We shape it together until it feels right.