Tel Aviv is one of the most attractive destinations for GLBT tourists, wonderful sunny weather and sandy beaches, interesting architecture and culture, world-class Mediterranean cuisine, and most important, vibrant night life. At every given moment, Tel Aviv has only one goal - having fun. This city is designed to offer everyone the ultimate vacation experience, starting a day off at the Hilton gay beach, a morning brunch at any of the friendly small café's or moving on to a quick shopping spree at one of the central malls, with the best fashion labels and promising young designers. The lunch at either one the fanciest restaurants around, or at a small and hidden bistro, just waiting to dazzle you with the traditional smells and tastes. In the afternoon have a drink at one of the many bars, or enjoy a romantic stroll along Rostchild Blvd. Friendly locals would love to give you directions, and if you're lucky - invite you to a spontaneous roof party, or make sure that you get to the hottest clubs and parties that night. Everyday there’s something new to discover, a new place to go to, a diverse crowd to meet and new sensations to experience. Art galleries, hosting avant-garde shows and exhibits, street fairs commemorating the architecture and the exiting history of the city, and vast (and sometime, wild) festivals, all celebrating the locals imagination. There's something for everyone in the new Gay capital. The Land of Milk and HoneyDAY 01 – ARRIVALArrive Ben Gurion Int’l Airport near Tel Aviv. Meet and greet by Holiday Travel representative and transfer to your Tel Aviv Hotel. After check-in depart for a short walking tour of Neve Zedek, the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the walls of the ancient port of Jaffa and today one of the trendiest areas of Tel Aviv. Stroll the narrow alleys and learn about the origins of the city. We continue to one of the many restaurants for a get together dinner, poured with excellent Israeli wine. Return to the hotel for overnight. DAY 02 – TEL AVIV AND JAFFAJaffa is a place for beginnings, both of many tours of Israel, and in the Bible. Jonah’s journey, Tabitha’s restoration to life, and Peter’s conversion of Gentiles all began here. Thus, Jaffa, Tel Aviv’s “older sister” boasts bountiful biblical history, along with charming lanes, antiquities, quiet churches, galleries and a picturesque fishing port.Tel Aviv hosts a wide range of architectural styles which were influenced by various schools of architecture - among which was the International Bauhaus style. The central portion of Tel Aviv - which is known as “The White City" - contains the largest group of buildings in the world built in the International Bauhaus style. For this reason the White City has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The afternoon is free for self-exploration. If the weather permits enjoy sunbathing in one of the many beaches of Tel Aviv. The beach in front of the Hilton Hotel is known for its gay crowd. Or maybe sometime for shopping? Many of the most renowned world-class boutiques are located around the “Kikar HaMedina” (The State Square), or Sheinkin St, Tel Aviv’s Soho. Tel Aviv is known as one of the world's finest and friendliest GLBT travel destinations. The vibrant scene is alive year-round, with dazzling nightlife, hip restaurants, stylish boutiques, and busy streets hopping with clubs and cafés: perfect for people who love to get out and about. Tonight take an optional tour exploring the vibrant nightlife of the city. DAY 03 – THE DEAD SEAToday we drive to the lowest point on Earth: The Dead Sea. Approximately 417 meters below Sea Level, the Dead Sea is known for its healing power. This is because of many minerals that it consists of, and a salinity of 340 milligrams per liter which is 10 times higher than the sea! Start with a visit to the Fortress of Masada, built on an inexpugnable plateau by King Herods the Great. Masada became a symbol as the last stronghold of the Jews in their revolt against the Romans after the destruction of the Second Temple. Ten enjoy the afternoon in one of the hotels in the area, and enjoy a relaxing and pampering day in the spa or the private beach. Among the most recommended treatments get wrapped in the famous black mud, which constitutes an ideal basis for health and beauty treatments. In the afternoon return to Tel Aviv for overnight. DAY 04 – JERUSALEM, ETERNAL CITYToday we drive by the Judean Hills en route to Jerusalem. The Holy City of the three Monotheists Religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem is a city of overwhelming emotions, a city that promises a religious and spiritual experience, excitement and pleasure, interesting tours and entertaining adventures. We will enter the Walled Old City by one of the ancient gates, which were built ca. 1535 by Ottoman Suleiman I. We will walk by the restored Roman Cardo and see a paved street from Roman times. We will then continue to the Western Wall. The Western Wall is the last remnant of the Second Temple of the Jewish People and their most sacred place. The Via Dolorosa is next, the path Jesus followed on His way to the crucifixion. We will see along the way the Stations and finally arrived to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site believed to be the site of the crucifixion. After free time in the colorful Arab Bazaar, we continue to the “Machane Yehuda” market, Jerusalem’s heart and probably the most vibrant and varied in Israel. We will explore as well the surrounding area, one of Jerusalem’s oldest neighborhoods and on the way get to taste olives and olive oil, great goat cheeses, hummus and more. Have a light lunch and then walk by down town Jerusalem to the Mamilla Avenue. The site busts shops and boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, and has become the heart of Jerusalem and a result of exceptional renovation and conservation work led by world famous architect Moshe Safdie. We end the day atop of the luxurious and world acclaimed Mamilla Hotel for an overview of the city and an excellent espresso! In the evening return to Tel Aviv for overnight. DAY 05 – TEL AVIV, THE CITY THAT NEVER STOPSToday enjoy a day at leisure in Tel Aviv. It’s an excellent opportunity to visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, one of Israel's leading artistic and cultural institutions. The Museum holds a comprehensive collection of local art from the beginning of the 20th century to the present among other departments. Also worth paying a visit the Design Museum Holon near Tel Aviv. Opened in 2010 and designed by Ron Arad, its amazing design manages, intriguingly, to be both rational and a bravura piece of architecture. If you’re into biking you can take advantage of the new “Telofan” bikes system of Tel Aviv. Like in many cities around the world the stations are well spread, enjoy Tel Aviv’s promenade. DAY 06 – DEPARTUREToday we transfer to the airport for your departure flight. You may wish to extend your stay in Tel Aviv for relax, or you can take one of the many day tours available for further explore the Land of Milk and Honey!
