ULTIMATE ITALY ISRAEL DISCOVERY

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for this experience. The actual program will vary. An updated itinerary, including confirmed accommodations, is distributed three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY #1 | Let’s Fly Away

• Meet at airport in departure city
• Orientation and meeting the group
• Depart on our group flight to Italy

Overnight: Departure Flight

DAY #2 | Making Memories in Milan

• Arrive at Italy’s Milan Airport in the morning and meet your local staff
• Walking tour of Milan—ice breakers and orientation
• Photo stop at Sforza Castle and head to Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), admiring the historic monuments along the way

Overnight: Milan

DAY #3 | Venice’s Ghetto Origins

• Depart for Venice
• Stop to swoon under the balcony of “Juliet’s House” in Verona
• Say goodbye to the bus and enter the water-filled streets of Venice
• Learn about the Venetian history of the word “ghetto” at the Jewish Museum
• Wander through the historic Jewish Quarter and navigate Venice via traditional gondolas

Overnight: Venice

DAY #4 | The Waterways of Venice

• Set sail for the islands of Murano and Burano
• Experience a traditional Venetian glass-making factory
• Travel to Lido Island and enjoy beach time and swimming in the Adriatic Sea
• Return to the main island of Venice and prepare for Shabbat
• Attend Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Spanish Synagogue in the Venice Ghetto
• Learn about the contemporary Jewish community of Venice over a traditional Shabbat dinner

Overnight: Venice

DAY #5 | Shabbat in Venice

• Staff-led Shabbat morning program and lunch with the Jewish community
• Venice on foot—explore Piazza San Marco, including the Basilica and Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)
• Group night out in the town in Venice

Overnight: Venice

DAY #6 | Rafting in Slovenia

• Depart Venice in the morning and set off for the Slovenian backcountry
• White water rafting down the Soča—one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers
• Travel through the Slovenian mountains to Kranjska Gora deep in the Slovenian mountains

Overnight: Kranjska Gora

DAY #7 | Adventures in the Backcountry

• Take a boat ride to tiny Bled Island in the middle of the crystal blue lake
• Make a wish—ring the island’s legendary wishing bell
• Visit Ljubljana—Slovenia’s capital—and take in the views from a castle towering over the city
• Test out your problem-solving skills as you decipher codes in an Escape Room

Overnight: Ljubljana

DAY #8 | The Italian Countryside

• Cool off navigating underground through the Postojna cave system
• Cross back into Italy and travel towards Florence via the Tuscan countryside
• Stop in Bologna to explore the city
• Arrive in the Florence region

Overnight: Florence

DAY #9 | Andiamo a Firenze

• Explore Florence—the Duomo, Piazza San Lorenzo, and the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
• Climb to the top of Giotto’s Campanile Tower for a stunning panoramic view of Florence
• The Art of Florence—view Michelangelo’s David Statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia
• Tour the Great Synagogue—one of the world’s most beautiful synagogues
• Depart to Montecatini

Overnight: Montecatini

DAY #10 | Stealing a Pisa Your Heart

• Travel to Pisa—climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and explore the Square of Miracles
• Travel south along the coast towards Rome
• Get oriented to the seven hills of Rome from Palatine Hill
• Recount the legend of Romulus and Remus—the founding story of Rome
• Channel your inner warrior as you take part in a “Gladiator for a Day” training

Overnight: Rome

DAY #11 | The Ancient Empire of Rome

• Walk in the footsteps of the Roman Empire at the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum
• Explore Vatican City in the heart of Rome—see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel
• Stand beside the massive Arch of Titus and view a depiction of the Temple Menorah that is believed to have been carried off to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE
• Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner at the Oratorio Di Castro Synagogue

Overnight: Rome

DAY #12 | Shabbat in Rome

• Staff-led Shabbat programming and lunch
• Walking tour of Rome’s Jewish Quarter—the oldest continually settled Jewish community outside Israel
• Continue exploring Rome on foot—stop at the Pantheon Temple and Fontana di Trevi

Overnight: Rome

DAY #13 | What’s Not to Lava?

• Guided tour of Pompeii—the preserved ancient Roman city
• Drive up to Mt. Vesuvius and peer into the volcano’s crater
• Dinner in Rome

Overnight: Rome

DAY #14 | Arrivederci, Italy! Shalom, Israel!

• Travel to Tivoli—the ancient hilltop resort town of the Roman Empire
• Relaxed beach time in the afternoon
• Return to Rome in the evening for a final dinner party and group session

• Head to the airport for group flight to Israel
• Arrive at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #15 | Baruch Habah—Welcome to Israel!

• Spend the afternoon resting and reminiscing about your trip to Italy
• Shehecheyanu—Welcome to Israel blessing and ceremony overlooking the unique topography of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
• Check in, dinner, and orientation at our accommodations in the Jerusalem region

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #16 | Foundations of Jewish History in Jerusalem 

• Walk the Rampart Walls of the Old City from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate
• Enter the Old City at Zion Gate and explore the ancient neighborhoods of the Jewish Quarter
• Free time to explore and shop in the Jewish Quarter, including a pizur lunch

• Reflections at the Kotel—the Western Wall—and explore the Western Wall Tunnels

• City of David Excavations—discover the foundations of Jerusalem dating back to King David's time—then cool off in the spring-fed Hezekiah's Tunnel below Jerusalem

Overnight: Jerusalem

Day #17 | Forming a Traveling Community

• Morning hike in the Jerusalem foothills and outdoor leadership group-bonding workshop
• Head north to the Galilee along the Mediterranean Coast, stopping for a picnic-style lunch at Caesarea Aqueduct Beach
• Tour of the Caesarea archeological complex—Herod's Roman amphitheater and grand palace

• Continue north, stopping to view the Kinneret—or Sea of Galilee—along the way

• Arrive at our country accommodations and prepare for our community Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner experience at our accommodations

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #18 | Shabbat by the Beach

• Staff-led Shabbat programming and group lunch at our accommodations
• Enjoy a relaxed Shabbat
• Dinner at our accommodations, followed by Havdalah
• Cruise on the Sea of Galilee followed by a group night out in Tiberias

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #19 | Mystics of the Galilee

• Ancient Tsfat—explore the historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
• Meet with Kabbalistic artists, with free time to browse the Tsfat artists' colony
• Hike to the waterfalls of the Banias Nature Reserve in Israel's upper Galilee region
• Cool off rafting down the upper Jordan River followed by a fresh-cooked pizza dinner

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #20 | Perspectives From the Golan Heights

• Get wet hiking down Nahal Jilaboun Canyon in the Golan Heights
• Explore the history and terrain of the Golan Heights on an off-road jeep tour
• View Israel's neighbors and navigate former IDF bunkers at the summit of Mt. Bental
• Encounter with Druze culture and share a traditional meal in the Golan village of Ein Kinya

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #21 | Valuing Israeli Diversity

• Co-existence dialogue with Arab teens facilitated by the Galilee Foundation

• Travel to Nazareth—the center of Israel's Christian-Arab community—to tour the Basilica of the Annunciation, explore the central market of Nazareth, and meet with a community leader
• Continue west to Haifa—Israel's most diverse city—for a visit to the Bahai Temple Gardens

• Israeli dance activity at our accommodations

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #22 | Adventures in the Western Galilee

• Rosh HaNikra—descend into the ocean-swept caves on Israel's far northern border
• Explore the ancient seaport of Akko and its Crusader-era history, including the Templars’ Tunnels
• Surfing class, beach time, and BBQ dinner on the Mediterranean Coast

Overnight: Galilee

DAY #23 | Celebrating the Spirit of Tel Aviv

• Travel to Tel Aviv—Israel's cultural and commercial capital
• Volunteer at the Jaffa Institute—an innovative charity dedicated to combating poverty in one of Israel's most diverse communities
• Take in the views from the ancient port city of Jaffa and browse the colorful Jaffa flea market
• Port-to-port bicycle tour of Tel Aviv from the ancient Jaffa Seaport to the modern Tel Aviv Port
• Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal while learning about the cultural and historical experience of Ethiopian-Israelis
• Check in to our accommodations in Tel Aviv

Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY #24 | Resilience and Adaptation

• Machon Ayalon—honor the bravery of the pioneers who helped establish modern Israel at this secret underground munitions facility
• Dialogue in the dark—experience the world with new senses at the Holon Children's Museum

• Visit Netiv HaAsara—on the frontier of Gaza—and take part in a peace project on the border wall

• Afternoon beach time along the Mediterranean Coast
• Return to our accommodations and prepare for Shabbat with a musical pre-Shabbat experience

Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY #25 | Shabbat in Tel Aviv

• Staff-led Shabbat programming and lunch at our accommodations
• Enjoy a relaxed Shabbat
• Dinner at our accommodations, followed by Havdalah
• Evening Israeli martial arts workshop at our accommodations

Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY #26 | Transitioning to the Desert

• View the Ella Valley from Tel Azekah—the famous site of David's battle with Goliath
• Dig-for-a-Day Archaeological Seminar at Beit Guvrin National Park and explore the Bell Caves
• Explore the world's largest erosion crater at the Ramon Crater Visitor Center
• Continue south to the Arava Valley and check in to our desert kibbutz accommodations
• BBQ dinner and pool time on the kibbutz

Overnight: Arava Valley

DAY #27 | The Red Sea and Israel's Southern Borders 

• Scale the Kasui sand dunes in the Arava Valley
• View of the Red Sea and Israel's border with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia
• Arrive to Eilat—guided snorkeling in the Red Sea at Coral Beach National Park
• Beach time and adventure water sports on the Red Sea
• Dinner at our accommodations, followed by a guided desert stargazing experience led by a professional astronomer

Overnight: Arava Valley

DAY #28 | Making the Desert Bloom

• Kibbutz workshop—learn how Israel thrives in the desert and protects its ecology
• Pool time and lunch on the kibbutz
• Travel up to the Judean Desert via the Arava Valley­–shared by Israel and Jordan
• Experience effortless floating at the Dead Sea's Ein Bokek beach—the lowest point on Earth
• Arrive to Kfar Hanokdim encampment where we embark on a camel trek followed by a traditional Bedouin tent dinner feast and bonfire experience

Overnight: Judean Desert Tents

DAY #29 | Masada: Jewish Heroism, Dilemmas, and Leadership 

• Pre-sunrise hike up the Roman Ramp to the summit of Masada
• Tour of Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
• Descend Masada via the Snake Path or cable cars and stop for breakfast at the base of Masada
• Nature walk in Ein Gedi National Park and cool off under the desert waterfalls at Nahal David
• Learn about the Dead Sea's environmental challenges for Israel and Jordan with an expert from the EcoPeace initiative
• Return to Jerusalem, check in, and rest time at our accommodations
• Dinner at our accommodations, followed by a t-shirt design project for a cause with NU Campaign

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #30 | Sacrifice and Sovereignty

• Visit the Theodor Herzl Museum and explore the grounds of Mt. Herzl National Cemetery—honoring Israel's founders, national leaders, and fallen soldiers
• Experience the colorful Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace
• Tour of the Knesset—Learn about Israel’s parliamentary system and how it safeguards the Jewish State’s democratic laws and traditions
• Pizur dinner and group night out at Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #31 | Understanding Our Past to Guide Our Future

• Pay your respects at Yad Vashem—The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
• Reflect on your experience over a lunch at Jerusalem’s Mifletzet Park
• Kol HaOt—understanding your journey in Israel through an art-based experience
• Re-enter the Old City to experience Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel
• Walk back to our accommodations for Shabbat dinner

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #32 | Shabbat in Jerusalem

• Staff-led Shabbat programming and lunch at our accommodations
• Visit the Israel Museum to discover the Dead Sea Scrolls, Temple Model, and Israel’s most prized cultural and historic treasures
• Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying a Jerusalem-style Shabbat at Sacher Park
• Dinner at our accommodations, Havdalah, and group night out at the First Station Market

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #33 | Conflict and Co-Existence

• Explore the geopolitical complexity of Jerusalem in the Gilo neighborhood
• Roots Tent—take part in a constructive Arab-Israeli dialogue in the West Bank
• Break for lunch in Efrat—one of the largest settlements and the center of the Gush Etzion Bloc
• Closing speaker—bringing Israel home with Gil Troy
• Return to Mahane Yehuda to view its graffiti art visible after market hours, and learn how to make your own graffiti creation

Overnight: Jerusalem

DAY #34 | Looking to the Future

• Late wake up, packing time, and depart Jerusalem
• Return to Tel Aviv and explore modern Israel's founding values at Independence Hall
• Walking tour of Tel Aviv's historic Neve Tzedek and grab lunch at the Carmel Market
• Learn how Israel became the "Startup Nation" at the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Jaffa
• Tree planting ceremony, final wrap-up session, and celebration dinner at Neot Kedumim Park
• Return to Ben Gurion Airport for an overnight flight home

Overnight: Return Flight

DAY #35 | Shalom U'lhitraot

• Arrive back from your group flight

You have questions? We’ve got answers! Our most frequently asked questions for this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Contact us to learn more.

How will my teen travel to the program?
All North American teens will be required to travel on our group supervised flight. This flight will depart from the New York City area. You are responsible for your transportation to and from this location. Flight arrangements will be released in the spring. Families that choose to book their own flight using miles or points must correspond with our supervised flight itinerary. Learn more about our supervised flights.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a variety of 3-star hotels. When booking accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local European tour leader, and a bus driver. Staff names are sent out approximately 3-4 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation email series. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to families before departure. Learn more about our staff team.

What’s the summer weather like?
The weather throughout Italy and Slovenia is a typical Mediterranean climate – dry heat, cool evenings, and little to no rain. Temperatures will typically be in the 80s and 90s. Because of the dry nature of the heat in the Mediterranean, the sun is deceptively strong, and you should plan to bring plenty of sunscreen and a good hat for outdoor touring.

In Israel, temperatures range from hot to hotter in the summer. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. Overexposure to the hot Middle Eastern sun can cause heatstroke, dehydration, and sunburns. The good news is the heat is mostly dry – there is very little humidity, and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is practically zero- no umbrellas needed! Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly – frequently into the 50s or 60s. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day-pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What are the typical group dynamics?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group size for Ultimate Italy Israel Discovery is 35-42 teens. Some teens choose to sign up together with a friend or two, and most teens choose to come on their own. Either way, our participants will have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of peers from various locations across North America which makes exploring a new place together even more exciting. On some programs, we might have multiple parties from the same area register together. In this case, we are unable to inform families when this occurs and though we are always willing to share the group dynamics of the current registrations, we typically have a good idea of the general group make up after our cancellation deadline.

Note: There will be a way for teens to communicate with each other before the program in late spring.

What’s the food like?
As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, specially catered meals and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian or pescatarian options available, but we will also not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice. Some meals may be provided via an allowance system whereby teens will be given cash to purchase the food of their choice. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options, and teens can choose the food of their liking. In situations where time is of the essence, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds, including non-kosher orders. When the group eats at non-kosher restaurants with a pre-ordered menu, the options will only consist of vegetarian or pescatarian dishes.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program. Europe draws travelers from all over the world, so there is a wide range of cuisine available.

Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport – good news! – you don’t need a visa to enter any of the European countries we visit or Israel.

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Registration Terms.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip preparation manual.

BBYO makes it easy to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery. Learn more about how connections work, and keep those memories going!