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