Israel Experience Teen Tour by Westcoast Connection

  Israel

• Other Cities in Israel: 
Haifa,  Jerusalem
• Tel Aviv: 
Tel Aviv

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 29 - July 28

Description: Westcoast Connection is in our 28th summer of showing teenagers the summer of a lifetime. We offer Active Teen Tours as well as Adventures, Community Service, Language Immersion, Pre-College Enrichment, and Ski/Snowboard programs. Our itineraries travel throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Australia, Costa Rica, Africa, China, Peru, Israel, and Belize.

The Israel Experience by Westcoast Connection is a 30-day program. The trip begins in Jerusalem and continues onto the following locations: Negev, Eilat, Tel Aviv, Galilee & Golan, Haifa, and Masada.

Highlights:
* Hezekiah's Water Tunnel & City of David
* Sunrise Hike up Masada
* Mediterranean Beaches
* Explore Ancient Caves
* Ramon Crater Rappelling Adventure
* Camel Trek & Sleep in a Bedouin Tent
* Archaeological Dig at Beit Guvrin
* Kayak the Jordan River
* Underground Bullet Factory
* Plant a Ceremonial Tree
* Body Surf The Kasoui Dunes
* Jeep Ride in The Southern Golan Heights
* Eilat Disco Cruise
* Tel Aviv's Independence Hall & Palmach Museum
* Ancient Ruins at Caesarea & at Beit She'an
* Snorkel the Red Sea & Swim with the Dolphins
* Float in the Dead Sea & Take a Refreshing Mud bath
* Rosh Hanikra Grottos
* Tiberias Sunset Cruise
* Mifgash - Cultural Exchange with Israeli Teens
* Visit the Western Wall

Action Packed Itinerary:

* JERUSALEM - the Old City
Welcome orientation and greeting at the Haas Promenade overlooking the "Old City". Personal tree planting. Step back in time making olive oil & pita bread & try sheep herding. Explore 3000 years of history at the Israel Museum. Discover and wade through Hezekiah's Tunnel. Explore the mysterious Western Wall Tunnels stretching under the Old City and experience the city coming alive welcoming the Sabbath at the Western Wall. Sample middle eastern treats at Machne Yehuda.

* NEGEV - Make the Desert Bloom
Ride camels, and enjoy a unique night as we enjoy the hospitality of a Bedouin tent. Climb Ein Avdat a real desert oasis and visit the burial site of Prime Minister Ben Gurion, learn of his dream to make the desert bloom. Explore Israel's desert while rappelling in the Ramon Crater and bodysurf in the sand of the Kasoui Dunes. Experience a nature walk to see the nocturnal wildlife that have adapted to desert life.

* EILAT - Red Sea Resort
Snorkel or try an optional SCUBA dive to marvel at world renowned coral & tropical fish. Swim with the dolphins and enjoy a disco cruise on the blue waters of the Red Sea.

* TEL AVIV - Modern Israel
Enjoy beautiful sandy beaches by the Mediterranean. Fascinating Dialogue in the Dark Experience - daily activities without the use of sight. Explore trendy Shenkin street cafes, artist market at Nahalat Binyamin and colorful Carmel Market. Discover the ingenious Ayalon Institute - a secret Hagana munitions plant. Learn about late Prime Minister Rabin's assassination, and the current status of the peace process at Rabin Square. Tour Independence Hall where Ben Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence. Learn about the freedom fighters - the elite force of the pre-statehood army by visiting the Palmach Museum. Tour & shop the flea markets in ancient port of Jaffa. Take part in community service activities with the local youth in Ramle.

* GALILEE & GOLAN - The North & Fresh Water Source
Meet Israeli peers who will join the group for two days on our "Mifgash" cultural exchange. Take a jeep tour of the Golan Heights. Tour Kibbutz Naot Mordechai site of the famous Naot sandal factory (and yes factory outlet store!). Kayak and body surf & even zipline into the Jordan River. Chill on the beaches of the beautiful Sea of Galilee with water sports, banana boats, dinner in Tiberias and sunset cruise. Tour Gan Guru - yes there are kangaroos in Israel and swim in the freshwater springs of Sachne. In Safed, take part in a special program - touring this city of ancient synagogues and famous artist markets and learning about Jewish Mysticism. Ride cable cars to the grottos of Rosh Hanikra and enjoy a day of games and initiatives at Kibbutz Yehiam. Discover the fascinating site of Beit Sh'ean where 15 subsequent occupations resulted in 15 cities layered on top of each other.

* HAIFA - Mediterranean Coast
Visit the detention camp and prison in the port city Acco where we learn of the British Mandate Period of former Palestine. Discover ancient Roman city Caesarea. Test your vocal chords at this ancient amphitheater which has hosted modern concerts including Paul Simon and Eric Clapton. See the Bahai Gardens. Visit and enjoy hospitality at the local Druze village of Ossafiyah. Check out eCamp - Israel's Hi-Tech summer camp to see where kids are building robots, making digital art, music, and DJing. Dig, sift, & sort on an archaeological dig looking for artifacts thousands of years old at Beit Guvrin.

* MASADA - Ancient Fortress & Inspiration
Ascend the Roman Ramp to Masada and descend via the famous Snake Path. Enjoy spectacular sunrise over Dead Sea. Float effortlessly in the salty Dead Sea - the lowest point in the world! Relax in the therapeutic mud spas.

* JERUSALEM - the New City
Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed at the Israel Museum. Very moving Yad Vashem. Pay respects with a visit to the National War Cemetery, final resting spot of Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir & Theodore Herzl. Israeli Armored Corps Memorial at Latrun. Amazing stalagmites and stalactites at Absalom Caves. Ride the Time Elevator - a high tech extravaganza to explore Jerusalem's history. Check out Ben Yehuda Street. Farewell banquet where we reminisce with special friends about all we have experienced together!

Cost in US$: USD 6,499 plus airfare to and from Jerusalem

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Israel Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Westcoast Connection Active Teen Tours's Mission Statement: Westcoast Connection Teen Travel Experiences is in our 27th summer of showing teenagers the summer of a lifetime. Our Westcoast Connection Active Teen Tours offer North American and Overseas Teen Tours, Golf Programs, a Major League Madness Baseball Tour and a Ski/Snowboard program.

Year Founded: 1982