Culinary & Nightlife

Embark on a comprehensive full-day tour of the West Bank of the Jordan river to discover the rich history behind this region. Beginning with the ancient baptism site of Qasr el Yahud on the banks of the Jordan river, you'll be able to visit the marble steps leading into the river, said to be the very place where Jesus was baptized. Move on to the the city of Jericho itself, the oldest city in the world, where you will visit the ruins of ancient Jericho and view the nearby Mount of Temptation in the adjacent hills.  Continue to Ramallah and walk the streets of this modern city and see life in the big city in the West Bank. The tour will head to Manara Square, the thriving commercial district, and visit Yasser Arafat's tomb.  The final stop of the day is the holy sites of Bethlehem, with a visit to the Nativity Church and ending with a visit to the Separation Wall.

Day 1: Depart Tel Aviv early in the morning. As you drive through Jerusalem, enjoy the stunning views of the Judean Desert landscape along the Israeli side of the Jordan valley, on the way to the Allenby Border Crossing.  Your first stop is Jerash, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman towns. Journey through time as you walk the colonnaded streets behind the impressive Hadrian’s Arch, and discover the Greco-Roman architecture telling 4,000 years of Mediterranean history. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the capital to learn about Amman’s cultural importance and eventful past, featuring palaces, a museum and the Temple of Hercules, and panoramic views across the city. Drive to a Bedouin camp near Petra, savor a traditional dinner, enjoy authentic Bedouin hospitality beneath the clear desert skies and listen to local music, before heading to rest in your tent’s comfortable bed. Day 2: After breakfast, take a day to explore Petra, carved into the red stone by the Nabataeans around 2,000 years ago. Hear about Petra’s complex history, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the sites by yourself, and admire the Hellenistic architecture, before heading back for dinner. Day 3: Your last day starts with an exciting ride through the exquisite and virtually untouched desert landscape of Wadi Rum. A 4x4 jeep will take you to stunning sights and viewpoints, past towering cliffs of weathered stone and desert animals. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Allenby Bridge border crossing, and by late evening arrive back in Jerusalem.

Our two fully-packed days begin in Jerusalem, as we head toward the Jordanian border. We cross at the King Hussein / Allenby border, and enter Jordan, driving through the Judean desert for about an hour. We continue towards Madaba, an ancient Jordanian city, and go up to the viewpoint of Mount Nebo. Then we will have lunch and go visit Kerak known for its Crusader castle, the Kerak Castle. The castle is one of the three largest castles in the region. From here we will go to a Bedouin camp near Petra where you will enjoy Bedouin hospitality, including an Arab-style dinner and a comfortable bed for the night. Before going to sleep, sit beneath the clear desert skies and stargaze, as you drink a cup of delicious Bedouin tea. On the second day, we will tour Petra. One of the seven wonders of the world, and Jordan’s most treasured attraction, Petra is an unforgettable place. It was carved into the red rocks of the soaring cliffs in the early 1st century as the tomb of a Nabataean king and was hidden under sand for centuries before recently becoming accessible again. We will enter through the Siq, a narrow gorge, and tour the Treasury and Amphitheater with our guide who will explain the sites and history as you marvel at the beauty of each structure. Then you will have free time to continue individually as you wish: climb to the Royal Tombs, walk down the Roman Cardo, hike up to the Monastery, and explore the different sites. We will meet up for lunch in Wadi Musa before returning back to Jerusalem via the Allenby border crossing. This fully guided tour, including full transportation and comprehensive information, can be further enhanced by using our travel app for smartphones and tablets. The app provides you with maps, information, and pictures that can be downloaded for free on our site before you embark on the trip so it will not require an internet connection. You can also explore the sites on your own, without the guide, if you prefer to do so.

Experience the abundance of the "shuk", as you explore the open Mahane Yehuda Market while receiving good food and a lively atmosphere. The tour winds through the colorful streets of the market and the history that shaped it, as the story of the neighborhood and its famed marketplace unfolds.  Throughout your tour, you will have the chance to stop and taste some of the offerings of the most interesting stands of the market. You can speak with the merchants and hear some of the fascinating and fun stories that have become a part of the unique history of the Machane Yehuda community. The tour will also include a short excursion to the nearby Nachlaot neighborhood, where you will hear the unique story of the area. A short break will be held under the famous, and still fruitful, “berry tree”, which is mentioned in Yossi Banai's song. Some of the best bites along the way are: spices, traditional baked goods, Jerusalem-style tahini and halva, health drinks and natural healing products, famous Jerusalem Rogalach, and authentic Jerusalem humus.

Spend an unforgettable Christmas Eve in Bethlehem on a guided tour. See all the key sites and attend Midnight Mass. Depart Jerusalem on December 24. Start with a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem, winding through the curved alleyways. Explore the highlights, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa. Then head to the historic town of Bethlehem, passing Bethlehem Road and the Valley of the Cross on the way. Once in Bethlehem, experience the magic of Christmas, with the city decorated for the festivities with lights and banners. Tuck into a festive holiday meal for dinner and enjoy a guided tour of Bethlehem with a local guide. Visit highlights like the Chapel of the Shepherds’ Field and the Chapel of the Milk Grotto. Finally, the holiday spirit will really come to life during the last part of the tour. Enjoy free time in Manger Square and attend Midnight Mass. Return to Jerusalem after the mass has concluded.

Start with pickup from your hotel and travel in a fully air-conditioned bus to Taba, where you will cross the border into Israel. Make the first stop of the day at the Dead Sea, the lowest point of elevation on Earth. While here swim in the salty water which enables you to float. Next, discover Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. Wander its numerous alleyways with small shops. Enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the on-site restaurants before making your way to Jerusalem. Once in the city, enjoy the view from the Mount of Olives. Visit notable local landmarks including the Wailing Wall and Temple Mount. After strolling across the Arab market on Via Dolorosa, you can visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Finally, be transferred back to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

Whether you are a couple, a small group, or exploring on your own, you can enjoy the freedom of your own pace. This tasting tour of the Mahane Yehuda market will provide you with vouchers to eat at each destination of guaranteed flavor. Exploring the market independently, though with enough local knowledge to have a wonderful and culturally enriching day out.  The Mahane Yehuda Bite Card is a combination of top tour guides and the most beloved and colorful market vendors working together for you. A single map and punch card that allows you to enjoy the abundance of the market at your own pace.  The card includes: Georgian baked goods, imaruly (savory pastry stuffed with cheese or spinach) or sambusak with hummus/half a sabih (traditional baked goods); chili con carne and a beer chaser, or a choice of 3 dim-sums; a health drink, a cup of fresh health juice; an Angus patty or portobello mushroom a la plancha or a taste of hummus; kubbeh soup or stuffed vegetables (moroccan cigar, kubbeh and stuffed grape leaf or red kubbeh soup; a taste of unique ice-cream or cortado, espresso, or fresh mint tea. 

Following your pickup, you will begin with great views from the Mount of Olives. It is a high summit which connects the old city of Jerusalem to the east, separating it from the Judaean Desert. Due to its proximity to the city and its soft and comfortable rock quarrying, this place was used for burial in the Canaanite days. From there you will be able to tour Jerusalem, the “City of David”. The most striking structure that emerges from the observation is the rock dome structure built by Abd al-Malek in 691 A.D. Entering the Old City, you will pass through the Old Market until you arrive to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the heart of the Christian Quarter is considered the most sacred place in the world for most Christians. You will pass through Via Dolorosa on the way back to the bus, before then heading to Bethlehem if time permits. Entering Bethlehem you will feel the Christmas spirit with the entire city decorated with banners, bells, and lights. You will continue on to Manger Square where the decorated Christmas tree is located, before enjoying a holiday dinner near Manager Square while waiting for Midnight Mass. It may be possible to enter the Church of Nativity for Mass, but if not, you will watch Midnight Mass in Manger Square on one of the large outdoor screens. Following the Mass, you will be dropped off to your starting point (Tel Aviv or Jerusalem).

Day 1: Following pickup from your location in Tel Aviv, begin your day with a visit to Jerusalem. Starting with an overview of Mount Olive, move on to discover the Church of Holy Sepulcher, passing the Old City of Jerusalem and putting your wish note on the Western Wall. In Bethlehem, visit the Church of Nativity and the main square. Your tour later ends at around 6:00PM, after which you overnight in Tel Aviv at a 3-star bed and breakfast. Day 2: Your second day begins in the early morning at 4:30AM, at which point you are picked up and transferred to the Ben Gurion Airport for your flight to Ramon Airport. Following your arrival to the Ramon Airport at approximately 7:40AM, transfer to the Jordanian border, before crossing over to Jordan. Once over the border, drive to Petra to visit the amazing Rose City on Nabateans: Petra. Following your city exploration, savor lunch in a local restaurant before driving back to the Israeli border, transferring back to Ramon Airport for your return flight to Ben-Gurion. Once having landed, your tour concludes at the airport.