Judean Hills

Castel National Park stands on the ridge above the main road linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In 1948, control of this hill was central to the battle for access to Jerusalem during the siege of the city. The site combines a Crusader-era fortress with trenches, memorials, and views that make the strategic importance of the hill immediately clear. A guided visit can place the events of 1948 within the larger story of Jerusalem, the British Mandate, and Israel’s independence. The story of Castel shows how one steep hill became central to the fate of Jerusalem, when keeping a single road open meant food, water, connection, and survival for a besieged city.

Explore Israel’s wine country with David Perlmutter on a full-day private tour through the Judean Hills. The Judean Hills, west and south of Jerusalem, are one of Israel’s oldest wine-growing areas. Vineyards have been part of this landscape since biblical times, and ancient wine presses, terraces, and archaeological sites can still be found among the hills. In recent decades, the region has become home to some of Israel’s most respected wineries, from established estates to small family-run producers. This day is an introduction to the wines, people, landscapes, and stories of the Judean Hills. We will visit selected wineries, taste local wines, and learn about the region’s long connection to grape growing and winemaking. Along the way, there will be time to enjoy the countryside, stop for lunch, and take in the views. Each tour is planned around the group’s interests, the season, and winery availability. Whether you know wine well or simply enjoy good food, beautiful landscapes, and local stories, this is a relaxed day out in a part of Israel many visitors never get to see. Best for: • Wine lovers of all levels, from curious drinkers to experienced collectors • Couples, adult private groups, and small groups of friends • First-time visitors looking to spend a full day beyond Jerusalem, in a landscape they might not otherwise see • Returning visitors to Israel who want a slower, more specialised day • Kosher-observant travellers. A fully kosher winery route can be arranged Before you go: • No designated driver is needed. David drives • Wear comfortable shoes for walking in vineyards and around wineries • Bring a sun hat and water. The Judean Hills can be hot in summer • Expect a modest amount of walking at each winery • The day includes several wine tastings, so it is worth pacing yourself. David will guide the tastings. Included: • Full-day private guiding with David Perlmutter • Private off-road transport from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv • Two or three winery visits, arranged in advance • Tasting fees at the scheduled wineries • Lunch arrangements, with the meal paid separately Not included: • Lunch. David will arrange the restaurant; payment is made directly • Wine purchases at the wineries • Accommodation before or after the tour Other options: • A half-day Judean Hills tour is also available for travellers with less time. It lasts three to four hours and includes one or two wineries. • Longer wine trips can also be planned, including the Galilee and Golan, Negev boutique wineries, or a north-to-south wine journey. Ask for a custom quote.

Follow the road to Jerusalem with Eli Romanovsky on a private journey through the events and places that shaped Israel’s independence. The route begins at Machon Ayalon, where a hidden underground factory produced ammunition during the final years of the British Mandate. From there, travel toward Jerusalem and follow the story of the supply convoys that tried to reach the city during the siege of 1948. At Sha’ar HaGai, the road becomes more than a route between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is a place of memory, marked by the story of the young men and women who brought food, water, and supplies to a city cut off from the rest of the country. The day can include lunch in Abu Ghosh and a visit to Castel National Park, where an important battle was fought for control of the Jerusalem road. Depending on your interests, it can also include the Weizmann House, the Yad La-Shiryon tank museum, or a market visit in Jerusalem. This is a private day for travellers who want to understand 1948 through the places where its events unfolded.

Explore the Judean foothills with Eli Romanovsky on a private day of biblical landscapes, ancient cities, and underground worlds. Begin with the view from Tel Azekah across the Elah Valley, traditionally associated with David and Goliath. From there, continue to Beit Guvrin, where generations of people cut homes, water systems, burial chambers, workshops, and hiding places into the soft limestone beneath the hills. The caves at Beit Guvrin reveal a world that is easy to miss from above ground. Walk through ancient chambers, columbaria, cisterns, painted caves, and passages that tell the story of life in the region over many centuries. For those who want a more active day, the tour can include a Bar Kokhba hiding complex. Other options include a goat farm and cheese-making workshop, the Avshalom Stalactite Cave, or a security and self-defence experience. This private tour can be shaped around your group, whether you are travelling with children, interested in biblical history, or simply looking for a varied day beyond Jerusalem.

Herodium rises as a distinctive man-made hill above the Judean Desert, south of Jerusalem. King Herod built a palace, fortress, theatre, gardens, water systems, and an immense burial complex here. A private visit can include the summit palace, bathhouses, reception rooms, tunnels from the Bar Kokhba Revolt, and views toward Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the desert. It can be combined with Bethlehem, the Judean Hills, or a wider Herod-themed route. Herodium is the story of one ruler’s ambition made visible in the landscape: a palace-mountain built to dominate the horizon and preserve a name long after its builder was gone.