Samaria

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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.

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Mount Gerizim rises above Nablus and is the spiritual centre of the Samaritan community, one of the world’s smallest and oldest living religious groups. A private visit can explore the Samaritan sacred area, archaeological remains, viewpoints over Nablus and the surrounding hills, and the traditions that distinguish Samaritan belief and practice from Judaism and Christianity. It may be combined with a visit to the Good Samaritan Museum or a wider Samaria route. Mount Gerizim opens a lesser-known chapter of the biblical world: a community that shares ancient roots with Judaism, yet has preserved its own Torah, priesthood, sacred mountain, and way of life for more than two millennia.

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Sigue el camino a Jerusalén con Eli Romanovsky en un recorrido privado por los lugares y acontecimientos que marcaron la independencia de Israel. El recorrido puede comenzar en el Instituto Ayalon, donde una fábrica subterránea secreta produjo municiones durante los últimos años del Mandato Británico. Desde allí, viajaremos hacia Jerusalén siguiendo la historia de los convoyes que intentaron llevar alimentos, agua y suministros a la ciudad durante el sitio de 1948. En Shaar Hagai, la carretera se convierte en algo más que una vía entre Tel Aviv y Jerusalén. Es un lugar de memoria que cuenta la historia de los jóvenes que arriesgaron sus vidas para llegar a una ciudad aislada del resto del país. El día puede incluir un almuerzo en Abu Ghosh y una visita al Parque Nacional del Castel, escenario de una importante batalla por el control de la carretera a Jerusalén. Según tus intereses y el tiempo disponible, también podemos visitar la Casa Weizmann, el museo de las fuerzas blindadas de Yad LaShiryon o uno de los mercados de Jerusalén. Este recorrido privado está pensado para viajeros que desean comprender los acontecimientos de 1948 visitando los lugares donde ocurrieron. La ruta final se adaptará al ritmo, los intereses y las prioridades del grupo.

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Discovering Shomron: The Heartland of Israel Samaria sits at the historic crossroads of ancient Israelite heritage, strategic mountain topography, and modern geopolitical reality. Traveling through this central ridge is not an ordinary sightseeing excursion. It is an intensive field exploration through biblical capitals, resilient rural communities, and archaeological landmarks that shaped the history of Israel and the region. 1. The Biblical Capitals and Archaeological Anchors Tel Shiloh: The religious and political gathering place of the Israelite tribes for over three centuries. Walk the excavation grounds of the Tabernacle sanctuary, inspect storage facilities, and examine early Iron Age archaeological finds. Sebastia (Ancient Samaria): The royal seat of the Northern Kingdom of Israel under King Omri and King Ahab. Survey the remains of the Israelite royal palaces, Hellenistic circular defensive towers, and the monumental Roman forum and colonnaded street built during the reign of Herod the Great. Mount Ebal and Mount Kabir: High vantage points overlooking biblical Shechem and the Tirzah Valley. Examine the topography of the covenant ceremony and the archaeological debates surrounding the early Iron Age stone structure identified with Joshua’s altar. Deir Qal'a and Ancient Kedumim: Massive Byzantine monastic fortifications cut into the limestone cliffs, contrasted with domestic architecture and ritual immersion pools of ancient Samaritan villages. 2. Living Heritage and Human Encounters The Samaritan Community of Mount Gerizim: Direct encounters with Samaritan community members and priesthood. Study their ancient Hebrew script, genealogical records, and the sacrificial grounds preserved continuously on their sacred mountain. Pastoral Outposts and Hilltop Youth: Candid discussions on the open range. Learn the strategic realities of grazing herds, land stewardship, and the social dynamics driving young pioneers in rural communities. International Faith Alliances: Meet Evangelical Christian volunteer groups who travel from around the world to plant, harvest, and support agricultural projects in the hills. 3. Frontier Landscapes and Strategic Ground Northern Samaria and Reihan Forest: Dense Mediterranean oak forests, late Ottoman and British Mandatory conservation history, and tranquil freshwater springs such as Ein Yedidya. El-Ahwat Archaeological Enigma: A fortified Iron Age I site near Katzir featuring unique dry-stone corridors and rounded architecture, often connected to the biblical sites and the Sea Peoples. Regional Industry and Agriculture: Guided visits to boutique estate wineries utilizing high-altitude mountain microclimates, alongside local manufacturing sites such as the Har Bracha Tahini factory. Tour Judea and Samaria, Yehuda v' Shomron with David Ha'ivri --- Planning Your Itinerary Covering all of these locations is impossible in a single day due to geographical spread, security coordination, and the depth each site deserves. Consider this comprehensive guide a modular master menu. We will use these elements to craft a customized, highly focused single-day itinerary or a multi-day regional expedition tailored directly to your schedule, physical preferences, and specific areas of interest.

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Judea and the Southern Hebron Hills: Ancestral Ground, Frontier Farms, and Desert Strongholds The Judean ridge south of Jerusalem holds the deepest roots of Israelite statecraft and monarchy. Running from the high plateaus of Gush Etzion down through the hills of Hebron to the arid descent into the Negev, this region preserves thousands of years of layered history. This field itinerary bypasses standard tourist routes to deliver an uncompromising examination of monumental ancient engineering, intense urban history, biblical archaeology, and resilient frontier life. 1. Monumental Strongholds and Biblical Roots Herodion National Park: Ascend the artificial mountain fortress built by Herod the Great on the border of the Judean desert. Examine the monumental palace complex, the Roman bathhouses, the fortified royal tomb, and the hidden subterranean cisterns converted into escape tunnels by Jewish fighters during the Bar Kokhba Revolt. The Arugot Farm: Travel eastward toward the desert cliffs for a personal meeting with farm founders Ari and Jeremy. Walk the terraced orchards and grazing lands to hear their firsthand perspective on reviving desert agriculture, reclaiming biblical land, and safeguarding open spaces on the frontier. 2. Deep Field Study in Ancient and Modern Hebron Tel Rumeida: Walk the original archaeological excavation where King David established his first capital. Examine Middle Bronze Age Cyclopean walls, Israelite four-room houses, and ancient olive presses. Tomb of Jesse and Ruth: A quiet, elevated sanctuary dedicated to the memory of King David’s father and great-grandmother, set among ancient stone ruins overlooking the valley. Beit Menachem Lookout: A panoramic bird's-eye view over the urban expanse of Hebron, breaking down the spatial division between the municipal zones, historical geography, and strategic choke points. Beit Hadassah Visitors Center: Trace the modern history of the Jewish community in Hebron, from the 1929 riots and evacuation to the return following the Six-Day War. Avraham Avinu Synagogue and Quarter: Walk the narrow alleyways of the restored 16th-century Sephardic Jewish quarter, centered around the historic synagogue rebuilt from rubble following decades of desecration. Cave of the Patriarchs: Step inside the massive, fully intact Herodian era enclosure wall that has stood for over two thousand years. Analyze the architecture, the burial traditions associated with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah, and the shared, delicate geopolitical protocol governing the site today. 3. Desert Frontiers, Archaeology, and Highland Terroir Ancient Susia Explore an exceptionally preserved Byzantine-period Jewish town in the Southern Hebron Hills. Walk through underground rock-cut homes, ritual purification baths, and a large central synagogue featuring intricate mosaic floors and ancient Hebrew inscriptions. Jeep Expedition into Yatir Forest: Take off-road 4x4 trails through Israel’s largest planted woodland on the threshold of the Judean and Negev deserts. Explore ancient agricultural terraces, water harvesting systems, and panoramic desert vistas. Estate Winery Tour and Tasting: Conclude the field study with a private tour and guided tasting at a premier high-altitude boutique winery. Examine how the intense temperature shifts and limestone soils of the Judean hills produce internationally recognized, award-winning wines. Tour Judea and Samaria, Yehuda v' Shomron with David Ha'ivri --- Planning Your Expedition Attempting to cover every site on this list in a single day is neither practical nor advisable. The geographic span, the depth of historical material, and the necessary field coordination require deliberate pacing. Consider this overview a modular master menu. We will draw from these core sites to structure either a focused, high-impact single-day field tour or a comprehensive multi-day regional study built around your timing, physical preferences, and historical interests.