Tours(6)
“…And a Wall Through Her Heart” - The City Line that Divided Jerusalem 1948-67, and a Glimpse at Today’s Municipal Borders
SuggestedPrice on request
Following a section of the “borderline” which divided Jerusalem 1948-1967, we will attempt to understand some of the ongoing geopolitical issues in the City of Peace. Beginning in Gilo (which was built after 1967) we will look out onto the western part of the city for a geographic orientation. We’ll drive along the old 1948 dividing line through the Arab neighborhood of Bet Sefafa. Stopping at the Goldmann Promenade overlooking the Old City and environs, we will discuss the complexities of the area before and after 1967. On the roof of a school in the Abu Tor neighborhood we’ll get a perspective on the divided city alongside the Old City. Time and traffic allowing, we will drive north of the Old City to see the location of the famous Mandelbaum gate: the only gateway between Jordanian and Israeli Jerusalem 1948-67. Transportation is not provided. We will travel in a caravan of cars making the aforementioned stops. A group can also arrange for a bus or van for transportation. TOUR LENGTH: ~4 hours PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250)
Nahal Iyon: Waterfalls on Israel’s Northern Edge
SuggestedPrice on request
Nahal Iyon runs through the northern Galilee near Metula, where a seasonal stream cuts through a narrow valley and creates a series of waterfalls. A private visit can include the reserve’s walking paths, waterfalls, wildflowers in season, and views toward the border landscape of northern Israel and southern Lebanon. It can be combined with Tel Dan, Banias, or an Upper Galilee route. The reserve shows how quickly the north can change character: a short distance from dry hills and political borders, water creates a green corridor of movement, wildlife, and seasonal life.
Upper Galilee Springs: Tel Dan, Banias & Nahal Snir
SuggestedPrice on request
The Upper Galilee is shaped by the waters that descend from Mount Hermon and gather into the sources of the Jordan River. Tel Dan, Banias, and Nahal Snir each offer a different combination of clear streams, shaded walks, archaeology, and border landscapes. A private day can be built around the ancient city of Dan, the springs and waterfall at Banias, and a riverside walk along the Snir, also known as the Hasbani. The route can be relaxed and family-friendly or more active, depending on the group and season. The deeper story is water. These springs have drawn settlement, worship, agriculture, and conflict for thousands of years, and still explain why the far north feels so different from the rest of Israel.
שלושה ימים ברמת הגולן ובגליל עם מוריס צמח
SuggestedPrice on request
במשך שלושה ימים נגלה את צפון הארץ דרך הנופים, ההיסטוריה, הקהילות והסיפורים האנושיים שלו. נוכל לשלב בין רמת הגולן, הגליל המזרחי והגליל המערבי, ולבנות מסע המתאים לתחומי העניין, לקצב ולאופי הטיול שלכם. ברמת הגולן אפשר לבקר בתצפיות מרשימות, בגמלא, באזור הירדן ובאתרים הקשורים לקרבות ולגבולות שעיצבו את האזור. במהלך הדרך אשתף גם בנקודת המבט האישית שלי ואחבר בין ההיסטוריה, הגאוגרפיה והמציאות של ימינו. בגליל המזרחי נוכל לנסוע לאורך הכנרת, לבקר בטבריה ובאתרים נוצריים, לשוטט בראש פינה או בצפת וליהנות מנופי יער ביריה. אפשר להקדיש את היום למורשת מקראית ודתית, להיסטוריה יהודית, לטבע או לחיי המקום. בגליל המערבי נוכל להכיר את סמטאות עכו, השוק, האולמות התת קרקעיים והנמל. אפשר להמשיך לראש הנקרה, לפקיעין או למפגש עם אחת הקהילות הדרוזיות או הבדואיות בצפון. אלו הצעות ולא מסלול מחייב. נתאים את שלושת הימים לעונה, למקום הלינה, לתחומי העניין של הקבוצה ולכמות ההליכה והנסיעה המתאימה לכם. מוריס צמח הוא מורה דרך מוסמך, חקלאי ומספר סיפורים, המדריך ברחבי הארץ מאז 1988. הוא נולד במושב מרגליות שבגבול הצפון, והגליל הוא ביתו. בסיוריו הוא מחבר בין נופים ואתרים לבין האנשים, המסורות, האוכל והסיפורים המקומיים. מוריס הוא גם מחברם של ספרים על הגליל, טבריה וראש פינה, ומביא להדרכה ידע אישי שנאסף במשך שנים של מפגשים, מחקר וטיולים.
Jerusalem: The Old City, the Quarters, and the Temple Mount
SuggestedPrice on request
Within the sixteenth-century Ottoman walls of the Old City lies one of the most contested, densely layered urban landscapes on earth. While commonly divided into four distinct quarters, the living reality on the ground is an intricate mosaic of ancient history, theological claims, political tension, and daily coexistence. This field study cuts through standard tourist cliches to deliver an objective, deep-level examination of urban archaeology, living faith communities, and modern geopolitical realities. 1. The Temple Mount: Epicenter of Faith and Geopolitics The Sacred Esplanade: Enter the Mount during designated visiting hours for non-Muslims. We examine the monumental Herodian foundations, early Umayyad architecture, Crusader alterations, and Ottoman decorative work. The Strategic Flashpoint: Analyze the complex status quo governing the plateau, the role of the Jordanian Waqf, the Israeli security apparatus, and the competing religious narratives surrounding Mount Moriah, the First and Second Temples, and the Al-Aqsa compound. 2. The Four Quarters: Sacred Topography and Living Communities The Jewish Quarter: Walk through ancient history and modern renewal. Trace the archaeological sequence from the First Temple Broad Wall and Herodian aristocratic mansions to the Byzantine Cardo, the historic Sephardic synagogues, and the Western Wall. The Christian Quarter: Navigate the bustling alleyways leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Examine the complex custody arrangements shared by the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic churches, alongside smaller Eastern traditions that maintain a presence at the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. The Muslim Quarter: Experience the largest and most populous sector of the Old City. Walk the ancient market streets, inspect monumental Mamluk facades with their intricate stonework and stalactite vaults, and observe the vibrant pulse of local commerce. The Armenian Quarter: Discover the history of the oldest diaspora community in Jerusalem. Understand how this distinct enclave has preserved its language, unique script, tile-making heritage, and monastic traditions behind high stone walls since the fourth century. 3. Fortifications, Gates, and Urban Infrastructure Walls and Gates: Study the military engineering of Suleiman the Magnificent, the historical defense strategies of the city, and how ancient gate complexes regulated trade, defense, and pilgrims for millennia. Underground Jerusalem: Explore ancient water systems, subterranean streetscapes, and bedrock foundations that reveal how layers of destruction and rebuilding created the elevated street level seen today. --- Planning Your Exploration Navigating the Old City requires deliberate planning, physical readiness for extensive stone steps and uneven surfaces, and strict adherence to the operational hours and security protocols of the Temple Mount. This master overview serves as a comprehensive framework. We can focus on specific theological routes, prioritize underground archaeological excavations, or build a balanced single-day or multi-day survey aligned with your background and historical interests.
Everyone’s Jerusalem: A Cosmopolitan Overview
SuggestedPrice on request
The Old City of Jerusalem (Tour #3.10) A full-day walking tour emphasizing Jerusalem as sacred to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The tour is organized “topographically,” in that we begin at the highest point of the city and work our down way the hills. Starting at the Jaffa Gate we ascend to the top of the Tower of David Museum for a breathtaking overview of the whole city. In the Christian Quarter we learn about the different denominations (Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Greek Catholic…) who established their presence in the quarter – as well as elsewhere in the city. We will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and discuss its historicity. After a break for lunch in the Jewish Quarter we will visit the quaint Old Yishuv Court Museum to see what life was like in the Jewish Quarter up until 1948. We will also tour the rebuilt Hurva Synagogue before descending to the Kotel: the Western Wall. Notes: Modest clothing is required. The tour will include entering churches. TOUR LENGTH: 5 to 7 hours (excluding breaks) MEETING POINT: Jaffa Gate ENDING POINT: The Kotel (Western Wall) – Dung Gate PRICE (total per group): ₪1300 (~$405) Entrance Fees NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Tower of David Museum: ₪10 per person Old Yishuv Court Museum: ₪20 per adult; ₪10 per senior citizen or child (to age of 18); ₪50 for family (parents + children up to 18 yrs old) Hurva Synagogue: ₪14 per adult; ₪7 per child
Guides(9)
David Ha'ivri
Verified ✓Exploring Israel requires more than following a map. It demands a guide who reads the stone alleys, the shifting topography, and the human landscape with effortless clarity. David Ha’ivri brings travelers directly into the living pulse of the land. Decades of boots on the ground across historical routes, urban centers, and rugged trails allow him to navigate every situation with unshakeable calm. Street congestion, unexpected site closures, weather shifts, and logistical hurdles are handled with fluid adaptability. Behind his quiet poise stands an instinctive command of the terrain, ensuring every transition feels seamless. Travelers quickly discover that depth of knowledge does not have to feel heavy. As an educator and professional guide, David possesses the rare ability to unpack complex historical layers, biblical narratives, and regional realities without academic podium talk. He presents centuries of context through engaging, grounded storytelling that speaks equally to first, time visitors and seasoned scholars. Complex ideas become clear conversations. Serious history becomes an enjoyable, memorable journey. Client care defines every itinerary. Group dynamics vary, from families with young children needing shaded rest stops to curious travelers pushing for rigorous hikes. David listens closely, reads the room, and tailors the pace to fit the exact physical and personal needs of the group. Safety is never an afterthought. It is woven into every decision, route selection, and local interaction. Travelers move through busy markets, narrow alleyways, and quiet desert paths with complete peace of mind, fully protected by a guide who knows the ground intimately. A tour with David Ha’ivri goes beyond checking off landmark boxes. You walk alongside a trusted mentor who makes ancient stones speak, opens doors to authentic local encounters, and guarantees an experience that is safe, enriching, and unforgettable.
David Perlmutter
Verified ✓David Perlmutter is a licensed Israel tour guide who has been guiding since 1988, with private tours a specialty since he purchased his first off-road vehicle in 1993. Born and raised in the US, he moved to Israel as a young adult, farmed an avocado grove on Kibbutz Einat, and served in the Israeli Defense Forces before entering the guiding profession. His company, Israel Adventure Journeys Ltd., is his platform for private guiding work across Israel. David is among Israel’s most recognised guides on wine and wine tourism. He began visiting Israeli wineries when the country’s modern wine revolution was still in its early years and developed that curiosity into a serious professional practice, combining direct experience across the industry with formal training. He holds the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines, passed with Merit. Fellow guides, winemakers, and members of Israel’s wine industry regularly consult him on wine tourism. Wine journeys can be designed for anything from a single day in the Judean Hills to a weeklong exploration of Israel’s wine regions. His guiding is not limited to wine. Nearly four decades of criss-crossing the country on foot, by mountain bike, and in off-road vehicles have given David an intimate familiarity with Israel’s geography. He leads mountain-bike journeys ranging from relaxed vineyard rides paired with tastings to single-track riding in the Negev and multi-day sections of the Israel Bike Trail. Full logistical support can be arranged, including bike rental, transport, repairs, and accommodation when needed. David lives with his wife Tamar and their four sons in Eliav, a young community in the Lachish region. He also volunteers as a first responder and ambulance crew member with Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.
Morris Tzemach
Verified ✓I’m Morris, a Galilee-born guide, farmer, and storyteller, guiding since 1988. Come with me to meet the people, hear the stories, and taste the food that help you know this country from within. About me I was born in Moshav Margaliot, on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and the Galilee is my home. Alongside guiding, I also grow mangoes and lychees. On my tours, we’ll get to know the country through its people: their stories, traditions, kitchens, and everyday lives. We’ll follow village roads, meet local families, discover small wineries and dairies, and enjoy the smells and flavours of food prepared in home courtyards. These encounters are part of the journey, just as much as the landscape and the historical sites. I am a licensed guide and have been guiding since 1988, with an academic background in Geography and Israel Studies. I guide in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, and lead tours throughout Israel, with a special affection for the Galilee, where I was born and have lived my life. On the Golan Heights, I also bring a personal perspective: I served as a paratrooper and took part in the 1973 war. I collect stories as well as tell them, and some have found their way into my books about the Galilee, Tiberias, and Rosh Pina. In Rosh Pina, we can follow the stories back to the houses and streets where their characters lived. If you would like to take some of those stories home, my Hebrew book “סיפורים ראשפינאים” (Rosh Pina Stories) brings together the people, houses, and tales of the old village. Drawing on stories told by its farmers, it introduces the pioneers, generous hosts, artists, and unusual characters whose lives became part of Rosh Pina’s history. The book is available to purchase directly from me; contact me to order a copy.
Joe Freedman
Verified ✓Joe Freedman holds an M.A. in education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a doctorate in education (EdD) from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. He moved to Israel from the US in 1980 and lives with his family in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. For many years he served as Director of the Ramah Programs in Israel. In 1996 he earned his tour guide license issued by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism. Joe has been the Tour Educator/Guide for many educational and religious tours, especially synagogue and church tours, and has experience working with all age groups and religious backgrounds. In recent years Joe has guided several Birthright-Israel trips (age 18-32) and is scheduled to guide more groups in the coming months. Joe is also licensed to drive – and guide – in a car or van approved by the Ministry of Tourism. Moreover, Joe has also designed and led educational tours in Spain and Poland. He often uses Israeli music in his guiding and he is also a certified Israeli folk dance instructor. Contact Joe for information about: - Private tours for individuals, couples, families with young children (or multi-generation) or just a group of friends. - Synagogue or church groups; pilgrimages; interfaith groups. - Special interest groups (e.g., focus on hiking, archaeology and ancient history, modern history and sociology, geopolitics, music and dance, spirituality, and so on ) - Educational institutions and missions (school study tours, school boards, university seminars, community center staff, Federations, etc.) - Bar/Bat Mitzva or other lifecycle celebrations
Shai Schupack
Verified ✓Dr. Shai Schupack is a licensed Israeli tour guide, educator, and researcher based in the Golan Heights. He leads in-depth field tours across the Golan Heights, Upper Galilee, Hula Valley, and Galilee. Shai holds a master’s degree in International Relations and a doctorate in Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology. His work brings together archaeology, historical geography, the history of ancient Israel, the Hebrew Bible and its historical context, Roman and Byzantine settlement, and the political geography of Israel’s northern borders. Alongside his work as a guide, Shai teaches and lectures on the history and geography of Israel and the modern Middle East. His areas of teaching include Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, with attention to the formation of states, borders, communities, water, and regional power. Shai also educates and trains future licensed Israeli tour guides. His tours are structured as serious field study: reading the landscape alongside archaeological evidence, historical sources, and the wider regional context.
Yehuda Folberg
Verified ✓Private tour guide, discovering Israel's history, culture, and landscapes, with a taste of innovation and cuisine, blending tradition and modernity.
Kim
Verified ✓Shalom! I’m Kim, a licensed tour guide based in the Lower Galilee. I made aliyah to Israel twenty years ago, and I feel incredibly fortunate to call this fascinating country home. I love sharing Israel’s natural beauty, rich landscapes, and thousands of years of history with visitors from around the world. But what I enjoy most is helping people understand the Israel beyond the headlines. Israel is a complex, sometimes challenging, and always fascinating place, and I love bringing those complexities to life, while showcasing the magic, beauty, and spirit of this remarkable country.
Michael Harari
Verified ✓
Yoni Shtern
Verified ✓I’m a licensed Israeli tour guide, born in Eilat and based in the Negev, with a deep connection to the landscapes, history, and people of southern Israel. I specialize in private and personalized tours of the Negev, Dead Sea, Arava, Masada and the surrounding desert. My tours combine fascinating stories, nature, archaeology and local life, always with a personal touch and plenty of room for questions, discovery and spontaneous moments. With many years of experience guiding families, groups and educational delegations, my goal is simple: to help you experience Israel beyond the usual tourist route, and leave with great memories and a deeper connection to this extraordinary country. I’d love to show you Israel through my eyes.