Judean Hills

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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.

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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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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.

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Journey into the Judean Desert and discover a landscape shaped by cliffs, caves, silence, and centuries of spiritual searching. Beyond Jerusalem, early Christian monks came to these isolated places seeking solitude, prayer, and a different way of life. As we travel through the desert, we will follow their stories and explore how communities survived in such demanding surroundings. How did monks find and store water, grow food, prepare bread, and organise their days? Viewpoints and possible visits can reveal the practical world behind monastic life, including cisterns, bakeries, dining halls, agriculture, worship, and strict daily routines. Depending on access arrangements and the route selected, we might encounter monasteries such as St George’s or Mar Saba and observe how their buildings became part of the cliffs themselves. The desert landscape is not simply a backdrop. It helps explain why these places were chosen and how the communities developed. The experience can be adapted to your interests and preferred pace, with greater emphasis on early Christianity, monastic life, desert landscapes, architecture, or the practical challenge of building communities in isolation. The sites mentioned are possibilities, and the final route will be planned according to current access and conditions.

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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.

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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.