Israel Revealed by Corinthian Travel
Middle East and North Africa specialist Corinthian Travel has launched a new programme to Israel featuring seven recommended itineraries from five to 14 days in duration.
The tours – all of which are on a private, chauffeur-driven basis – go way beyond the religious sites (although the key sites are included) and have been designed to showcase the full range of Israel’s attractions; go kayaking on the Jordan River, hike in the Galilee, enjoy wine tasting in the Golan Heights, explore the great Crusader fortress of Belvoir, take a jeep safari in the magnificent Ramon Crater, experience the bright lights of Tel Aviv, learn about the mystical Kabbalah or attend a Shabbat dinner with a local family.
Comments Hugh Fraser, Founder of Corinthian Travel: “Most travel companies selling Israel tend to focus on the religious aspects of the country, in particular the three Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
“But Israel is a small country which belies the scale of incredible cultural riches that await, many of which can be enjoyed in a relatively short space of time, and we use the country’s very best guides and best hotels including several wonderful boutique properties such as the Efendi Hotel in Akko (owned by renowned chef Uri Jeremias), plus the buzzing boutique hotel scene in Tel Aviv.
“Just a short drive from the bustling cities you can enjoy the stunning desert scenery of the Ramon Crater from your pool at the Beresheet Resort, whilst some Jerusalem-focussed tours are based at the landmark King David Hotel – the automatic choice of American Presidents and UK Prime Ministers whenever they are in town – or the sophisticated, design-focused Mamilla.
“The seven suggested tours are the starting points for the conversation; for example, the ‘Crusader City’ of Akko (Acre) took my breath away and the country has some wonderful Roman sites including the rock fortress of Masada, Herod’s great port city of Caesarea Martima, and Tzipori – called the “Ornament of all Galilee” by the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus Flavius.”
Other ‘Israel Experiences’ that can be enjoyed during the tours include witnessing the grand spectacle of an opera in the Judean desert in the shadow of Herod’s fortress of Masada, meeting a survivor of the Nazi Holocaust and getting to know and cook food with the little-known Druze community in the north of the country.
The 10-day ‘Taste of Israel: a Culinary Tour’ costs from £5095 pp (two sharing). This includes 9-nights’ B&B in 4/5-star hotels (plus two lunches and one dinner), VIP airport meet and greet service, sightseeing and entrances as per itinerary, chauffeur driven transfers, home hospitality Shabbat dinner in Tel Aviv, Druze cookery workshop, chocolate making workshop, meeting with a Rabbi in Safed and a tour of Machane Yehuda Market with a food expert.
Flights extra (bookable through Corinthian Travel.
One of the tours has been designed specifically for families and includes visiting a Crusader City, Kayaking on the Jordan River, joining an archaeological dig at Beit Guvrin, walking through the water tunnels of Hezekiah in Jerusalem; it ends with two nights to enjoy the stunning Beresheet Resort in the Negev Desert. The 9-day holiday costs from £2995 per person.
For more information, visit corinthiantravel.co.uk.
Corinthian Travel offers recommended tours and tailor-made itineraries to holidays in Turkey, Egypt, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon, with dedicated expert guides, the finest hotels, and private sightseeing.