Routes Travel is proud to have served a long list of schools and camps from around the globe.
We, at Routes Travel, believe that an Israel experience should be an integral part of any day school, camp, or youth group's curriculum. A peer-group Israel program will enrich students' educational experiences and strengthen their Jewish identities and Zionist values. They will return home with a lasting connection to the rich heritage, people and land of Israel.
We work closely with schools and camps of all sizes and denominations to customize rewarding educational programs in Israel. Each group's specific goals and priorities will translate into tailor-made programs with exciting activity modules. This personalized program is achieved through an ongoing open dialogue with each of our clients to ensure that all of their needs are consistently met.
Our programs are designed to integrate Jewish history, modern Israeli society, and the discovery of the beauty and spirit of the country. We design programs to include a great mix of touring, hands-on experiences and interactive cultural events. Using this dynamic approach, participants will feel free to participate in all of the lively discussions and activities.
Routes Travel and Tours offers a wide range of services for schools, camps and youth programs, including but not limited to:
Creative and interactive educational planning for all programs
Recommendations for hotels (including superior youth hostel, field schools, kibbutzim and campgrounds), restaurants and activities
A well-planned itinerary that provides a balance between the historical and modern, site-seeing and relaxing, educational and entertainment
Certified and licensed Israeli tour educators who promise to be dynamic, relevant, and facilitate a meaningful Jewish experience for all participants
Air conditioned, superior buses with authorized drivers
Medical insurance for all participants and access to doctors during the trip
Full air travel service - reservations, ticketing, and emergency service
Meetings with Israeli youth, which may include home hospitality with Israeli families and meeting with your Partnership 2000 region
Community service projects
Kibbutz visit
Gadna option: students will experience service in the army at an IDF base
Free time to spend with friends or families living in Israel
...and much more!
A sample 14-day itinerary for a school, camp or youth group program:
Day 1
Theme: Welcome and Introduction Arrival to Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel Drive North Icebreakers and Opening Ceremonies in Caesaria Lunch on the beach in Caesaria Mt. Arbel: a spectacular view of the Kinneret, Tiberias and Tzfat Welcome Dinner Group Program: Hopes and Expectations Overnight: Kibbutz Lodging
Day 2
Theme: Discover Ancient and Modern Israel Breakfast at accommodations Kinneret Cemetery: Learn stories of the early pioneers (chalutzim) Visit Tsiporri: Where the Mishna was compiled by the Sanhedrin and where the Israelites lived after the destruction of the Second Temple Kfar Kedem: a recreated biblical village Donkey Rides at Kfar Kedem Kayak on the Jordan River Dinner at the hotel Mifgash with Israeli youth from your partnership region Overnight: Kibbutz lodging
Day 3
Theme: The Golan Heights: Understanding the Issues Breakfast at accommodations Mt Bental: a panoramic view of the Golan Heights and Syria Watch the movie Oz 77: a poignant movie about the Yom Kippur War Hike the Jillabun waterfalls in the Golan Lunch on own in Katzrin Visit the ancient Talmudic village of Katzrin Back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat Kabalat Shabbat + Service Festive Shabbat Dinner Oneg Shabbat Program Overnight: Kibbutz lodging
Day 4
Theme: Shabbat by the Kinneret Optional extended breakfast Optional Shabbat Service Afternoon Shabbat Lunch Free time to relax Optional swimming in the Kinneret Shabbat Program Havdallah Evening disco boat cruise on the Kinneret Overnight: Kibbutz lodging
Day 5
Theme: Mysticism in the North Breakfast at accommodations Walking tour of Tzfat: the city of Kabbalah and Mysticism Meet with a Kabbalah artist in the artist colony of Tzfat Lunch and free time for shopping in Tzfat Visit Beit Shean and the Beit Alfa Synagogue from the Talmudic Period Relax and swim in the natural spring waters of the Gan Hashlosha (Sachne) Natural Park Dinner at the Kibbutz Group Program Overnight: Kibbutz lodging
Day 6
Theme: Beauty of the Dead Sea Breakfast at accommodations Drive South to the Dead Sea Hike the Ein Gedi Waterfalls Mud bath and float in the Dead Sea Dinner at hotel Group Program Overnight: Dead Sea
Day 7
Theme: Massada - Choosing our Heroes Boker tov! Early morning snack at accommodations Ascend Massada via the snake path for the sunrise Lunch at Massada Youth Hostel Hike the "flour caves" or the Wadi Arava canyons Camel trek in the desert Bedouin "Hafla" experience Bedouin Hospitality and Dinner Overnight: Dead Sea
Day 8
Theme: Making the Desert Bloom: One Man's Vision Breakfast at the Hotel Visit the Hatzerim Air Force Base and Air Force Museum Visit Ben Gurion's Hut in Sde Boker Hike to the Ramon Crater Dinner at accommodations Group Program: the Desert Experience Overnight: Ramon Crater
Day 9
Theme: the Eternal City of Jerusalem Breakfast at Hotel Drive to Jerusalem Overview of Jerusalem and "Shehecheyanu" at Haas Promenade Walking tour of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City Lunch and free time in the Old City Tour the Kotel Tunnels The Southern Wall Excavations Dinner at the hotel Evening Program at Mishkenot Shanaanim Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 10
Theme: Jerusalem Prepares for Shabbat Breakfast at accommodations Visit Mt. Herzl: the national military cemetery for fallen IDF soldiers and some of Israel's most influential personalities (Theodore Herzl, Yizhak Rabin, Golda Meir, Hannah Senesh...) Experience Machane Yehuda "the shuk" as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat Free time for lunch in Machane Yehuda Back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat Pre-Shabbat concert in the Jewish Quarter Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel Festive Shabbat Dinner at the hotel Oneg Shabbat Program Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 11
Theme: Shabbat in Jerusalem Extended Shabbat breakfast Optional "shul" hopping: visits to minyanim in Jerusalem Afternoon Shabbat Lunch Optional Walking tour of Jerusalem neighborhoods Free time to relax Havdallah Free time for shopping in Jerusalem Dinner on Emek Refaim Group Program: Preparations for Yad Vashem Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 12
Theme: Living in the Shadow of Memory Breakfast at accommodations Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum Lunch at Yad Vashem Tour the Knesset and Israeli Supreme Court Meet with Knesset members for a lively debate about the current political and social situation in Israel Dinner at the hotel Group Program: Israel Advocacy Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 13
Theme: Archaeology in Israel: Digging for our roots Breakfast at accommodations Participate in a unique hands-on community service project Drive to Beit Guvrin for an archaeological dig Lunch at Beit Guvrin Drive to Tel Aviv Visit Independence Hall: site of the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 Tour of the Palmach Museum and learn about the War of Independence Dinner Group Summary Overnight: Tel Aviv
Day 14
Theme: Taking our Experiences Home with Us Breakfast at accommodations Walking tour of Jaffo and the Neve Tzedek artist colony Visit the artist fair at Nachalat Binyamin Lunch in Nachalat Binyamin Visit Rabin Square: where Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995 Farewell Banquet Dinner Depart for the Ben Gurion International Airport
