Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to work as a staff guide for Israel Outdoors during the Israel By Bike cultural trek, part of Taglit Birthright Israel. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it was an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. Overall, staffing this trip was an incredible experience. I had two co-leaders, and a group of about 40 participants 18-22 years old. The group was great, and I sincerely enjoyed meeting everybody, and the opportunity to contribute my enthusiasm and views on the region as we traveled through the entire country.
During the trip, I took about 1400 photos, and edited down to a small set. View the full set on Flickr, as well as on my Instagram feed. I shot on my iPhone 5, and Sony RX-100ii cameras, allowing me to both post photos throughout the day, and shoot in raw for later editing. The full set is displayed here, and I’ll also be publishing a series of theme-specific posts in coming weeks.
Photos, Full Screen
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
Meet Israeli guide and group intros at Haas Promanade
Transfer to Jerusalem
Checkin to Hotel Accommodations -Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 2
Visit to Davidson Center, Jerusalem
Tour of Old City Jerusalem Jewish Quarter
Visit to Kotel, reflection at Western Wall
Explore Mahane Yehuda market and lunch
Afternoon relaxation on Ben Yehuda Street
Overnight at Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 3
Travel North
Scenic stop at Steia Maris Lookout and education about the Bahai Faith and Bahai Gardens
Visit to Arbel and Lunch
Checkin to hotel Savyonei Hagalil
Preparation for Shabbat and festive Shabbat Dinner
Day 4
Shabbat learning opportunities
Hike to lookout point
Havdallah Ceremony and cultural activity
Overnight at Savyonei Hagalil
Day 5
Hike up Mt. Meiron
Cultural tour of Tzfat, including dip in Mikve
Return to Hotel
Day 6
Visit to Banias and lunch
Rafting the Jordan River and relaxing on the water
Camping in desert near Masada
Day 7
Early morning wakeup in desert
Sunrise ascent of Mt. Masada
Breakfast at Masada Visitors Center
Floating in the Dead Sea
Camel Trekking with Bedouin
Sleeping at Negev Bedouin Camp and Campfire
Day 8
Biking at Nahal ZIn
Visit to Sde Boker
Shvil Hasalat
Dinner at Blue Bay Hotel
Day 9
Drive to Tel Aviv
Visit Rabin Square
Visit Independence Hall
Swim at Tel Aviv beach
Wrap up session and departure
A selection of photos taken during the trip – many were posted on Instagram during the trip.
Initial assembly of the group at JFK Airport – this was our initial meetup, and the first time my co-staffer Allie and I made group introductions.
Let’s jet!
We connected through Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich Airport – great piece of architecture
Ice Breakers at the Old City, Jerusalem
Tour of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter
Visit to the Kotel
Meeting our Israeli Soldiers
Mt. Hertzel and Yad Vashem – very heavy
Architecture of Yad Vashem
Driving North
Bahai Gardens
Hiking Mr. Meron
Shabbat
Hiking on Shabbat
Exploring Tzfat
Candles in Tzfat
More exploring
The trip’s first bike trip
Sunrise hiking up Mt. Masda
Swimming in the Dead Sea
Camel Riding and Desert Living with the Bedouin
Second Biking Trip
Exploring the Market in Tel Aviv
Final Sunset