The Israel Experience

Jerusalem + Tel Aviv

There aren’t very many places in the world where you can wander around ancient temples that rest on the birthplace of faith and traditions while you dive into the perfect mix of culture and culinary delights, all while soaking in the vibes from your luxury beachfront hotel.

Join us on our 7-day luxury expedition to the Holy Land and discover centuries of heritage and unbelievable natural beauty in a way that few get to experience. Find yourself immersed in the culture and religions of cities built thousands of years ago as we tantalize your senses with our high-end offerings.

You can’t call yourself a history buff until you have set foot on this timeless country and experience all that Israel has to offer.

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of bells ringing from the old mosques and churches as you explore ancient sites with new friends, laughing and sharing these incredible experiences.

And you didn’t come snatched for nothin’! The pics you will snap of your melanin poppin’ in front of the Dead Sea or hitting up all the best spots in Tel Aviv will shut down the ‘Gram – no cap! Get ready to unearth your black magic in ways you never expected.

Whether you are soaking it in by exploring lively cities, unwinding with ancient spa treatments and techniques, or soaking in the views of the desert, this sacred land will leave you feeling blessed to be at the heart of religion and stories as old as time.

Priceless moments with new friends, historical exploration, and natural beauty await you on your Up in the Air Life journey through Israel.

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Here's your trip at a glance.

WHERE YOU'LL GO

From exploring the markets to hitting high-dining venues, this trip offers a wide variety of scenery and experiences. You will be able to check must-see sites like the Old City of Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa, Masada, and the Dead Sea off your bucket list. Not to mention, hit up top-notch bars, museums, and other historical sites in Tel Aviv.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

This trip is your chance to immerse yourself in an enigmatic journey through this Holy Land. From walking over the path Jesus walked on and learning about the birthplace of faith to culinary experiences paired with local wines and popping bottles at the finest rooftops in town, you will experience the diverse and multifaceted landscape of Israel.

WHERE YOU'LL STAY

Our accommodations are modest. After a long day admiring the grandeur of remaining palaces and temples, challenging your senses with the street food, or finding the best deals in the market, you will relax in over-the-top hotels that offer world-class service and the most amazing views right from your bed. As always, only the best for lifers!

Explore the day-by-day itinerary.

THIS TRIP IS FOR YOU, IF:

THIS TRIP IS NOT FOR YOU, IF:

Day 1

Today you arrive at Tel Aviv airport where you’ll join the Up in the Air Life crew and meet your tour leader, before being whisked away on a private scenic transfer to Jerusalem.

This ancient city is the cradle of three of the most important religions in Western civilization; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The city is bursting with traditions and is a melting pot of modern culture and heritage.

Savor your first evening in Israel with a hand-picked three-course welcome dinner paired with wine. Take the time to experience this new destination as you enjoy a sensory overload in every bite. This is our favorite way to start an adventure. Take time to connect with your new travel buddies and tour leader while the bubbly flows and local flavors abound.

Day 2

After waking to a sumptuous breakfast it’s time to enjoy your first full day in Jerusalem with your new friends. We’ll head to the heart of the Holy Land and take a guided tour through the Old City to learn about the ancient steps and customs in the city.

We’ll visit must-see places for globetrotters exploring the Middle East. The Mount of Olives with its picturesque views and fresh air, is the perfect place to soak in the vibe of this ancient land as you take in the scenic olive trees and churches.

Afterwards, we’ll head to the Muslim Quarter from the Lion’s Gate where we will follow in the footsteps of the Via Dolorosa; the path believed to mark the way to the site of Jesus’ crucifixion at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is one of the most revered Christian monuments and a must visit when in Israel.

To end the day, we’ll visit an ancient archaelogical site where artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age have been uncovered.

Day 3

After soaking in the vibes of the ancient world and exploring the most important ruins of our religious culture, today we will merge in and blend with the New World.

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll take a guided tour to visit modern icons scattered throughout the city.

We’ll visit the Supreme Court, the Knesset (Home of the Israeli Parliament) and the Israel Museum which houses a model of the old city and the Dead sea scrolls; the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world which were found at the Qumran Caves.

Next, we drive to the Holocaust Memorial of Yad Vashem where we will head into the Judean Hills to visit the ancient village of Ein Karem; now one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

This area is best explored through a leisurely stroll amongst eclectic art galleries and biblical sites, so keep your camera close because you’ll be snapping some incredible spots along the way.

Day 4

We’re heading out of the city today to enjoy the natural wonders of Israel’s landscape, a destination well-known to history buffs and devotees.

Our first stop will be the beautiful Ein Gedi Reserve, a desert oasis graced with waterfalls and mentioned in the Book of Psalms several times.

The trip continues to Masada, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for being King Herod’s desert mountain palace where excavations took place of the palace, bathhouse, and storerooms, presenting striking vistas of the desert and Dead Sea below.

The day will end with a dip in the Dead Sea, famous for its hyper-salinated healing waters and surreal sites in the lowest point on earth. The sea was home to one of the first health resorts in history, and we’ll take a peek from the Israeli shore.

Day 5

After breakfast, we will take the transfer back to Tel Aviv.

The Mediterranean coastline of Tel Aviv juxtaposes the country’s historical roots in neighboring Jaffa and gives the country a truly modern flair. The hotel, which is located on the Mediterranean coastline, features a full-service spa, a rooftop pool, and five dining options.

Visit Old Jaffa, which dates back approximately 4,000 years, as you begin your Tel Aviv tour after checking into your hotel. Take a walking tour of Old Jaffa with your private guide, beginning at the Clock Tower in the central square, a relic from the Ottoman period.

Continue exploring Tel Aviv on foot by taking a drive to Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv’s first neighborhood outside of Jaffa. Neighborhood homes and streets have been beautifully restored and capture the romance of the early days of Jewish urban settlement. Featuring trendy coffee shops and a mix of cultures, artists’ studios, artisan shops, as well as a lively cafe and bar scene.

Day 6

Today is our last full day in Israel, so we’ll immerse ourselves in the city’s culture. A bustling metropolis on the outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa, it has emerged as a center of a vibrant arts scene in Israel.

Experience a private guided tour of the Design Museum, located in an iconic building designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Ron Arad, south of Tel Aviv in the suburb of Holon.

The permanent collection focuses on 20th and 21st century Israeli designers, while the rotating seasonal exhibitions showcasing cinema, music, and fashion.

For the artsy, the Bauhaus architecture and Tel Aviv’s Museum of Art, one of the region’s cultural hotspots with pieces from Van Gogh and Kandisky

Day 7

Today is your last day in Israel. After waking to a delicious breakfast, we’ll take a slow morning to relax and say one final goodbye to our new friends.

Enjoy a private transfer to the airport, where you’ll embark on your journey home or onward to your next adventure.

Until next time!

One of my best trips to date. Claire and Rasheed are so down to earth and spent time with us as if we were friends vs clients. This interaction along with the accommodations and experience itself made this a trip to remember!

Shauna

Expensive but worth every penny! The quality of the accommodations, food, drink, and experiences was exactly what I was looking for and exactly as advertised. Up in the Air Life curates high-end travel and cultural adventures in comfort and style for people of color who want to be in the company of like-minded citizens of the world.

Monique

YOU CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO:

Connect with amazing people.

We provide the opportunity to make friendships with people who share your worldview and won't ask why you wear a bonnet to sleep.

Experience attentive
and authentic hospitality.

Not only is the staff of Up in the Air Life dedicated to making sure your trip is flawlessly executed, but we are also intentional about choosing locales and vendors who celebrate Black travelers.

Be pampered with only the best.

There is no need to take a break from your baller lifestyle when you travel with us. Our lodging, excursions, and dining are pure luxury.

Feel safe and secure.

Our experienced American guides and well-maintained local relationships mean that you will have peace of mind when you travel with us.

Say "goodbye" to FOMO.

Our trips are anything but basic. While we make sure you see well-known main attractions, we also develop itineraries that will give you unique stories to share with your friends back home.

HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT