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2022: 8 Days in Israel

Cosmopolitan cafes lining beautiful white sand beaches, the giant golden dome of a local shrine rising over homes clad in Jerusalem stone, an oasis in the middle of a vast desert of sand... these 8 days in Israel bring us into the middle of a region of fascinating contradictions.  At any given time you may find yourself reading a newspaper while you float weightlessly in the Dead Sea, sprawled out under the sun at the gay beach full of locals, exploring one of countless world-class museums, or taking in the unique culture and traditions on display through the streets of this Middle Eastern region.  As gay travelers, this trip gives us the ability to take in the Middle East while enjoying the comfort of a relatively gay welcoming community.  We'll immerse ourselves into the thriving LGBT scene, hike around the clifftop fortress of Masada, cover ourselves in the nutrient-rich mud of the Dead Sea, explore the winding alleys of one of the most historically significant cities in the world among many more unforgettable experiences.

The relatively small size of the country means travel distances are very short, allowing us to maximize our time spent exploring, adventuring, and experiencing this complex and unique part of the world!  From the lowest point on Earth at the Dead Sea to the streets of Jerusalem overflowing with history to the white sand beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, your days here are sure to be unforgettable.

Looking for 2023 Israel & Jordan trips?  Click here.

Days 1, 2, and 3 - TEL AVIV

We start in the most cosmopolitan city in Israel - Tel Aviv! Known for its liberal attitudes, beautiful beaches (including a very popular gay beach), and nightlife it couldn't seem more different than Jerusalem, giving it the nickname of "Mediterranean's Manhattan". Take this time to soak in some sun at the beach, explore some incredible museums (Israel has the most museums per capita in the world), wander the streets of Jaffa, grab some drinks on Rothschild Boulevard, or feel free to take a day trip up the coast to Haifa, there are plenty of options to keep ourselves entertained here! We make sure to spend the weekend in Tel Aviv to maximize opportunities for those who like the vibrant city life.

Included Activities: 3-hour walking tour of Tel Aviv

Optional Activites: Beit Hatfutsot • Tel Aviv bike tour • Hilton Beach • Neve Tzedek • Northern Israel tour

Day 4 - DEAD SEA AND MASADA

On day 4 we'll head down to the lowest point on Earth, the famous Dead Sea, known for its unbelievably buoyant waters, the healing effects of its minerals, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.  On the way there we'll stop to explore the clifftop fortress of Masada high atop a plateau overlooking the Dead Sea where the ruins on King Herod's Palace (built around 30 B.C.) are found.  Our time in this area is all about exploring then relaxing, hiking then soaking, getting active then reaping the rewards.  Travel time on the road is less than 2 hours, but the variety of landscape is pretty incredible!

Days 5, 6, 7, and 8 - JERUSALEM

The largest city, capital city, and central hub of culture and history in Israel, and one of the world's oldest and holiest cities. We'll have a fantastic local guide join us through the city to ensure we really make the most of our time at its historically significant sites and learn about its tumultuous history. Our group hotel in Jerusalem is where we all come together to start our adventure at 4:00pm on day 1! If you're flying into Israel on this day just try to arrive in time to get to our group hotel... or if you'd prefer to arrive a day (or more!) early and you'd like some assistance with setting up any extra nights in our group hotel just let us know, we'd be happy to help. Keep in mind that Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are only 45 minutes apart by road so if you'd like to spend extra nights in Tel Aviv before meeting the group in Jerusalem on day 1 we can assist with that too! Our time together will end on the morning of the 8th day as the 11-day travelers continue on to the remainder of their itinerary in Jordan.  You're welcome to book departing flights out of Israel at any time on the 8th day.

Included Activities: 3-hour walking tour of old city Jerusalem 

Optional Activties: West Bank tour • Yad Vashem • Israel Museum • City of David and Western Wall

We don't like staying in smelly shacks on our vacations and we're pretty sure you don't either! You work hard to go on vacation and we believe you deserve an enjoyable, comfortable place to wind down at the end of each day. We put a LOT of time into finding the perfect accommodation for your trip. After rigorous wifi signal testing, fluffing pillows, and taking a shower or two, we've narrowed down our favorite properties. Check out our approved accommodation to see where we've stayed in the past and where we'll likely be staying on your trip.

TEL AVIV: Fabric Hotel

Set on a lively street in Tel Aviv, this trendy hotel is a 5-minute walk from the vibrant Carmel Market, and 2 km from both the Bauhaus buildings in White City. Stylish rooms with wood accent walls create a relaxing atmosphere to escape from the bustle of the city. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, safes and minifridges, plus tea and coffeemakers.

JERUSALEM: Arthur Hotel

Set in the bustling Ben Yehuda district, this relaxed hotel is just over 1 mile (2 km) from both the iconic 7th-century Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine and the Western Wall, a Jewish pilgrimage site. Located in the best part of the cultural core, you'll find his hotel is bursting with colonial character and charm. Featuring vintage decor, the chic rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges and safes, as well as tea and coffeemakers.

*Please note that due to availability, these exact hotels may not all be available during all Detours trips. However, we will always replace these with similar hotels, and will never downgrade.

The Climate

Weather on this trip can vary quite dramatically as we move from inland areas, to the desert, to the seaside.  Just like most places around the world, different times of the year also bring different climates.  This region in the summer is known for hot and dry days, while winters can get pretty chilly.  To help you set your expectations, here are some historical average temperatures at the different places we visit on this itinerary:

  • Jerusalem 
    • March - average high 61F / 16C, average low 45F / 7C
    • June - average high 81F / 27C, average low 61F / 16C
    • October - average high 75F / 24C, average low 57F / 14C
  • Dead Sea 
    • All months - average high 93F / 34 C, average low 63F / 17C
  • Tel Aviv
    • March - average high 68F / 20C, average low 50F / 10C
    • June - average high 84F / 29C, average low 64F  18C
    • October - average high 82F / 29C, average low 63F / 17C
The People and LGBTQ+ Community

The people of Israel have been through a particularly tumultuous history of conflict and have remained a strong and proud group of people.  Their struggles have been some of the most well known of any group of people and their resilience and perseverance will be evident in our interactions with them as well as in their many fantastic museums.  Their two official languages are Hebrew, which is spoken by around 9 million people worldwide, and Arabic, although English is very widely spoken and you won't have trouble finding English speakers through the trip.  

LGBTQ+ rights here are the most advanced and progressive in the Middle East as well as some of the most progressive and accepting in their continent of Asia.  LGBTQ+ people can serve openly in the military, couples can adopt children, and the annual pride parade in Tel Aviv is one of the world's most well known.  While liberal and conservative views will vary depending on the region of the country due to several factors, we'll be quite welcomed as LGBTQ+ travelers across Israel and treated with the same mutual respect that the locals expect of travelers too.

At different points of this trip we'll be in very liberal places home to very vibrant LGBT communities, as well as much more conservative areas which value modesty.  Your trip leader will be sure to advise you on what to expect during each part of the trip but in many places public displays of affection are not common here for the gays or the straights so as some respect for the locals we just suggest that you keep your affection for your partner to more private areas - such as your hotel.  :)

The Cuisine

Israeli food tends to be similar to other Mediterranean diets with an influence of local products and traditional Jewish food preparation techniques.  Dishes such as Baba Ghanoush, falafel, hummus, and shawarma will be very common in addition to tahini, schnitzel, and a breakfast of shakshooka.  There will also be plenty of more "American" options for those who have "less adventurous" palates.   Detours doesn't believe in limiting your choices by including all of your meals at pre-decided restaurants as part of the trip package. Instead, we include all of your breakfasts to start your day off, then we explore all of the different restaurant options available for lunch and dinner. This way we can eat when we want, where we want, and spend what we want! Your trip leader definitely has their favorite spots so if you'd like some advice on the best in each location, just check with them.

What to Bring

Our advice is simple. Pack your bag, then take half of those things out and leave them back home. It’s common to hear people wishing they’d packed less stuff, but we’ve never heard anyone complain that they didn’t bring enough. Even if you realize you forget to pack some crucial item you can always pick up a replacement once you arrive in Israel.

Visas

At the time of writing, citizens of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zelanad, and United Kingdom (among many others) do not need to arrange any visas in advance of your visit to Israel.  If you are coming from a country other than these please just contact us for more info.  

Money

These days it seems that banks find every opportunity to ding us with fees from home and at each ATM we use.  That's why we suggest using a credit card with no international fee, and bring some Israeli Shekels with you.  Many places will also accept US Dollars here, but to avoid their awful exchange rates it's in your best interest to use Shekeles.  We suggest starting with bringing 1000 ILS (Israeli Shekels).  You still may need to use an ATM along the way, but it's best to try to minimize the number of visits.  Travelers checks are a thing of the past so we don’t recommend them any more.

Tipping

While tipping isn't a native custom in this destination, those working in the tourism industry all over the world have come to expect gratuities when providing good service.  This extends to local guides, restaurant wait staff, bus drivers, and your Detours trip leader.  Of course the actual amount is left up to your discretion, if you've been provided excellent service we suggest leaving around 15% for restaurant/wait staff as well as the local equivalent of a few dollars to bus drivers and luggage porters, as well as around $10-15 USD per day for local guides and your Detours trip leader.

Accommodation

We have pretty high standards when it comes to choosing our accommodations, and trust us, we’ve done plenty of room-sniffing, pillow-patting, bed-jumping and bathroom inspections to make sure we stay at quality spots. To be approved as a Detours accommodations provider, a hotel/guesthouse must: be locally owned (to support the local community), be in an amazing location (close to the beach or other hot spots), AND be gay-owned or gay-friendly. We won't be staying in 5-star Ritz-Carltons but we also won't subject you to anything we wouldn't want to stay in ourselves. Clean, comfortable, well-located spots that'll put a smile on your face, you can count on that!

Trip Leaders

All Detours trips are led by one of our own Detours trip leaders.  They're there with you every day and their job is to help ensure that this is your trip of a lifetime by taking the hassle out of your trip and enabling you to experience everything you came to Israel for.  Consider them like a friendly concierge that's traveling along with you.  All of our trip leaders are gay and all are well-traveled and experienced in the destination they're leading in, so they'll be a great part of your experience! We'll also be joined by local guides at several points during this trip which will be a great way to get more in depth with your local experience.

Alarm Clocks

We do absolutely everything possible to avoid needing such a mundane awakening. A world without alarm clocks is one we want to be part of, and your “rise and shine” while in Israel should come from the sound of a call to prayer or camels spitting in the distance. We don't anticipate any early mornings on this trip as all travel days are quite flexible.

Your Group

Our Detours groups are run with a maximum of 16 travelers. Ages of group members vary but around 90% of our travelers are in their 30's, 40's, and 50's. Whatever the age of the guys on our trips everyone's already got something in common, an exciting new experience in a new country! Each group is led by a Detours trip leader who is there to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, allowing you to focus on having the time of your life! We welcome both men and women onto our trips although it’s important to know that most groups are 100% gay men.

Communicating with Home

There is WiFi at every hotel we stay at and most restaurants that we eat in. Alternatively, if your mobile phone is "unlocked" you can pick up a local SIM card which is quite affordable.

Solo Travelers

No problem! Don’t worry, lots of our travelers come solo and our trip will provide plenty of chances to meet great people both inside and outside of our group, including other solo travelers. As far as your accommodations go, you’ve got two choices. We can either pair you up with another solo group member in a two-bed room for no extra charge, or you can have your own room for a reasonable surcharge.

Electrical Outlets

Israel uses a "type C", "Type H" and "type M" plugs, with a unique 3-pronged "Type H" being the most common. The voltage is 230V with 50 Hz frequency. These days, the majority of items that are plugged into an outlet are built to handle varying voltage and frequency levels, but just to be sure, we suggest checking your item for its accetable range.  Adapters are widely available to be purchased while in Israel, but you may wish to bring your own from home.  

What's included? • All taxes • All group transport between itinerary destinations • Accommodations for your 8-day Detours experience • All full breakfasts • Guided visit to Masada • Welcome dinner and drinks • Walking tours with local gay guide in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv • Dead Sea swim • Knowledgeable and fun Detours trip leader • 

What isn't included? • Meals and drinks outside of those listed above • Activities outside of the those listed above • International Airfare • Arrival/departure airport transfers • Optional gratuities •

Additional spending budget?  Your big-ticket items are included through the trip, but you'll want to budget for additional spending such as additional meals, drinks, shopping, activities, etc. These costs can vary dramatically with differing personal habits but we suggest expecting to spend an additional $750 USD at the lower end for the more budget-conscious and $1200 USD at the higher end for the splurgers.  We suggest arriving to Israel with approximately 1,000 local Israeli Shekels.



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Trip Reviews

Stan K. - USA

March 31, 2019

My husband and I just got back from Israel with Detours. It was a great experience and I recommend them highly. At first I was hesitant with the amount of "free time" we were given - despite that being a point of differentiation for Detours - because I am used to other tour companies having most of the time filled with set activities and I am generally too lazy to do much research ahead of time. Detours/Miles handled this by emailing me what we would see as part of the trip and what we wouldn't see so I could book additional arrangements as I wanted. Even better, Miles made himself available for long periods to assist us with making it to our preferred travel sites outside of the tour. Then each free day Miles would lead anyone who was interested on a group walking tour to see/eat/drink/enjoy the local ambiance. I enjoyed the way the group of fellow travelers mixed and blended so everyone got to see what they wanted and we got to know each other well. Good on you Miles, and good on Detours!

David L. - USA

November 16, 2018

Recently returned from the inaugural Israel & Jordan trip, and highly recommend it! Two incredible places to see, and all excellently coordinated by Detours! Everything was amazing, especially Petra! This was our third trip with Detours, and we look forward to the next one. Thanks Miles! David & Thom

Rob D. - Canada

November 8, 2019

Just completed my first tour with Detours to Israel and Jordan. It was the trip of a lifetime and was amazing every step of the way. Miles and Brandon took amazing care of all of us and ensured we all had the time of our lives. A huge selling point is you are not obligated to do anything you don’t feel like doing. If you make friends on your own in destination and want bow out of dinner for an evening, all good! The tour was incredibly well planned and the local tour guides they hire are 5 star all the way. Highly recommend! I’m already thinking about where I’d like to go next!

Jason S. - Canada

June 23, 2019

Just got back from the Israel & Jordan trip and what a blast! Detours takes care of its travellers- small groups so everyone gets to meet each other and bond over amazing journeys around the world. Prices are bang on compared to other gay travel groups, single travellers are welcome and easy to add and the formula they use on trip planning is stellar. Can’t wait to book our next trip!!

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