CULTURE 1 Culture of Experience the Real CULTURE 3

Experience the colorful mosaic of cultures & religions that live side by side in the Holy Land

The roots of the developed long before modern Israel's independence in 1948 and traces back to ancient Israel. It reflects , in the , the ideology of the Zionist movement that developed in the late 19th century, as well as the history and traditions of the Arab Israeli population and ethnic minorities that live in Israel, among them Druze, Circassians, Armenians and more. Today, with its diverse population of immigrants from five continents and more than 100 countries, and significant subcultures like the Mizrahim, Arabs, Russian , Ethiopian Jews, Secular Jews and the Ultra-Orthodox, modern Israel’s cultural landscape is extremely varied. From the snowy peak of Mount Hermon to the lowest place on Earth, The , the lush to the Negev Desert and thriving to the holy city of , our small country is jam-packed with cultural attractions to explore. Amiel Tours offers a diverse collection of tours that features a fascinating blend of past and present. Come with us to experience the colorful mosaic of cultures and religions that live side by side in the Holy Land, enjoy the warm welcome of the locals, listen to multi ethnic music and taste diverse cuisine as varied and colorful as the Israeli people. Through our collection of culture journeys in Israel we look forward to creating many one-of-a-kind experiences and memories that will last you a lifetime.

Cover photo:

Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem, Israel Photo by Roxanne Desgagnés AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE CULTURE 5

Experience The Spice Way Herb & Spice the Beat with Farm – Bethlehem of Galilee

Dance Israel The Spice Farm is both an agricultural farm that grows spices and GET IN TOUCH WITH herbs, and a spice-themed visitor center. Groups visiting the farm ISRAEL’S RHYTHM! can enjoy a free 20 minute lecture about the various uses of spices and receive an endless supply of ideas sure to spice up their lives. Participate in a unique The farm also offers various cooking workshops. Jewish and Israeli folk dance multisensory experience and follow the beat through Israel’s history and culture. Be part… join hands… connect… and get inspired.

Diversity in the of Jerusalem

TOUR OF TRADESMEN & MERCHANTS IN THE OLD CITY An enchanting journey through the alleyways of the Old City where you can still find traditional tradesmen and merchants like shoemakers, tinsmiths, spice merchants, cloth merchants, perfumers, confectioners and old fashioned bakeries. Hear the stories about professions that have almost disappeared from the local landscape, meet with an Armenian artist, a Scribe, a Muslim spice shop owner, and more. AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE CULTURE 7

A Stroll in Neighborhood

An area of breathtaking views and beautiful tree-lined streets in the heart of Jerusalem, where Arabs and Jews have lived together as neighbors since the late 19th century. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the border between Israel and Jordan bisected Abu Tor. In 1967 bloody battles took place here until the Jerusalem Brigade succeeded in conquering all Jordanian posts. Hear stories about the Israeli and Jordanian positions, no man’s lands and demilitarized zones.

Olea Essence Private Tour of Tel Aviv’s (Golan Olive Oil Mill) Visitor Center Levinsky Market

The “Olea Essence” Olive Oil Press is a unique place in the city of Located in the heart of the trendy neighborhood of Florentin in Qatzrin “capital” the Golan Heights near the . A family southern Tel Aviv, and Including tastings of local delicacies, this farm offering guided tours through their ecological olive oil press, tour is a true delight for the senses. During the 1930s, Tel Aviv was explaining the process of olive harvesting to olive oil pressing, and home to a small group of Jews from Thessaloniki, Greece. Before creating Olea Essence natural beauty products in their labs. The tour long, a range of spice shops and eateries opened up across the includes a short film then finishes with a gourmet tasting of different neighborhood, specializing in Balkan cuisine. With the creation of flavors of extra virgin olive oil and a visit to the shop selling the farm’s the State of Israel, an influx of Iranian immigrants to downtown Tel famous olive oils and Olea Essence Natural Cosmetics. Aviv brought with it new tastes and herbs from Persian cooking. The magic of this marketplace lies in its many legendary tales of culinary growth and discovery. AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE CULTURE 9

Bauhaus Tour Through Tel Aviv’s (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The White City of Tel Aviv (the world’s largest collection of Bauhaus style buildings!) is a synthesis of outstanding significance of the various trends of the Modern Movement in architecture and town planning in the early part of the 20th century. The most prominent Bauhaus (International Style) buildings were built during the 1930’s and the 1940’s. The functional Bauhaus architecture not only created well-designed objects, but also a cohesive urban landscape unparalleled throughout the world. Home Hospitality – Experience the Real Israel

An opportunity for your groups to meet the locals up close, while sharing their authentic food and stories. Because Israel is a of religions and traditions, of east and west, the variety is endless. Lunch on route or have a night out, at any location in Israel, the cultural connection will be a memorable one.

Explore Boutique Wineries in Israel

The story of wine in Israel is the story of Israel itself – innovation and history entwined. Wine has been made in the since biblical times. In recent years, dozens of small boutique wineries were founded by passionate across Israel, from the arid Negev desert to the green Galilee and Golan Heights. Today, there are more than 250 boutique wineries, many offering visitor centers happy to host tourists for wine tasting.

Photo taken by Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE

Visit to Tzeela Negev Dairy Farm

Sheep farming in Israel is some of the most productive in the world, with carefully developed breeds of sheep that produce high quantities of milk. At the Tzeela Family Dairy you can get a tour of the farm and pet the sheep and lambs, visit the milking sheds and hear about the process of making the handmade cheese and other dairy products produced there. Also, learn about the lone farms, the vision to settle the Negev and the fascinating personal story of the family. When the tour is over, you can enjoy a picnic lunch under the shady trees and eat some of the fabulous cheese along with other delicacies all sold in the farm store. Also available- cheese making workshops and meals.

Create and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences that become lifelong memories AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE

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