Culinary Tour 6 nights 7 days Private - Monday arrival

MONDAY TEL AVIV

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by Monarch-Israel representatives and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for overnight.
Evening: Drive to Tel Aviv Port for a welcome dinner at the Kitchen Market, a contemporary gourmet restaurant on the upper floor of Shuk HaNamal farmer's market in the Tel Aviv port, one of the city's most beautiful spots. Renowned chef Yossi Shitrit has carefully designed a menu intended to stimulate all the senses, created with the highest-quality ingredients and the most advanced cooking techniques. Dinner will be a tasting menu.

TUESDAY TEL AVIV

Start the morning at the Carmel Market; stroll the streets and experience a typical Israeli market. We’ll have a special guide here, who will introduce us to some of the characters that make this market so unique.
We’ll continue to the Levinsky Market and taste some of the spices and unique Jewish ethnic foods such as Bulgarian, Turkish and Eastern European.
Continue to the nearby beautiful and newly developed Tahana (converted railroad station), with its many upscale boutiques and cafes.
Dinner tonight will be at one of Tel Aviv’s most famous restaurants: Claro. Owned and run by chef Ran Shmueli, Claro is located at the Sarona complex in an old Templar building built in 1886. The restaurant offers entertainment and great music along with a superb dining experience.

WEDNESDAY TEL AVIV

Drive south to Kibbutz Beit Nir near Lachish, where we will learn about their olive oil production, including a tasting.
Then drive through the Chevel Adulam, known as the “Provence of Israel,” and stop at one of the local boutique wineries and cheese makers.
Arrive in Jerusalem and continue to the Machne Yehuda Market, a landmark institution and one of the most prosperous markets in Israel. We'll have an indepth tour, with emphasis on the history of the market, the types of foods sold and their uses and origins. Have lunch (not included in the price) at one, or several, of the food-stalls at the market.
Continue to the new arts and crafts market at the Old Train Station.
Dinner will be a treat: Drive to Ein Karem, a picturesque neighborhood of Jerusalem and meet chef/artist Atalia Ein Mor. At her home/gallery she combines a workshop on trendy local modern Israeli cuisine and art.

THURSDAY TEL AVIV

Depart Tel Aviv and drive north to Beit Lehem Haglilit, where you will visit the spice farm and participate in a workshop, which includes making za’atar (subject to confirmation).
Continue to Daliat el Carmel and visit Yad Lebanim. Learn about Druze society and their role in the Israeli military and sacrifice for the security of Israel. Then visit Noura’s Kitchen to experience authentic Druze cooking and hospitality in a home environment. Continue to Akko (ancient Acre), the maritime capital of the Crusader Kingdom, and visit the Knights' Halls, one of the most beautiful and impressive remains from this period.
Walk to Uri Buri fish restaurant and meet the legendary Uri Buri. Uri is a chef, a fisherman, an entrepreneur, and a truly unique character. We’ll meet with Uri to hear his stories and, if we’re lucky, he will walk us to his new creation: the Effendi Hotel - an Ottoman building lovingly restored by Uri over many years. Today it is a jewel of Akko. Dinner will be a tasting menu.

FRIDAY TEL AVIV

After tasting different types of Israeli food, today we’ll roll up our sleeves and participate in a workshop on how to prepare Israeli food from a variety of influences (North African, Eastern European and modern Israeli).
Return to your hotel for a well-deserved Friday afternoon siesta.
This evening, we’ll dine and dance with one of Israel’s best female chefs: Lili Ben Shalom, at her Georgian creation: Racha. Enjoy the unique testers menu and great music and dancing. Return to Tel Aviv for overnight.

SATURDAY TEL AVIV

Drive north and visit a winery then continue to the Galilee for a special lunch experience: Meet Chef Zuzu Hana at his chef’s Restaurant Magdalena. Chef Zuzu is the most prominent Arab Chef in Israel introducing modern gourmet Arab cuisine. Lunch will be a tasting menu.
Return to Tel Aviv and some free time.
Tonight, your farewell dinner will be at the Tel Aviv-Yaffo Restaurant in Tel Aviv. Meet Chef Haim Cohen, one of Israel’s most prominent chefs. Taste and learn about the new Israeli cuisine, combining the comfort foods of Haim’s childhood with contemporary Israeli cuisine. Dinner will be a tasting menu.

SUNDAY DEPARTURE

You will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight.