Israel may be a tiny country but there’s so much to see. Naturally, Israel’s historic importance is a major draw. This is where the three major monotheistic religions collide. Israel is also the gay capital of the Middle East.
Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city that’s firmly established as one of the best destinations on earth for gay travellers. This trip will show you all the highlights of Israel while staying in the most exclusive hotels. As well as exploring the urban charms of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, you’ll take a trip to the Negev Desert and stay in one of Israel’s best luxury hotels.
Itinerary In Detail
Days 1-3: Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is known as the “Manhatten of the Middle East.” It’s a very modern city. The foundations of Tel Aviv were laid in 1909, in stark contrast to its neighbour Jerusalem, which dates back many thousands of years.
You can enjoy Tel Aviv’s excellent beaches, not to mention its ever-popular gay beach. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and discover Tel Aviv’s coastal charms. Be sure to visit Jaffa, the historic Arab city. The Yemenite Quarter may well be the most charming district of Tel Aviv. You’ll find many museums to explore, particularly Beit Hatefutsoth, also known as the Museum of the Jewish People.
You’ll be staying at the luxurious Brown Beach House.
Days 4-5: Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the city where so much of world history converges. Real estate promises from ancient texts are hotly contested here, and no one seems to have a solution. History is very much alive in this city – that’s what makes it almost excessively interesting.
Some of the highlights include a visit to The Wailing Wall, the most sacred site of the Jewish faith. Be sure to visit Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center) and the Dome of the Rock. Seeing so much history in one go can be overwhelming. Fear not, Jerusalem is packed with some amazing restaurants and bars.
You’ll be staying at the Waldorf Astoria.
Days 5-8: Shaharut Negav Desert
Spend the last few days of your Israel adventure relaxing in the Negev Desert’s stunning Six Senses Shaharut. Surrounded by sand dunes and salty air, this is a perfect place to unwind. Opened in 2021, Six Senses Shaharut is one of the more recent additions to Israel’s luxury hotel scene. The Negev Desert provides an otherworldly landscape – it’s almost like being on another planet. It took around a decade and cost over $100m to build this hotel.
The Negev Desert spreads over more than half of Israel. To say the surroundings are atmospheric would be an understatement. You can take an excursion into the desert and discover the Bedouin lifestyle that’s still very much alive and unchanged for centuries.
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Further Information
This itinerary will feature luxury transfers throughout. You can join optional private tours of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, each with an LGBT+ tour guide. The tours can be built to suit your needs, whether you’d prefer to discover more of the historical side or more of the cuisine and culture. Whatever you’re looking for you can find it in Israel.
