VFI Volun-Tour Odyssey Program
A New Adventure Every Day.
Volun-Touring in Israel
Volun-Touring is impactful travel in Israel that combines the joy of exploring new places and immersion in new cultures while volunteering with your “hands-on” work to make a positive impact.
Whether you’re drawn by history, service, or cultural immersion, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Program Overview
Discover Israel Through Service: Join the VFI Volun-Touring Experience
Step into Israel’s vibrant history and culture with VFI’s Volun-Touring program—designed for adult and senior first-time explorers and seasoned travelers. Over the course of 9 unforgettable days, you’ll contribute to meaningful volunteer projects that connect you directly with local communities.
While making a real impact, you’ll also journey through Israel’s rich tapestry of sites—from ancient landmarks and cultural treasures to modern marvels and hidden gems. It’s a chance to serve, learn, and grow—all in one transformative experience.
CLICK HERE to see the typical daily itinerary for sites you might visit.
Ready to make a difference? Complete our email form to learn more about this program.
Dates and Fees
Program Dates
A VFI Volun-Tour Odyssey trip is a 9-day immersive experience that blends meaningful volunteer work at diverse sites across Israel with guided tours of the country’s cultural and historical landmarks.
The program runs from Friday to the following Saturday. It involves a moderate level of physical activity, and participants of all ages are welcome. Future dates for trips in the VFI Volun-Tour Odyssey Program are:
Trips Beginning in 2026
Oct 16 to 24
Dec 4 to 12
Trips Beginning in 2027
Mar 12 to 20
May 21 to 29
Nov 12 to 20
Program Fees
The all-inclusive program fee covers key expenses such as hotel accommodations, most meals, ground transportation, all-day guided tours, site entry fees, private tour guide, volunteering costs, lectures, and gratuities.
The cost for the full 9-day all-inclusive trip is as follows: double-occupancy accommodations are priced at $2,570, while a single-occupancy upgrade is available for an additional $670. All rates are subject to availability.
As a non-profit organization, VFI is committed to offering premium volun-touring experiences at the lowest possible price. Due to fluctuations in the dollar-shekel exchange rate and other economic factors, it may be necessary to occasionally increase trip fees above those published at the time of your deposit. We will make every attempt to ensure that fee increases are minimal and infrequent.
How to Register for the VFI Odyssey Program
Complete VFI Application and Submit Deposit
To reserve your space in a program, submit a completed application which includes making a $500 refundable deposit. This deposit will be applied toward the final cost. VFI is a 501(c)3 non-profit so part of your payment may be tax-deductible. Please consult your financial advisor.
Travel Documents
- Passport: Traveling in Israel requires a passport that must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your arrival date
- NEW VISA Requirement: All non-Israeli visitors to Israel must have a valid visa or ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before they start their trip. The ETA-IL is valid for two years and multiple trips of 90 days or less. The cost is 25 NIS (about $7.00) per person and obtained by online application at: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/
Insurance
VFI requires individual medical coverage while in Israel. Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the U.S., so you should confirm with your insurer whether your policy includes coverage for treatment in Israel. VFI strongly recommends obtaining trip cancellation insurance which may also include medical coverage*.
*For more information, see the Q&A on our Resources webpage.
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Group size is limited, and a



Summary of Activities
This program provides five immersive volunteer days, three private touring days, and one travel day. Intensive custom touring focuses on well-known and less-visited yet compelling historic sites with a small size group.
Your volun-tour trip kicks with a friday evening dinner followed by Saturday with introductory touring, offering volunteers a chance to explore key sites and get oriented.
Starting Sunday THROUGH THURSDAY the focus shifts to a full week of hands-on volunteering in adventurous and varied service projects that address urgent needs across the country. You report daily for different volunteer opportunities.
List of Possible Volunteer Opportunities
1. Chamal Ben Yehuda 86 (distribution center for supplies and equipment for soldiers)
2. Tzitziot Tying
3. Leket Logistics Center (sorting/packing fruit and vegetables)
4. Revital’s Chamal (daily preparation and distribution of good items for soldiers)
5. Citrus and Salt (cooking for soldiers)
6. Israel Support Bridge (distribution center for soldiers)
7. Tachlit-Jerusalem (helping families in need)
8. Lone Soldiers’ Center -Jerusalem
On Friday, the focus shifts to two days of guided touring, featuring both iconic destinations and hidden gems that reveal Israel’s depth and diversity. The journey culminates with a farewell dinner, and the program officially concludes Saturday night at the airport.
Typical Itinerary
Click on each day below to expand and view details of a typical trip. Please be aware that all tours and volunteer activities are subject to change depending on the weather, availability and security situation in Israel. If something has to change, our tour guide, Julia, will find a replacement activity and site which will be excellent for all.
Day 1 -Friday – Greetings & orientation (Start Week 1)
Check in to Maxim Hotel (86 Hayarkon, Tel Aviv).
Optional for those arriving early and feeling energetic enough to walk around themselves, check out the Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market and the Carmel Market –
Group Welcome dinner.
Overnight in Maxim Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 2 -Saturday – Walking tour of Tel Aviv – The City which is never asleep
Breakfast at your hotel.
Explore Tel Aviv: We will visit some classical sites – such as the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and Rothschild Blvd, as well as less familiar ones – such as Sarona and Florentine – known for its lively vibe, street art, and graffiti inspired by the war.
Also, visit Hostage Square.
Group dinner on your own.
Overnight in Maxim Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 3 -Sunday – Volun-Touring begins – Support Pamela!
Breakfast at your hotel.
Volunteer at Chamal Ben Yehuda 86 or Support Bridge for soldiers (Petah Tikvah).
Optional: Visit ANU Museum, the museum of the Jewish People.
Group Dinner.
Overnight in Maxim Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 4-Monday – Get to the Ground
Early take-away breakfast at hotel.
Volunteer in farming by harvesting, packing, sorting fresh fruits and vegetables.
Leket Logistics Center.
Get back to the hotel, refresh and rest.
Optional: An evening time walking tour of Old Jaffa.
Overnight in Maxim Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 5-Tuesday – Do More Good
Breakfast at your hotel.
Volunteer at Revital’s Kitchen (food preparation for soldiers, families).
Volunteers tying Tzitzit for the soldiers.
Overnight in Maxim Hotel, Tel Aviv.
Day 6-Wednesday – Volunteer Activity to Be Determined
Breakfast at your hotel. Check out of the hotel.
Volunteer Activity
Overnight in Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Day 7-Thursday – Volunteering in Jerusalem
Breakfast at your hotel.
Volunteer at Tachlit, Pantry Packers, or Yad Lakashish.
Tour the Nova Site.
Dinner and overnight Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Day 8-Friday – Support the Lone Soldiers
Breakfast at your hotel.
Visit and volunteer at Michael Levin’s Lone Soldiers Center in Jerusalem.
Optional: Visit Mahane Yehuda Market, Ben Yehuda Street, Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel.
Dinner and overnight Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Day 9-Saturday – Eternal Jerusalem and Farewell – all day touring
Breakfast and check out at your hotel.
Walking Tour of the Old City: Participate in the Western Wall Tunnels Tour, place a note in the Wall.
View some of the first neighborhoods of modern Jerusalem.
Take a look at the iconic King David hotel.
View the Knesset and the Supreme Court.
Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant.
Volunteers will be dropped off at the airport on Saturday night for departure, while those choosing to extend their stay in Israel may continue independently.
Hotel Information
(Changing conditions in Israel may require the substitution of hotels different than but equivalent to those in the Typical Itinerary shown above).
Maxim Hotel in Tel Aviv – 86 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903, Israel. (855) 213-5953 972 3-517-3721 https://www.telavivmaxim.com/ OR email Mr. Said at reservation@telavivmaxim.com
Golden Crown Hotel in Haifa – https://www.goldencrown-hotels.com/
Prima Royale Hotel in Jerusalem – https://www.prima-hotels-israel.com/prima-royal-jerusalem-hotel
Golan Hotel in Tiberias – https://www.golanhotel.com/
Ohalo Manor in Kinneret – https://www.ohalo-hotel.com/en/home-en/
Your Program Contacts
For more information about the trips in this program, please refer to the Question-And-Answer section or feel free to contact our knowledgeable program leaders.
Primary contact:
Diane Kremin
dianelivfi@gmail.com
516.428.1674
Other Contact: Lisa Bell
vfi.lisa9@gmail.com
954.298.7495
Request More Information
Fill out the form below to request more information about all our Volun-Tour opportunities.
RESERVATIONS ON A FIRST-COME BASIS



