ISRAEL 70 th Anniversary of Independence Airbase Open Days & Flypast; IAF Museum; Wrecks & Relics; Civil Airfields & Airport Saturday, 14 th Friday, 20 th April, 2018 PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION The 70 th Anniversary of the Independence of Israel will be an historic and a very popular celebration for all Israelis, with many thousands upon thousands returning to the country for the event. Most hotels have been fully booked for months, therefore, we will be staying in apartments in the popular seaside town of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. We have been given 20 places on an excellent aviation tour organised by the well-known Israeli aviation historian and photographer, David Weinrich. With the co-operation of the Israeli authorities, the itinerary will include: on-base or off-base visits to Hatzerim, Nevatim, Ramat David and Haifa AFBs Independence Day Flypast at Ramat David the famous fighter store Sde Dov, Beer Sheva, Kedma and Rishon airfields Ben Gurion Airport Wrecks and relics Details of each Israeli Air Force base s resident aircraft can be seen by clicking on the following website: http://iaviationt.wixsite.com/israelaviationtours/destinations All tourist coaches travelling around Israel must now be accompanied by an on-board Israeli Army security person and we have confirmation of this. Flights will be on the scheduled services of a major airline from London, currently easyjet from Luton; travel in-country will be by coach; accommodation will be in apartments in twin-bedded rooms including a basic breakfast (available from 06:00); and our group will be accompanied by the mandatory official Israeli guide as well as an Ian Allan Aviation Tour Manager. We await confirmation of any single rooms that may be available, at a supplement. If you prefer this option please state this on your booking form. Do not book on this tour if you are not initially prepared to share a twin-bedded room with a fellow traveller. It is necessary that each person on the tour is security checked by the Israeli security authorities for access to, and to be in the vicinity of, airbases and they have placed a deadline of October for the submission of passport details. Therefore, the earlier you book your place the better. This week promises to be a fabulous occasion in which to see a wide range of Israeli military aircraft including their newly delivered F-35s! Please note that British passport holders do NOT need a visa to enter Israel: see page 4. Tour 227807 Israel Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 1 of 5
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local) DAY 1: SATURDAY, 14 th APRIL Having checked in on-line, between 09:00 and 09:45 please go to easyjet s Bag Drop desks in the terminal at Luton Airport. Then meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts who will be gathering in the immediate area. Latest bag-drop time we recommend is 2 hours prior to departure: 09:45 Luton Airport Flight: EZ 2085 (TBC) Departs: 11:45 Tel Aviv Arrives: 18:40 NOTE: FLIGHT DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED: APRIL TIMETABLE NOT YET RELEASED. After the usual arrival formalities we meet our local guide, board the coach and drive to our apartments in Netanya, a beachside resort, 18 miles north of Tel Aviv. There are over 8 miles of beaches which have made this area very popular with locals as well as tourists; it is home to a notably large population of Englishspeaking immigrants from the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Breakfast is available from 06:00 daily in the apartments, but should we have to leave earlier, then a stop will be made en-route for you to purchase tea/coffee, sandwiches etc. DAY 2: SUNDAY, 15 th APRIL Leaving early, today the Ian Allan group will spend most of the day outside Hatzerim AB, located in the Negev desert, to photograph landing aircraft. Sunday is a normal working and flying day in Israel. We then return to our apartments in Netanya. DAY 3: MONDAY, 16 th APRIL With an early start we return to Hatzerim, this time to visit the fabulous IAF Museum (pictured right). A collection of over 140 aircraft, most aircraft are in excellent condition and well spaced for easy photography. We then drive to Nevatim AB to watch activities at the airbase. Note: all accommodation in the Hatzerim and Nevatim areas is very limited and already fully booked. Early evening we arrive back at our apartments in Netanya. DAY 4: TUESDAY, 17 th APRIL We have confirmation of visits to Sde Dov and Ben Gurion Airport - including photos of the famous fighter store at the latter. The afternoon programme depends on flying activity (TBC). DAY 5: WEDNESDAY, 18 th APRIL Today is the Israeli Memorial Day a very significant day. There will be no military flying, instead we go to see wrecks and relics and/or civil aircraft spotting. Alternatively, a free day to enjoy as you please. DAY 6: THURSDAY, 19 th APRIL An early start for our journey to the north of country, to Ramat David AB for their Open Day and view of the flypasts. We then drive to the coast to Haifa AB to see their static display and the aircraft in the museum. Later we see preserved aircraft in the area before returning to Netanya. Tour 227807 Israel Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 2 of 5
DAY 7: FRIDAY, 20 th APRIL We leave Netanya early and drive to the IAF Museum at Hatzerim museum to see the IAF s special static display which was not on public view on our earlier visits. We also stop by Beer Sheva, Kedma and Rishon airfields to see preserved aircraft. Having already checked in on-line, we arrive at easyjet s Bag Drop desks for our flight back to Luton; latest recommended bag-drop time is 2 hours prior to departure: 15:55. Ben Gurion Flight: EZ 2084 (TBC) Departs: 17:55 Luton Arrives: 20:30 NOTE: FLIGHT DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED: APRIL TIMETABLE NOT YET RELEASED. ESTIMATED PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: 227807 From 1,198.00 TBC On request Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis. Single room supplement (possibly unavailable due to limited room availability). Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Return scheduled flights with easyjet from Luton Airport UK and Israeli airport taxes, and UK Passenger Service Charge, (subject to change) One piece of hold luggage All coach transfers and transportation as stated 6 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis Admission to the IAF Museum, Hatzerim Services of an official Israeli tour guide Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager NOT INCLUDED Meals, other than those stated above Visa: not required by UK passport holders see General Information, page 4 Travel insurance see General Information, page 5 Any optional pleasure flights or visits Personal expenditure, for example, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc.# Coach driver s gratuity Other tips and gratuities Tour 227807 Israel Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 3 of 5
GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of 300.00 per person per tour should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return. You may also refer to the World Travel Guide website: www.wtgonline.com for general information on passports, visas and health requirements. UK passport holders don t need a visa to enter Israel as a tourist. On entry, visitors are granted leave to enter for a period of up to 3 months. Visitors entering via Ben Gurion airport are given an entry card instead of an entry stamp in their passport. While this practice is in place at other ports of entry, there have been instances where passports have been stamped for entry purposes. You should keep your entry card with your passport until you leave. This is evidence of your legal entry into Israel and may be required, particularly at any crossing points into the Occupied Palestinian Territories. If you are refused entry into Israel, your passport may be stamped with an entry stamp and two red lines drawn across it to indicate the refusal. It is for the Israeli authorities to determine the right of entry into Israel, if you have any particular concerns about visas or entry into Israel, you should contact the Israeli Embassy in London. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. For up-to-date passport, visa and security information on the destination you intend visiting, we suggest you visit: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provide an Information Line, telephone: 0901 201 505 (calls currently charged at 51p per minute). Baggage Regulations easyjet Departing from Luton Airport Checked Baggage: Maximum total size (length + width + height) = under 275cm. A standard hold bag can weigh no more than 20kgs. One piece of hold luggage is included in the tour price. Cabin Baggage: for travel out of Luton Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including handles and wheels. You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead locker. Your bag must also fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area. All larger-sized items must go in the aircraft s hold. Limited quantities of liquids are allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Individual containers must not exceed 90ml or 3 American ounces, and items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. The bag can only contain: Shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Hand baggage can include: Electronic equipment including mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i- Pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit. All electrical devices, e.g. cameras, laptops, i-pads, mobile phones etc, must be fully charged. If not they, and you, may have to undergo additional security checks which could result in you missing your flight; in which case depending on the co-operation of the airline - you may have to purchase new tickets (if you do not board your first flight then all other flights are automatically cancelled). Meals On this tour a basic breakfast only is included from 06:00. If we have to leave earlier than this time, efforts will be made to have it delivered earlier but if not, a stop will be made for each person to buy their own. Tour 227807 Israel Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 4 of 5
Health Requirements There are no known mandatory or recommended precautions for visiting Israel; however, we strongly recommend you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Currency Getting your hands on local currency in Israel is easy, and there are several ways of doing it. The first place you will have an opportunity to change money is in the baggage hall at the airport. If you miss that there are additional opportunities in the arrivals hall. There are many places, widely located, especially on the main streets of main cities. They are also located in all of the larger shopping malls. It is also possible to exchange money in post offices, however, there is frequently a long line and it can take a long time. You can also withdraw cash directly from an ATM. Most ATMs accepts foreign cards and automatically switch to English on the instructions screen when they recognize a foreign card. At some ATMs (called "caspomats" in Israel). Most ATMs do not charge a fee, however, your bank may charge both a conversion fee and commission. It is important to let your bank know you will be using the card overseas so they don't stop transactions for fear of fraud. While banks do change money most give significantly lower rates than ATMs or money changers. This is not a recommended method of obtaining currency. DO NOT BRING TRAVELERS CHEQUES as it next to impossible to use them and banks charge the highest transaction fee on these. Many exchange offices will not change them. Climate and Dress In April the daytime temperatures are very pleasant: around 60-70 F (15-25 C) in most of the country, so we recommend summer attire but with a jumper or jacket for the cooler evening. Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, are able to offer competitive and comprehensive insurance cover. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to Ian Allan Aviation Tours. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. These policies also include cover for non-scheduled flights, i.e. pleasure flights, where the aircraft is licensed and insured to undertake such flights, and where a payment is made. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests during multi-day stays in the same place, so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in Israel (instead of travelling from the UK with the main group), we will be very pleased to provide a land only price on request. You are strongly advised to contact us before making your own arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Pleasure Flights Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, Ian Allan Travel Ltd will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon. Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc... Ian Allan Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. Tour 227807 Israel Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 5 of 5