Saturday, October 28: Depart U.S., evening flight Sunday, October 29 Welcome to Israel A member of our staff will meet you upon arrival at Passport Control at Ben Gurion Airport to assist you with arrival procedures. He will then see you to your guide, driver and touring vehicle for the transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv to check in and freshen up. Enjoy an opening Dinner and Orientation is included for you tonight at 'Blackout' the only restaurant in Israel in which the waiters are blind or sight-impaired. It is part of the Na Lagaat ("Please Do Touch") center located in the old Jaffa port. The restaurant is kosher, serves dairy vegetarian food and fish, and operates in complete darkness. The hostesses take the patrons' food orders in the lighted bar area outside the restaurant and transmit the orders to the kitchen. The blind waiters and waitresses then greet the visitors in the dimly-lit restaurant vestibule and lead them into the pitch-dark restaurant. The visitors are seated and dine in complete darkness. Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv 1
Monday, October 30 Touring in Tel Aviv After breakfast meet your guide, driver and touring vehicle. Drive over to Jaffa, one of the oldest biblical cities in the world and an important seaport since antiquity. Visit the restored Old City including the artists' colony and the quaint harbor. Jaffa has much to offer in the way of art galleries, gift shops and restaurants found tucked away amongst the winding, cobblestone streets. While here in Jaffa, meet Ms. Doris Hiffawi, and hear her humorous and entertaining life story and family history including being married off as a teenager and growing up as a Christian-Arab in Jaffa. Stop to have Malabi, a thick Turkish drink (own account). Proceed to the Levinsky Shuk (Market), one of the finest markets in Tel Aviv, specializing in spices and Mediterranean delicacies. Meet up with a local market expert who will take you on a tour of the marketplace and introduce you to the shopkeepers to see all their wonderful produce. Hear their stories and sample their wares offering mostly spices and delicatessen products from a wide variety of choices. Meet an expert guide and take a stroll through the streets of Tel Aviv where among the shadowy carpentries and garages, are hidden unknown works of Graffiti art. Stroll on through Neve Zedek, one of the first neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, for a short tour to see the meticulously restored historic homes. Round off the day at the Culinary Center to meet an experienced chef who will give you a menu for dinner, split into groups and have some fun with the chef preparing a gourmet meal. After practicing your skills in the kitchen, all sit down for a feast you cooked yourselves. Overnight Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv 2
Tuesday, October 31 Along the coast to the Galilee Check out of your hotel this morning. Depart Tel Aviv and head toward the Tulip Winery which was established by the Itzhaki family. It was born out of a great love for wine and a great love for people. This winery integrates the production of quality wines with social responsibility. It is located on a mountainside in Kfar Tikva (Village of Hope), where the population consists of people with special needs. The Winery aspires to enable members of the community to develop and realize their potential. The Itzhaki's desire to produce wine gave rise to an exciting model of a wine industry that employs the community members and offers them a business platform to integrate into the workforce just like in mainstream society. Tour this unique winery, meet the employees and enjoy tasting the wines. Continue along the coast to the ancient city of Akko. Enjoy lunch in Akko at the Uri Buri Restaurant. After lunch tour, Akko, once the Crusader capital of the North and now a city of mixed Arab and Jewish populations. Walk on the city walls to the harbor, and through the colorful markets, to visit the huge underground Crusader Halls. Drive on via the Galilee to your hotel and check in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure taking advantage of the hotel facilities and the spa treatments on offer (should be reserved in advance not included in the cost). You may also like to swim in the indoor pool or relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi that has a magnificent view of the Galilee. A dinner is included for you tonight at your hotel. Overnight Setai Hotel Hotel, Sea of Galilee 3
Wednesday, November 1 The Golan Heights Overnight Setai Hotel, Sea of Galilee This morning drive up to one of the highest mountains on the Golan Heights, the Bental Volcano, which will give you a terrific view of the Israeli/ Syria lines as you hear of the importance of this area to Israel. Continue to a Druze Village for a cooking workshop. This unique religious and ethnic minority family that live in Israel, will explain what it's like keeping their traditions while living in Israel and show you how to prepare a traditional Druze meal. Round off the visit with lunch sharing the food you made during the workshop. After lunch visit the Assaf Boutique Winery where seven different types of grapes are grown for wines. Tour the winery to view the state-ofthe-art on-site laboratory which provides inspection services for this winery and other boutique wineries in the area. Their barrel room contains more than 150 barrels where the wine ages, matures and takes on its wonderful taste and fragrance. Hear an explanation of the entire production process. Now it is time to board awaiting jeeps to descend the Golan Heights. During the course of the expedition, you will pass former Syrian army headquarters and positions overlooking the Galilee. In the late afternoon, meet a local chef in the scenic outdoors to take part in a Galilean style cooking workshop where you will prepare a meal together. Round off the visit by partaking of the gourmet meal outside in the hills. 4
Thursday, November 2 From Galilee along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem Enjoy the morning at leisure taking advantage of the hotel facilities and the spa treatments on offer (should be reserved in advance not included in the cost). You may also like to swim in the indoor pool or relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi that has a magnificent view of the Galilee. At noon check out of your hotel. Head south to Stop off at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu situated in the fertile Beit Shean Valley. Meet an expert who will take you on a tour of this unique Kibbutz that boasts clean air and a chemical free environment, view organic farming at its best. Learn about the biological pesticides that are mass produced as natural enemies for biological pest control. Also, see how Barn Owls are used. Hear how bumble bees help form natural pollination in greenhouses and open fields, all this is used to protect the environment. Round off the visit with a typical Kibbutz lunch. Drive on along the Jordan Valley and ascend to Jerusalem. Before entering the eternal city, take a moment to stop at Mount Scopus and participate in an emotional moment when the group partakes in an age-old tradition of saying the "Shehecheyanu" and "Borei Pri Hagefen" blessing as pilgrims did when approaching Jerusalem for centuries. Arrive at your hotel and check in. This afternoon meet Nurit Hertz a n d t a k e part in an Indian, vegetarian workshop, learn about the special spices, herbs, and ingredients used as you will cook an Indian style meal. Conclude the workshop by enjoying the food you cooked. 5
Thursday, November 2 Late in the evening head to the crowded ultra-orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim to meet an expert who will take you on a special evening tour of this ultra-orthodox area. Smell the aroma of fresh challah from the bakeries as you watch the people begin making their early preparations for Shabbat. Overnight David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem Friday, November 3 Touring in Jerusalem Enjoy a late start today at some of the neighborhoods of Jerusalem such as the Nachlaot area where there are quaint small synagogues pressed up against newly restored residences and colorful alleyways. Continue to the Mahane Yehuda open-air market in Jerusalem to see how the locals do their shopping in preparation for Shabbat. Meet with a culinary expert who will take you on a special tour by introducing you to some of the shopkeepers to see their wonderful produce and hear their stories and sample their produce. Return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. You may like to take a walk to Mishkenot Shananeem, the first Jewish neighborhood outside of the Old City walls developed by Moshe Montefiore. Or head to the Mamilla outdoor Shopping Promenade for some shopping at the exclusive shops and boutiques situated along the walkway there are many restaurants and sidewalk cafes to dine in (own account). Towards the evening make your way to the Old City to welcome the Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall) and notice how people from all corners of the world gather together with one purpose in mind, to welcome the Shabbat Bride at the holiest place on earth for Judaism. 6
Friday, November 3 continued Tonight you will be hosted by an Israeli family who will welcome you into their home to share Shabbat meal enjoy good food, wine, and lively conversation. Overnight David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem Saturday, November 4 The Southwestern Frontier Depart your hotel heading south to the observation point overlooking the Gaza Strip, see where rockets were launched into Israel and learn from your guide about the current situation. Continue to Moshav Talmey Yoseph where the homing pigeons will arrive to. Take an interesting agricultural hi-tech tour with a local Agronomist in the Moshav greenhouses. Pick and taste a variety of organic vegetables followed by a typical farmer's style lunch cooked on open fires in the special "poyke" mode of cooking. Conclude the day at a boutique Winery to enjoy a tour and sampling of their excellent produce. Return to your hotel to freshen up. Dinner is included for you tonight at Machneyuda Restaurant (pending availability). Overnight David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem 7
Sunday, November 5 Lehitraot Drive over to the Old City of Jerusalem and enter through one of the famous gates. Enjoy winding through the narrow, busy streets, and colorful Bazaars filled with small shops where you will meet a culinary expert who will take you on a special tour of the marketplace and introduce you some of the shop keepers to see their wonderful produce, hear their personal stories and sample their wares. Now enjoy some time for last minute shopping (or an optional guided tour of the Old City) before returning to your hotel to check out (late check out is included). Your guide, driver and touring vehicle will meet you prior to your departure flight. Enjoy a farewell dinner before your transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight. A member of our staff will assist you with departure procedures. 8
..ooo.. L E T T E R O F Q U O T A T I O N HOTELS: Accommodation at hotels includes full Israeli breakfast daily and hotel service charge. The price has been based on the following hotels: October 29 31 (2 nights) Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv (premium rooms) October 31 November 2 (2 nights) Overnight Setai Hotel, Galilee. (Kinneret suite with jacuzzi) November 2-5 (3 nights plus late check out) David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem (superior premium rooms) MEALS: In addition to the complete Israeli breakfast served daily, we have included the following meals Sunday, October 29: Dinner at Blackout Restaurant, Jaffa Monday, October 30: Food samples at Levinsky food Market, Tel Aviv Monday, October 30: Workshop and Dinner at the Culinary Center Tel Aviv Tuesday, October 31: Lunch at Uri Buri Restaurant, Akko Tuesday, October 31: Dinner at Setai Hotel, Galilee Wednesday, November 1 Druze workshop and lunch, Golan Heights Wednesday, November 1: Galilean outdoor cooking workshop including Dinner Thursday, November 2: Lunch at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, Jordan Valley Thursday, November 2: Vegetarian/Indian workshop including Dinner Friday, November 3: Food samples at Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem Friday, November 3: Home hospitality Dinner in Jerusalem Saturday, November 4: Farmers Lunch at Shvil Hasalad Saturday, November 4 Dinner at Mahane Yehuda Restaurant, Jerusalem Sunday, November 5: Food samples in the Old City of Jerusalem Sunday, November 5: Pichonka Restaurant, Jerusalem. Or similar 9
OTHER SERVICES IN ISRAEL: One group VIP meeting/assistance upon arrival before Passport Control Entrance fees to the various parks and sites, as per the itinerary. Bottled mineral water on touring vehicle throughout. Porterage at hotels. Porterage at airport. One group VIP meeting/assistance upon departure in the Terminal. TOURING AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: Eight days of touring with a professional English speaking tour guide Eight days services of a driver driving a touring vehicle licensed/ insured for tourism. Overnight stays away from home base and expenses for the tour guide and driver All mileage per the above program. All tour coordination services. Doris Hiffawi in Jaffa Agronomist workshop in Talmey Yoseph Food tour with a culinary expert on October 30 at the Levinsky Market Tel Aviv Food tour with a culinary expert on November 3 at Mahane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Food tour with a culinary expert on November 5 in the Old City of Jerusalem. Graffiti Tour. Bio Tour at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu. Special tour in Mea Shearim with an expert. Night outings as per itinerary on October 30, November 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 One group departure transfer from Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport. THE ABOVE TOUR IN ISRAEL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Cost of round trip airfare from country of origin to Israel. Any expenses of a personal nature. Meals other than those indicated. Any gratuities at all. Spa treatments. Early check in Overtime or over mileage beyond what has been allotted. Any guests at meals other than the participants of the party. Personal health insurance, insurance for baggage, personal items, trip cancellation or interruption. 10
COST PER PERSON: Total cost per person sharing a double room in groups of the following sizes: 10-14 full paying guests on a mini bus: $4,859 15-19 full paying guests on a midi bus: $4,422 20-24 full paying guests on a midi bus: $4,116 25-29 full paying guests on a full size bus: $3,906 Single Supplement (for one guest in a room) $1,090 PLEASE NOTE: The above-suggested program includes many elements that have not yet been booked. They are pending final booking and confirmation. As such, there may be slight changes in the final program. The above cost is subject to change at any time as per notice from hotels and other suppliers of services. If number of participants and/or rooming arrangements and/or flights schedules are changed, the price will have to be revised. HOTELS IN ISRAEL: Please note that check - in at Israeli hotels is 2:00 PM 3:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon. Should you want guaranteed early check -in or guaranteed late check-out, this may well involve a supplemental charge. Late check out is included at the David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem. Note also that check-in at many Israeli hotels on Saturdays is often two hours after sundown. Some Israeli hotels charge for wireless internet services THE TOUR DAY: The above proposal has been priced out based on the itinerary, mileage and hours to be traveled, and the other touring elements noted above. Should you veer from the printed program this may result in over mileage and/or overtime charges above and beyond what has been budgeted. The base tour day is based on up to ten hours per day. Such charges will be billed to you at the end of the trip. GRATUITIES IN ISRAEL: The recommended tip for your Israeli guide and driver is some $15 to $18 per person per day (split 2/3 to the guide and 1/3 to the driver). It is customary also to tip your airport drivers, bellboys and hotel staff. This is of course left up to your discretion. This is of course left up to your discretion. 11
PASSPORT / VISA INFORMATION: All passports need to be valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the USA. Note that upon entering Israel, your passports are no longer stamped. Instead you will receive a formal stamped form with a visa valid for 3 months. Please keep this form as you will need it for hotel check in, car rental, bank affairs, entry to the Knesset, etc. TERMS OF PAYMENT: 1. A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to assure reservations. 2. 60 days before arrival 50% of the total amount is required. 3. Final and full payment is required 30 days prior to arrival. 4. Payment may be made via bank transfer. 5. Funds may be wired to: Bank HaPoalim, 12, Rehovot Branch #615 Credit to Mabat Platinum Ltd., Touring Services. Account: #615 515 Bank Address: Herzl Street, 179, Rehovot, Israel Swift: poalilit IBAN #: IL870126150000000615515 6. All above prices and all payments must be made in U S dollars. CANCELLATION POLICY: If cancellation is received in our office: 1. From date of payment of deposit until 60 days before arrival date $1,000 per person will be charged. 2. Between 60 30 days prior to arrival an additional $1,000 per person will be charged. 3. Within 30 days of arrival - full payment will be charged. 4. Cancellation of various elements in the program less than 48 hours prior to the event may well result in a full cancellation charge. NEW VAT TAX REGULATIONS: Please be aware that according to the new Israeli tax laws, being strictly enforced by all hotels, all guests holding Israel citizenship, even those with dual citizenship/ passports both for individual travelers and guests part of a group, or invited local guests, will be charged VAT tax. Therefore we need to receive this information in advance in order to finalize the bill. Should we not get this information in advance, and hotels charge us VAT tax, be aware that we will charge you with this extra amount retroactively. Should the Israeli Government change the VAT tax law for tourists holding foreign citizenship, a VAT tax will apply to all touring services. 12
INSURANCE: Insurance for baggage, personal items, health coverage and trip cancellation and interruption is not included, but is highly recommended. We suggest obtaining coverage through your local provider. RESPONSIBILITY: Mabat Platinum Ltd., (hereinafter called the Tour Operator), acts only as an agent for the various companies, owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, accommodation and other services. All exchange orders, coupons and tickets are offered subject to the Terms and Conditions under which such services are offered or provided. The issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the further conditions that the Tour Operator shall not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in any vehicle, or through the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger/s or of any hotel proprietor, personnel or servant otherwise in connection therewith. The airline and transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act; omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour announced in this program and to make such alterations to the itineraries as may be found desirable for the proper carrying out of the tours. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable in the Tour Operator's discretion to alter the arrangements or itineraries for the passenger/s comfort or welfare or for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Operator. The Tour Operator reserves the right to change any hotel/s listed with one of a similar category if circumstances necessitate. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the passenger/s. The right is reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any group at any time. I trust that the above is satisfactory. Feel free to forward any comments or questions by e-mail. Sababa, Sharon Rockman 13