CHABAD OF THE FIVE TOWNS

CHABAD OF THE FIVE
TOWNS - ISRAEL TRIP
14-22 January 2015
www.IsraelMaven.com
+972-2-560-6676
Day 1
Wednesday,
January
14th
Arrival – The Journey Begins
 Welcome to Israel!!! Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Participants on
group flight will be greeted by our representatives and escorted
through passport control, baggage claim and customs
 Transfer to Jerusalem
 Opening of program with a stunning view over Jerusalem from the
Mt of Olives
 Time for reflection at the Western Wall
 Discover the secrets of the Second Temple as you navigate the
Western Wall Tunnel
 Check-in to hotel, unpack, rest & relax
 Welcome dinner at Ticho House restaurant with Israel Maven Staff
& Gil Hoffman – Political correspondent at the Jerusalem Post
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel – Jerusalem
Day 2
Thursday,
January
15th
Jerusalem
 Breakfast at the hotel
 Feel the stories of the Tanach come alive in the City of David
 Ascend to the foundation of the Western Wall through the newly
opened tunnel
 Explore the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, Broad Wall,
Tzemach Tzedek and more…
 Lunch on own in Jewish Quarter
 Take part in a real-life archeological excavation at Emek Zurim
 Walk in the footsteps of the Paratroopers who liberated the Old City
in 1967
 Evening at leisure
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel – Jerusalem
Day 3
Friday,
January
16th
Jerusalem
 Optional Vasikin at Kottel
 Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel
 Departure
 Adults: Pay tribute the memory of the Six Million at Yad Vashem
Holocaust Museum & Children’s Memorial (special twinning
program)
 Kids: Explore the Tisch Family Biblical Zoo
 Experience the vibe at the Machane Yehuda Outdoor Market and
/or the Shabbat preparations at Geula neighborhood
 Lunch on own and afternoon at leisure
 Join thousands of Jews from around the globe in joyous celebration
of Shabbat at the Western Wall
 Friday night dinner at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul with Rabbi Yossi
Swerdlov
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel – Jerusalem
Day 4
Shabbat,
January
17th
Shabbat Experience
 Optional Services at the Mayanot Shul, Chabad of Rechavia, Great
Synagogue or Tzemach Tzedek
 Lunch at hotel (included)
 Time to rest & relax
 Seuda Shlishit with Mati Dan in the Moslem Quarter
 Maariv & havdalla
 Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David – weather permitting
 Evening at leisure
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 5
Sunday,
January
18th
Hevron & Gush Etzion
 Full Israeli breakfast at the hotel
 Departure
 Tour the Jewish neighborhoods of Hevron including Avraham
Avinu, Bet Hadassah & Tel Romeida with Rabbi Danny & Batsheva
Cohen
 Daven in the Cave of Machpela
 Lunch at Gush Etzion Winery (included)
 Xtreme sports at Deer Land (zip-line, wall-climbing, ropes course)
OR Caliber 3 Shooting Range (additional cost)
 Maariv at Kever Rachel
 Return to Jerusalem
 Evening at leisure
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel – Jerusalem
Day 6
Monday,
January
19th
Judean Desert
 Breakfast at hotel
 Enjoy a photo op while riding a camel!
 Explore the gorgeous oasis of Ein Gedi where David fled from King
Saul
 Lunch on own at Masada
 Ascend the desert fortress of Masada and relive the dramatic
confrontation between the Zealots and the Romans
 Float in the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth at the Ein Gedi
Spa
 Dinner at Genesis Land
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 7
Tuesday,
January
20th
Greater Tel Aviv Area
 Breakfast at hotel
 Checkout & departure from hotel
 10:00am Learn to appreciate your senses at Dialogue in Darkness
 Packed lunch provided
 1:00pm Discover the Underground Bullet Factory at Machon Ayalon
 2:30pm Tour the Weizmann Institute & hear about the latest Israeli
technological advances that are shaping the world we live in
 Enjoy dinner at Kfar Chabad & visit the Matza Bakery & 770
 Transfer to Tzfat & check-in to hotel
Overnight: Ruth Rimonim Hotel Tzfat
Day 8
Wednesday,
January
21st
Golan
 Breakfast at hotel
 Optional Shacharis at Meron
 Horseback riding at the Bat – Ya’ar ranch
 Packed lunch
 Jeep tour in Northern Golan Heights
 OZ 77 - short powerful movie about Yom Kippur War &
Avigdor Kahalani
 Chocolate workshop at De Karina
 Host IDF combat soldiers for a BBQ at their base (based
on group decision)
Overnight: Ruth Rimonim Hotel Tzfat
Day 9
Thursday,
January
22nd
Galilee
 Breakfast at hotel
 Checkout & departure
 Discover the Mystical City of Tzfat including beautiful synagogues,
artists’ colony, candle factory and more
 Watch a live glass-blowing demonstration by Kabbalistic artisan
Sheva Chaya
 Lunch on traditional Yemenite foods (on own)
 Visit Otzar HaStam for a behind-the-scenes look into the writing of
Torah Scrolls, Tefillin and Mezuzot
 Lookout over the Golan Heights from the Tomb of Rabbi Akiva
 Enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee
 Dinner in Tiberias
 Depart for Ben Gurion Airport
 Fly back to USA
The tour package includes the following items:
 6 nights’ accommodation at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem (New City View Rooms)
 2 nights’ accommodation at the Ruth Rimonim Hotel in Tzfat (Standard Rooms)
 Sumptuous breakfast daily at hotel
 Luxury air-conditioned coach with expert driver for 7 days – no transportation on Shabbat
 Armored bus for 1 day (DAY THREE)
 Services of top-level guide for 8 days – no guide on Shabbat
 Dinner on DAYS ONE, FOUR, SIX , SEVEN & NINE as per itinerary
 Lunch on DAYS THREE, FIVE, SEVEN & EIGHT as per itinerary
 Entrance fee into all sites and attractions as per itinerary
 Water & snacks on bus daily
 Full backing Israel Maven support staff to ensure smooth running of the trip
The cost for the trip comes to $2550 USD per person (double occupancy) assuming a minimum of 20 full-paying
participants. Single supplement is $576 USD per person. Child (2-12) as third is $1810 USD. Two children in a
separate room is $2499 USD per child. Three children in a separate room is $2245 USD per child.
PLEASE NOTE:
 The above cost is subject to change as per notice from hotels and other suppliers of services.
 If number of participants and/or rooming arrangements are changed the price will have to be revised.
 The itinerary is subject to change based on weather, security, time and other considerations
 There is no refund for sites not visited or activities not done, for any reason.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
 Cost of round trip airfare from country of origin to Israel.
 Any expenses of a personal nature.
 Any gratuities/ tips at all. Suggested tip for guide $7-$10 US per person per day, for driver $5-$7 US per
person per day.
 Any meals other than specified.
 BBQ with IDF soldiers
 Any guests at meals other than the participants of the party.
 Insurance for baggage, personal items, trip cancellation or interruption. We recommend that all
insurance be arranged through your travel agent in U.S. If claims have to be made, it is much easier
dealing with a local insurance company upon your return, rather than having to collect refunds from an
insurance company in Israel.
TERMS OF PAYMENT:
1. All prices and payments are in US DOLLARS
2. Deposit of $500 US per participant to confirm reservations
3. Final and full payment is required 45 days before arrival.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Your trip is taking place during peak season. Therefore, If cancellation is received in our office:
 More than 45 days before arrival – full refund less $350 US per person
 Between 45-30 days before arrival - $500 US per person plus any hotel cancellation fees
 Between 29-15 days before arrival - $750 US per person plus any hotel cancellation fees
 Within 14 days of arrival - full payment for the entire program will be charged.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE IN THE EVENT
THAT YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR TRIP FOR PERSONAL, MEDICAL OR OTHER REASONS.
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.
PASSPORT VALIDITY:
As is customary for international travel, your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from
your date of entry to Israel or you may not be permitted to fly.
Day 9
3
4
5
6
7
8
Monda
Monday,
October
24th
y,
October
24th