produced by ADVERTISEMENT Israel: Old World Elegance with Modern Flair Many of us think we know Israel. We imagine placing our hands on the Western Site distinction for the Bauhaus and International Style architecture of Tel Aviv’s Wall, walking the path of Jesus’ final moments on theVia Dolorosa, seeing Ahuzat Bayit neighborhood. Israel is also a destination for diamonds and other the characters scrawled across the taut parchment of the Dead Sea Scrolls, luxurious little wonders, as a trip down Dizengoff Street or through the tony and standing before the very foundations of faith at the Church of the Holy Kikar Hamedina neighborhood in Tel Aviv makes clear. Wine and food lovers Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount. We dream of walking will find a paradise in Israel, home to a wondrous assortment of international through Jaffa Gate into the ancient splendor of Jerusalem, strolling down the cuisines as well as its world-famous hummus or falafel sandwiches and an modern streets of Tel Aviv, or floating effortlessly in the salty waters of the internationally lauded wine industry. For those who love getting out of doors, ISRAEL Dead Sea. Such images connect Israel to our cultural and religious heritage — Israel offers a number of attractions, including breathtaking natural wonders like indeed, they connect us to the heritage of the modern world. But, this is just the the Negev Desert, world-class beaches along four impressive bodies of water, The Only Tour Company offering Escorted Tours to Israel beginning of the miracles Israel has to show us. and enough hiking trails, bike paths and rope course for a lifetime of adventure. 7 Days a Week You might be surprised to know, for example, that though today “green” is the In the following pages, you’ll learn about all of the adventures that await your topic du jour, Israel has been a laboratory for innovative, sustainable practices clients in Israel, where increased traffic is already evidence of growing since the turn of the 20th century when Zionist farming cooperatives literally consumer interest. More than 1.9 million tourists visited Israel from January to GUARANTEED DEPARTURES made the desert bloom. Today, Tel Aviv’s once-notorious Hiriya landfill is being July of this year, an increase of over 34 percent from last year, with 280,000 transformed into a 2,000-acre public park with bike paths, rivers and hiking in July alone. If you or your clients have any hesitations about safety, you can EXTENSIONS TO: JORDAN, EGYPT & GREECE trails. Further, Israel is investing $30 million over the next several years to rest assured. World-class security and screening measures have made Israel’s turn the country into an international biking destination. These impressive national airline, El Al, the safest in the world, and the same goes for the country. Speak to a Destination Expert! CUSTOMIZED TOURS projects only scratch the surface of the eco-friendly activities taking place But don’t take our word for it — just look at the numbers! In 2009, 2.7 million by Private Car for Individuals and Families everyday in Israel. tourists came to experience the wonders of Israel, each and every one of them returning home safely. Israel is also a wonderland for aesthetes, epicures and shopaholics. Beyond its well-known ancient architecture, Israel has received UNESCO World Heritage So, dive in! The wonders of Israel are just waiting to be discovered! 3 INTRO TO ISRAEL 4 NAVIGATION POINTS 10 GOING GREEN IN ISRAEL 14 FOOD AND WINE 15 Food & Wine Itinerary 16 LEISURE TIME Expect the World of Us. 18 ISRAEL’S GREAT OUTDOORS 21 Outdoor Itinerary 800-223-7460 22 ART, ARCHITECTURE AND MUSIC www.isramworld.com 26 Art, Architecture and Music Itinerary IT’S NOT JUST AN AIRLINE. IT’S ISRAEL. ON THE COVER: Top: Design Museum Holon by Yael Pincus; Left: Jerusalem; Right: Eilat Jaffa Gate 3 navigation points Israel packs a lot into a little space. Bordered by Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon, this cosmopolitan nation of citizens hailing from more than 90 countries sits at the heart of However, while rental cars easily connect travelers to Israel’s lively and diverse the Middle East. regions, travelers spending time in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv may find it more expedient and affordable to use taxis, because traffic conditions can get quite Though its historic, geologic, religious and cultural sites were the major Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice. RCL Vision of the Seas offers both 10- and congested, and tight, narrow metropolitan roads can be difficult for drivers. attractions for the over 2.7 million tourists who visited the country last year, 11-night excursions this fall, departing from Venice. Celebrity Equinox extends Israel also boasts an incredibly diverse terrain of world-class mountains, deserts the fun to 13 nights, taking off from Civitavecchia. For the more serious seafaring PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Offering clients the chance to sit back and relax and beaches perfect for any traveler’s itinerary. It’s a trip your clients will set, clients traveling by private yacht can enter through ports in Haifa, Ashdod, while taking in the gorgeous scenery of the Mediterranean Coast and Negev remember for a lifetime! Tel Aviv and Eilat before continuing on to the country’s numerous marinas in Desert, the national train network connects Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Acre and many Jaffa, Acre, Herzliya and Ashkelon. other stops. Tickets can be purchased in advance from cashiers at train station GETTING THERE counters or at automated ticket kiosks. The rail station in Ben Gurion airport is FLIGHTS: El Al, Continental, Delta, Air Canada and U.S. Airways operate over GETTING AROUND located on Level S. For more information, visit www.rail.co.il/EN. 10 daily non-stop flights to Tel Aviv from major U.S. cities, including New York AIRPORTS: Visitors will enter and exit Israel through the gates of Ben Gurion (JFK), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta (ATL) and Philadelphia (PHL), International Airport, conveniently located about 10 miles from Tel Aviv and Egged, the country’s public bus company, offers a number of routes in and as well as a number of connecting flights to get your clients to these origin about 27 miles from Jerusalem. Travelers will lack no options for shopping, between Israel’s cities and major towns, with the exception of Tel Aviv and its cities. Non-stop flight times range from 10 hours (New York) to 15 hours (Los dining and relaxing while making their way among the swooping archways and surrounding suburbs, which are serviced by the Dan buses. Fares are Angeles). In addition, over 70 international airlines operate flights to Ben Gurion stone architecture of this breathtaking international hub. Transportation to and reasonable and tickets can be purchased either on the bus or at station kiosks. International Airport. from the airport and major destinations is easily managed across a network Though most routes are operated 24 hours a day, clients should be aware that of public bus and rail services. Rental cars, taxis, limousines and private car in some regions bus service is suspended during Shabbat, from sundown Friday El Al, Israel’s premier national airline, offers travelers an authentic introduction services are also easily arranged for visitors. night to sundown Saturday night. During this period of religious observance, to the Israeli experience and is regarded as the safest airline in the world, so travelers would do best to hail a cab to get to and from locations. For more your clients will enjoy a carefree flight. Onboard the plane, nibble hummus and DRIVING: Travelers can traverse the length of the country by car in about six information about Egged routes, schedules and fares including Egged tour pita while watching a selection of in-flight movies and American and Israeli hours, making auto rental an attractive option for clients who want to maximize buses, visit www.egged.co.il/eng. For information about the Dan bus service TV shows, or listen to provided music while enjoying the comforts of Israeli the breadth of their tour in Israel. Popular rental companies include Budget, Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, visit www.dan.co.il/english. hospitality. If you’re booking upscale travelers, be sure to check out the Avis, Eldan, Hertz and Shlomo Sixt. For clients who like the VIP service of a elegant King David Lounge at LAX, JFK and Ben Gurion airports for first and private car, there are several top-notch providers, including IsraLimo. business class! Israel has an impressive highway network, with signage in Hebrew, Arabic and CRUISES: A number of cruise lines make Israel’s Haifa and Ashdod ports a stop English, making navigation considerably easier than in many other travel on Mediterranean itineraries, and many of them offer detailed land excursions destinations. Major routes include Highway 6, which stretches North-South into the historic cities of Jerusalem and Nazareth. For example, Princess from Nahariya in the north to Beersheba in the south, and Highway 1, A JOURNEY Cruises’ 12-day “Holy Land Cruise” stops at both ports this fall, departing from connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ben Gurion International Airport. YOU’LL FIND NOTHING SHORT Tel Aviv of divine. FEATURED VACATIONS NEW! THROUGH THE AGES: ISRAEL, JORDAN & EGYPT 12 days from $3,079* TEL AVIV :: JERUSALEM :: EILAT :: PETRA :: DEAD SEA TRACE YOUR FAITH’S HISTORY AND AWAKEN YOUR SPIRIT. From the Mount where JOURNEY THROUGH Moses received the Ten Commandments to the Mount where Jesus delivered the Beatitudes, THE HOLY LAND 10 DAYS FROM $2,149* the stories of the Bible will be brought to life in their original settings for your clients.