February 17-21, 2019
WELCOME TO
LivAGE MEETING
Contact persons: Prof. Uri Marchaim & Dr. Daniela Levi +972-6953507; 6953501; +972-50-6460278 [email protected] ; [email protected]
MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, 2 Tarshish street, South Industrial Zone, Kiryat-Shmona P.O. Box 813, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, Israel
MEETING VENUE
The meeting will be held in Hotel Galilion and at MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute.
ACCOMODATION
Hotel Galilion will be the official place of the Conference and accommodation for the meeting, http://www.galilion.co.il/en/ . The hotel offers special rates for LivAGE delegates, as well as for accompanying persons. You are most welcomed to take your family with you. The Northern Galilee region of Israel is home to one of the most beautiful and unique hotels in the country - “Galilion. The hotel features 120 glamorous and comfortable rooms that are well equipped with contemporary touches like plasma TVs, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a mini bar. Some of the rooms offer direct access to the pool, while others provide a balcony overlooking the breathtaking landscapes of the Hula Valley, Mount Hermon, the Galilee and Golan Heights. What else? Of course, a health and spa center, a hot air balloon observatory (kids will absolutely love it), conference center and an amazing wine tasting room. Next to it is the Agamon Market spacious shopping center, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, coffee shops and a wide-ranging authentic Galilean farmer's market.
MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, 2 Tarshish street, South Industrial Zone, Kiryat-Shmona P.O. Box 813, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, Israel
Location Galilion Hotel is located in the heart of the peaceful and pastoral Upper Galilee, with a view of the snow covered Mount Hermon, the Golan Heights and the Hula Valley. Surrounded by green hills, nature reserves, and the origin of the Jordan River, it is 10 minutes' drive from MIGAL - Galilee Research Institute and Tel-Hai College. The Galilee is a region offering an extraordinary variety of archaeological/holy sites, museums, galleries, ranches, restaurants, nature reserves, rivers, cultural activities such as hiking, jeep rides, horseback riding, kayak/river rafting, skiing on Mount Hermon, ice skating, birdwatching at Lake Agmon (!), fishing and many more. All within a short distance from the Hotel.
Facilities: This new resort was founded a year ago, and opened a farmer’s market (Agamon Market) next to it. It looks like it’s going to be the next big thing in the North. This innovative conference centers can host congresses, shows, and events of different scales, accommodating up to 600 people. The special modular design of the center enables 4 events to be held simultaneously, with forefront technologies ensuring powerful, multi-sensual and unforgettable experiences. It will enable us to have the WPs meetings in those separate rooms.
Hotel Reservations Reservations for lodging could be made through MIGAL or directly with the Galilee's hotels (through telephones and internet) or in nearby hotels, Zimmers or Tel-Hai Guest- house. Since the meetings will take place mainly at the Galilion Hotel, we recommend that you make reservations at this Hotel. If you are staying in other hotels in the region you would need transportation (it would be easier if you do so to rent a car).
Please let us know if you come with your spouse and plan to take a double-room (here). We need your credit card number to ensure the reservation of the room.
Credit Cards American Express, Eurocard/MasterCard, Visa and Diners Card are welcome in Israel and the Hotel. Most shops, restaurants and service points also welcome these cards.
MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, 2 Tarshish street, South Industrial Zone, Kiryat-Shmona P.O. Box 813, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, Israel
Flying to Israel and arriving to the Galilee All international flights to Israel arrive at Ben-Gurion airport near Tel-Aviv. We will provide bus transportation to Galilee, planned according to the information that we are going to receive from you about your times of arrival (since flights are landing at different times we are going to schedule a bus in a convenient time for most of the people). For that issue we are kindly asking you to fill in the table with your details and with the details of your spouse as well (here). Meeting point for the transportation is in the Arriving Hall near the Steimatzky bookshop (on your right side when you leave the arrival circle).
From the airport to the hotel: In case you are landing at other hours or a day earlier, we suggest you take the train from the airport to Ako (Acre) [through Tel-Aviv and Haifa] and we will pick you up from the train station in Akko. It is approximately an hour and a quarter from Akko to the Hotel Galilion. Please buy a ticket for the train before taking it, as otherwise there is a fine. You can check the Train schedule from Ben-Gurion airport to Akko at: https://www.rail.co.il/en
In case you are planning a trip in Israel on your own, and you are going to rent a car at the airport, we will send you instructions how to reach Galilion Hotel if needed. GPS (and especially Waze) provides great navigation. It takes around 2.5 hours from the airport through route No.6 (there is a toll!)
Weather and clothing Israel is located, between 29-33° north of the equator, which is characterised as a subtropical region, between the temperate zone and the tropical zone. The northern and coastal regions of Israel have Mediterranean climate characterised by hot and dry summers and cool rainy winters. The Galilee can be cold in February, especially in the evening. There might be some rainy days, but nothing extreme (we hope, we cannot promise, but we will try our best!). Please, bring an umbrella and a coat. The temperatures of Galilee are similar to those in Jerusalem, for those who check the websites. Bring with you your bathing suits especially if you travel to the Dead Sea.
Travel documents Most countries have open travel regime to Israel and you would need only your passport. For possible visa requirements, please check the webpages of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, you can find a list of countries with special travel regime. We are going to send to all the participants who register an invitation letter to ensure easier border passing.
Currency and Money Exchange The Israeli currency is the Shekel. The exchange ratio to EUR is approximately to 4.2 NIS for 1 EURO. There are a number of exchange offices at the airport and money can be also exchanged in banks and hotels. In most cases, the best place is at the airport, especially since you travel to the Galilee, with limited Money Exchange booths. After you arrive in Galilee, the hotels will provide you with assistance for any banking transactions but we recommend that you exchange some money at the Airport Exchange offices. In almost all places in Israel, only NIS will be accepted in cash for payment, or you
MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, 2 Tarshish street, South Industrial Zone, Kiryat-Shmona P.O. Box 813, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, Israel
can use your credit cards. You CANNOT pay with EURO in most places, especially not in public transportation!
Traveling in Israel We are planning a tour from Galilee to the centre of Israel the day after the end of the conference (Thursday February 21) for those who would like to stay one more day and catch a short glimpse of Israel. This is an "in kind" support by the Ministry of Science and Technology. We are planning visits at some Holy Christian sites, the Jordan Baptist site south of the Sea of Galilee, traveling to Jerusalem (those who are going to stay in Jerusalem for additional days can leave us there) and continue to the Ben-Gurion airport.
If you have any further questions, please contact Uri Marchaim at [email protected] or Daniela Levi at [email protected], or call Uri's office at 972-4-6953507 (on WhatsApp or on mobile 972-50-6460278).
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Israel.
Have a pleasant journey, Prof Uri Marchaim and Dr Daniela Levi MIGAL, Galilee, Israel
MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, 2 Tarshish street, South Industrial Zone, Kiryat-Shmona P.O. Box 813, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, Israel