CHABAD OF RESTON-HERNDON
ISRAEL TRIP
- MAY 2019-
LED BY RABBI LEIBEL & NECHAMIE FAJNLAND

 

***  
 

- Itinerary -

 

DAY ONE - MONDAY MAY 20TH - COASTAL REGION

• Welcome to Israel!!!

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where the group arrival will be met by our representatives and escorted through passport control, baggage claim and customs. Those arriving on other flights should meet up with the rest
of the group at the airport. Exact time to be advised.

• Tour the magnificent port city of Caesarea including the Roman Amphitheater, Hippodrome,  Palace and multi-media presentation.

• Lunch at Aresto Restaurant in the port - included

• Visit Tzippori where Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi edited the Mishna
& visit an ancient Synagogue.

• Transfer to accommodation & check-in

• Rest, relax & unpack

• Dinner at the hotel - included

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee

 

 

DAY TWO - TUESDAY MAY 21ST - UPPER GALILEE

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel

• Experience the Mystical City of Tzfat
including the artists galleries, beautiful synagogues, candle factory & more

• Watch a live demonstration by Kabbalistic glass-blower Sheva Chaya

• Lunch on own on the Tzfat promenade - not included

• Enjoy a beautiful nature walk in the Tel Dan Reserve
where history, archeology, spirituality & hydro-politics come together

• Meet with local residents at Kibbutz Malkiya on the border with Lebanon

• Dinner at Tiberias overlooking the Sea of Galilee at Decks Restaurant - included

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee

 

 

DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND - GOLAN HEIGHTS

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel

• Explore the Golan Heights off-road by jeep

and hear the story of the Six Day War & the Yom Kippur War

• Visit an abandoned Syrian outpost at Mizpe Gadot

• Lunch on own in Kazrin - not included

• Wine-tasting at the award-winning Golan Heights Winery

• Enjoy a fun chocolate-making workshop at the De Karina Chocolate Factory

• Lookout over Syria from Mt Bental

• Return to the hotel for dinner - included

 

- Participate in the festivities in Meron in honor of Lag B’Omer-

• Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee

 

 

DAY FOUR - THURSDAY MAY 23RD – JERUSALEM

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel

• Checkout & departure

• Transfer to Jerusalem & enjoy a stunning lookout
over Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade

• Lunch on own in the Jewish Quarter - not included

• Time for reflection at the Western Wall

• Discover the splendor of Second Temple at the Western Wall Tunnels

• Walk in the footsteps of Prophets & Kings in the City of David

• Wade through Hezekiah’s Tunnel
(prepare to get wet; maximum height of water is +/- 30 inches - wear water shoes; not recommended for anyone who has trouble walking, orsuffers from back pain or claustrophobia)

• Check-in to hotel - unpack, rest & relax

• Dinner on own - suggested Mamilla-Alrov Promenade - not included

• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

 

 

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY MAY 24TH - JERUSALEM

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel

• Pay tribute to the memory of the Six Million at the
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum & Children’s Memorial
/OR Visit the Tisch Family Biblical Zoo

• Experience the vibe in the Machane Yehuda Outdoor Market
as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat

• Lunch on own - not included

• Afternoon at leisure

• Join thousands of people from around the globe
in joyous celebration of Shabbat at the Kottel

• Friday night dinner at the hotel - included

• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem  


DAY SIX - SHABBAT MAY 25TH - AT LEISURE

• Breakfast at hotel

• Shabbat services at local synagogue

• Lunch at the hotel - included

• Rest & relax

• Enjoy a late-afternoon walk through 
the beautiful Yemin Moshe neighborhood

• Dinner on own - suggested Ben Yehudah Street - not included

• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

 

DAY SEVEN - SUNDAY MAY 26TH – JUDEAN DESERT

 

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel


• Departure for the Judean Desert

            (take protection against the sun, water shoes & bathing suit)


• Ascend the desert fortress of Masada where the Zealots

            held out against the Romans after the Destruction of the Second Temple


• Lunch on own at the Masada Food Court - not included


• Float in the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth


• Explore the beautiful Ein Gedi where David fled the wrath of King Saul


• Transport yourselves back in time at Abraham’s Tent in Genesis Land

            including pita- baking, camel riding & a traditional dinner - included


• Return to Jerusalem


• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

 

DAY EIGHT - MONDAY MAY 27TH – GUSH ETZION & HEVRON

 

• Full Israeli breakfast at hotel


• Volunteer at Colel Chabad Pantry Packers, packaging food for the needy


• Explore the Path of the Patriarchs off-road by ATV


• Lunch at the Gush Etzion Winery - included


• Experience the Jewish neighborhoods of Hevron including Bet Hadassa, Avraham Avinu & Tel Romeida ; as well as the the Cave of Machpela


• Meet with the local residents Rabbi Danny & Batsheva Cohen


• Time for reflection at the Tomb of Rachel


• Dinner on own in Jerusalem - suggested First Train Station - not included


• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel - Jerusalem

 

DAY NINE - TUESDAY MAY 28TH - TEL AVIV

 

• Full Israeli breakfast the hotel

• Checkout & departure

• Tour Old Jaffa with its enchanting alleyways,
artists’ galleries & views of Tel Aviv

• Experience the vibe at the Carmel Market
& the Nachalat Binyamin Promenade

• Lunch on own - not included

• Encounter the “Striking Force” that formed the backbone of the IDF

            in 1948 at the state-of-the-art Palmach Museum (entry from age 6 & older)

• Tour Chabad Village

• Farewell dinner at local restaurant - included

• Transfer to Ben Gurion airport & depart for the USA


Please note that the itinerary is not final and is subject to change based on time,

weather, security and other considerations.

 

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!!


 ***


Dear Friend!

We are pleased to present to you our tentative itinerary for our Israel Trip. Final price (still working with our vendors and tour agency to bring costs even lower) and itinerary details are still being worked on, and will be available by September 1st.

The tour has been carefully crafted to provide an experience that is engaging, fun, uplifting, informative and inspirational for both first-timers and repeat visitors.

All of our tours adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, and you can be sure to expect friendly, warm, & dedicated service, by a reputable tour agency (Israel Maven) that has endeared them to thousands of satisfied clients.

Rabbi & Mrs. Fajnland will be giving commentary and insight throughout the trip, including discussions on fascinating Talmudic, Midrashic, and Kabbalistic texts germane to the places we tour. 


The tour package includes the following items:
 
• 3 nights’ accommodation at the Kibbutz Lavi Hotel - Galilee (Hod/ Hadar Rooms) 
• 5 nights’ accommodation at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem (New City Superior Rooms) 
• Breakfast daily at hotel
• Dinner on DAYS ONE, TWO, THREE, FIVE, SEVEN & NINE as per itinerary
• Lunch on DAYS ONE, SIX & EIGHT as per itinerary
• Luxury air-conditioned bus with expert driver for 7 days 
• Armored vehicle on DAY EIGHT
• Medic/Security guard on DAY EIGHT 
• Airport transfers for group arrival & group departure
• VIP “Meet & Greet” at Ben Gurion Airport for group arrival only
• Services of top-level guide for 9 days as per itinerary
• Entrance fee into all sites and attractions as per itinerary  
• Water on bus daily
• Full backing Israel Maven support staff to ensure smooth running of the trip

 

COST

The cost for the entire trip comes to $3215 USD per person (double occupancy) $4175 US per person (single occupancy) - With a minimum of 20 participants.  Should there be 15-19 participants - prices are adjusted as follows: • Double occupancy - $3365 US per person  • Single occupancy - $4325 US per person. 

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; for medic $2-$3 US per person per day • Any meals other than specified.  • Any guests at meals other than the participants of the party. • Insurance for baggage, personal items, trip cancellation or interruption.
 
TERMS OF PAYMENT: 

1) All prices and payments are in US DOLLARS  2.) Deposit of $100 is due upon registration. 3) Deposit of $400 is due before January 15, per participant to confirm reservations 4) Final and full payment is required 45 days before arrival. 5) There is a 2% surcharge for credit card payments.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Our trip is taking place during regular season. Therefore, If cancellation is received: 60 days before trip – full refund less $300 US per person. 59-45 days before trip - full refund less $500 US per person. 44-15 days before trip – full refund less $750 US per person plus hotel cancellation fees. Within 14 days of arrival - full payment for the entire program will be charged. (These are the stipulations of Israel Maven, the tour company we are hiring. Additionally, all monies exchanged are between traveling party and Israel Maven Ltd.).


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.


For your convenience, we have made arrangements with SMS-Travel Insurance Center of Omaha, Nebraska. SMS has over 25 years of experience as worldwide insurance brokers and can help you choose the policy that best meets your needs. Our contact person is Yonah Engel, mention promo code: ISRAELMAVEN.  Email: [email protected]; USA phone (402) 404-5205. If you take out insurance with 14 days of making your first payment towards the trip (land or air) you may qualify for "cancel for any reason" with a return of up to 75%.

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.


CLICK HERE TO RESERVE