My Turn in Israel 8-12 Day Israel Experiences for Adults

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1 Explore Israel s rich history, modern culture, and natural beauty with adult travelers from across North America. Experience the highlights of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dead Sea and Galilee on an 8- day or 10-day program with a 2-day extension to Eilat and Petra. My Turn is designed for Jewish travelers of all backgrounds and is ideal for anyone seeking a complete first-time Israel tour or returning for a fresh perspective. Start your journey. My Turn is organized in-house by Authentic Israel with our staff and elite guides which means we provide a higher level of customer service, a truly authentic experience, and an excellent value. References are always available upon request. EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT Register at least five months in advance and automatically receive a $100/person discount. Since all payments are fully refundable up to four months in advance, your savings are absolutely risk free! Program Dates Page 2 Program Leader Lori Serbin Lasday About the Experience Page 2 Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Program Itinerary Page 3 Lori and her family have lived in Pittsburgh, Boston, Baltimore, What s Included Page 6 Milwaukee, Jerusalem, Program Costs Page 7 Columbus, St Louis, New Jersey and now Detroit. Lori began Get Registered! Page 8 traveling to Israel as soon as she Pre-Trip Preparation Page 10 graduated high school. Since Travel Insurance Page 11 then she has worked on programs including Alexander Muss High School in Israel and the Reform Movement s youth leadership program. She has also facilitated adult education in Israel through Hadassah Leadership Academy and the CAJE educators conference. She is passionate about Israel and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm by bringing groups, Home to the Land. Contact Lori at myturn@authenticisrael.com. 1

2 PROGRAM DATES My Turn in Israel The following are guaranteed 2014 program dates. Take advantage of our no-risk registration terms up to four months prior and confirm your spot today. Private group dates may be organized by request. Program Arrival Date Program begins on Thursday evening 8-Day Program End Date Program concludes Thursday evening 10-Day Program End Date Program concludes Saturday evening Eilat Extension End Date* Add-on to the 8-day or 10-day program May 22, 2014 May 29, 2014 May 31, 2014 July 3, 2014 July 10, 2014 July 12, 2014 May 31, or- June 2, 2014 July 12, or- July 14, 2014 October 23, 2014 October 30, 2014 November 1, 2014 ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE November 1, or- November. 3, 2014 NOTE: If you are seeking a multi-generational experience, please consider our sister program Israel Family Journey (israelfamilyjourney.com) with summer and winter program dates. Choose from 8, 10, and 12-Day Travel Options. The core program is offered as an 8- or 10-day experience. The 8-day version ends in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. The 10-day version continues in Tel Aviv through Saturday. An optional 2-day Eilat/Petra extension is available at the end of the 8- or 10-day program. Active Touring. My Turn in Israel is an active tour designed for adults. Our days are full of experiences designed to provide you with the full flavor of Israel. Although the program does not have any formal age guidelines, the itinerary involves a good amount of walking and some long days. Participants wishing to take a break from the active schedule as they wish. 2

3 Traveling Jewishly. My Turn is a pluralistic Jewish travel experience for all. Group meals are kosher, and there is no bus-based touring on Shabbat. The program is unaffiliated with any specific denomination rather it is designed for travelers of all backgrounds seeking a complete first-time experience in Israel. Group vs. Independent Travel. Our goal for the program is to create a sense of community among individual travelers with participants gaining lasting new friendships and a richer experience as a result. There are also ample opportunities for personal exploration during the tour. In particular, Saturdays are designed to be less structured, and no programming is mandatory on any day. Participants are encouraged to arrive in Jerusalem earlier or stay in Tel Aviv longer to explore even more on their own. Group hotels reservations can be extended accordingly. Our Staff Team. My Turn is led by Lori Serbin Lasday and a licensed Israeli guide, both of whom accompany the group on a 24/7 basis. Our staff are charismatic educators eager to share the beauty of Israel. Each group is also assigned a deluxe touring bus with a dedicated driver. PROGRAM ITINERARY The My Turn itinerary tells the story of Israel through the lens of Jewish history. As such, we begin in Jerusalem, follow the path of the Exile to Masada and Galilee, and then conclude in Tel Aviv celebrating the establishment of modern Israel. Actual itineraries and final hotels may vary only slightly and will be re-confirmed about two months prior. Meals Included: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner DAY 1 / Thursday / Arrival in Israel! VIP greeting at Ben Gurion Airport Welcome to Israel! Check into hotel in central Jerusalem Welcome dinner at Herzl Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex Evening in the Old City - Tower of David Sound & Light Show Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem [D] DAY 2 / Friday / Ancient Jerusalem Panoramic intro to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade overlook Walk the Rampart Walls of the Old City from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate 3

4 Explore the rooftops, alleys and tunnels of the Jewish Quarter Reflections at the Kotel The Western Wall Go deep under the Old City on the Kotel Tunnel Tour Evening: Festive Shabbat dinner experience at hotel Option to return to Old City for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel or local synagogue Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem [B / D] DAY 3 / Saturday / Shabbat in Jerusalem Option: Attend Shabbat services at local synagogues Option: Visit the Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls on own (not included) Shabbat lunch served at hotel Beyond the Walls Montefiore s Windmill and the Yemin Moshe neighborhood Return to the Old City to explore the Christian Quarter and the Arab Shuk (bazaar) Evening: Jerusalem nightlife on the town at Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem [B / L] DAY 4 / Sunday / Loss & Renewal Explore the Yad Vashem Holocaust Center Experience the color of Mahane Yehuda marketplace Herzl Museum and Har Herzl national memorial Story of the Zionist idea Walking tour of the Knesset and Supreme Court grounds Camel riding and desert tent dinner feast at Eretz Bereshit in the desert Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem [B / D] DAY 5 / Monday / Judean Desert Wake up early and descent into the Judean Desert Ascend Masada in the morning via cable cars Tour of the mountaintop fortress Floating and relaxation time at the Dead Sea Short nature walk to the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi Travel northwards to the Galilee via the Jordan Valley Tour of Beit Shean excavations en route (time permitting) Check-in to kibbutz accommodations, guided tour of the kibbutz, and dinner Overnight: Kibbutz Ginnosar Guest House, Sea of Galilee [B / D] DAY 6 / Tuesday / The Galilee Tour of ancient Tsfat Birthplace of Kabbalah Movement Explore the Tsfat artists quarter and meet with Kabbalistic artist, Avraham Lowenthal Tasting and tour at the Dalton Winery in the Galilee highlands Bird watching in the Hula Valley Nature Reserve Group dinner at Dag el HaDan on the banks of the Dan River Overnight: Kibbutz Ginnosar Guest House, Galilee [B / D] 4

5 DAY 7 / Wednesday / The Golan Heights Ascend the Golan Heights Historical off-road jeep trek View across the region at Mt. Ben-Tal Explore the ancient basalt-built synagogue in the village in Katzrin Sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee with Israeli dancing Lakefront dinner at Decks Restaurant in Tiberias Overnight: Kibbutz Ginnosar Guest House, Galilee [B / D] DAY 8 / Thursday / Mediterranean Coast Group tree planting in the Tzomet Golani Forest Travel westwards towards the Mediterranean Coast Overlook of Haifa from the Bahai Temple Gardens on Mt. Carmel Traditional Druze hospitality and lunch at Ussafiya Village Caesarea Herod s Roman amphitheater and palace on the beach Arrive to Tel Aviv in that late afternoon Check-into beachfront resort hotel Sunset walking tour of the ancient Jaffa seaport Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv [B / L] NOTE: The 8-day option to My Turn ends this evening with a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for return flights or a domestic flight to Eilat for those extending. DAY 9 / Friday / Founding of Modern Israel Tour of the Ayalon Institute The Haganah and the founding of the IDF Recount modern Israel's founding at Independence Hall Explore the Nahalat Binyamin street festival in Tel Aviv s Neve Tzedek neighborhood Reflections at the Rabin Square Memorial Festive Shabbat dinner served at hotel Option to attend local Kabbalat Shabbat services in Tel Aviv Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv [B / D] DAY 10 / Saturday / Shabbat on the Beach! Shabbat lunch served at hotel Option to attend local Shabbat services in Tel Aviv Experience a Tel Aviv-style Shabbat relaxing on the Mediterranean beach! Optional guided walking tour of Tel Aviv s White City Bauhaus architecture & history Wrap-up and farewells on the beach Evening: Return to Ben Gurion Airport for return flight or fly to Eilat on a domestic flight [B / L] Optional Eilat & Petra Extension Package Conclude your stay at the Red Sea resort city of Eilat with the option to visit Petra, Jordan s wonder of the world. The package includes two nights hotel with breakfast daily, roundtrip domestic flights and all airport transfers. The Eilat extension is designed as a vacation package and is not guided. The guided day tour of Petra in Jordan costs an additional $240/person. It includes roundtrip transfers, entrance fee, 5

6 WHAT S INCLUDED My Turn in Israel and lunch (not kosher). Border fees for crossing in Jordan are ~$60/person and are not included in the Petra day tour cost. DAY 8 or 10 / Thursday or Saturday / Depart for Eilat Evening: Travel on domestic flight to Eilat Arrive to Eilat Airport and transfer to resort accommodations Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat [B / L] DAY 9 or 11 / Friday or Sunday / Optional Petra Tour or Red Sea Relaxation! Option #1: Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea Option #2: Guided day tour of Petra including lunch (not kosher) Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Eilat [B/lunch included with Petra tour] DAY 10 or 12 / Saturday or Monday / Red Sea Relaxation! Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat, pool & beach Transfer to Eilat Airport for domestic flight to Tel Aviv* [B] *Return flights from Eilat Airport to Ben Gurion Airport will be booked according to the traveler's schedule. Participants wishing to stay longer in Eilat may do so with prior arrangements. Services Included VIP airport greeting and transfer to Jerusalem Complimentary for anyone arriving to Israel on the first day of the program (see below) 4-star centrally located accommodations with hotel porterage included Program leader and licensed Israeli tour guide with group on 24 x 7 basis Luxury touring bus with dedicated Israeli driver Two meals daily, including tax & gratuities at restaurants (breakfast only on Eilat Extension) Entrance fees, activity costs and programming All applicable taxes Services Not Included Local medical insurance (optional) Travel insurance (optional) Group cell phone rental service (optional) Hotel incidentals Israeli staff gratuities (suggested $100/traveler) 6

7 2014 PROGRAM COSTS My Turn in Israel NOTE: Travelers with an Israeli passport (including those with dual citizenship) may be subject to VAT (tax) in Israel at the hotels. It must be paid, if requested, and is the responsibility of the traveler. Getting to/from Israel Participants are responsible for arranging their own air travel to/from Israel, and a staffed flight from New York City will be designated for those who wish to fly as a group. All participants are met at the airport and escorted to the group hotel in Jerusalem by our staff at no extra cost. This VIP greeting and transfer service is only available to those arriving to Ben Gurion Airport on the first day of the program. The program formally begins on Thursday evening with dinner. If you are arriving before the official arrival day we can book additional night(s) at the hotel in Jerusalem based on using our group rates. Contact us for details. The VIP greeting and transfer service is available for a supplemental fee if you are arriving before the first day of the program. At the program, end participants are escorted back to Ben Gurion Airport on the final Thursday/Saturday night in time to catch overnight flights back to North America (departing between 10:30pm and 1:00am the next day). Participants on return flights outside of this window can be accommodated with an airport transfer by special arrangement, and additional fees will apply. Finally, participants wishing to extend their booking at our group hotel in Tel Aviv can do so by prior arrangement. The following is a summary of program costs for the My Turn in Israel program. All rates already include any applicable taxes and fees (VAT applies for Israeli citizens at group hotels). Register at least five months in advance and automatically receive a $100/person discount. 8-Day Core Program Based on double room occupancy Supplement for single room occupancy $1,950/p $550/p 10-Day Core Program Price based on double room occupancy $2,150 Supplement for single room occupancy Eilat Extension Package Based on double room occupancy Supplement for single room occupancy Guided Petra day trip from Eilat $750/p $550/p $200/p $240/p 7

8 GET REGISTERED My Turn in Israel Participant #1 (Primary Contact) First Name*: Last Name: DOB: Passport #: Exp Date: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Participant #2 (if applicable) First Name*: Last Name: DOB: Passport #: Exp Date: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): Mailing Address: *If your passport info is not currently available, it can be submitted at a later date. Please note that according to Israeli customs regulations, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your travel. Rooming Notes: Medical & Dietary Notes: Emergency Contact: Full Name: Relation: Tel (Cell): Tel (Other): 8

9 Package Selections Please indicate your package selections below. An itemized receipt will be included with your confirmation message soon after your registration is received. Trip Start Date: Eilat Extension (circle one): Yes / No Core Program (circle one): 8-Day / 10-Day Petra Day Tour (circle one): Yes / No Number of Single Rooms: Number of Double Rooms: Upgraded Rooms (circle one): Yes / No Pricing for upgraded rooms available upon request Local Medical Insurance (circle one): Yes / No Separate from travel insurance (see below) Program Selection Notes: PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Due ($250/Person): $ Payment: Visa/MC/Amex: Check: Unless otherwise instructed, your credit card will be charged the deposit, and you will be sent a confirmation message with an itemized receipt. Balance will be charged within 60 days of arrival Credit Card #: Security Code: Exp. Date: Name on Card: Billing Address: Name: Signature: Date: Registration, Payment & Cancellation Terms. In order to reserve your place on the program, a $250 per person deposit fee is due with registration. If you qualify for the early registration discount, it will be posted to your account soon after we receive your registration. The trip deposit is fully refundable up to 120 days prior to program start date. The balance of payment is due no later than 60 days prior to trip start date. Participants who cancel within 120 days of the program start date will receive a refund, minus the deposit. Participants who cancel within 60 days of the program start date are not entitled to a refund. Statement of Responsibility. Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, Authentic Israel assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconvenience, illness, theft, property damage, irregularity, or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator or by any person or reason whatsoever including but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disasters, closures of airports and/or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence or omission of and by any third party providing services or facilities to or included in this tour or any part thereof. Enrollment in and payment for the tour constitute your acceptance of the program conditions and this Statement of Responsibility. The program conditions become a binding contract when your enrollment and payment are received. 9

10 PRE-TRIP PREPARATION My Turn in Israel Detailed pre-trip preparation material and program luggage tags are distributed approximately three months prior to arrival in advance of the payment due date. Participants will also be invited to a trip Facebook group in order to meet fellow travelers before the program and stay in touch afterwards. We have assembled an Israel Sources & Resources booklet which is available for download now ( and which will be distributed in Israel in print. Passport & Visa Rules Participants must have valid passports that are valid at least six months from your arrival date in Israel. If you have a passport from a country other than the United States, Canada, or a European Union nation you may need a visa to enter Israel. Additionally, if you have an Israeli passport, you must present it upon entry to Israel. Local Health Insurance Separate from travel insurance (see below), Authentic Israel offers local health insurance in Israel that covers treatment and medication for non pre-existing conditions. The policy carries no deductible or copay, and there are no claims to submit. Even if your home insurance extends abroad, you would need to pay out of pocket in Israel and file a claim with your insurance when you return home. This local Israeli policy is a very easy way to receive medical care in Israel without any paperwork or reimbursement process. Detailed policy information is available upon request. The cost of the policy for the ten-day program is according to the following age groupings: Up to age 65 $25/person ($30/person including the Eilat extension) Ages $60/person ($72/person including the Eilat extension) Ages $70/person ($84/person including the Eilat extension) Staff Gratuities It is customary in Israel to tip your guide and driver in either dollars or shekels. As a rule of thumb, $100 per adult traveler is appropriate and should be split so that the driver receives about one third and the guide receives two thirds of the total gratuity. Gratuities for hotel porterage and group meals are already included in the cost of your program. 10

11 GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE Authentic Israel has partnered with Travel Insurance International to provide an optional travel insurance package based on a group rate discount. The policy reimburses for medical expenses as well as covers cancellation fees based on health considerations as well as many other scenarios. Full details available online at: BENEFITS Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Post-Departure Trip Interruption Travel Delay (6 Hours or More) MAXIMUM LIMITS Trip Cost Up To 150% Of Trip Cost $150 Per Day $750 Maximum Medical Expense/Emergency Evacuation $50,000 / $250,000 Baggage and Personal Effects / Baggage Delay $1,500 / $400 Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Cancel For Any Reason (Optional)* Not available to residents of Washington State Covered 75% of non-refundable Trip Cost cancellation must be two or more days prior to scheduled departure This table is a summary of benefits. Please refer to the policy wording for a complete description. All benefits subject to plan exclusions and will be paid exclusively by Travel Insured International. *Cancel For Any Reason Supplemental Coverage. This supplemental can be selected provided the plan is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit and the appropriate additional premium is paid. Trip Cost Per Person Deluxe Plan Cost Deluxe Plan Cost + Cancel for Any Reason $2,001-$2,500 $155/person $227/person $2,501-$3,000 $180/person $265/person $3,001-$3,500 $200/person $295/person $3,501-$4,000 $250/person $370/person $4,001-$4,500 $285/person $420/person PLEASE CIRCLE THE PLAN/COST THAT YOU ARE CHOOSING Please list the name of the traveler(s) to be insured: NAME #1 NAME #2 TOTAL INSURANCE AMOUNT: $ DATE SUBMITTED: If paying by check, be sure to send separate payment for insurance from the program deposit. If paying by credit card, your card will be charged separately for the insurance and the program deposit. *As a group policy, these rates are valid provided that at least 10 participants purchase coverage. In the event less than 10 participants sign-up for the coverage, a full refund will be available as well as an optional supplemental fee for individual coverage based on the same policy terms. This policy is valid only for USA residents. 11