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The height of Israel tourism season: International Arts and Crafts Fair

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Israel Tourism

Hanging around Jerusalem during your annual Israel Tour? Well you better be, only for the sake of the International Arts and Crafts Festival that’s about to open August 15.

This is one event you can’t miss. It’s a 30 year old tradition and one of Israel’s most important events, featuring arts and crafts merchants and exhibitions, live musical performances by the best Israeli rock and pop artists and plenty of entertainment opportunities for the entire family.

Israeli and international artisans are gathered to celebrate and present their unique work all over the city. The Israeli Pavilion provides a stage for more than 150 local painters, sculptors and jewelers showcasing their creations – from traditional paintings, textiles, ceramics, clothing, cosmetics and anything you can possibly imagine.

The International Pavilion brings together artists and artisans from all over the world, featuring unique works of art in numerous booths and stands along the lovely streets of Jerusalem.

Israel tourism - Arts Fest

Visitors can also enjoy the festival’s international food fairs, workshops, and streets artists that will be constantly entertaining the large crowds.

And if you’re not in the mood for shopping, try to catch one of the live music shows on the festival’s main stage. Everyone will be there, not joking, the list is truly amazing: Gidi Gov, Yudit Ravitz, Shlomi Shabat, Ha’yehudim, Hada Nachash, Mosh Ben Ari, Ehud Banai, Gali Atari and Ivri Lider, to name just a few. If you don’t know them – it’s time to look’em up.

The International Arts and Crafts Fair is held at the height of the Israel tourism season all around Jerusalem, but mainly at Hutzot Hayotzer Arts and Crafts Center, Tower of David and the Sultan’s Pool, starting August 15 till the 27th, every night till midnight.

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In Israel Tours News!

Posted by admin in Israel Tourism | Israel Tours - (1 Comments)

Israel is always a star in the evening headlines and this week at ITC blog we decided to share some of the good Israel tours news with you guys.

We have details about Jesus’ Baptism Site, news about David and Goliath archeological digging, and last but not least we’ll check if Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber will preform in the Dead Sea.

Israel Tours

Diggers uncover traces of destruction of city (Photo: AP)

Let’s start with some digging. Archeologists are working around the clock digging around the Ancient Southern city of Gath, ex-home of the Philistines, biblical Israel’s archenemy.

You’ve probably heard about the Philistine celebrity Goliath, the giant punk who got beaten by young David’s sling. Although no huge pieces of armor were found yet, archeologists managed to recover some 3,000 jugs (!) beautifully decorated with Greek motifs.

The diggers also found that Philistines kept a mostly vegetarian diet, eating pea lentils but sometimes enjoying munching on pigs and the occasional dog.

Christian Israel Tours

Christian Baptism Site (Photo: Ziv Reinstein)

In Israel Christian tourism news, many religious visitors would be happy to know that Israel just opened a site believed to be Jesus’ baptism location. It’s called Qasae al-Yahud and it’s located on the banks of the Jordan river where Jesus Christ met John the Baptist.

The site was closed for the last 40 years or so due to its location on the Israel-Jordan border. The Israeli military had to clear the site from landmines that endangered visitors, and now the site will be open for all, with no need for reservations or pre-coordination.

Lady Gaga Israel

And last but not least, how can you end without some Lady Gaga dose? Calcalist newspaper reported that Israel’s Ministry of Tourism politely asked pop sensations Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to help out in pushing the good old Dead Sea in the Seven Wonders of the World contest.

So is there a chance that Bieber and Gaga perform in the lowest place in the world?

Nope. Bieber refused politely and Lady Gaga didn’t even send an email.

That’s all in this week’s Israel Tours news! Come back next week for more!

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“Our fabulous Israel tour!…”

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israel tours letter

At ITC Tours we get plenty of mail from happy travelers who just got back from one of our numerous Israel tours. But the following letter was really unique and thoughtful so we wanted to share it with all of you, and also thank the lovely family who wrote it, hoping to see them again soon!

Dear Marlene, Vicki, and the entire ITC crew,

We just returned yesterday from our fabulous Israel tour! Thank you for a wonderful, fact and fun filled trip that will remain with us forever! Our family had never travelled with a tour group before, and we definitely had our hesitations. However, upon first meeting the other families, and being warmly greeted by Richard Eisenberg, our tour guide, we began to settle into our new- found ‘family.’

Richard has the gift of storytelling in such a way that he filled our minds with knowledge and our spirits with soul, telling us stories that we will not forget anytime soon! He was our fearless leader, who managed to get all children (and adults) where we needed to go, on time, and in such a pleasant manner. He managed to make everyone, regardless of age, feel like this trip was designed for him or her. On one of our last days, I casually asked my ten-year-old son if he would want his bar mitzvah in Israel. He answered that he was not sure because a lot of family and friends could not come but then added…..” but, I really like Richard.” A compliment from a child is the truest compliment of all.

This is our first Shabbat back home and we are all missing Israel tremendously. Yet, we have our wonderful pictures and memories that will remain with us, along with Richard’s smiling face as we entered the departures gate and his voice echoing in our ears, telling us an interesting historical fact and saying “…it all goes back to the movies.”

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful experience,

Regina, Shaun, Sara, Danielle, Benjamin, and Jonathan

Looking to have the same unforgettable experience? Looking for a trip of a lifetime? Call us now to schedule your next Israel tour!

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Luxury Israel Tours: Best Israeli Boutique Hotels

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Israel tours can be all about long hikes, visiting religious sites, eating the best hummus ever (!) and all the while can also be about staying in luxurious hotel rooms. Yes, Israel has some of the best boutique hotels in the world, offering a unique and memorable experience that no Hilton can deliver.

So why not start the day with a list of the most lavish boutique hotels around Israel, brought to you by the specialists of ITC tours:

Gordon Hotel & Lounge

Israel Tours

Gordon Hotel

Guests of the Gordon are treated with a complimentary bottle of wine in this cozy hotel by the Tel Aviv beach. Its perfect. The classic, white elegant rooms take the guests back to olden days, while the modern amenities provide all the comfort you need. Rooms here fully automated and all of them have ocean views. The restaurant is just lovely.

Price: $250 – $450 a night based on double occupancy.

Hotel Montefiore

Israel Tours

Hotel Montefiore.

This hotel is situated in the heart of Tel-Aviv and offers an experience unlike any other. Think of staying in this hotel is like having a studio apartment in Tel-Aviv. Why? Because the walls are covered with books. 400 books in each room to be exact, in different languages.

Price: $350 – $400 double occupancy.

Neve Tzedek Hotel

Israel Tours Hotel

Neve Tzedek Hotel

No Israel tour is complete without a visit to one of the most magical neighborhoods in Israel, Neve Tzedek. Now imagine sleeping there.

Guests who choose the rooftop suite are pampered with a private spa that includes a hot-tub, a sauna and a home theater system.

Price: $550 – $1000 a night.

Book any of these hotels and you are promised to have a dream vacation. Or you can visit us at ITC Tours and let us take care of your Holy Land travel from A to Z.

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Holy Land Travel: Jerusalem a Top Destination

Posted by admin in Israel Tourism | Jerusalem - (1 Comments)

Jerusalem Israel Tours

In Israel tourism news: It’s not a big wonder that Jerusalem just made it to Trip Advisor’s best travel destinations list. In the world!

Jerusalem got into lucky number 13, along with Paris, New York, Rome, London and Hong Kong.  “Few places inspire such passion as Jerusalem,” mentions Trip Advisor and hails the city’s “religious sights, jazz clubs, hip restaurants, arthouse cinemas and edgy theater.”

If your next Israel tour includes a visit in Jerusalem, here’s a quick list of musts:

Jerusalem Film Festival – This world renewed film festival opens on July 11, with a tribute to J.J. Abrahams’ new Super 8. The festival will then go on for ten days and feature visits from some of the best filmmakers in the world. As always, the movies shown all represent a unique cinematic approach, loaded with political and social issues.

Israel Museum of Art reopened last year after extensive remodeling. Always a pleasure to visit and stroll among the best Israeli and international art. If you happen to stop by 7.14.2011, check out the special celebration, marking one year since the grand reopening. “Points of Touch” is the name of the event that will allow visitors to interact with various Israeli artists, from writers to dancers, chefs to politicians and many many more.

Of course that Jerusalem has so much to offer, and if you’re interested in Israel tours or Holy Land travel, visit us today!

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Israel Tourism Summer 2011 – Best Festivals!

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Red Sea Jazz Fest

It’s summer in Israel and what a blessed time it is. Everybody’s down at the beach, the street cafes are always full, the shopping malls are packed with beautiful girls and the activities are abundant. In this blog post, we’re going to do a quick review of this summer’s festivals, all the Israel Tourism events you just can’t miss!

One of my favorite events EVER is the Red Sea Jazz Festival that takes place at the end of August in Israel’s most Southern city – Eilat. In additioin to magnificent weather, lovely beaches and luxurious hotels, visitors to the Eilat Jazz Festival enjoy some of the best musicians of this generation. From Israeli artists like Yoni Rechter and Yontan Voltzok Sextet, to world renewed jazz legends like the Perdito Martinez Group and Lizz Wright. The performers play well into the night all over the city and some of the shows are even free for everyone to enjoy. No Israel tour is compkete without Eilat and no jazz lover will dare to miss the Red Sea Jazz Fest.

If you’re more into good old Israeli music, Go up North, all the way to the Golan Heights,  where the Golan Moon Nights festival takes place through the month of August. Some of the best Israeli pop and rock musicians will perform in the magical scenery of the Golan, artists like Ehud Banai (August 11), Shalom Chanoch (August 18) and the wonderful Balkan Beat Box (August 30).

New Dace Festival

If you can still handle another event after all this, then definitely check out New Dance festival in Tel Aviv. From July 11 -30  you can catch some of the best dance groups from all around the world. There’s classical ballet and modern dance, flamenco and even opera, tickets are on sale now!

And that’s just a taste of what Israel has to offer this summer. Come back soon for more events, festivals and recommendation by ITC – the Israel Tours professionals.

 


 

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