OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Israel Offers
In this Edition....
(Click on the Menu item to go straight there!)
1. First of all….
2. Senior Citizen Offers
3. Special offer – King Solomon Hotel Netanya
4. Oldest synagogue in the world found!
5. Party in Tel Aviv
6. New entry regulations to Israel
7. Scooters in Israel
8. What's hot in Tel Aviv
9. A new hotel in Jerusalem
10. A day by the Lake
11. Israeli 'boutique' hotels
12. Hezekiah's Tunnel
13. Travel Tips
14. Carlton Quiz results
15. New Quiz – Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem
16. Our products
First of all…
Tourism to Israel is and always will be like a heart beat – up and down…at the moment we in the UK are enjoying great airfares owing
to the plethora of flights. But hotel rates are still very high- In fact I was reading that Tel Aviv has the 7th highest hotel rates
in the world! Considering all the circumstances, it is not surprising – they are forever trying to catch up from the losses of a
previous down turn in tourism fortunes. Rates of exchange seem to be pretty stable at the moment and hotels are still coming out
with special offers – so my reading of the current market is that it is not the cheapest time ever to enjoy a holiday in Israel, but
it is certainly not the most expensive. With our economy in flux and our currency very weak indeed, it is very possible that the
dollar will gain more ground on sterling – increasing our hotel costs in Israel. So that winter break in Eilat this year could well
be more expensive next year!
We have negotiated special rates for senior citizens for this coming winter – see below.
We have a winner for the Carlton quiz and a new quiz with the Mamilla Hotel in Jerusalem. This hotel is newest 5 star deluxe hotel
to open in Jerusalem. Not many people can say – 'Been there got the 'T' shirt!'
MORE OFFERS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Please find hereunder-special rates for senior citizens at Sharon Herzelia.
The rates are valid for the period
Nov 1 2009-Mar 28 2010
Min 14 nights
$113.00 per person in double room, half board
$63.00 single room supplement
$44.00 Saturday lunch
Min 21 nights
$100.00 per person in double room, half board
$63.00 single room supplement
$44.00 Saturday lunch
Special rates for senior citizens at King Solomon Hotel Netanya
Valid: Nov 15 2009-Feb 28 2010
Min 14 nights
$60.00 per person in double room, half board
$33.00 single room supplement
$31.00 Saturday lunch
Min 21 nights
$56.00 per person in double room, half board
$33.00 single room supplement
$31.00 Saturday lunch
Valid: Mar 1-28 2010
Min 14 nights
$68.00 per person in double room, half board
$44.00 single room supplement
$31.00 Saturday lunch
Min 21 nights
$63.00 per person in double room, half board
$44.00 single room supplement
$31.00 Saturday lunch
King Solomon Netanya
The following special rates will apply for the period
December 20, 2009 – January 2, 2010
GUESTS STAYING 1-2 NIGHTS
$63 per person in double room
$107 per person in single room
$58 per person in triple room
GUESTS STAYING FOR MINIMUM 3 NIGHTS
$55 per person in double room
$99 per person in single room
$52 per person in triple room
Rates are based on standard type rooms and include full Israeli breakfast
ONE OF THE OLDEST SYNAGOGUES IN THE WORLD
EXPOSED AT MIGDAL, NEAR THE SEA OF GALILEE
A synagogue from the Second Temple period (50 BCE-100 CE) was exposed in archaeological excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority
(IAA) is conducting at a site slated for the construction of a hotel on Migdal beach. In the middle of the synagogue is a stone
that is engraved with a seven-branched menorah (candelabrum), the likes of which have never before been seen.
The main hall of synagogue is c. 120 square meters in area and its stone benches, which served as seats for the worshippers, were
built up against the walls of the hall. Its floor was made of mosaic and its walls were treated with coloured plaster (frescos). A
square stone, the top and four sides of which are adorned with reliefs, was discovered in the hall. The stone is engraved with a
seven-branched menorah set atop a pedestal with a triangular base, which is flanked on either side by an amphora (jars).
According to the excavation director, Dina Avshalom-Gorni of the IAA, "We are dealing with an exciting and unique find. This is the
first time that a menorah decoration has been discovered from the days when the Second Temple was still standing. This is the first
menorah to be discovered in a Jewish context and that dates to the Second Temple period/beginning of the Early Roman period. We can
assume that the engraving that appears on the stone, which the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered, was done by an artist who saw
the seven-branched menorah with his own eyes in the Temple in Jerusalem. The synagogue that was uncovered joins just six other
synagogues in the world that are known to date to the Second Temple period".
The company developing the site intends to establish a centre of dialogue and respect between the different religions and cultures
and expects to attract tourists and visitors from Israel and from around the world to visit the centre and view the finding.
The synagogue is located in Migdal ('Magdala' in Aramaic), which is mentioned in Jewish sources. Migdal played an important role
during the Great Revolt and was actually the main base of Yosef Ben Matityahu (Josephus Flavius), commander of the rebellion in the
Galilee. Migdal also continued to resist the Romans after both the Galilee and Tiberias had surrendered. 'Magdala' is mentioned in
Christian sources as the place whence Mary Magdalene came, one of the women who accompanied Jesus and the apostles and who Christian
tradition has sanctified. After the Romans conquered it, the city was destroyed and many of its residents were killed. At the end of
the Second Temple period Migdal was an administrative centre of the western basin of the Sea of Galilee. Until the founding of
Tiberias in the year 19 CE, Migdal was the only important settlement along the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The site is currently closed to visitors and will be opened to the public in the future.
IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!
Four-Night City Breaks Timed to Coincide with Tel Aviv-Jaffa 's Centennial Party 17th October 2009
El Al and the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Hotel Association have teamed up to offer attractive four night city breaks for tourists wishing to
enjoy the party of the century – Tel Aviv-Jaffa's Centennial Party which will take place on Saturday, 17th October 2009 on the banks
of the Yarkon River, near the Tel Aviv Port.
The 'end-of-year' party, open to the public, is both the climax of a year of centennial celebrations and the beginning of a new Tel
Aviv tradition of an international on-the-water festival, in the spirit of other international festivities.
The extravaganza will begin in the early evening (from 18:30) with giant screens projecting images from the Centennial Project, in
which 50,000 residents of the city formed a collage of the city's founding moment. VJs will screen animation of the city, while an
orchestra provides musical entertainment as the thousands of partygoers begin to assemble.
At 20:30, a spectacular 30 minute Light and Water Show, centred around the historic lighthouse will begin with the sound of a ship's
horn and a public countdown, led by the Mayor of Tel Aviv- Jaffa, Ron Huldai and a group of children. At zero, the skies will
explode with an extravagant display of fireworks, pyrotechnical effects and illuminations. Video clips, mixed by leading VJs and
featuring popular and historic locations throughout Tel Aviv-Jaffa, will be projected onto massive water screens in the river and
thousands of party-goers will unite in singing.
From 21:00, Tel Aviv, also known as 'the city that never sleeps', will party the night away with leading international and local DJs
and VJs. Giant colourful balls will be tossed into the dancing crowds and the water will continue to feature stage performances,
floating displays and dancers.
To: All Tourism Trade and Tourists
(Letter from the Ministry of Tourism)
SUBSTITUTE FOR PASSPORT VISA STAMP - FORM 17 L
Upon arrival to Israel, tourists wishing not to have their passports stamped can request
from the border control to have their tourist visa stamped on "Form 17 L" instead of
their passport. This will ensure that they gain all the benefits of holding a tourist
status while in Israel.
We hope that in the near future, Form 17L will be available on each airline carrier. At
present, the forms are available at Ben Gurion International Airport, at the side of the
hall before the border control booths. Tourists interested in filling out the form are
requested to do so at the designated area and then proceed to border control.
Those interested in attaining the form but heading straight to Border Control without first
filling it out, will be sent to side of the hall to complete as directed. At the various
Land Crossings to Israel, the forms are at the Border Control officials in the booths.
Tourists are requested to fill in family name, first name, father's first name, country of
birth, nationality, passport number, gender, year of birth and then general details
regarding the tourist's entrance/exit. On the entrance side, tourists are requested to
state carrier/ship, flight number and port of embarkation. On the exit site of the form,
tourists will be asked to state port of destination, carrier/ship and flight number. The
form should be stamped both at the entrance and at the exit by the border
control official.
For your information, the stamped form is proof of tourist status and must be
retained by the tourist while in Israel. It is incumbent upon the tourist to make
sure he doesn't lose it. When planning a purchase, together with the passport
Form 17 L must be shown (but not handed in) in order to receive tourist
privileges such as return of VAT for hotel services, car rentals as well as at
specially registered duty free shops throughout the country.
We wish you a pleasant visit and should you need any help or information, our
Tourist information Offices throughout the country are at your service.
Are you planning a trip to Israel?
Need help getting around?
New in Israel !!!!
From now on people with mobility issues can rent an electric scooter to enjoy their visit in Israel.
An electric scooter is a comfortable and convenient way to get from one place to another. The ability to travel and enjoy vacations
is important for people with limited mobility.
"Access 4 you" is proud to provide to you or your family member independence and mobility by renting one of our modern, made in
Israel, fold up scooters.
Please contact us at our website www.access4you.co.il to learn more about this exciting new service or call our toll-free number
1-800-8516177.
What's hot in Tel Aviv?
For years, Tel Aviv was a jealously guarded secret of hip travellers seeking an alternative vacation destination that was more
vibrant than the overpriced, touristy cities that dot the Mediterranean basin.
Even when touring Israel, visitors tend to stick to the traditional hot spots of Jerusalem, Tiberias, Safed and Eilat.
Nowadays, it's harder to ignore the stylish metropolis - and the recently published Visit Tel Aviv-Yafo guide by the Association for
Tourism; Tel Aviv-Yafo caters to the tourist based in the city that never goes to sleep.
The pocket-sized English book is specifically tailored for exploring the Tel Aviv area, for both the first-time visitor and the keen
enthusiast. Tourists can now navigate their own way through the city's green boulevards, chic cafes, fashionable boutiques, rich
cultural scene and roaring nightlife armed with all the information they need to unearth the secrets of Tel Aviv's mystique.
The association's director-general, Eti Gargir, said she had searched for a guidebook that focused only on the country's commercial
and cultural capital.
"I was surprised that there was nothing available for tourists that was specific to Tel Aviv," she told The Jerusalem Post. "So we
created the ultimate guide for English-speaking tourists."
The book divides Tel Aviv-Jaffa into five distinct areas - the North, City Centre, the Heart, the South and Jaffa. Providing maps,
addresses, Web site information and phone numbers, each photographs and a short introduction to each Tel Aviv "neighbourhood"
illustrate section.
This way, the visitor can plan his Tel Aviv conquest in the most orderly fashion - street-by-street, museum-by-museum, park-by-park,
cafe by cafe.
Tel Aviv is also known as the gay capital of the Middle East. Last week's shooting attack on a gay and lesbian youth centre in the
heart of the city shook the local gay community, as well as incoming tourists.
When asked whether the shooting could have a negative impact on tourism, Gargir said the city had survived for a century despite
coming under fire from Iraqi rockets and Palestinian terrorists - and would survive this criminal attack as well.
"Visitors still came during the height of the intifada," she said. "This was a crime, not terrorism."
There are very few cities that feel as strongly alive, self-confident and hedonistic - or that live so firmly in the present, she
said.
The association is sponsoring tourist information booths on Segways along the Tel Aviv promenade. Local Tel Avivians riding the
Segways will be able to answer travellers' questions and hand out fliers notifying them of "what's hot" that month.
Further along the promenade, at the association's tourist information centre, visitors can pick up their free "City Pass" - a coupon
booklet which includes discounts for various recreational activities, museums, entertainment shows, plays, restaurants and bars
throughout the city.
Gargir understands that "Tel Aviv is the city for any budget," and accordingly, the association provides free English-language
walking tours during the week. Any visitor could become an expert on the Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv's "white city" or observe
the city's nighttime character from afar before diving in the deep end.
Blending old and new, the association reveals to the English-speaking public that the city has it all - sparkling beaches and
sprawling parks, non-stop nightlife and bustling markets, world-class culture and several centuries' worth of history. Both chaotic
and relaxed, hip yet homelike, the initial seduction of Tel Aviv usually evolves into a lifelong love affair.
Association for Tourism Tel Aviv-Yafo, 46 Herbert Samuel Street (corner of 2 Rehov Geula), telephone: (03) 516-6188. Opening hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 09:30 to 17:30, Friday, 09:30 to 13:00. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Guide (NIS 60) is available at the Tourist Information
Centre and all good bookstores.
Always room for one more
It is not yet entirely completed; it's been open only since mid-June, and so far it's the only hotel in Jerusalem that is part of
both a shopping-mall complex and an upscale residential complex, although the nearby Jerusalem Plaza includes private residences
with the hotel, some of which are rented out when not occupied by their owners.
Promoted as a luxury boutique hotel, the Mamilla hotel, located above the Alrov Mamilla Mall that leads directly to the Jaffa Gate
in the Old City, is already exciting interest from abroad, and in the first week of August it was fully occupied, mainly by guests
from overseas.
Jerusalem is now considered a venue for romance, and there are lots of inquiries from young couples, especially from Japan, says the
hotel's general manager Eli Maor.
Jerusalem is marketed as the cradle of the three great monotheistic faiths; a city of history, archaeology and culture. Romance was
a new concept.
So was the décor of the hotel.
The hotel's minimalist yet luxurious ambience, the starkness of its colour schemes in which black is a dominant feature, the
integration of old Jerusalem stone with the clean lines of contemporary architecture, and the suites in which the bathroom and the
bedroom are separated only by a transparent glass wall (which at the press of a button can become opaque) are enough to impress most
well-travelled guests. World-acclaimed interior designer Pierro Lissoni, whose creative genius and obsessive attention to detail
made all this possible, designed it.
But what is really impressive is the view from the hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, which overlook east and west Jerusalem and
the Judean Desert. It is arguably one of the most panoramic and diverse views from inner Jerusalem.
Of course, not everything appeals to everyone. Some friends from Australia who are frequent world travellers had stayed at the hotel
a month earlier and found it too sparse for their taste, but they raved about the food.
The minimalism is carefully contrived in that closets are level with the walls, and in many cases are in a separate alcove removed
from the bedroom, where the only furniture is the huge bed, a chair and a flat-screen TV that is also a computer screen. There are
also smaller flat screens in the bathroom mirrors so guests can continue watching TV while having a bath.
In the public areas, the huge breakfast room converts into a ballroom at night. But what catches the eye is a large round table
surrounded by 12 chairs. A different world-renowned furniture designer designs each chair. The 12 chairs represent the 12 tribes of
Israel.
The room doors are fitted with electronic and regular keyholes for Shabbat observers, with special controls for automatic
electricity so that religious Jews will not inadvertently violate Shabbat by generating light when they open the door. The hotel is
largely powered by solar energy.
All the guest rooms are non-smoking, but there are three sections in the hotel where smoking is permitted.
Guests who make reservations well ahead of time are contacted by the concierge by e-mail two weeks before they are due to arrive and
given information about what to see and do in Jerusalem during their stay. They are also asked their dining preferences, what
newspapers they want to read and any special requests they might have. If they need to be picked up at the airport, the hotel will
arrange that, too.
When it is finished with a target date at the end of September, the Mamilla Hotel will include all the usual luxury hotel facilities
such as a choice of restaurants, bars and coffee shops; conference rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, banquet facilities,
fitness club, synagogue, library, business club and amphitheatre.
It will also have its own shopping centre in addition to the stores in the mall. Among the former will be Israel's first GAP store.
Cleanliness and aesthetics are very important to developer Alfred Akirov and to his son George, who is in charge of the family's
hotel interests. Other than sections where work is being completed, all the rooftop areas of the mall are spotless, and in the mall
itself cleaners are constantly at work from early morning till late at night.
Mamilla has undergone an amazing transformation over the last decade, developing from a slum neighbourhood into an upscale island of
luxury.
One of the neighbourhoods constructed in the late 19th century outside of the walls of the Old City, Mamilla was originally a mixed
commercial and residential centre populated by Jews and Arabs.
The Mamilla Hotel is adjacent to the larger David Citadel Hotel, which was designed by internationally renowned Israeli architect
Moshe Safdie and is likewise architecturally impressive.
Directly across from the David Citadel, the Waldorf Astoria is under construction by the Reichman family of Canada, on the site of
the old Palace Hotel, which was once the super luxury hotel of Jerusalem.
It will be interesting to see whether Alon Ben-Gurion, who was the long-time general manager of the Waldorf Astoria in New York and
is now the general manager of the Rye Town Hilton New York - and is the grandson of Israel's founding prime minister - will be
brought back to Israel to manage the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem. Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world are managed by Hilton,
which owns the brand name.
The long defunct President Hotel, which was the first hotel in Jerusalem with a swimming pool, was purchased several years ago by
Africa Israel, which intended to build a residential complex on the site, but as yet nothing has been done. The dilapidated building
is still standing, and with the Jerusalem Development Authority's penchant for additional hotels in the city, construction could be
delayed for many years; or Africa Israel might decide to opt for a hotel.
Meanwhile, another Africa Israel residential project on Rehov Harav Kook cannot go ahead as planned due to objections raised by the
Israel Museum, which controls the adjacent Anna Ticho House. Here, too, Africa Israel may have to compromise and build a hotel.
Jerusalem already has a number of ghost-town luxury residential projects, with more under construction. A hotel might be a better
prospect for the city that is seeking to have more tourists and is offering ever-increasing leisure time options in the heart of
town.
A day by The Lake
It's difficult to imagine that until the IDF captured the Golan Heights in the Six Day War, the peaceful, attractive, tourist-filled
resort of Ein Gev was a sitting duck, under constant bombardment from the Syrian army that straddled the Heights above it.
From the time of its inception in 1937 as one of the fait accompli Tower and Stockade settlements thrown up overnight under the
noses of the British, Kibbutz Ein Gev rarely had a peaceful moment. It was the first modern Jewish settlement on the eastern shore
of the Kinneret. Members' lives were made so unbearable by the constant shelling from above that in the kibbutz's early years they
abandoned the idea of tilling the fields and decided to turn their efforts to operating boat trips across the lake and a fish
restaurant.
Probably its most famous founding member was Teddy Kollek, who went on to be Jerusalem's longest-standing mayor. A memorial stone
and miniature garden have been erected in his memory on the kibbutz's new boardwalk.
Situated on the hill overlooking Ein Gev was the ancient town of Hippos-Sussita. Both names mean "horse" in Greek and Aramaic,
indicated by the shape of the hill - which resembles the head, neck and saddle of a horse. Hippos-Sussita's heyday was from the 3rd
century BCE to the 7th century CE.
Excavations at Sussita have been carried out over the last decade (and continue for one month a year) and much has been uncovered of
this important, ancient city, which is mentioned in the Talmud as being the enemy of Tiberias and is thought to have had an almost
entirely non-Jewish population. There is an approach road to the lakeside excavations near the port area.
Today, the Ein Gev holiday village is the largest holiday resort in the area. The restaurant, which was one of the first attractions
that brought people to this spot, has gone from strength to strength. I remember visiting about 20 years ago and seeing the then-new
computerized deep fryer, which cooked all the fries to exactly the same delicious crispness to accompany the renowned fried or
grilled St. Peter's fish, which, we were told, was freshly caught in the Kinneret. Nowadays, fries are not the only side dish, nor
are St. Peter's fish the only fish on offer. If it's really too hot to sit outside, guests can be seated inside the restaurant, but
the view from the terrace overlooking the lake is a shame to forgo, whatever the weather. However many people there are, the large
eatery never seems crowded.
Kosher diners will find its kashrut certification very interesting. The restaurant is kosher in one area only. On enquiring as to
the reason, I was told that the rest of the restaurant is open on Shabbat, thereby disqualifying it for a kashrut certificate, but
that the kosher area of the restaurant is closed on Shabbat and is served by a separate kitchen, which does not operate on Shabbat,
and therefore is entitled to certification.
A boat ride is always fun for city kids, whether it is out into the centre of lake and back again or across to the other side of the
lake, to Tiberias. Even if you leave your car at Ein Gev you could still take a trip across the Kinneret and visit Tiberias, then
return on a later boat. Groups can also rent boats for parties. (For times and details see contact details at end.)
For something really different, visit Saba Yossi's carpentry studio. Here you can buy a toy-making kit, and children can sit with
Saba Yossi Zidkoni and his wife, Yochi, at one of their workbenches and make the toy under their expert and patient guidance and
supervision. The children learn how to use real tools and can also paint their models when they are completed.
There are a variety of kits suitable for all children over three, at various prices, and any younger children you may have with you
can enjoy the all-wooden play area in the other half of the studio, which boasts make-believe boats and cars.
If you don't want your children to make a toy then you can also buy one of the beautiful handcrafted items from small toys and
blocks to large wooden rocking horses and even a classic English "hobby horse" of nursery rhyme fame.
Another unique site is the House of Anchors museum, established in 1995 by Mendel Nun, a veteran fisherman and member of the
kibbutz. He has collected an incredible array of fishing artefacts, dating from ancient times through today, including varieties of
nets. While visiting the kibbutz, hop aboard the Ein Gev train, which takes visitors around the port area and through the kibbutz.
You'll learn a lot about local history, as well as the social and cultural background of the kibbutz.
Many of the above attractions operate subject to demand, so call in advance for times (04) 665-8008. To visit the House of Anchors
call Yoel on 054-565-8025.
Variations on a theme
The term "boutique hotel" has such a charming ring that even if one doesn't quite know what it entails; it sounds like an alluring
place to stay.
In essence, a boutique hotel is a small, luxury establishment that is often designed around a specific theme or concept and provides
personalized services and facilities. That being said, many large hotel chains have gotten on the bandwagon and are branding
themselves as boutique hotels as well. In that case, it is not a question of size but of design and intention. If a hotel is
developed around a particular concept, then it may be described as a boutique hotel.
In other words, one could say that all concept hotels are boutique hotels, but not all boutique (small, luxury) hotels are concept
hotels.
In Tel Aviv, for instance, there are several good examples of consummate concept - or boutique - hotels. The Melody, Cinema, Center
and Art+ hotels, run by the Atlas Hotel Group, offer inviting variations on their themes.
Owned by Leslie Adler and Danny Lipman, Atlas is a management group that rents existing hotels for a long term, 20 to 30 years, and
invests its own money to upgrade the premises, services and facilities.
Known for the past 40 years as a group that managed three- and four-star European-style business hotels, Atlas decided three years
ago to undergo a new branding process and focus on boutique hotels, says Jenny Jamui, director of Agam Communications and
spokesperson for the Atlas Group. Their rationale, she says, is that once you give a guest a special experience - not just a hotel
stay but a unique experience - they will be willing to pay more for it.
"We start with an idea a year before opening a hotel," says Jamui. "That determines the design and the architecture of the place."
To that end, there is an active creative team that works on the concept of each hotel, dreaming up ways to integrate elements of the
theme into a practical and enjoyable experience for the clientele.
"As part of the branding of the chain, each hotel has its own scent and its own type of music," says Jamui. All the Atlas hotels
have a happy hour in the business lounge from 5-8 p.m., where the refreshments and beverages are free, and each guest room has a
coffee/tea bar. The Atlas hotels also offer free wireless Internet service. "It is the only hotel chain that has it for free - even
the five-star hotels don't offer that," says Jamui.
"Once you get into the Atlas family, you don't get out," she laughs, explaining that all the general managers of the Atlas hotels
have worked their way up through the ranks, some beginning as reception clerks or banquet managers.
And speaking of work, that is part of the theme of the Melody Hotel.
The Melody Hotel
Built 12 years ago, the Melody was a four-star business hotel, located across the street from the beach at 220 Hayarkon. When Atlas
took over, they added three floors and renovated the premises. Then they turned it into a 55-room boutique hotel revolving around
the concept of "Work and play in Tel Aviv." Their premise was to provide the businessman with all his needs, both personal and
professional.
To set the scene, Atlas got the Tel Aviv public involved in the design of the hotel. They announced a photo contest asking Tel
Avivians to send black-and-white photographs of their idea of work and play in Tel Aviv. After receiving some 700 pictures, a
selection committee chose 40, which now grace the lobby and the guest rooms of the Melody Hotel. (The winners received a cash prize
and a weekend stay at the hotel.)
To facilitate the work mode, every room has an office-style desk complete with office supplies, such as staplers and paper clips, a
DVD player, as well as a safe that is large enough to accommodate a laptop. The lobby lounge has two computers, five daily
newspapers in English and Hebrew, and a plasma TV with non-stop news. And the hotel offers fax, printing and secretarial services.
As for the leisure aspect, the Melody offers its guests a plethora of fun and games. The lobby lounge has a wide assortment of board
games, a library of books and DVDs, and a very popular happy hour where guests can invite their own guests. To help guests enjoy
themselves both indoors and out, the hotel offers a complimentary selection of kits to suit individual tastes and interests. The
Morning Jog kit includes a map, hat, towel and a bottle of water. Fun in the Sun is equipped with a folding chair, hat, water, towel
and a pail and shovel for the kids. The Flex and Relax kit has a yoga DVD and a mat. The Fit Kit has weights and an exercise video.
The Play Me a Movie has a wide choice of DVDs and a bag of popcorn. And the Bicycle Kit includes a bicycle, water and a map with the
city's bicycle routes.
To reinforce the activity theme, the motif of each floor of the hotel is dedicated to a different exercise, such as jogging or
swimming. The seventh floor, designed to look like a ship, has a rooftop terrace and sundeck that has a panoramic view of the sea
and Independence Park.
The Cinema Hotel
When it comes to taking a theme and running with it, the Atlas Group has had a field day with Cinema Hotel. Housed in the former
Esther Cinema built in 1938 - one of the first movie theatres in Tel Aviv - the Cinema Hotel is located at 1 Rehov Zamenhoff in
Dizengoff Circle.
All seven floors of this 82-room Bauhaus building ooze movie magic from every pore. As the owner of the building in the grandson of
the original proprietors, Moses and Esther Nathaniel, just about everything has been preserved from the legendary movie theatre -
from the architecture and décor to the film paraphernalia.
The real magic, then, was transforming the antiquated theatre into a modern, elegant boutique hotel.
The lobby of the Cinema Hotel has an Art Deco look, with black and grey tables and chairs, a large chandelier, a spiral staircase
leading up to the next floors - and the immense projector that screened films from Europe and Hollywood which enthralled Tel Aviv
audiences for decades. In that vein, there is also a large book in which people can write about their memories of the Esther Cinema.
On every floor, like a museum, there are glass showcases filled with snippets of the past: movie reels, soundtracks, celluloid
strips, tickets, stamping devices, film posters with Hebrew subtitles, documents, sketches, cameras and glass Coca-Cola bottles.
Larger items on display include more projectors, stuffed chairs and a row of wooden theatre seats.
The hotel rooms seamlessly incorporate the theme. Each room has a director's chair, a spotlight, film posters, and the headboard of
the bed is designed like a movie screen. Every room also has a small terrace on which one can relax and have a cup of coffee or tea
from the coffee corner.
From three in the afternoon unlimited popcorn is available, and every evening there are movies projected on the hotel walls.
Meals are served in the large dining room, where all the dishes, napkins and placemats are branded with the hotel logo - a black
celluloid strip.
For business guests there is a small business centre furnished with leather chairs and sofas, a TV and a table with a computer,
where refreshments are served every afternoon. And, of course, for the film buffs there is a film room where they can watch movies
to their heart's content.
And high above it all, the rooftop terrace overlooking Dizengoff Square is replete with trees, flowers, wooden tables and chairs,
lounge chairs and a ping-pong table.
As you look down, you can see two statues of a boy and a girl on their balconies talking to each other on their homemade tin can
walkie-talkies. What is that about?
The Center Hotel
That is about the concept of the Center Hotel, located directly across from the Cinema Hotel, at 2 Rehov Zamenhoff. A three-star
boutique hotel geared toward the younger set, the 56-room Center focuses on Tel Aviv, the White City. It that regard, it was
designed to celebrate the art, architecture, culture and spirit of the 100-year-old city.
To render that theme, the Atlas Group asked five young artists to visualize and then create an image of Tel Aviv. In addition,
photographers were sent to take pictures of the Rothschild area, renowned for its historic Bauhaus buildings.
The result is that each corridor of the hotel is made to look like a street in Tel Aviv.
And in each guest room, there is a mural on the wall behind the bed reflecting that theme created by a local artist, as well as
small photographs of the early years of the city. In the lobby there is a mural map of Tel Aviv.
More data on the history of Tel Aviv is available in several other forms. In the lobby there is a library with books about Tel Aviv
- its past and its architecture. In the screening room, there is ongoing footage of Steven Spielberg's collection of Tel Aviv
archives. And from time to time there are lectures at the hotel pertaining to the former days of Tel Aviv.
As the Center Hotel does not have a dining room; guests of the hotel go across the street to have their morning meal in the spacious
dining hall of the Cinema Hotel.
The Art Hotel
Located at 35 Ben-Yehuda in the commercial and cultural heart of the city yet a five-minute walk from the beach, the four-star Art+
is a little oasis of modern elegance and understated luxury.
As its name implies, the theme of the 62-room Art+ is "the creative spirit of Tel Aviv."
Owned by Doron Sabag, one of the largest art collectors in Israel, the hotel contains several pieces from his private collection.
The rest of the creative content of the six-story hotel was commissioned to five local artists: Maya Attoun; Tali Ben-Bassat; Ayelet
Carmi; Olaf Kuhneman; and Doron Rabina. Each artist was given a floor on which to create his or her artwork; and in each guest room
on that floor a motif from that artwork is included. What's more, the Atlas Group hired an art specialist to maximize the
implementation of the art concept in the hotel.
The lobby is designed to look like an art gallery. In addition to original artwork on the walls and a video art presentation,
colourful retro sofas, chairs and ottomans, track lighting and reading lamps, occupy the large space. The space is divided into two
areas by a bookcase filled with books on art and architecture.
On the second floor, there is a library with a long worktable and another large selection of art books, magazines and newspapers.
The library also serves as the breakfast room and as the lounge during late-afternoon happy hours.
The guest rooms are modern and colourful, with interactive touches that function beyond decoration to become part of the guest's
experience. For example, the bedroom mirror has the words "Sweet Dreams" etched across the bottom. The bathroom mirror says "Looking
Good." On the desk there is a set of collared pencils and a drawing pad with the printed message "Express Yourself." And a little
white sign on the wall that says "HANGER" actually is a hanger, with each of the six letters jutting out as a hook.
For art aficionados and novices alike, each room has a bulletin board laden with brochures for local galleries and exhibitions. In
addition, the Art+ offers guided tours of four or five nearby galleries in English, Hebrew or French. And a few times a week a
sketch artist brings his sketchpad and special skills to the hotel to create a tangible memento for the guest.
The lovely rooftop terrace on the fifth floor, abloom with flowers and citrus trees and furnished with retro beanbags, as well as
lounge tables and chairs, affords the guest yet another way in which to inspire his soul and nourish his spirit.
Based on these few examples, there is evidently much more to the pretty little boutique hotel than meets the eye.
Hezekiah's Tunnel
Located in what is now called Ir David, the Old City of Jerusalem was the last bastion of King Hezekiah in a country that had been
destroyed all around him by the Assyrians circa 701 BCE. To fortify Jerusalem, King Hezekiah built a protective wall but was then
faced with the challenge of bringing water into the city for the residents.
There was a spring that ran beyond the wall, but the king wanted to make the water inaccessible to the enemy, yet available to the
Jewish residents within the walled city. To accomplish the former, he had workers clog and camouflage the water source. For the
latter challenge, his workforce dug a tunnel from the camouflaged water source to a pool inside the walls, thus having the water
flow freely into it.
To ensure the flow of water, they had to build the reservoir in the deepest part of the city and carve, at an angle, a 533-meter
long tunnel underneath the City of David Mountain. To hasten the work, two teams of tunnellers dug toward each other from opposite
ends of the tunnel. The fact that they succeeded and met at the exact midpoint is regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats
of ancient times.
Various theories exist as to how this was actually accomplished. One premise is that there was a crack through which water was
already seeping, and the workers enlarged it. Such an opening would also have provided oxygen for the tunnellers to breathe.
Getting your feet wet.
To explore this pool on your own, walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel and continue down the steps into the water. The whole experience
takes about half an hour of wading through knee-deep spring water. It is recommended to wear plastic sandals and to bring a
flashlight.
When you emerge from the tunnel, you will find yourself in the Byzantine Pool of Siloam (Shiloah). Climb the steps out of the pool
and descend more steps, which will lead you into the Second Temple Shiloah Pool and the Herodian Road.
Travel Tips
Q. My flight was delayed over an hour and half – can I claim compensation?
A. I suggest that you check the EU site at
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/air_en.htm
<http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/clicktracker.php?cd=32092&ld=21&md=892&ud=b8fdf33da25650214654f86a7f87aeb0&url=http://ec.e
uropa.eu/transport/passengers/air/air_en.htm>
Where all your rights are listed regarding airlines, flight delays etc. It seems that if you can prove mismanagement then yes – a
meal a phone call is the minimum; but you try and prove that!
QUIZ RESULTS
1. What is the name of the unique restaurant on the Mediterranean Sea the Carlton Hotel has just opened? Carlton on the Beach
2. What is the name of the Carlton Hotel's General Manager? Jimmy Zohar
3. Including suites how many rooms does the hotel have? 270
4.On which street is the hotel located? Eliezer Peri Street
5.What is the date of birth of the person in the answer to question 4? 2/2/1902
6. What major project is the hotel undertaking now that will be a significant change for all the guests? The North West Entrance
7. On which floor level is the hotel swimming pool situated? Roof
8. In what year did the Carlton Hotel first open their doors? 1981
9. Besides being a leading 5 star hotel – what single word would you use to describe the luxury and style of this property? Boutique
10. How far in kilometres is Ben Gurion Airport from the Hotel? Less than 30km
11. What vegetable makes up the name of one of the Carlton's restaurant? Red and Green Pepper
WINNER REV JEAN HALL! CONGRATULATIONS
NEW QUIZ
THE MAMILLA HOTEL
The Latest 5 stay deluxe hotel to open in Jerusalem!
Located in the heart of the City, with magnificent views of the Old City walls, the Tower of David, Jaffa Gate, and alongside
Jerusalem's new shopping and entertainment experience, the Alrov Mamilla Avenue. Mamilla Hotel, the newest of luxury hotels in
Jerusalem, brings world-class superior design and lifestyle hospitality to Jerusalem and Israel. Guests and visitors will enjoy
exceptional accommodations together with exclusive restaurant and bar venues, holistic well-being spa and gym, as well as events and
banqueting spaces, that blend sophistication and modern international style with the unique and rich culture of Jerusalem.
The prize….
The Mamilla Hotel agree to give the winner of the competition – 1 twin bedded room on bed and breakfast basis for 4 nights arriving
on a Thursday and departing on a Monday on a complimentary basis. The following conditions apply.
1. The validity of the prize is from 1st October 2010 till 1st March 2011
2. The prize is subject to availability and excludes peak periods, religious and national holidays.
3. The prize has no cash value
4. The prize in non transferable.
Question 1. What is the name of the Mamilla Hotel's sister property in Jerusalem?
Rules:
Each month a new question will be set till the 12th month and the last question.
Closing date for the 12 answers to be in is 15th September 2010
The correct answers and name of the winner will be published in the Israel Offers Newsletter for October 2010
Answers can be submitted by e-mail or posted to: -
ITS, 429 – 430 Royal Exchange, Old Bank Street, Manchester M2 7EP.
The judges will not enter into any correspondence regarding the quiz
The judges are made up from Management representatives of ITS and The Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem
OUR PRODUCTS
Visit our booking one stop shop Israel web site – www.israelin1.com
<http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/clicktracker.php?cd=32092&ld=21&md=892&ud=b8fdf33da25650214654f86a7f87aeb0&url=http://www.
israelin1.com/> - well worth a 'surf!'
Besides our reservations department dedicated to the individual traveller to Israel, we also have departments that handle cruises
and specialist group bookings.
Our groups department handles all types of groups on a worldwide basis. From pilgrimages to weddings* and from study tours to trade
missions to our most popular escorted tours.
Should you book a wedding/bar mitzvah group with us – we contribute £10.00 for each person (booked on a package) who attends the
function, in order to present a cheque for the bride/groom/bar mitzvah, as a present. So, if say 40 people flew to Israel and
stayed in hotels, to attend your family function, we would present you with a cheque of £400.00 made out to the person celebrating!
To book your flights, hotel accommodation, car hire, airport car parking and travel insurance click here http://www.israelin1.com/
Our reservations department handles bookings for individuals to Israel, to include fly drive, flights, and hotel accommodation and
regular day tours.
We also produce a Newsletter for the pilgrim market - you can subscribe by going to our web site and on our home page following the
link www.itstravel.co.uk
Not forgetting that we are bonded with ABTA as a tour operator (V1178) and as a travel agent (C6694), we are also licensed with the
Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 2893) and an accredited IATA agent (91284771). So your payments are 100% protected, our
professionalism is assured and you are getting the best value, for we are licensed to deal directly with the airlines and all the
suppliers.
Regards
Adrian
For more details on anything related to this newsletter call
Free phone 0800 0181 839
or send us an E-mail to information@itstravel.co.uk
mailto:information@itstravel.co.uk
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at the bottom of the email that was sent to you.
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