Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The New Israel Museum That We Can’t Wait To Show You! Built By Israeli Architect, Ron Arad

Exciting news for travelers scheduled to embark on their tours to Israel in March! The stunning Design Museum of Holon, the very first museum for contemporary design in Israel, will open its first exhibit to the public in March of 2010. The exhibit, “The State of Things” will feature over 100 objects representing issues of contemporary international design.

Designed by Ron Arad, the Design Museum of Holon will include exhibits of contemporary design ranging from two-dimensional works of art to complete cars.

Arad is known as one of the top five designers in the world, and you only have to see the museum’s exterior to understand why.

The building itself is a stunning work of contemporary design, featuring magnificent details that include 350 tons of steel bands designed to emulate the movement of ribbons. It is no wonder that the museum is already garnering international buzz, but it may come as a surprise that it is designer Ron Arad’s very first commercial development!

Born in Tel Aviv, Arad graduated from the Jerusalem Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in 1973. His worldwide design portfolio features an impressive collection of furniture, products and structures.

We can’t wait to show you his latest work. Contact us at 1-800-223-3855 to find out about our great rates on Israel tours.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

5 Must-Try Wines For Your Next Israel Tour

In a land rich with history, culture and tradition, new developments continue to give travelers a fresh perspective each time they take a tour to Israel.

Over the past decade, one of the most prevalent new developments in Israel has been the growing number of wineries. In a land that was among the earliest regions to produce wine, Israel wineries have sprung up so quickly that 85% of the country’s current wineries were founded in the last ten years!

The rebirth of the Israel wine industry presents an exciting opportunity for travelers to explore the breathtaking regions of Gaililee, the Judean Hills, Shimshon, the Negev desert region and the Sharon Plain while sampling a wide variety of Israeli wines, many of which are kosher.

According to Robert Parker, a highly influential American wine advocate who has reviewed wines from over 40 Israeli wineries, you don’t want to miss these 5 wines on your next Israel tour:

• Red 2003 Yatir Forest: This wine is made by the Yatir Winery in Tel Arad. Located west of the Dead Sea, the Yatir Winery grows its own grapes on 100 acres of vineyards. Varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Malbec, Carignan, Tempranillo, Mourvedre and Viognier.

• 2005 Gewurztraminer Heights Wine Yarden: This dessert wine is made by the Goaln Heights Winery, one of the largest wineries in Israel. Each year, The Golan Heights Winery produces six million bottles of wine from its 1,600 acres of vineyards.

• Grand Vin: This wine, described by Parker as “beautiful” and “bursting with flavor” is made by Domaine Du Castel. Domaine Du Castel is a family-owned and operated vineyard located in the Judean Hills. Two other highly regarded wines from this 30-year-old winery include:

o Petit Castel: Described by Parker as “impeccably balanced”.
o Blanc du Castel: Parker’s favorite dry white wine.

Of course, a number of Israeli wines are receiving rave reviews from critics and tourists alike. Try them for yourself! Visit http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855 to find out more about touring the beautiful Vineyards in Israel.

Friday, February 12, 2010

How To Prepare For Your Israel Christian Tour: Gil Travel Shares Tips For Holy Land Travel

For many Christians who dream of traveling to the Holy Land, a guided Bible tour of Israel presents the opportunity of a lifetime. Sharon Cheeseman, General Manager of Gil Travel, a leading provider of Israel tours since 1974, shares insight into what travelers should know in order to experience the best possible Christian Israel tours.

1. Bring your Bible. “It may seem obvious, but bringing a Bible is absolutely critical for any Christian Israel pilgrimage,” says Cheeseman. “It is truly an exceptional, indescribable experience for travelers when they see the Bible come to life before their eyes.”

Cheeseman emphasizes that having a Bible on the tour helps Christian travelers to embrace the significance of the gospels, from the annunciation of Christ to His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary. As tourists walk in the footsteps of Jesus, this enables them to follow along verse-by-verse to gain a renewed appreciation for His sacrifice and a deeper understanding of Israel’s culture, land and people.

2. Dress for Comfort. “The more comfortable you are during your trip to Israel, the more fulfilling and enjoyable your experience will be,” Cheeseman explains.

Israel’s rough terrain, rocks and sandy hills require that travelers wear comfortable, rubber soled shoes. Travelers should dress in plenty of layers as temperatures can fluctuate significantly in a single day. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly recommended.

According to Cheeseman, dress is casual and modest, although many Holy sites require more formal attire. For men, hats are usually provided. Women should generally wear scarves to cover their heads and skirts that fall below the knee when visiting these Holy sites.

3. Choose a Comprehensive, Guaranteed Tour. Cheeseman emphasizes that tourists should choose a guaranteed tour in order to avoid having their trips cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute because of low participation.

Additionally, she recommends that Christian travelers take the time to research a tour’s itinerary to ensure a complete Israel tour experience. “Israel offers so many opportunities for the traveler to fully explore the land of the Bible,” she says. “It is important to choose a tour that includes a complete look at the Holy Land’s key Christian sites.”

Just a few of the sites on Cheeseman’s must-see list include:

Caesarea, the capital of Judea under the Romans. (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48)

Tabgha, where Jesus performed the Miracle of the Bread and Fish. (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21)

The Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8)

Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. (Luke 1.39-80)

The Banias Spring and Waterfall, where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27)

Nazareth and Cana of Galilee. (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) (John 2.1-11)

Mount Zion, where travelers can see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper. (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 The Pentecost).

For more information about Christian Israel tours, please visit http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855.

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