Israeli Culinary Blend

Tour in Israel Set Departure Tour 2015

 

Puzzle Israel invites you to come and take a delicious bite out of Israel’s

world-acclaimed food culture. From the country’s north to south, experiences that

will pique each of your five senses. Fresh fruits and vegetables, locally pressed olive

oil, delicious oven-baked breads, boutique farm cheeses — tastes and aromas new

and different that explore a diversity of cultures. We aspire to accommodate every

palate and are confident that there is an amazing experience waiting for everyone…

come discover a unique fusion of cultures and traditions that join together to form

Israeli cuisine. Accompanying you on your tour will be our Israeli chef, Nir

Margalith, along with his professional logistics crew primed to meet any of the

traveler’s needs.

Each day of the culinary tour is meant to highlight certain elements and recipes of

Israeli food culture. Upon completion of the trip, each participant will receive a

Puzzle Israel recipe book, some that were taught during workshops, some that

were simply eaten in local restaurants, so you can enjoy the Israeli flavours and

dishes after the tour. This trip can be made completely Kosher, Kosher optional, or

non-Kosher at all depending on the clients’ requests

 

Day 1

Welcome to Israel: Old Jaffa and the Sea

This day is built based on an afternoon arrival in Tel Aviv - if arrival is in the morning or the

previous day, then more extensive arrangements will be made for the day

● Land at Ben Gurion International Airport, meet the

Puzzle representative and transportation to Tel

Aviv-Jaffa

● Settle in your hotel and relax

● Evening walk along the Tayelet (boardwalk) with a

short welcoming tour of Jaffa’s Old City.

● Dinner at local Greek restaurant “Kalamata” for the

ultimate Mediterranean welcome experience - meet the

chef and your Puzzle Team and have our first

“Lechaim”! (included)

● Accommodations at the Accommodation at the Hilton/ Carleton / David Intercontinental or

similar

 

Day 2

Tel Aviv: Open Markets and the Cafe Culture

● Morning activities at Shuk HaCarmel open market -

tastings of Israeli delicacies like halva (sesame snack),

challah bread, olives, local spices and cheeses .

● A tour of Neve Tzedek, the first Hebrew neighborhood

of Tel Aviv with tastings from a bunch of local

restaurants for lunch - explore Tel Aviv and see how it

is the melting pot of Israel’s cultures on one street.

● Transportation to Park Hayarkon - have an easy

relaxing stroll in the park, exploring the beautiful

nature in the middle of the city

● Free time at Tel Aviv’s refurbished port, the Namal -

explore coffee shops and stores (coffee shops and

snacks not included, expect to spend between $5-$15

dollars per person)

● Optional: “Bar-On-Wheels” tour - a group activity on a

mobile bar that moves around while everyone is

peddling! Enjoy local beers, drink, ride and explore the

park (extra cost)

● Dinner options (included)

○ Special way to get to know local cuisine: Eatwith! be hosted at a local chef’s home

and eat with :)

○ Meshek Barzilai - a Farm to Table restaurant - one of the best in TLV

● Accommodations at the Accommodation at the Hilton/ Carleton / David Intercontinental or

similar

 

Day 3

Northern Cultural Expedition

● Breakfast at hotel

● Early wake up and travel to Caesarea for a guided

tour of the ancient ruins of the Roman city

● Continue northwards to the Muchraka - stop for a

beautiful lookout over the Jezreel Valley from the

top of the Carmel Mt. Learn about the fascinating

biblical stories of the area.

● Lunch at a Druze kitchen and tour the village and

learn about it from a local perspective (included)

● Continue to Haifa with a visit to the Bahai Gardens

and the German Colony

● “French cuisine can be Kosher!” - a cooking workshop

and dinner with Chef Nir Margalith and Chef Ran

Rosh from the Namal 24 restaurant in Haifa (a special

Kosher menu available)

● Drive North to Mitzpe Hayamim

● Accommodations at Mizpe HaYamim (spa packages

optional and available- not included)

 

Day 4

The Western Galilee

● Breakfast at hotel

● Late morning drive to the Upper Galilee and

visit Horfish ,

● Tour their local market and find herbs and

leaves you never seen or tasted before .

● Visit a local Arab chef and join him and Nir at

his restaurant kitchen “Aluma” to see and taste

the new arab cuisine .

● Finish with a sweet homemade Ice Cream

(some say the best in Israel!)

● Drive to the city of Acre and sail on a private

yacht around the ancient walls of the city

● Late lunch at Michael's - a local bistro

Market-to-Table style restaurant (included)

● Options - choose 2:

○ Short hike through the central Galilee

region - around Mt. Meron/The

Rainbow Cave (depending on group’s

desired active level)

○ Small intimate concert with Shir Soffer - a local musician

○ Visit and tour of Mitzpe HaYamim’s fields and farm and enjoy a Farm-House

dinner (included)

● Accommodations at Mizpe HaYamim (spa packages optional and available- not included)

 

Day 5

The Northern Border and the Golan Heights

● Breakfast at hotel

● Jeep tour along the expansive fields of the northern

border

● Visit and tour of Pelter winery - freshen up with

tastings of their fabulous wine and cheeses,

including lunch made from the local fields around

cooked by Chef Nir Margalith and the Puzzle

culinary team

● Optional: Cooking and drinking workshop of

matching wines to fish, veggies and meat.

● A tour of a chocolate factory & workshop - learn how to make your own chocolate and take

home for the kids

● Dinner by the local meat house Gilliz and Chef Nir Margalith

● Accommodations at Mizpe HaYamim (spa packages optional and available- not included)

 

Day 6

Heading Southwards

● Sunrise yoga session (optional for those who

want to get connected to the green spirits of the

north)

● Breakfast at the villa

● Optional: Hot air balloon experience above the

Jezreel Valley - includes light beverages and

snacks and a round trip in a jeep (additional

cost of $250 per person for a 4 hour experience)

● Visit and tour the old city of Tzfat and the local

family-owned cheese factories that have been

there for over 100 years.

● Visit Kibbutz Harduf and meet the local people

and very learn about the special community life

● Pick your own veggies , fresh eggs and herbs and

cook your lunch together

● Drive to Jerusalem and settle in your hotel

● Evening tour of the Old City at night

● Free time and dinner in the Old City (not

included in the price - reservations and

recommendations will be made by Puzzle Israel,

expected costs $30-$50 per person)

● Accommodations at David Citadel/ Inbal or

similar

 

Day 7

Jerusalem’s 101 Layers of History

● Breakfast at the hotel

● Admire the spectacular view of Jerusalem from

the top of Mt. Olives and get an introduction of

the multiple and complex layers of the city

● Free time to roam around the street of the Old

City’s Jewish Quarter and then meet-up for

lunch at the best Hummus place in town

(included)

● Visit the Tower of David and the Kotel (Western

Wall)

● Tour of the Western Wall tunnels

● Tour of Mishkenot Sha'ananim to learn about

the first Jewish neighborhood to be built

outside of the Old City walls

● An authentic Jerusalemite dinner at Ima’s or Eucalyptus restaurant (included)

● Accommodations at David Citadel/ Inbal or similar

 

Day 8

Into the Wild Desert

● Breakfast at the hotel and an early departure down south

● Tour the ancient ruins of Masada (cable car tickets

included or hiking option available)

● Continue south and arrive at Makhtesh Ramon

(crater) and enjoy a short hike of the mesmerizing

vast crater

● Lunch and relaxation at the hotel (included)

● Special massage treatments in the outdoors of the

expanse desert views at sunset and eventually

under the stars (include)

● Dinner at the hotel (included)

● Accommodations at Mitzpeh Ramon Suites hotel or

Beresheet hotel (Beresheet is with an extra cost of $150 per guest)

 

Day 9

Spices and Farms

● Breakfast at the hotel

● Drive up north through the famous Nabatean

Spice route and learn about their unique

desert culture that has long gone extinct

● Visit to the Nana farm and winery with

tastings and hear the story of this amazing

place

● Lunch at Neot Orlia lone-farm (a unique type

of local settlement) with the local chefs

(included)

● Return to Ben Gurion International Airport and say L’Hitraot (until we meet again)

● Dinner here depends on when the participants will depart Israel - should it be a very late

then departure dinner recommendations and reservations can be made by Puzzle Israel

(this meal is not included and should cost between $25-$40 per person depending on the

restaurant)

 

Pricing

● 4 pax minimum at $6,570 per person in a double room tour with guide/driver

● 5-7 pax at $5,360 per person in a double room tour with guide/driver

● 8-15 pax at $5,845 per person in a double room tour with guide and a driver

● 16-24 pax at $4,800 per person in a double room tour with guide and a driver

● Valet service can be provided at the airport at $116 per group of 1-4 passengers per flight

● Professional photographer at $2000 per shooting day

Terms of Payment for Land Service

● All reservations will be made following a credit card deposit on your name. This card will not

be charged and will act as a security deposit on reservations

● A non refundable deposit of 10% of total trip price is required at the time of booking.

● Final and full payment is required 30 days prior to arrival.

● Payment may be made via check or wire

● All above prices and all payments must be made in U.S. Dollars

Touring Services Include

● VIP meeting / assistance upon arrival. Puzzle driver will await you as you exit customs.

● Transfer to and from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport by van with plenty of space for luggage (van

size depends on size of group) Transportation services for all tour sites and

destinations per itinerary

● 8 days touring with a professional English speaking tour guide and Puzzle Israel logistical escort

team member

● All tour coordination services

● All entrance fees to national parks, museums, and visiting centers

 

● Specified activities and attractions as listed in the itinerary

Accommodations

● As listed in itinerary

Food and Beverages

● All meals listed as included will be arranged OR catered by Margolis Catering lead by Chef Nir

Margalith (these meals include beverages i.e. wine and/or soda depending on the meal)

● Meals which are listed as not included will be at your own expense

● Approximate meal prices:

○ Lunch $20-$30 per person

○ Dinner $30-$40 per person

Gratuity in Israel

It is customary to tip your Israeli guide some $20 - per day, per guide (this sum will depend on the size

of the group and how many guides are assigned, our general policy is 1 guide per 20 participants). It is

customary also to tip your airport drivers, bellboys and hotel staff. This is of course to your discretion.

Passport Validity

All passports need to be valid for at least six months from the date of departure from your home

country.

Puzzle Israel Cancellation Policies

Any cancellations or request for refunds must be submitted in writing and will only be considered in

effect as of the date received.

1. Up to 30 days before arrival date - full refund will be made excluding non-refundable deposit of

10% as indicated.

 

2. Within 7 days of arrival 100% non-refundable

3. Cancellation of various elements in the program less than 48 hours prior to the event may well

result in a full cancellation penalty.

NEW VAT TAX REGULATIONS

 

Please be aware that according to the new Israeli tax laws, being strictly enforced by all hotels, all

guests holding an Israeli 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 required

documentation must be received within 14 days prior to arrival in order to finalize the bill. Should we

not get this information in advance, and hotels charge us VAT tax, please be aware that you will be

charged with the VAT accordingly.

Responsibility

Puzzle Israel (hereinafter called the Tour Coordinator), acts only as an agent for the various companies,

owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, accommodation and other services. All

exchange orders, coupons and tickets are offered subject to the Terms and Conditions under which

such services are offered or provided. The issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed to

be damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in any vehicle, or through the acts or defaults of any

company or person engaged in conveying the passenger/s or of any hotel proprietor, personnel or

servant otherwise in connection therewith.

The airline and transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act;

omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The right is

reserved to withdraw any tour mentioned in this program and to make such alterations to the

itineraries as may be found desirable for the proper execution of the tours. We reserve the right to

amend or alter all or part of the arrangements scheduled in the event it becomes necessary at the Tour

coordinators discretion to ensure the safety or comfort of the passengers without penalty to the Tour

Coordinator. The Tour Coordinator reserves the right to change any hotel/s listed and replace with a

property of a similar category if circumstances necessitate. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne

 

by the passenger/s. The right is reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any

group at any time should they require services beyond those which can be provided. If room

requirements are altered due to cancellation of one or more passengers, the passengers still travelling

must pay the applicable rate for the accommodation to be occupied. If you must leave the tour early,

regardless of reason, no refunds will be granted for unused services. Participants should expect to pay

extra for the use of facilities such as sauna, health clubs, safety deposit box, etc. Regardless of the flight

arrival or departure time, most hotels have a check in between 1 PM – 4 PM. Requests for immediate

check in outside of the normal check in times will be subject to additional fees. Prices quoted are based

on current tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without prior notice. We reserve the

right to cancel a departure should there be an insufficient number of participants to make the tour

viable.

Important Resources

● Puzzle Israel website for sample itineraries, ideas, testimonials and pictures

www.puzzleisrael.com 

○ We do our utmost to ensure that the information on our website is as accurate as

possible. However, pictures and descriptions are representations and not a guarantee

that everything will be exactly as described or operational year round.

● Margolis Catering website for reviews, pictures, sample menus and a bit about Chef Nir

www.margolisbynir.com

● Nir’s Direct Israeli Phone number: +972 (52) 226 1323, American Phone: 215-764-6412

● Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or trip ideas. In addition, we’re happy

to connect you with our past participants so that they can share their wonderful experiences

We look forward to sharing this adventure with you!

The Puzzle Israel Team