Name: ISRAEL: Ancient & Modern- A Spiritual, Cultural & Culinary Yoga Tour
Start: 2016-10-30T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-11-05T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Israel

Puzzle Israel

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Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2016

Group size: 10 - 30

ISRAEL: Ancient & Modern- A Spiritual, Cultural & Culinary Yoga Tour

Israel

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Puzzle Israel

Email address verified

Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2016

Group size: 10 - 30

Join Puzzle Israel and Mindi Epstein from Peace Through Yoga for a spiritual journey in Israel. Pack your bags, roll up your Yoga mat and join us to savor the sights, sounds and flavors of the Holy Land with fellow yogis and foodies for 7 days and 6 nights. Peace through Yoga’s Culinary Yoga Retreat to Israel is an off-the-beaten path exploration of the cultural and spiritual, contemporary and ancient, and active and restorative aspects of this mystical land. You will discover some of Israel’s most dramatic landscapes in the lush Galilee in northern Israel, along the sparkling Mediterranean coast, between the historic limestone buildings lining the winding alleys of Tzfat - the center of Jewish mysticism - and among the archaeological ruins of sites from the time of Jesus and earlier. The tapestry of our colorful trip will be woven together by Yoga in extraordinary settings, Middle Eastern cuisine, spirituality, the out-of-doors and quality time for reflection. This will be a Yoga and culinary retreat to dazzle the senses and fill the soul.

Pricing

$2,895 P/P Double ($400 single supplement for entire trip. $100 P/P savings for a triple).

$500 initial deposit; balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Please submit a copy of your passport’s identifying page with your deposit.

Please feel comfortable making a deposit to reserve your place on this trip. In the event that our tour operator cancels the retreat due to security reasons in Israel, all deposits and payments will be refunded in full.

Professional, English-speaking tour guide

Transportation services for 5 days (our days in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are by foot or public transportation)

All entrance fees to national parks and museums included in the itinerary

Transport to/from Ben Gurion International Airport

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners, and 4 cooking workshops (2 lunch, 2 dinner)

Water and refreshments when traveling on our van

Airfare, taxes, trip insurance (recommended)

Gratuities (it is customary to tip hotel staff, tour guide, restaurant staff and taxi drivers) • Any activities outside of those included in the trip itinerary

Spa treatments

Travel insurance—We recommend Travel Guard at (800) 826-1300

Health coverage

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of return from your trip

Travelers holding dual citizenship will be charged the applicable VAT tax. Documentation must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to departure

Arrival / Galilee
Arrival / Galilee
Day 1
Our retreat begins by traveling north in our private van along Israeli’s scenic coastline. We will drive through Tel Aviv north. We will make a stop or two on the way to take a break and enjoy some of the local flavors. Once we arrive at our villa in the rolling hills of the Western Galilee, there will be time to acclimate to your surroundings and refresh from your travels. Rest in the comfort of your room or in a quiet place on the property and settle into the tranquil pace of being on a Yoga retreat far from home, work and responsibilities. We will offer a late afternoon gentle Yoga class for those ready to stretch and open their hearts to this ancient and sacred land. Spa services are available, as you wish, for additional fees. Our epicurean adventure begins on our first night with a fresh, artfully prepared meal at Bistro Michael. We will gather together in the evening to meet our fellow travelers. Please note that plans for this day are subject to change according to guests' arrival times .
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Galilee Hike - The Green North
Galilee Hike - The Green North
Day 2
Rise and greet the day with Sun Salutations and a outdoors Yoga balanced practice of opening stretches and an invigorating flow. After our Yoga session, we will gather for a traditional Israeli breakfast. After breakfast we will drive to the Upper Galilee. Lunch will be at a stop along the way where we can sample authentic, local food (included). There are a number of beautiful hiking trails in this scenic northern region. Plan on a moderate hike for about 2 1/2 hours. The mid-to-late afternoon is free time. Join us for Sunset Yoga, a Vinyasa class of flowing poses in the cool breezes of the Galilee. This night is dedicated to a cooking lesson and boldly flavored meal. We will prepare our own dinner with Chef Nir Margalith of Puzzle Israel Catering to learn how to make savory dishes characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine.
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The Mystical Northern City of Tzfat
The Mystical Northern City of Tzfat
Day 3
Rise and greet the day with a Morning Flow Yoga class. After our Yoga class we will gather for a traditional Israeli breakfast. We have a special day planned in Tzfat, the birthplace of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah. Here in Tzfat, Kabbalah remains untouched and this ancient mystical city is regarded as the spiritual center of the Jewish people. Tzfat is also home to a thriving artist community and you will find that there is no limit to the sources of inspiration in Tzfat. You will have time to wander the alleys and visit the many galleries on your own. Our itinerary this day also includes a spiritual workshop with a Kabalistic scholar. Kabalah, an ancient Jewish system of how to achieve lasting fulfillment. Once back to our van, we will visit Dir El Assad, a small Muslim village join Chef Camela for a workshop on the preparation of foods characteristic of the Galilean region.
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Christian Northern Sites / Jerusalem
Christian Northern Sites / Jerusalem
Day 4
Today we head out for our tour of several historically and religiously significant sites. We will hold our morning meditation and Yoga session at our first stop for the day, a holy site with a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee. Our itinerary includes a visit to Magdala, known to be the birth place of Mary Magdalene and a tour is Duc In Altum, a beautiful contemporary house of prayer. Lunch prepared from fresh, whole foods will be served at Mitzpe Alummot. Our next stop is the Old City of Nazareth in the lower Galilee, the childhood home of Jesus, visiting the Church of the Annunciation. We will head south towards Jerusalem along the Great Rift Valley. The Jordan River begins here and flows south into the Dead Sea on the Israeli-Jordanian border, the lowest point on Earth. Before entering the holy city, we will stop for and overlook of the city. W'll arrive at our accommodation & regroup to dine at Notre Dame Wine & Cheese Bar and a breathtaking view of the Holy City.
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Jerusalem - Old & New
Jerusalem - Old & New
Day 5
Our day will begin with a healthy Israeli breakfast at the hotel. Our first destination is to the historic Old City. The teeming Old City market alleys stand in stark contrast to the open plaza in front of the Kotel, the famous Western Wall of the Second Temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. We will head to Gan Sacher, the “Central Park” of New Jerusalem for our outdoor Yoga session, after which we will will venture to Mahane Yehudah, one of Israel’s most vibrant outdoor markets. Because there are so many choices and the fun of being in the shuk is tasting and purchasing food from vendors, everyone will be on their own for lunch. We have allotted time for you in the afternoon for reflection in any number of the city’s temples and churches or free time to shop for souvenirs and unwind. We will spend our evening together at one of Jerusalem’s premiere dining establishments.
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Neot Kedumim / Tel Aviv - From Ancient to the Moden
Neot Kedumim / Tel Aviv - From Ancient to the Moden
Day 6
On this day we leave the Holy City and head to Tel Aviv - Israel’s cosmopolitan center where East meets West. Before heading there, we will visit Neot Kedumim, a lush nature reserve that recreates the biology and environment of the biblical era. This setting is ideal for our Yoga class and a short hike. Uppon arrival in Tel Aviv, we will check into a boutique hotel from where you can easily go exploring Tel Aviv’s markets, bustling shopping malls and funky districts featuring vintage shops! Dinner this night will be a celebration of the Jewish Sabbath. We will enjoy a traditional multi-course Shabbat dinner that we will prepare together at Jaffa Beach.
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Tel Aviv / Departure
Tel Aviv / Departure
Day 7
We will head to the beach in the morning for Yoga beside the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. You have many choices of places to visit for your afternoon (we will recommend the best ones) until we meet again for our farewell dinner. We have chosen the ancient port city of Jaffa as the location for our farewell dinner. The restaurants dotting the coast are famous for their fresh seafood. These lively restaurants feature al fresco dining with a stunning view of the Tel Aviv skyline. This relaxed dinner is one of camaraderie and fellowship after our journey together through modern and ancient Israel, and from our collective experiences and private reflections. Thank you for joining
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Arrival / Galilee

Day 1

Our retreat begins by traveling north in our private van along Israeli’s scenic coastline. We will drive through Tel Aviv north. We will make a stop or two on the way to take a break and enjoy some of the local flavors. Once we arrive at our villa in the rolling hills of the Western Galilee, there will be time to acclimate to your surroundings and refresh from your travels. Rest in the comfort of your room or in a quiet place on the property and settle into the tranquil pace of being on a Yoga retreat far from home, work and responsibilities. We will offer a late afternoon gentle Yoga class for those ready to stretch and open their hearts to this ancient and sacred land. Spa services are available, as you wish, for additional fees. Our epicurean adventure begins on our first night with a fresh, artfully prepared meal at Bistro Michael. We will gather together in the evening to meet our fellow travelers. Please note that plans for this day are subject to change according to guests' arrival times .

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ISRAEL: Ancient & Modern- A Spiritual, Cultural & Culinary Yoga Tour

ISRAEL: Ancient & Modern- A Spiritual, Cultural & Culinary Yoga Tour

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