Jetsettersblog

Emirates Business Rewards, the airline’s loyalty program for small and medium enterprises (SME), will offer its customers double reward miles throughout March, highlighting the airlines commitment to supporting SMEs.

For every dollar spent on travel with Emirates and booked via Business Rewards in February and March, the company will be awarded four Business Reward miles, rather then the standard two.

These miles can be redeemed for free flights on Emirates services worldwide, including any of the four U.S. gateways –

New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Houston (IAH).

This offer is available to all new and existing Business Rewards members globally. SMEs remain one of the greatest contributors to the UAE’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the UAE Ministry of Economy recently announcing it will be investing in the development of SMEs across the emirates this coming year.

For more information, visit the banner at right.

The Design Museum Holon, Israel’s new art and design museum, opened  with its debut exhibit, “The State of Things: Design and the 21st Century.” Designed by Ron Arad, the Design Museum Holon serves as an art and educational epicenter built among natural sand dunes, “hol” in Hebrew, in the city of Holon located south of Tel Aviv.

Comprised of two square galleries for design and artifacts, the larger space, measuring approximately 5,382 square feet, is built without columns and features large glass windows that will stream natural light.

“We are excited about the opening of the Design Museum Holon and its presence as the epicenter of the city of Holon’s rejuvenation project,” said Arie Sommer, Israel’s commissioner for tourism, North and South America.

“The Design Museum Holon will attract a new wave of travelers to Israel and bring a new source of artistic life to Holon.”

“The State of Things: Design and the 21st Century” will showcase more than 100 products based on the issues of practice, consumption and the cultural impact of contemporary international design.

The exhibition will feature objects ranging from ordinary household items to life-enhancing technologies such as a jewel-like hearing aid and efficient water filtration device.

 For more information on the museum, visit www.dmh.org.il 

For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

A renovated Hurva Synagogue will open to the public on March 15, after an extensive four-year construction project in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Built in 1864 atop ruins of an earlier synagogue, the Hurva Synagogue was the largest and considered the most important synagogue in Jerusalem.

It was destroyed in 1948 during Israel’s War of Independence.

After the city was reunified in 1967, a 52-foot arch was erected on the site to commemorate the giant dome of the destroyed building, and this arch has been incorporated into the dome that is the centerpiece of the new building.

The new Hurva Synagogue features wall paintings based on the building’s original murals, including depictions of the Tower of David, Rachel’s Tomb, the Sea of Galilee and the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Visitors will be able to participate in free daytime tours and nighttime sound and light presentations.

For more information, visit www.jewish-quarter.org.il

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

The second Jerusalem Festival of Light will transform ancient sites and buildings around the Old City into a lighting, art and music spectacular, June 9 to 16.

The Jerusalem Festival of Light will showcase special attractions and exhibits, including a nocturnal light show every festival evening at the foot of the Old City Ramparts, light displays designed by local and international artists, as well as various street events, performances and a lighting fair in the Byzantine Cardo.

Also, a special musical light show featuring the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will take place at Sultan’s pool on the opening night of the festival.

For more information, visit www.lightinjerusalem.org.il

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

Variety Cruises will launch its new Kings & Pharaohs itinerary to the Red Sea on Nov. 24. Exploring North Africa’s coast, including Egypt, Jordan and other gateway ports to sites of ancient history, the six-day program will be aboard the 22-cabin Harmony G mega-yacht.

One-way cruises between Suez, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan, sail from Nov. 24, 2010, through March 29, 2011, with fares starting at $1,390 per person, per week.

Fares do not include shore excursions or crew tips.

Cruise highlights include Sharm el Sheikh, a resort community in the Sinai Peninsula and home to St. Catherine’s Monastery atop Mt. Sinai; Hurghada, a modern beach community known for its underwater gardens; and Luxor, an ancient land of gods and pharaohs and home of the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak and Luxor temples. Optional pre- and post-cruise land programs include tours of Cairo, Jordan and Israel.

For more information, call 800-319-7776 or visit www.varietycruises.com

from USTOA

MembersBedouin Dinner, Authentic Game Viewing Sample a Bedouin dinner in Egypt, have an authentic game viewing experience, enjoy a wine tasting.

These are among experiences U.S. Tour Operators Association members offer travelers to Egypt and Africa.

“Tour operators and vacation planners are increasingly incorporating experiences into their itineraries,” says USTOA president Bob Whitley.

“What used to be called sightseeing is now sight-doing, especially with the active Baby Boom generation looking for new travel experiences.”

Below are three samples that incorporate experiences– two Egypt tours, one including Jordan and Israel, and a customizable Africa vacation.

Egypt Tours:Elegance of Egypt: 11 days/9 nights

Travelers on the “Elegance of Egypt” 11 day/9 night tour from Insight Vacations can witness ancient history come alive at an evening Sound and Light Show at Giza, sail down the Nile aboard the deluxe M.S. Tosca, and explore Cairo.

Tour prices of $2,750 per person include first class or deluxe accommodations, river cruise, motor coach transportation, professional tour director, guided sightseeing, a highlight dinner and most other meals.

International air fare is additional. Book by March 1, 2010 for travel through March 22, 2010.

For more information visit www.insightvacations.com  or phone 1-800-582-8380.

Middle East Treasures: 21 days/19 nights

Gain insider knowledge about the crossroads of ancient civilizations on a small-group, guided experience in Egypt, Jordan and Israel on Goway Travel’s “Middle East Treasures”. Felucca sailing along the Nile, the opportunity to climb Mount Sinai, and a Bedouin dinner are among the activities on this 21 day/19 night tour, with departures through November 1, 2010.

Priced from $7,799 per person, the itinerary includes round-trip air fare from New York on British Airways (with add-ons from most major U.S. cities), most meals, accommodations, transfers, and touring. Book anytime. For more information visit www.goway.com, or phone 1-800-245-0920.

Customizable Africa:Virgin Safari and Cape: 9 days/7 nightsSpend three nights in Kruger National Park with daily game viewing, and enjoy full-day tours of Cape Point and Winelands on Virgin Vacations’ 9 day/7 night, custom-designed escape.

Also included are four nights in Cape Town with daily continental breakfast, international and intra-trip air fare, all meals on safari, airport transfers, and hotel taxes and service charges. Prices begin at $5,649 per person.

Contact the company for information about booking deadline.

For more information visit www.virgin-vacations.com  or phone 1-888-937-8474.

More InformationAll prices are based on double occupancy.

Restrictions and additional security fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply.

For a complete list of USTOA companies serving Africa and Egypt, visit the USTOA website:  www.ustoa.travel

Israel Tourism announced a line-up of musical performers who will perform in Tel Aviv this summer. Elton John will play at Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv on June 17, his first concert in Israel in 17 years. Elton John first performed in Tel Aviv in 1970, and again in 1993 at Hayarkon Park.

Rod Stewart will also play at Ramat Gan Stadium on July 1.

Metal rockers Metallica will perform in Israel for the third time at Ramat Gan Stadium on May 22,

Bob Dylan will give a concert at the Hayarkon Park on May 27 and alternative rockers The Pixies will play at Tel Aviv’s Gane HaTa’arucha on June 9.

Pop icon Paul Anka will return to Israel for his third concert in the past three years at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena on May 29.

For ticket information, visit www.leann.co.il  and www.tkts.co.il

For general destination information, visit www.goisrael.com

With increased emphasis toward peace and tranquility in the Middle East, Sunny Land Tours is renewing its operation of the 15-day, Middle East Explorer Tour that combines visits to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel.

This tour features abundant visits to historical, archeological and religious sites of the Middle East.

The tour will operate year round with Thursday departures from JFK and other U.S. gateways with a choice of first-class or deluxe hotels.

Touring activities are locally hosted and supervised by Sunny Land’s on-site handling agents and representatives.

Sites covered include: In Lebanon — Beirut, the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos; the underground Jaita Grotto; and the Roman temples of Bacchus, Venus and Jupiter in Baalbeck, before moving on by land to Syria.

In Syria, visits include Damascus, Umayyad mosques and bazaars, Crusader Castle of the Knights and Temples and Castles in Palmyra.

In Jordan, visits include Jerash, Ajlun’s Salah El Din Saracen Castle, Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo and Castle of Kerak.

The tour includes visits to the Nabatean City of Petra, lost to the world for some 500 years, and the Treasury, all carved in Red Mountain Rock.

In Israel, visits to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Galilee, Tiberias and Nazareth.

For more information, call 800-783-7839, ext.118, or visit www.SunnyLandTours.com

Area Attractions and Hotels

Tourists to Jerusalem, Israel Can Find Comprehensive Hotel Listings & Receive Personal Concierge and Discounts to Jerusalem Attractions and Hotels.

From Jerusalem-residents, www.Jerusalem.com provides unique discounts and tips for the Israeli tourist.

Tourists looking for hotels in Jerusalem or other parts of Israel are often overwhelmed by the limited information that they can find about hotels in Israel.

They may be able to find reviews written by tourists who don’t live in Jerusalem and aren’t aware of Israeli culture or are written by non-native English speakers.

This doesn’t help Israeli tourism and prevents tourists from getting the best deals and information about Jerusalem hotels. However, a new offering by an Israeli start up puts all the information about Jerusalem hotels in one place, written by native-English speakers who live and breathe Jerusalem and its culture.

Jerusalem.com has launched a unique site to book a hotel in Jerusalem.

By booking your hotel room from Jerusalem.com, whether you are the guest of 5 star hotels like the King David Hotel, Inbal Jerusalem Hotel, American Colony Hotel, David Citadel Hotel, or Mamilla Hotel, or other Jerusalem hotels like Dan Panorama, Prima Kings, Mount Zion Hotel, Ramat Rachel Kibbutz Hotel, you can gain the inside scoop on these Israeli hotels.

In addition to the inside scoop from Jerusalemites and hotel deals, booking via Jerusalem.com also provides unique deals such as:

• Free tickets to Jerusalem performances, attractions, and exhibitions at venues such as the Bloomfield Science Museum, Bible Lands Museum, Mini Israel, Tower of David Museum, Beit Avi Chai, and Mishkenot Sha’ananim.

• Free gift packets with maps and guidebooks to Jerusalem

• Free access to the concierge service, for real-time advice from Jerusalem residents and experts.

• Access to Jerusalem.com content, such as event listings, articles on trends in Jerusalem, Israel, and listings of holy sites, museums, restaurants, and more.

They can find additional information about Israeli culture and tourism at http://www.jerusalem.com/discover

Jerusalem.com can also match other website’s rates and doesn’t charge a transaction fee.

“We’re proud to be offering tourists to Israel some of the best information about Jerusalem and offer exclusive Jerusalem hotel deals,” said Michael Weiss, founder of Jerusalem.com

Visitors can book Jerusalem hotels by pointing their browser to

http://www.jerusalem.com/discover/article_1201/Get-the-best-Jerusalem-hotel-deals-and-free-tickets-to-some-of-Israels-top-sites-with-Jerusalem-com

or view the list of hotels at http://www.jerusalem.com/discover/category_30/Hotels/Hotels

The first-ever Tour d’Israel will feature a five-day, 480-mile cycling competition throughout Israel, March 17-22.

The Tour d’Israel will offer participants unrivaled views of the diverse landscape of Israel. Riders will begin atop the snow-capped Mount Hermon in the north and travel through the Galilee, Nazareth, around the contours of the Mediterranean, Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, Be’er Sheva, Negev Desert, and finish the race on the shores of the Red Sea in Eilat.

The Tour d’Israel is designed to feature two riders per team, separated into nine different categories based on age and gender.

Daily laps will include between 77 and 112 miles of riding.

“This is the first time a cycling competition of this scale will take place in Israel,” says Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner, North and South America.

“The Tour route will provide participants with a one-of-a-kind experience to cycle through Israel’s vast and diverse landscape.”

Israeli national cycling champion Avihay Grinberg will participate in the inaugural Tour d’Israel ceremony on March 17th.

For more information, visit

www.tourtheisrael.com

For more information on travel to Israel, visit

www.goisrael.com