Jetsettersblog » Israel

Israel to Kick Off of Madonna’s World Tour

jetsetters — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:03:12 +0000

Madonna plans to kick off her upcoming world tour at Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan Stadium, May 31. It will be her fourth concert appearance in Israel. Madonna first performed in Israel in 1993 and then twice in 2010. She will be showcasing songs from her upcoming album, “MDNA,” as well as favorites from throughout her career. Madonna, who is a noted practitioner of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, toured holy sites in Israel in 2004 and 2007.

“We are thrilled Madonna has chosen to begin her World Tour in Israel,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America, “which will serve as a wonderful addition to the stunning lineup of concerts in Israel this summer.” Madonna’s performance will precede concerts by Bruce Springsteen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Israel this summer.

JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL OPERA FESTIVAL IN JUNE

jetsetters — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:38:26 +0000

Jerusalem will host its second annual International Opera Festival, featuring performances by world-renowned vocalists and musicians taking place around its Old City historic sites, in June and September 2012. In collaboration with the Israeli Opera, the festival will include a selection of opera, vocal and classic musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool beneath the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, including Verdi’s La Traviata (June 6-14) and La Bohème (September 6) and “Cantors and Tenors” (September 10), among others. www.jerusalem-culture.com/Opera_Festival%20

PETER PAUL RUBENS EXHIBITION IN JERUSALEM

jetsetters — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:23:19 +0000

A new exhibition highlighting Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens opened in January at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The display features and examines Ruben’s most famed work, The Death of Adonis, as well as more than 25 pieces by 17th century Flemish and Italian painters. http://www.english.imjnet.org.il

Tel Aviv Named Top City for Gay Travel by GayCities.com

jetsetters — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:52:15 +0000

GayCities.com, sponsored by American Airlines, named Tel Aviv, Israel, the World’s Best Gay City of 2011 as a result of a recent survey. The Israeli capital and most cosmopolitan city received nearly half of the votes cast. New York City, Toronto and Sao Paulo took the next three places. In the survey, Tel Aviv was described as the gay capital of the Middle East and as “an exotic and welcoming destination with a Mediterranean c’est la vie attitude.”

“We are proud to see Tel Aviv gain international recognition as the world’s best tourism destination for LGBT travelers,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. “We hope this award attracts travelers of all tastes and interests to visit Israel in 2012.” Tel Aviv will host its annual LGBT Pride Festival, featuring a wide selection of events, festivals and a parade, June 8.

El Al, Amex Reduce Points Needed for Tickets, Upgrades

jetsetters — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:20:09 +0000

El Al Israel Airlines and American Express have significantly reduced the number of American Express Membership Rewards points that are necessary to exchange for an El Al bonus ticket or upgrade to Israel. The new exchange rate applies to economy, business and first class. This reduction in points is effective immediately and is permanent.

From New York (JFK/Newark), a roundtrip economy class ticket is now worth 70,000 American Express membership rewards points (equivalent to 1,400 Matmid points). For business class, a roundtrip ticket now requires 150,000 membership rewards points (or 3,000 Matmid points), and the same discount applies to exchanging points for a first class ticket.

To exchange points for an upgrade from economy to business or business to first class, there is also a savings. From New York (JFK/Newark), each one-way upgrade requires 35,000 membership rewards points (or 700 Matmid points) and from Los Angeles, 38,000 membership rewards or (750 Matmid points) are necessary.

Israel Discovers 1,600-Year-Old Byzantine Bathhouse Near Jerusalem

jetsetters — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:30:35 +0000

The Israel Antiquities Authority has discovered the remains of a 1,600-year-old Byzantine 65-by-65-foot bathhouse. The organization was conducting an archeological excavation near Moshav Tarum, outside of Jerusalem, in Israel. The bathhouse has a frigidarium (cold room), a tepidarium (warm room) and a caldarium (hot room), and a courtyard attached to its northeast section.

The bathhouse is believed to have been used as an inn on an ancient road running along Nahal Harel through the southeastern Ayalon Valley. An alternative theoretical explanation is that it was part of a wealthy country estate. “Bathing in bathhouses during the Byzantine period is a continuation of the Roman tradition,” said Dr. Rina Avner, excavation director, Israel Antiquities Authority. “Similar bathhouses were found in the past at Latrun and Caesarea.”

EILAT serves up events in 2012

jetsetters — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:06:55 +0000

EILAT SERVES THE FED CUP TENNIS COMPETITION, FEBRUARY 1-4
For the second consecutive year, female athletes from Israel and around the world, including Russia, Spain, Belgium and Italy, will arrive in Eilat for an international tennis competition. www.fedcup.com

EILAT INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL, MARCH 14-17
The 7th annual Eilat International

Chamber Music Festival will feature renowned musicians from Israel and around the world performing in various indoor and outdoor concerts. http://eilat-festival.co.il/index-en.html

INTERNATIONAL SALSA CONGRESS SPICES UP EILAT, MARCH 22-24

Travelers and music fans will arrive in Eilat for the 10th International Salsa Congress featuring performance by dancers from around the world, as well as salsa workshops and lessons.
www.medsalsacongress.com

NATURE LOVERS FLOCK TO ISRAEL FOR EILAT BIRDWATCHING FESTIVAL

Hundred of birdwatchers from around the world will flock to Israel’s southernmost city for the 6th Eilat Birdwatching Festival, March 25-April 6. The week-long festival will include day and night birding tours, workshops and a festive opening banquet. www.eilatbirdsfestival.com

EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS COME TO EILAT, APRIL 19-22

Thousands of athletes are expected to arrive in Eilat for the European Triathlon Championships, featuring challenging swimming, running and cycling courses along Eilat’s Red Sea shoreline. www.triathlon-championships-2012.com

EILAT PRIDE FESTIVAL, MAY 15-17

Eilat’s annual LGBT festival will feature vibrant parties, activities and dance and music performances taking place in various hotels and outdoor venues around the Red Sea resort town.

RED SEA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, AUGUST 2012

The 26th annual Red Sea International Jazz Festival will include performances by world-renowned jazz musicians, as well as open jam sessions and workshops in various venues around Eilat. www.redseajazzeilat.com

EPSON WORLD OF UNDERWATER IMAGES COMPETITION, NOVEMBER 14-19

This leading photography competition attracts photographers from around the world to capture the Red Sea’s plethora of tropical fish and coral reefs. www.eilatredsea.com

“Jewtopia Live” at the Suncoast Showroom February 18-19

jetsetters — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:35:22 +0000

Based on Longest Running Comedy in Off-Broadway History,

Las Vegas—“Jewtopia Live,” a multimedia extravaganza of Jewish humor based on the longest running comedy in off-Broadway history, is coming to the Suncoast Showroom for three shows February 18 and 19.

A 90-minute, one-act show starring “Jewtopia” writer Bryan Fogel and the play’s lead actor, Jeremy Rishe, “Jewtopia Live” combines scenes from the popular off-Broadway play, stand-up comedy, excerpts from the best-selling book “Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People,” and a unique multimedia presentation.

The show grew out of “Jewtopia,” written by Fogel and Sam Wolfson, and first performed at The Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles in May 2003. The play features two 30-year-old single men – Chris O’Connell and Adam Lipschitz – who are looking to marry a Jewish girl. Chris, a gentile, wants to marry a Jewish girl so he’ll never have to make another decision; Adam wants to marry a Jewish girl to please his family, but can’t get a date to save his life.

After meeting at a Jewish singles mixer, Adam and Chris form a secret pact.

Chris promises that he will help Adam find the Jewish girl of his dreams and show him “Jewtopia,” but only if Adam will help Chris shed his gentile-ness and bring him undercover into the Jewish world.

In addition to the “Jewtopia Live” show and the best-selling book, “Jewtopia” is currently being made into a feature film starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Rita Wilson, and scheduled for release later this year.

Showtimes are Saturday, February 18 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, February 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are available from $25.00, and can be purchased at any Coast Casinos box office, by calling 702.636.7075 or visiting www.suncoastcasino.com.

About Suncoast Hotel and Casino

Suncoast Hotel and Casino is a property of Boyd Gaming. Located at the corner of Alta Drive and South Rampart Boulevard, Suncoast Hotel and Casino features eight restaurants, a 16-screen movie theater, a 600-seat bingo room, a 500-seat state-of-the-art showroom and a newly renovated 80,000-square foot casino.

For further information, visit www.suncoastcasino.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/suncoastcasino) , and Twitter (@suncoastcasino) . Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming is a leading diversified owner and operator of 17 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana and Louisiana. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com

Jerusalem Annual International Opera Festival

jetsetters — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:51:56 +0000

Jerusalem plans to host its second annual International Opera Festival, featuring performances by vocalists and musicians in Old City historic sites, in June and September. In collaboration with the Israeli Opera, the festival will include a selection of opera, vocal and classical musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool beneath the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Musical selections will include Verdi’s La Traviata in Zedekiah’s Cave, June 6 to 14, a 60-minute performance highlighting the opera featuring members of the Israeli Opera and local musicians; La Bohème, Sept. 6, a performance of Puccini’s most popular opera featuring international soloists, including Ira Bertman, Roberto Aronica and Boaz Daniel, as well as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and a children’s chorus; Pretty Woman Meets The Fifth Element, Sept. 8, a multi-media production featuring opera arias and duets accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and projected visuals from a variety of movies including “Pretty Woman,” “Moonstruck,” “The Fifth Element,” “Amadeus” and “A Room with a View”; and Cantors and Tenors, Sept. 10, a concert featuring leading international cantors and opera tenors, including Dudu Fisher, Benzion Miller, Jacob Motzen and Yotam Cohen accompanied by the Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir.

“The Jerusalem International Opera Festival will inspire travelers and music lovers from around the world to visit the Old City of Jerusalem,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. “The festival is sure to create an extraordinary musical environment unlike any other.”

Alternative Winter Sun Holidays From Encounters Travel

jetsetters — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:25:19 +0000

Newly launched, Encounters Travel offer great value, small group adventure tours to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. Whether a solo traveller, a couple or holidaying with a group of friends, the tours incorporate a real mix of culture, history and awe-inspiring sites in sun-drenched destinations that guarantee adventure this winter. Options for sun and culture include:

THAILAND, Jungles & Beaches: 11 days from £725
The perfect mix of sunshine, activity and culture, this tour of Thailand begins in the bustling capital Bangkok, then heads south to explore the rainforests of Khao Sok National Park to experience river canoeing and jungle walks while staying in unique tree houses and raft houses, and ending with four nights relaxing on the beautiful island of Ko Samui.

Prices for 2012 start from £725 per person from December to April 2012 to include airport transfers from/to Bangkok, varied accommodation in hotels, tree houses, raft houses and an overnight train on a mixed-board basis, travel by train, plane, bus and ferry, all entrance fees as well as a local tour guide during sightseeing and activities.

ISRAEL, Holy Land Journey: 8 days from £800
This trip through the fascinating country of Israel spends time in modern-day Tel Aviv, the ancient town of Acre, Tiberias, Masada and Bethlehem, the divine city of Nazareth and tours the intricate alleyways of Jerusalem. Along the way guests visit many important religious sites and monuments as well as trips to the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee.

Prices for 2012 start from £800 per person to include airport transfers from/to Tel Aviv, accommodation in hotels on a bed and breakfast basis throughout, all national park entry and entrance fees, a cap, map and an expert local guide during touring days.

SUDAN, Hidden Treasures: 9 days from £1,399
For those with a real sense of adventure, Sudan offers a completely unique travel experience and is tipped to be a ‘hot’ destination for 2012. Follow in the footsteps of ancient civilisations on this tour through Sudan visiting the capital Khartoum and the old souk of Omdurman before crossing the Nubian desert in search of the lost pyramids and temples of the Nile Valley.

Prices for 2012 start from £1,399 per person to include airport transfers from/to Khartoum, varied accommodation in hotels, camps and in a traditional Nubian homestay on a mixed-board basis, an experienced local guide and private transportation throughout.

Prices do not include international flights. Contact Encounters Travel (www.encounterstravel.com / 0800 088 6002). Facebook: www.facebook.com/encounterstravel/ Twitter: @encounterstravl (yes, without the ‘e’!)