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Kosher Surfing Camp
Kosher Summer Vacation
Sirmione, Italy
Starting
July 10 through October 31, 2011
Sukkot in Crete
October 11-23, 2011
Sukkot in Fort Myers, FL
October 11-23, 2011
Japan & Korea
October 23, 2011
Singapore, Vietnam & Thailand
October 23, 2011
China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
October 25, 2011
Australia, New Zealand & Fiji
October 25, 2011
Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
October 27, 2011
Japan: Tradition & Modernity
October 30, 2011
Iberian Fiesta
October 30, 2011
Moroccan Encounter
October 30, 2011
Panoramic Portugal
October 30, 2011
India & the Pushkar Camel Festival
October 30, 2011
Guatamala & Belize
October 31, 2011
Kosher Cuisine of Provence
October 31, 2011
China & Hong Kong
November 2, 2011
Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
November 8, 2011
Andalucia, Spain
November 10, 2011
Peru
November 10, 2011
Exotic India
The Golden Triangle
November 13, 2011
Tunisia & Rome
November 13, 2011
Australia & New Zealand
November 14, 2011
Morocco Magic of the Orient
November 14, 2011
Panama Thanksgiving Retreat
November 21, 2011
California Wine Tour
December 4, 2011
Ethiopia
December 11, 2011
Mystical Morocco
December 22, 2011
India & Nepal
December 22, 2011
Morocco
January 6, 2012
Vietnam & Cambodia
January 16, 2012
Portugal
January 22, 2012
Costa Rica Volcano & Rainforest Adventure
January 22, 2012
Thailand, Vietnam & Angor Wat
February 5, 2012
Australia & New Zealand
February 6, 2012
Columbia
February 12, 2012
Peru
February 19, 2012
Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam
March 11, 2012
India
March 18, 2012
Japan & Korea
April 29, 2012
California Wine Tour
June 3, 2012
Spain
July 9, 2012
Slavic States
August 5, 2012
New Zealand Ski Tour
August 19, 2012
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China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
Glatt Kosher Tour
May 17 - 31, 2011
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Discover the history of the Jews who first arrived to China around the 7th or 8th Century from neighboring India or along the Silk Road as part of trade missions from Europe. The Jewish community of Kaifeng - established in the 11th Century - is the most ancient of its kind in China. It was most likely established by descendants of Jews who were once exiled to Babylon and who arrived to China from India and Persia. The synagogue in Kaifeng was established in 1163 and was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times until the 19th Century. The Chinese authorities never recognized the Jews of Kaifeng as a separate ethnic group. Members of the community look Chinese, speak Chinese and maintain very few Jewish traditions. Another Jewish community in China is that of Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province. Jews settled in Harbin in 1898. Over and above our exploration of China‘s Jewish past on this tour ,we will meet with the culture that created massive edifices such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Imperial Beijing, the Terra Cotta Army in Xi’an and the intricate gardens of Hangzhou.
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Day 1, Tuesday: Beijing
Arrival to Beijing. Transfer to the hotel for meeting, orientation and dinner. |
Day 2, Wednesday: Beijing
We’ll make an early departure for the greatest wall in the world. The Great Wall of China is the largest construction project ever undertaken by man – measuring over 7,000 kilometers. Large sections of the wall were built between the 7th and 4th centuries BCE, over 2500 years ago. For hundreds of years, according to security needs arising from political conflicts in different ages, some sections of the Great Wall of China were added and strengthened while other sections were neglected. The Great Wall is made up of three primary components: passes, signal- and watch towers, and defensive walls. Walking along the Great Wall will enable us to sense the historical dimension of the visit. Afterwards, we’ll visit a Chinese health center and enjoy an invigorating reflexology treatment. We’ll continue to visit the Summer Palace. We’ll view the palaces, gardens and lake where the emperors of China would relax and retreat from the sweltering heat of the Beijing summer. We’ll end the day at
Tiananmen Square – one of the best known symbols of China in the West. Tiananmen Square is the central square of Beijing, Capital of China. Its name means “The Gate of Heavenly Peace.” It’s called this because of Tiananmen Gate which stands at it’s northern end, and which is the entrance to the Forbidden City. The square was built in 1417. At its center stands the Mausoleum of Mao Ze Dong which contains his mummified body. Tiananmen Square became infamous due to the quelling of the student demonstrations which took place their in 1989.
In the evening, we recommend an amazing Kung Fu spectacle, describing this ancient Chinese martial art. |
Day 3, Thursday: Beijing, the Forbidden City - Xian
This morning we’ll visit the very heart of Beijing - the Forbidden City. Built in the 16th century, as the palace of China’s Ming Dynasty Emperors, it’s an impressive example of traditional Chinese architecture. We’ll traverse the entire length of the Forbidden City, as we view the many splendid palaces and vast courtyards. Used as the set for the film “The Last Emperor”, it was indeed forbidden to the Chinese masses until the onset of the revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. We’ll also visit one of the city’s parks from where we’ll be able to see the Forbidden City from a completely different vantage. From there we’ll continue to tour Beijing’s old Hutong neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are slowly being destroyed by the Beijing Municipality as they make way for new, attractive public housing projects. It’s worthwhile to see them now as they will soon have disappeared from Bejing’s urban scene.
At the end of the tour we’ll depart for the airport for our flight to Xi’an. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. |
Day 4, Friday: Xian, the Terra Cotta Army
This morning we’ll take an early flight to Xian, where we’ll visit one of the wonders of the world: the immense Terra Cotta Army that the great Emperor Qin Xi Huan Di prepared for himself for his “eternal life.” We’ll view the mountains at the foot of which lie the Huah Qin springs, which became famous as the place where Chiang Kai-shek was captured and from where he escaped.
We’ll also visit one of the city’s picturesque quarters where to see a building that bears striking resemblance to the ancient synagogue of Kaifeng, China.
Return to the Hotel to prepare for Shabbat, Shabbat services and Shabbat dinner at the hotel. |
Day 5, Shabbat: Xian
After Shabbat services and lunch we‘ll take a walking tour of the area near the hotel.
In the evening, we recommend the Tang Dynasty Show (Optional Extra). |
Day 6 & 7, Sunday & Monday: Xian - Luoyang - Kaifeng
Before us lies two days of unforgettable experiences. After breakfast we’ll head south toward Luoyang in Henan Province in Central China. Luoyang is the setting of the famous novel “The Empress” by Chan Se. Along the way we’ll stop to explore Longman Caves or by their other name: “The caves of the 1000 Buddha’s” that were discovered in an amazing natural setting, in a place that became known as “The Gate of the Hei River.” The site is located at the intersection of green mountains, clear waters and pleasant weather. We’ll also the visit a Shaolin Monastery located at the base of the Song Mountains – best known for the teaching of Kung Fu Martial Art. The monks here display unbelievable physical abilities achieved through meditation and concentration. We’ll continue to tour the ancient Jewish quarter of the city of Kaifeng where thousands of Jewish families once lived and worked going back to Talmudic times. We’ll stroll through streets bearing Jewish names and we’ll try to arrange a meeting with some of the remaining Jews in Kaifeng. |
Day 8, Tuesday: Kaifeng – Shanghai “Future Shock”
After breakfast, we’ll continue our tour of the Kaifeng. The city is famous for its astronomical clock tower built by the engineer, scientist, and statesman Su Song in the 11th Century. The clock incorporated an escapement mechanism two hundred years before they were found in clockworks of Europe, and featured the first known endless power-transmitting chain drive. We’ll visit the Youguosi or Iron Pagoda as it is called today, was constructed, which measures 54.7 m in height. Built in 1049, it has survived the destruction of wars and floods and become the oldest landmark in this ancient city. After the visit to Kaifeng, we’ll fly to Shanghai, the second largest city in China, and by all accounts, the most modern and developed city that causes most visitors to wonder in amazement at it’s astonishing stylized, modern, soaring skyline. Upon arrival, we’ll take a tour of the city including Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main pedestrian mall and Shanghai’s famous Bund promenade along the Huangpu River. Here we’ll see the city’s famous 19th Century colonial buildings.
In the evening we recommend a cruise down the river from where the lights of this magnificent
city can be seen from a different angle (Optional Extra). |
Day 9, Wednesday: Shanghai
Throughout today’s tour of Shanghai we’ll acquaint ourselves with its varying characteristics. We’ll tour the Jewish Quarter – a fascinating and unique story in itself. From there we’ll continue to the Yu-Yuan neighborhood, Shanghai’s “Chinatown” with its bustling shopping center and beautiful gardens. We’ll ascend to the top of one of the skyscrapers for a bird’s- eye view of the city. After that we’ll make our way to the Shanghai Museum, one of the most important museum sin the world. We’ll end the day with a visit to the financial center of Shanghai in Pudong, an area that only 15 years ago was a small village and today is the fastest growing area in the world.
In the evening we recommend enjoying an amazing Chinese acrobatic show (Optional Extra). |
Day 10, Thursday: Shanghai – Suzhou, City of Silk, Gardens and Canals
Today we’ll visit Suzhou – the “Venice” of China. We’ll be amazed by the canals as we make our way to a silk factory, where we’ll view the silk production process: from the silkworm to a fashion show. Well see the Lion’s Den Garden and the hundreds of naturally odd-shaped boulders which lend the place a most unusual look. This evening we’ll host you at a special show at the fisherman’s home garden. |
Day 11, Friday: Suzhou – Hangzhou
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Hangzhou, a city surrounded by China’s most famous tea plantations. Hangzhou was the capital of China in the 12th Century, and is considered the “Switzerland” of China. We’ll marvel at the city’s West Lake, its gardens and promenades. We’ll visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies where we’ll come into contact with Buddhism – the most important religion in China and indeed in the entire East. We’ll visit the Temple at Li- Yen where hundreds of Buddha statues are carved into the rock face surrounding this enormous temple.
Afterwards we’ll transfer to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat, Shabbat services and Shabbat dinner. |
Day 12, Shabbat: Hangzhou
After Shabbat services and lunch, we’ll take a walking tour to the “Chinese Quarter” – an area reconstructed in ancient Chinese style. We’ll visit an ancient Chinese pharmacy which has been in existence for over 150 years and where Chinese medicinal practices guide the pharmacists in their work. We’ll see the pharmacists at work and sale and we’ll visit a museum located on the 2nd floor of the building. We’ll also visit a tea plantation to learn about growing various types of tea bushes and taste different types of teas.
After dinner, we recommend going out to the amazing Song Dynasty show (Optional Extra). |
Day 13, Sunday: Hangzhou – Harbin
Today we’ll fly to Harbin, the second largest city in northern China. Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang (Black Dragon Lake) Province; part of what was once Manchuria in northeastern China, and which borders with Mongolia and Russia. There is a noticeable Russian influence in the area, especially in the local architecture, and most of the foreigners here are of Russian extract. After arrival we’ll tour the city. |
Day 14, Monday Harbin
After breakfast we’ll head out in the footsteps of the Jewish history of this city. Some years ago, the government of Heilongjiang together with the local Academy of Social Sciences, decided to preserve the Jewish heritage of Harbin. They invested heavily in the repair and preservation of the synagogue, the Jewish cemetery and the other Jewish institutions. We’ll visit the “new” synagogue with its permanent exhibition detailing the history of the Jews of Harbin. We’ll also visit the Jewish cemetery with its 583 tombstones which were repaired in 1992. The cemetery was established in 1903 in the city center, but was transferred out of the city in 1958. In the cemetery are buried among others, the rabbi of Harbin, Aharon Shmulevitz Kisilov as well as the grandfather of Israel’s former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. We’ll call at the Jewish hospital established in 1931 in traditional Jewish building style, where both Jews and non-Jews were treated equally. The Modern Hotel was built by a Harbin Jew by the name of Kasp. We’ll try to visit there too if time permits. |
Day 15, Tuesday Harbin - Beijing - Home Gateway
Today we’ll make our way to the airport for our flight to Beijing, from where we’ll return to our home gateway. We’ve had an unforgettable experience, seen a beautiful and fascinating part of the world, and developed an appetite for more. |
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Air & Land |
$5,550* |
Land Only No Transfers |
$4,450 |
Single Supplement |
$950 |
Pre/Post Hotel Night |
$65 per person sharing
$110 per single |
*Prices Are per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change. Taxes and fuel surcharges are not included.
Airfare is based on Tel Aviv as the tour's gateway. Please call for airfare from other gateways. |
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A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation.
Payment in full is due 90 days before departure.
A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund. |
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Price Includes:
- Domestic flights as per the itinerary
- First Class Tourist Hotels
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Comfortable air conditioned touring coach
- Half board kosher food daily & supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
- Professional experienced English-speaking Israeli guide
- Local English-speaking Guide as required
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Price Does Not Include:
- Chinese Visas
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Personal expenses and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Tips for local service providers $150 (to be collected in cash abroad)
- Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary - approximately $30 per show including transportation (details will be made available per tour)
- Tip for our Tour Guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
- Miscellaneous expenses such as departure fees, visas, security surcharges etc. where applicable.
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Important to Know:
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline company.
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Kashrut on Tours
Kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. We work with the local Rabbinate to provide Hashgacha for all local ingredients and fresh meat and poultry. In some cases, we fly in kosher food from Israel and other sources, depending on the destination of the tour. We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own crockery and cutlery. Where we don't, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in Hotel kitchens, we ensure proper Kashering and we use our own kitchenware on kashered and covered surfaces. All this is done under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our Mashgichim. Our travelers enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our team including fresh local fish, fruit, and vegetables. This is an integral part of Jewish travel. We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.
Rabbi Menahem Fogel
A native of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Menahem Fogel served as a pulpit rabbi in South Africa and Canada before returning to Israel in 1984 to take up the position of spokesman of Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem, a position he held for six years. Since that time he has held senior positions in both the public and private sectors developing interactive computer systems for museums around the world. He also lived and worked in the USA, Netherlands, Austria, UK and India. A lifelong yearning for travel led to his becoming a Tour Manager in 2000 and developed expertise in tourism to Japan & China, Alaska, Canadian Rockies and Africa. Recently he took on the added role of Rav Hamachshir for The Kosher Travel Club to ensure the highest standards of Kashrut are implemented on all our Kosher Tours.
For any questions about Kashrut please feel free to email menahemf@netvision.net.il |
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