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Kosher Surfing Camp

Kosher Vacation
Beekbergen
Holland
From July 15, 2010

Summer Vacation
Algarve, Portugal
July 28 - Aug 28

Bulgaria & Romania
August 2, 2010

Canadian Rockies Adventure
August 3, 2010

Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro
August 3, 2010

African Safari
August 5, 2010

Alaska & Canadian Rockies
August 5, 2010

Andalusia, Spain
August 5, 2010

Exotic Morocco
August 8, 2010

Paris & Southern France
August 8, 2010

Beautiful Scandinavia

August 8, 2010

France, Switzerland & Italy
Family Tour
August 9, 2010

Moscow & St. Petersburg
August 10, 2010

Costa Rica Discovery
August 15, 2010

Enchanting Italy
August 15, 2010

Italy
August 16, 2010

Ireland & Scotland
August 16, 2010

Jewish Retreat
Reston, VA
AUG 17-22, 2010

Magnificent Italy
August 22, 2010

African Safari
August 23, 2010

Northern Spain Expedition
August 23, 2010

Sukkot in Costa Rica
September 21, 2010

Sukkot, Dan Caesarea
Israel
September 22, 2010

Sukkot, Hacienda Forest View
Maalot Tarshiha
Israel
September 22, 2010

Classic China & Hong Kong
October 4, 2010

Morocco
October 4, 2010

China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
October 5, 2010

Thailand
... River Kwai
October 5, 2010

Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
October 6, 2010

Andalusia, Spain
October 7, 2010

Exotic Turkey
October 10, 2010

Iberian Fiesta
October 10, 2010

Moroccan Encounter
October 10, 2010

Japan & Korea
October 11, 2010

Kosher Irish Experience
October 11, 2010

Jewish Spain: Madrid & Andalusia
October 12, 2010

China & Hong Kong
October 13, 2010

Amalfi Coast, Italy
October 15, 2010

Japan: Tradition & Modernity
October 17, 2010

Taste of Tuscany
October 22, 2010

Glorious Portugal
October 26, 2010

China & Hong Kong
November 3, 2010

Andalusia, Spain
November 4, 2010

Tunisia & Rome
November 14, 2010

Australia & New Zealand
November 22, 2010

Vietnam & Cambodia
November 29, 2010

Morocco
December 6, 2010

Winter Holiday
Costa Rica
December 21, 2010

Australia & New Zealand
January 31, 2011

Ethiopia
February 6, 2011

Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
February 9, 2011

Japan: Tradition & Modernity
March 27, 2011

Jewish Spain: Madrid & Andalusia
May 17, 2011

China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
May 17, 2011

Morocco
June 13, 2011

Moscow & St. Petersburg
June 14, 2011

Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
June 15, 2011

Alaska & Canadian Rockies
June 16, 2011

Alaska & Canadian Rockies

June 30, 2011

Iceland & Greenland
July 3, 2011

Moscow & St. Petersburg
July 5, 2011

Alaska & Canadian Rockies
August 11, 2011

USA East Coast Family Tour
August 11, 2011

Beautiful Scandinavia
August 14, 2011

France, Switzerland & Italy
Family Tour
August 15, 2011

Vietnam & Cambodia
August 15, 2011

China: In the Footsteps of the Jews
August 16, 2011

Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro
August 16, 2011

Japan: Tradition & Modernity
August 21, 2011

Moscow & St. Petersburg
September 6, 2011

Jewish Spain: Madrid & Andalusia
September 6, 2011

Morocco
September 12, 2011

Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru
November 9, 2011

Australia & New Zealand
November 14, 2011

Morocco
November 14, 2011

Vietnam & Cambodia
November 14, 2011

 
The Japanese Legend: Tradition & Modernity in the Land of the Rising Sun
Glatt Kosher Tour


August 21 - September 1, 2011

 
Explore a land of many contrasts. In a volcanic Island chain, surrounded by an ocean, the Japanese built their cultural and national identity. The transition from being open to the world to being closed to it has shaped Japan‘s unique character. And even today, modern and technological Japan remains rigid and reserved, and it zealously preserves its unique tradition. A visit to Japan is an encounter with many contrasts almost everywhere; ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, fancy gardens and hi-tech gadgets, old samurai castles located in vibrant, modern cities. Japan is a western society that stands firmly in the east. Our tour includes Tokyo with its skyscrapers, wooden houses and traditional gardens, and the natural reserve Nikko with its abundance of temples – both Shinto and Buddhist. At Hakone, located on the edge of a volcanic lake, we can soak in a typical Japanese Onsen. Kyoto – Japan‘s imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and Hiroshima, rebuilt from scratch after the tragic event of the atomic bomb in World War II. The Land of the Rising Sun brings us calm at dawn, hustle and bustle at midday, and placidity at night. Yokoso!
 
Itinerary
Day 1, Sunday: Tokyo
Arrival to Tokyo, meeting and orientation at the hotel.
Day 2, Monday: Tokyo - Nikko
We’ll start our visit to Japan by taking a drive to Nikko National Park (140km from Tokyo) where we will visit the most impressive of the 200-plus Toshogu Shrines in Japan, all built in memory of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man responsible for the unification of Japan and the eventual restoration of the Japanese Imperial family. This complex - which houses his remains - was built by his grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu. We’ll examine numerous buildings in the complex and gain some insights into the life of this important man. After that, we’ll drive up the thrilling Irohazaka Driveway to Lake Chuzenji formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. We’ll view the lake and, weather permitting, have a picnic lunch here.
Day 3, Tuesday: Tokyo
We’ll get up at the crack of dawn today to visit Tsukiji Fish Market - the largest and most interesting of its kind in the world. Here millions of dollars exchange hands daily as fish are sold to the tens of thousands of restaurants in Japan. It’s not unusual for a fresh Tuna to sell here for up to $80,000 per fish! After the auction, we’ll return to the hotel for Tefillah & breakfast. The rest of the day will be filled with sightseeing in Tokyo. Our agenda includes as many of the following as time and traffic will allow: Edo Tokyo Museum, Asakusa Kannon Temple with Nakamise shopping arcade, Akihabara Electronics District and the glitzy Ginza avenue stores.
Day 4, Wednesday: Tokyo - Hakone
In the morning, we’ll start by visiting the Meiji shrine, Harajuku & Omote Sando. Meiji Shrine, a Shinto complex dedicated to the memory of Emperor Meiji who brought the corrupt Shogunate to an end in 1867. Emperor Meiji, who is buried at the shrine, is credited with modernizing Japan and initiating Japan’s economic and industrial infrastructure. From the city, we’ll once again head for nature. We’ll drive to the vacation village of Hakone, visiting the Open Air Museum which houses works of some of the world’s finest sculptors and artists – Henry Moore, Picasso and others, Owakudani Valley/Komagatake Ropeway, and Lake Ashi.
Transfer to the hotel, enjoy the hot springs.
Day 5, Thursday: Hakone - Takayama
This morning we’ll drive through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. This town started to develop in the 8th century, and is famous for its carpentry workshops. We‘ll stroll through the picturesque markets of this town as we admire the traditional houses that line the streets here. We‘ll also visit Yatai Kaikan museum where we‘ll see a display of great chariots, dating back hundreds of years, that were used to transport the gods in the Takayama festival that is help twice a year, spring and fall. This is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan, and draws large crowds who join the parade.
Day 6, Friday: Takayama - Kobe
Today we take a walk through the morning stalls of the Takayama market, displaying local art from the area‘s villages. We continue to the open museum that displays various houses from various periods in Japan history. At the end of this visit we head to Yoatsu village that lays alongside the Japanese Alps, and pay tribute to Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who saved over 6000 Jews from the Nazis during World War 1. The memorial hall is located in his hometown. We transfer to our hotel in the city of Kobe and prepare ourselves for Shabbat.
Day 7, Shabbat: Kobe
We’ll spend a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing Shabbat with the Jewish community in Kobe, the only fully functional Orthodox community in Japan. After Shacharit and a Kiddush/Breakfast, we’ll take a stroll through the neighborhood near our hotel.
Day 8, Sunday: Kobe - Hiroshima
Our first stop this morning upon departing Kobe by coach will be Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s three most beautiful castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This castle was built in 1333 as an army stronghold, and in the 17th century was rebuilt to serve the shoguns, and the city of Himeji was built around it. It is 5 stories high and is surrounded by many structures and gardens of Sakura trees. We continue to Kurashiki, where we visit the Ohara art museum. We end the day in Hiroshima, located on the Oceanside.
Day 9, Monday: Hiroshima – Miyajima - Kyoto
Today we have guided tour of Hiroshima. We will learn the history of the city that was A- Bombed at the end of World War II. Hiroshima, which in 1945 was the 6th largest city in Japan, was of strategic military importance. The headquarters of the Second Army, which was charged with protecting all of southern Japan, was located here. However, Allied bombing during World War II was not focused there. The city was built mainly of wood, which made it very vulnerable to fire. We will visit the A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Park, Museum and memorial. We’ll make our way across the water by ferry to Miyajima Island, a sacred island that houses what is arguably Japan’s most beautiful shrine – Itsukushima. The whole island is an historical site and is considered one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan. The birth of the city is dated back to 593 AC when empress Seiko was crowned and a shrine was built in honor of this event. We then head to the train station and take a train to Kyoto, capital of Imperial Japan for over 1,100 years.
Day 10, Tuesday: Kyoto
Kyoto, considered the “Jerusalem of Japan” is home to over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, some of the most important in Japan, as well as the traditional site of the coronation of Japan’s emperors. Due to its sanctity, the city was not bombed by the allies during World War II. We‘ll visit Ryoanji Temple – a Zen Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its simplistic and stark dry-landscape garden. From there we’ll proceed to the ultimate opposite, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Shrine, an opulent gilded building in a magnificent garden, along with a tea house. Our next stop will be at Kyoto’s famous Nishiki Market.
Day 11, Wednesday: Kyoto
We’ll continue to the Kiyomizu Dera complex and the Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka lanes as we stroll through the fascinating side alleyways of this inspiring sacred city. Toward evening we’ll turn into paparazzi as we stake out the Gion district in search of Geishas on their way to their evening appointments.
In the evening we‘ll go out and enjoy a moving experience at Beit Shalom, a center of supporters of Israel.
Day 12, Thursday: Kyoto – Home Gateway
Another fascinating tour has come to an end. After breakfast we'll transfer to the airport and board a flight back to our home gateway.
 
 
 
(Prices in USD)
Air & Land
$4,990*
Land Only No Transfers
$4,240
Single Supplement
$760
Pre/Post Hotel Night
$65 per person sharing
$110 per single
*Prices Are Based On Current Airfare 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.
 
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.
 
Price Includes:
  • Shinkansen Bullet Train tickets according to the tour plan
  • 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
 
Price Does Not Include:
  • Travel & Health Insurance
  • Personal expenses and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
  • Tips for local service providers ($120 to be collected in cash abroad)
  • Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
  • Tip for our Tour Guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
  • Miscellaneous expenses such as departure fees, visas, security surcharges etc. where applicable.
 
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.
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 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

 
 
909-984-2761
Toll Free (USA Only) 800-893-5617
CST 2012669-10
California Department of Insurance License Number: 0B45777
Last updated: July 19, 2010

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