UPCOMING KOLEL EXPEDITIONS
TRIP SOLD OUT: Waiting List only |
Food for Thought Culinary Tour 2008
February 3-12, 2008
co-led by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein and Bonnie Stern
A Tour of Israel like you've never tasted.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Leave Toronto on El Al- your adventure begins!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Arrival in Israel. Welcome dinner at Cordelia Restaurant with chef Nir Tzuk, considered to be one of Israel’s finest restaurants and brightest star chefs. End the evening with a walk on Tel Aviv’s beach.
Overnight in Tel Aviv, Carlton (L,D)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Start the day with the true “Israeli breakfast” at the hotel, followed by the Palmach Museum, tracing the history of the IDF and the famous first battles to secure the Jewish homeland. In the afternoon we have a cooking lesson with a renowned chef at Aninim where we will eat our creation for lunch! Free time at Nachalat Binyamin, a unique one-of-a kind Israeli Arts & Crafts Fair followed by dinner at Carmela Banachala, a gourmet market hot spot, with guest speaker Janna Gur, editor-in-chief of Israel’s foremost food magazine, Al Hashulchan.
Overnight in Tel Aviv, Carlton (B, L,D)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
This morning we’ll experience the cafe scene with breakfast at Shirala cafe and then drive south to Kibbutz Yad Mordechay for a visit to its world-famous honey farm. Then we have an authentic “ethnic” lunch made by local women in a beautiful fortress in Ofaqim. We’ll drive back to Tel Aviv to visit the Art Museum and then dinner at Rafael restaurant, whose chef Rafi Cohen is regarded as one of the best in the country. Our guest speaker over dinner is Sherry Ansky, Israel’s foremost cookbook author.
Overnight in Tel Aviv, Carlton (B, L,D)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Breakfast in Erez Bakery, Israel’s newest “legendary” gourmet bakery. We drive north To Zichron Yaakov, home of the first pioneers, and visit Beit Aharonson Museum (the Nili spy house) and the First Aliyah Museum. Lunch and wine tasting at the boutique Tishbi winery, a visit to the bread baking project by local German Women and, time permitting, a short tour of Caesarea followed by dinner right on the water at the gorgeous gourmet Helena restaurant. We’ll then begin our ascent into Jerusalem, stopping before hotel check-in to say the traditional Shehecheyanu overlooking the city.
Overnight in Jerusalem, Inbal Hotel (B, L, D)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Breakfast at 1868 dairy restaurant in Emek Refaim, Jerusalem’s own New York-style “Upper West Side.” We will tour the open air market Machane Yehuda, learning about Middle eastern spices and tasting various foods as we go. In the afternoon we volunteer in the soup kitchen Hazon Yeshaaya, and then free time downtown for shopping and lunch on your own. Optional Kabbalat Shabbat services at Kol Haneshama, Jerusalem’s “hip” Reform synagogue, and then a festive Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Jerusalem, Inbal Hotel (B, D)
Saturday, February 9, 2008,
Optional services at any of Jerusalem’s amazing synagogues or enjoy free time or a swim at the hotel pool. Lunch on your own. Afternoon optional walking tour in the Old city of Jerusalem, and rejoin together for dinner at Olive and Fish, a restaurant featuring Mediterranean food with a Middle Eastern flair.
Overnight in Jerusalem, Inbal Hotel (B, D)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Drive to Neot Kedumim, the Biblical gardens, for a “Biblical” breakfast and workshop on foods of the Bible. We will “plant our own roots” in Israel with a tree planting in Modiin and then stop at Tavlin spices and herb farm for lunch, afterwards visiting open houses and galleries of artists who live in the area, and a late afternoon wine tasting and visit to award winning FLAM winery. Return to Jerusalem for dinner at Eucalyptus restaurant, a “Biblical” dinner with Moshe Basson, Israel’s “slow food” award-winner.
Overnight in Jerusalem, Inbal Hotel (B, L, D)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Early morning visit toYad Lakashish (Lifeline for the Old), a wonderful crafts workshop for the elderly. Cooking lesson and lunch in Abu Ghosh where we will experience true Israeli-Arab cuisine and hospitality. Tour the Monastery in Latrun, famous for its wine and olive oil, and en route back to Jerusalem stop for a sampling at a goats cheese farm. Farewell dinner at Arcadia restaurant, a beautiful old stone home acknowledged as the finest restaurant in Jerusalem.
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight home, arriving February 12. The trip is over but the memories last forever! (B, L, D)
Food for Thought Registration Details
Price: $3,995 CA pp dbl (approximately $3585 US) plus $500 (approximately $450 US) fully tax receipted minimum donation to Kolel per person
Single supplement: $770 CA (approximately $690 US)
INCLUDES
Round trip airfare Toronto-Tel Aviv-Toronto
Airport Transfers
7 nights in deluxe hotels Carlton Tel Aviv and Inbal Jerusalem
All sightseeing as per itinerary
Outstanding English speaking guide, (cookbook author Judy Goldman), air conditioned luxury coach bus
All entrance fees as per itinerary
Tips to hotels and restaurants
7 breakfasts
6 lunches as per itinerary
8 dinners as per itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
Airport and security taxes
Friday and Saturday lunch
Items of a personal nature
Tips to the guide and driver
Trip cancellation, medical, or all-inclusive insurance
A $400 deposit per person, non-refundable after Sept. 30, is required to hold a space. Full payment including donation due November 30, 2007.
Deposits and registration:
Contact Michal Shenkar michelle@peerlesstravel.com
416-485-9455 ext 26
Toll free: 1-800-479-2933 ext 26
