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February 09, 2006

Tourists Return to Israel and Prices Drop Accordingly | published by Frommers.com

By Jason Sheftell
The review recommending ARZA World touring programs to Israel was published by Frommer's.

The center of the western religious world, Israel is a special place to many. Drawing believers on religious pilgrimages, Israel's great sites include the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa where Christ carried the cross, the town of Bethlehem, and the fort on Masada.

While a spiritual land to multitudes, Israel holds appeal for the less devout.

Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city filled with a vibrant youth culture. Haifa remains a funky ancient urban corner where intellectuals sell antiques and artifacts from small stalls and stone-walled shops. Eilat, known for snorkeling, is a beach town that can hold its own with any other beach town. If you like spas and healing salts, The Dead Sea with its thick salt water content allows you to float aimlessly, and allegedly has healing powers. As interest in travel to Israel has spiked sharply upwards over the past six months, tour operators are making travel affordable, even for lengthy stays.

For longer trips to Israel with a focus on Jewish heritage and spa add-ons, try ARZA World (tel. 888/811-2812; www.arzaworld.com). Starting at $2,728, a 13-day "Exploring Israel" tour includes round-trip airfare out of New York, three nights in Tel Aviv, two nights in Galilee, two nights in Eilat and four nights in Jerusalem, fifteen meals including four dinners, all sightseeing in a deluxe motor coach, all luggage portage, and a book, The Spiritual Guide to Israel. This tour is filled with discussions, intellectually guided tours, visits to a Kibbutz to see the daily way of life in Israel and to an artist colony, and a rafting trip down the Jordan River. An optional attendance at a Sabbath service is also available. If you're looking to be pampered, a two-night add-on to the Carmel Forest Spa Resort starts at $629. Israel's largest spa, the Carmel Forest Spa resort is just 50 minutes from Tel Aviv in the heart of the Carmel Forest. Certain treatments are included in the price of the package.

Frommers.com is an essential online destination for those planning the perfect travel excursion. Not only can Frommers.com visitors easily find candid, timely articles written by Frommers.com experts, they also can read excerpts from and purchase Frommer's Guidebooks, while gaining additional insights from lively message boards and purchasing travel products and services from high-quality booking partners.

To view the article in Frommers please click here.

Posted by ARZA World Team at 05:49 PM