2011 Trip To Israel

Thanks so much for your interest regarding our 2011 trip to Israel. This letter should answer many of your general questions regarding the trip. We are more-than-happy to call and speak to you should you have specific questions that are not covered in this letter.

Trip Dates and Partial Itinerary

Our 10-day trip to Israel will be from Nov 27 - Dec 6. We'll be flying Delta airlines from Minneapolis (or the city in which you live) to JFK in New York City or Atlanta and then meeting with the rest of the group for our overseas flight into Tel Aviv, arriving in Israel on the afternoon of Monday, Nov 28th, at 1:30PM.

Upon arrival we will board our 57 passenger tour bus and officially begin our tour by driving through the hills of the Galilee region, staying at a beautiful resort hotel right on the Sea of Galilee called Gai Beach. While in the Galilee, we will experience a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and will be visiting amazing sites such as the synagogue in Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, Golan Heights, Tel Dan, Mt. Carmel, Valley of Armageddon, and Megiddo.

After spending a couple of full days in the Galilee region, we'll begin our trek to Jerusalem, stopping at the Jordan River and then continuing to Gideon Springs and the ancient city of Bet She'an before arriving in Jerusalem.

Once in Jerusalem, we'll be visiting the following sites: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Qumran, Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, City of David, Mt. Zion, Jewish Quarter of Old City, Wailing Wall, Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum, Lion's Gate, Pool of Bethesda, Golgotha, Garden Tomb and many more amazing sites. This is only a partial list of the major sites that we'll be visiting.

In addition to the many sites that we'll be visiting in the Land, our tours are unique because we not only visit the incredible sites that most tour groups see, but we also get a behind-the-scenes look at life in the Land as we visit soldiers at army bases, spend time with underprivileged children in Tiberias, engage in a private Torah study with an Orthodox rabbi in Jerusalem, meet with Arab and Jewish leaders in the Land, and so much more.

Accommodations

Once in Israel, we hire a first-class touring bus and driver for our group.

In the Galilee region, we'll be staying at a resort style hotel right on the Sea of Galilee called Gai Beach Resort Spa Hotel (http://www.gaibeachhotel.com/eng.html)

While in Jerusalem, we'll be staying at an exquisite hotel on the outskirts of the walls of the Old City. The name of the hotel is The Dan Boutique (www.danhotels.com/Boutique-Hotel-Jerusalem)

The Jerusalem hotel is subject to change, based on the number of people who actually sign up for the trip. However, the quality of the hotel will not diminish.

Price of Trip

The total price of the trip from Minneapolis, MN is $2,800 (if you're originating from another city, the price may vary). This is an all-inclusive price except for the following: lunches (the bus will be stopping at restaurants but we're on our own to pay lunches) and tips (we collect $120 on the day of departure to cover tips for our hotel staff, waiters and waitresses, bus drivers, tour guide).

For those people who will be meeting up with us in Israel, arriving from another country, please contact us and we'll help you plan the trip so that we land in Tel Aviv at approximately the same time and begin our journey through the Promised Land together.

Israel Trip Payment Schedule

• $300 deposit due immediately (checks made out to Hineni Int'l Ministries or H.I.M.). This holds a spot for you on the tour
• $200 of deposit money is refundable through April 1st
• $100 of deposit money is refundable through May 1st. After May 1st, the deposit is non-refundable.
• May 1, 2010 - $1,250 due (checks made out to H.I.M.)
• July 1, 2010 - $1,250 due (checks made out to H.I.M.)
• Total Cost of Trip: $2,800 (not including lunches and tips)
• Everyone going is required to bring a $100 bill plus a $20 bill that will be collected on 1st day of tour. These funds will be distributed throughout our trip for tips to hotel staff, bus drivers, tour guides, bellboys, etc.

Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be having a roommate in the hotel? Yes, the price is based on double occupancy and you can either request a roommate or you'll be placed with someone close to your age and gender. If you want to request a single room, you can but the price is significantly higher - just let us know if you'd like that option.

How many bags can I carry on and check in? Each traveler is allowed one carry on (plus a personal item) in addition to being allowed to check 2 bags in for the overseas portion of the trip. However, we ask that you limit it to one check in, if possible, to help us while we're on the ground in Israel. It's much easier for you when checking into hotels and saves us room under the bus if as many of us as possible only check in one bag.

What will the weather be like? When we're in the Galilee area, the weather will be warm (in the high 60's and 70's). When we're in Jerusalem, the weather can be significantly cooler (50's and 60's during the day and even cooler at night). We recommend bringing a warm jacket for the evenings in Jerusalem and a light sweatshirt or sweater for the evening in the Galilee.

Will there be time to shop? Yes, there will be plenty of time to shop. We know the best places that give you the best prices and we will do our best to steer you away from the places that like to take advantage of tourists.

How much money should I bring? We recommend carrying no more than $200 cash with you. Most places that we go do take credit cards and there are also cash machines that will take your debit card and give you shekels (the Israeli currency) in return. Lunches vary from $10-$18 per day.

Will we swim in the Dead Sea? Yes, we will spend some time in the Dead Sea for a swim. We do ask that everyone bring modest bathing attire.

Do you provide travel insurance? No, we don't provide travel insurance and leave that up to the individual traveler if they are interested in obtaining that for themselves.

What kind of clothing do you recommend packing? We encourage people to pack modestly. There will never be a time where you have to 'dress up' (so leave the tuxedos and evening gowns at home). While touring, it's perfectly fine to wear shorts and tee shirts. Jeans are acceptable everywhere we go. There are some sites that require that everyone wear pants and shirts with sleeves and we will let you know which ones they are so that you can dress appropriately on that day. The most important thing to pack is comfortable walking shoes as we do a lot of walking in the land.

Will there be baptisms in the Jordan River? Yes, we will stop at the Jordan River. And, those who would like to be baptized will have that opportunity.

What do we do in the evenings? Each evening is absolutely free. There will be times that we'll have leaders from the Land meeting with any of those that are interested in a private conference room at the hotel. However, after dinner each evening, you're free to do whatever you'd like. When in Jerusalem, we're walking distance from the Old City and when in the Galilee area, we'll be on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and you'll be free to walk on the seashore or walk to nearby Tiberias and experience Israeli nightlife.

We trust that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email Scott at scottvolk@me.com or call Scott's office phone at 704-782-3610 or email Thom or Marcia at tberkowitz@visi.com, mlberkowitz@visi.com or call them at 612-759-7275 and they will call you back at their earliest opportunity!

Because we operate on a first-come/first served basis, please get back to us as soon as you can to assure yourself of a spot. We limit the entire group to a total of 56 people!

Blessings and Shalom!

Scott, Thom and Marcia

All checks can be mailed to:

Hineni International Ministries
c/o Scott Volk
12120 Barwen Court
Charlotte, NC 28262