1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

 Neshama:Israel
Yoga Retreat
Yoga - Culture - Hummus
Tour Overview Puzzle Israel and the ​
Neshama Project ​
invite you to find spirituality beyond the four corners of your mat. Join Puzzle Israel and Rachelle Tratt for nine days of physical and spiritual experiences in the setting of Israel’s finest landscapes. While overlooking a magnificent green valley or a vast crater, Rachelle Tratt will guide you through yoga poses and mindfulness meditation. Join us on this spiritual journey and discover Israel’s most magical spots, which will fill you with good energy and vitality. We believe that the outdoors bears an uplifting effect, leaving you with long­lasting memories and friendships. Day 1 Monday Heading north to the Galilee ● Pick up at the airport and head north to the Galilee ● Stop for a nice welcome ceremony on the most beautiful beach of the Mediterranean Sea ● Check into our accommodation in the northern region ● Enjoy dinner together with our new family (included) ● Accommodations at ​
Villa Elisheva in the Galilee Days 2 Tuesday The Green North ●
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Morning yoga session and a Welcome Circle to Israel Breakfast at the Villa Relaxed morning to enjoy the green terrain around us Free time for yoga workshops Drive up north and stop on the way for some local food (included) Short hike to move our body and get to know the area Cooking workshop with The Puzzle Chefs (this will be dinner ­ included) Sunset yoga session under the stars Accommodations at ​
Villa Elisheva in the Galilee Day 3 Wednesday The Mysteries of Tzfat and its Surroundings ●
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Morning yoga session Breakfast at the Villa Drive up to the city of Tzfat and tour the mysterious Old City Free time for shopping at the Artist Colony Visit Dalton Winery and taste Israeli wines and local cheeses (this will be our lunch ­ included) ● Climb up Mt.Meron, the second highest mountain in Israel and get ready to be memorized by the spectacular view from the top ● Drive back to our Villa and stop for dinner in Hurfeish for some local Druze hospitality (not included) ● Accommodations at ​
Villa Elisheva in the Galilee Day 4 Thursday Heading South to Jerusalem ●
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Morning yoga session at the beach of Achziv Breakfast at the beach! Drive to Jerusalem View­point tour of the city from the top of Mt. of Olives ­ learning what makes Jerusalem such a powerful center of spirituality and faith Visit the Old City and walk through the narrow streets of this ancient city Lunch at a local restaurant in the Old City (included) Optional​
: Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum (extra $15 pp) Visit ​
Machane Yehuda ​
­ the largest open market in Israel and enjoy some shopping time and dinner (not included) Accommodations at​
Arthur Hotel​
, Jerusalem Day 5 Friday From Jerusalem to the Lowest Place on Earth ●
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Breakfast at the hotel Drive down to the Dead Sea Morning yoga session at the beach Optional:​
Explore an amazing oasis in the middle of the desert and hike along the famous David stream Picnic lunch on the way back to Jerusalem (included) Some free time to relax and walk around the Old City Friday night dinner together at a local restaurant in Jerusalem (not included) Accommodations at the ​
Arthur Hotel, Jerusalem Day 6 Saturday From Complexity to True Relaxation ● Breakfast at the hotel ● Open air yoga session overlooking the high mountains of Judea ● Tour of Gaza Strip and visit at the local Israeli towns around the border to understand better the complexity of the situation in the area ● Visit a local ​
organic farm​
and pick your own veggies for lunch (included) ● Drive to ​
Beit Ha Shanti​
in the Negev Desert and enjoy a tour of the place and a group Watsu session in the water ● Dinner together at Beit Ha Shanti (included) ● Accommodation at ​
Moa Oasis​
Resort Day 7 Sunday Heading to the Most Southern Tip of Israel
● Morning meditation session ● Breakfast at Moa Oasis ● Optional​
: Drive south to Timna Valley and climb one of Israel most challenging ascents ● Continue south to Eilat ­ the most southern city in Israel ● Relax at the beach and enjoy a fun lunch (included) ● Enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters of the Red Sea and be prepared to be astonished by the beauty of the amazing coral reef ● Travel back to Moa Oasis and visit Kibbutz Neot Smadar on the way for a fun workshop ● Dinner at Moa (not included) ● Accommodation at ​
Moa Oasis​
Resort Days 8 Tuesday Adventure in the Desert
● Morning yoga session ● Breakfast at Moa ● Drive to the Ramon Crater and meet our jeep driver for the day ● Go off the main roads and see some cool desert rocks and search for water sources to cool down! ● Enjoy some local Hummus for lunch (included) ● Drive back to the center and visit and meet the local kids at SUCH (Save a Child's Heart), who come from all over the world for heart treatments ­ bring the children some joy and toys! ● Drive to Tel Aviv and settle in your hotel ● Dinner out at the best wine bar in Tel Aviv​
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(not included) ● Accommodations at ​
Melody Hotel and Shalom Hotel​
, Tel Aviv Day 9 Wednesday Tel Aviv ­ the Big City ● Morning yoga session at the Yarkon Park ­ try some new Yoga styles ● Breakfast and free morning for shopping on Dizengoff Street ● Meet with Innovation Africa ­ learn about their amazing projects and Puzzle’s collaboration with them! ● Tour the Old City of Jaffa and Neve Tzedek to learn about how Tel Aviv was founded and pick up some delicacies along the way for lunch (not included) ● Goodbye dinner together at the ​
Nana Bar​
in Neve Tzedek (included) ● Drive to the Airport Pricing Early Birds discount! 400$ discount for the first 6 to register until Sept 1st 2015! 200$ discount for the first 10 to register until Jan 1st 2016! 6 travelers 10+ travelers 15+ travelers $5,175 per person in a double room $4,350 per person in a double room $4,070 per person in a double room Notes on pricing ● Single supplement: $600 per person for the entire trip ● Preson the triple room: 100$ reduction ● Child under 12 sharing parent room at 20% reduction ● A donation of $200 (included in the price quoted above) will be given by Puzzle Israel to Innovation Africa Meeting and Departing ● We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the tour start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the tour’s first day due to flight­related delays. ● If no flights arrive a day before the beginning of the tour, arrival time should be no later than 12.00 AM. Participants arriving in Israel on the starting day of the tour will be picked up directly from Ben Gurion international airport. Terms of Payment for Land Service ● Reservations can only be confirmed once the non­refundable deposit of $350 per person has been paid ● Submit payment by check payable to Puzzle Israel and send to: Deb Zaluda Puzzle Israel 1513 W. Montana St Chicago, IL 60614 ● Should you choose to pay via credit card, please advise and we will provide paypal link or you can provide your credit card information to us via phone, at an additional 3.2% charge. ● Payment accepted by wire transfer ● All above prices and all payments must be made in US dollars Cancellation policies ●
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A $350 per person down payment ­ non refundable Full payment is to be made 60 days prior to arrival Full refund (other than deposit) up to 30 days prior to arrival 80% refund (not including deposit) up to 15 days prior to arrival 50% refund (not including deposit) up to 7 days before arrival If cancellations are made after 7 days prior to arrival, refunds will only be made for bookings that can be cancelled ● In cases of cancellations due to security reasons in Israel, there will be a full refund (not including deposit), even if the trip is cancelled after 7 days prior to arrival Touring Services Include ● Meeting / assistance upon arrival. Puzzle driver will await you as you exit customs ● Transportation services for all tour sites and destinations per itinerary ● 8 days touring with a professional English speaking tour guide ● All tour coordination services ● All entrance fees to national parks, museums and visiting centers except mentioned otherwise on the itinerary ● Specified activities and attractions as listed in the itinerary ● Transfer to and from Ben Gurion International Airport by van/bus with plenty of space for luggage Accommodations ● As listed in itinerary Food and Beverages ● There will be bottles of mineral water for the participants on the bus each morning ● All meals listed as included will be arranged OR catered by ​
Margolis Catering ​
lead by Chef Nir Margalith (these meals include beverages i.e. wine and/or soda depending on the meal) ● Meals which are listed as not included will be at your own expense ● Approximate meal prices: ○ Lunch $20­$30 per person ○ Dinner $30­$40 per person Please Note ● The above­suggested program includes many elements that have not yet been booked. They are pending final booking and confirmation. As such, there may be slight changes in the final program. ● The above cost is subject to change at any time as per notice from hotels and other suppliers of services. ● If the number of participants and/or rooming arrangements and/or flights schedules is changed, an additional supplement may apply. ● Changes can be made to the above set schedule ​
ONLY​
for a pre­organised group of 10+ people​
. Note that the final price can change according to changes in the schedule Tour in Israel DOES NOT include ● Flights ● Any expenses of a personal nature ● Gratuities ● Spa treatments or Spa packages not listed (these can range from 250 NIS to 600 NIS per person depending on the treatment or package) ● Overtime for the driver or mileage beyond what has been allotted for the day ­ a rate of $30 US per hour for a 4 person taxi or $50 US for an extra hour’s usage of the van $80 US for an extra usage of a bus ● Any guests other than the participants in the party ● Insurance for baggage, personal items, health coverage,trip cancellation and interruption is not included, but is highly recommended you have it. We suggest obtaining coverage through your local travel agent The Tour Day The above proposal has been quoted based on the itinerary, mileage and hours designated per day, and the other touring elements noted above. The base tour day is based on a maximum of ten hours per day. Any additional charges will be billed to the customer’s credit card at the end of the trip and must be settled locally prior to departure from Israel. Should you decide to extend your stay at the end of the program and require a taxi we will arrange and book the hotel. Extra costs may apply. Gratuity in Israel It is customary to tip your Israeli guide around $30US per day, per guide (this sum depends on the size of the group and the number of guides assigned. The usual policy is 1 guide per 20 participants). It is also customary to tip your airport drivers, bellboys, hotel staff and waiters. This, of course, is left to your discretion. Local customary tip at restaurants is 15% of the bill. Hotel maids at $15 for your entire stay is customary. Passport Validity All passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of return to your home country. NEW VAT TAX REGULATIONS Please be aware that according to the new Israeli tax laws, being strictly enforced by all hotels, all guests holding Israeli citizenship, even those with dual citizenship/passports both for individual travelers and guests part of a group, or invited local guests, will be charged the applicable VAT tax. Therefore the necessary documentation must be received from the participants within 14 days prior to arrival in order to finalize the bill. Should this information not be provided in a timely manner, we reserve the right to charge the VAT accordingly. Responsibility ● Puzzle Israel (hereinafter called the Tour Coordinator), acts only as an agent for the various companies, owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, accommodation and other travel services. ● All exchange orders, coupons and tickets are offered subject to the Terms and Conditions under which such services are offered or provided. ● The issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall constitute your acceptance of the terms and conditions as set out. ● The airline and transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act; omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. ● The Tour Coordinator reserves the right to cancel/alter any part of the itinerary above as may be found desirable for the proper execution of the tour and the safety and comfort of the passengers. This without penalty to the Tour Coordinator itself. ● The Tour Coordinator reserves the right to change any hotel/s listed and replace with a property of a similar category if circumstances necessitate. ● Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the passenger/s. ● The right is reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any group at any time should they require services beyond those which can be provided. ● If room requirements are altered due to cancellation of one or more passengers, the passengers still travelling must pay the applicable rate for the accommodation to be occupied. ● If you must leave the tour early, regardless of reason, no refunds will be granted for unused services. ● Participants should expect to pay extra for the use of facilities such as sauna, health clubs, safety deposit box, etc. ● Regardless of the flight arrival or departure time, most hotels have a check in between 1 PM – 4 PM. Requests for immediate check in outside of the normal check in hours will be subject to additional fees levied by the hotel. ● Prices quoted are based on current tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without prior notice. ● We reserve the right to cancel a departure should there be an insufficient number of participants to make the tour viable. Important Resources for Travelers ●
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Puzzle Israel website for sample itineraries, ideas, testimonials and pictures ​
www.puzzleisrael.com Phone: 215 764 6412 is an American number that will connect to our Israeli phones at no cost to you, the caller Don’t hesitate to be in touch with any questions, concerns or trip ideas. In addition, we’re happy to connect you with our past participants so that they can share their wonderful experience We look forward to sharing this adventure with you! The Puzzle Israel Team