International flights From Eilat’s Ramon Airport To Start In August

“International flights from Eilat are big news, for Eilat and Israel,” says Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri.

The Ramon International Airport, named in memory of Ilan and Asaf Ramon, near Eilat in southern Israel, Jan. 21, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

International flights from Eilat’s Ramon Airport will begin in August, the Israel Airports Authority and the Eilat Municipality announced on Tuesday.

Arkia Airlines will operate two weekly flights from the airport to Georgia and Cyprus, according to Ynet.

“This summer Eilat’s airport will start to serve its purpose as an international airport. After a short break due to COVID, flights abroad will be renewed,” said an Eilat Municipality official, according to the report.

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri said, “I believe more airlines will follow after Arkia, like El Al and Israir. International flights from Eilat are big news, for Eilat and Israel.”

Source: https://www.jns.org/

Dan Hotels Unveils Newly Renovated Hotels In Tel Aviv, Eilat and Haifa

New rooms at Dan Accadia draw inspiration from the Mediterranean Sea

Israel's leading luxury hotel collection,  Dan Hotels, has completed renovations to three of its properties, Dan Panorama Haifa, Dan Eilat and Dan Accadia - just in time to greet the soaring number of visitors to Israel. April 2017 was the biggest month ever for tourism to Israel.  The addition of internal windows adds natural light throughout the new guest rooms at Dan Accadia The most extensive work was carried out in the Dan Accadia, a resort located on Herzliya beach, just 15 minutes north of central Tel Aviv - yet a world away. The design and planning of the new rooms and public spaces was led by architect Roni Federmann, along with Esti Robinson and the architectural staff of the Dan Hotels chain. The US$11 million renovation included upgrades to 117 rooms and suites, dining areas, corridors and banquet halls. The design teams sought to create a bright and colorful atmosphere, paying homage to the hotel's privileged Mediterranean location. The motif of the sea is reflected throughout - with the construction of new westward-facing windows in the main dining room; the addition of furniture created from a combination of wood, metal and sand in the banquet halls; and the installation of LED-based smart lighting synchronized with the sunset in the corridors to create an optimal combination of natural and artificial light. All guest rooms saw a complete overhaul, including new bathrooms featuring a spacious interior window looking through the room and onto the sea. The halls in the catering area were equipped with the most advanced technology in the field, including sophisticated refrigerated buffets and an active cooking stand for preparing food in front of the guests.  New guest rooms at Dan Haifa At the Dan Eilat, on the Red Sea, designers worked with a muted color scheme and renovated 120 rooms in all categories (Eilat, Deluxe, Executive and all Family rooms) to showcase the property's exquisite views. Guests can view and book these rooms, marked "NEW," on the website. At the Dan Panorama Haifa, the top four floors have been renovated, totaling 56 rooms - including two suites and new corridors. The design includes new furnishings, carpets, fabrics, lighting, beds, TVs and bathrooms. The hotel will offer a more modern look and feel with colorful accents throughout. For more information about Dan Hotels, please visit: www.danhotels.com.  ABOUT DAN HOTELS: Dan Hotels Israel is the largest luxury hotel group in the country. The history of the chain dates back to June 1947, when two brothers Yekutiel and Shmuel Federmann, purchased a 21-room guest house called the "Kaete Dan" on the Tel Aviv sea shore. Today, the chain owns a collection of twelve deluxe and superior first-class hotels in prime locations around the country, an international convention center and a hotel training school.

October Travel News From Israel

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS FROM ISRAEL  ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE NORTH AMERICA  www.goisrael.com #VisitIsrael

JERUSALEM OPENS THE DOORS TO ITS MOST EXCLUSIVE, UNIQUE SPACES Inspired by the successful Open House London and Open House New York City events, Open House Jerusalem will open the doors to some of its most exclusive and unique spaces from October 22 - 24, 2015. Designer lofts, urban villas, unique synagogues, architectural marvels, curious construction sites and private gardens are among the spaces that will be open to the public free of charge.   Find more information here.  JERRY SEINFELD TO PERFORM STAND-UP IN ISRAEL FOR THE  FIRST TIME Comic legend Jerry Seinfeld will perform in Tel Aviv's Menora Mivtachim Arena on December 19 and 20 as part of his world tour. Although Seinfeld has been to Israel several times, this will be his professional debut in the country as a stand-up comedian. Originally scheduled to perform one show, which sold out within hours, Seinfeld agreed to add additional shows. The demand was so great that Seinfeld will now perform four shows in total, two a day on December 19 and 20.   Find more information here.  ISRAEL'S LARGEST YOGA EVENT From November 5 - 7, 2015, the Arava Desert will welcome the sixth annual Yoga Arava Festival, the biggest yoga event in Israel. Throughout the weekend, the villages of the Arava will host yoga workshops with the best teachers in Israel and special guest teachers from abroad. The main event, the Night of Unity, takes place on the Friday night with a sunset yoga practice at the foot of Solomon's Pillars in the Timna National Park, an experience accompanied by live music and followed by a communal dinner. Among the types of yoga that will be practiced are Iyengar, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Vijnana, Shivananda, Dharma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and a special workshop for Yoga teachers.  Find more information here.  EILAT DESERT INTERNATIONAL MARATHON: NOVEMBER 27, 2015 The warm winter sun in Eilat along the Red Sea allows athletes to kick off the international marathon circuit with the Eilat Desert International Marathon on November 27, 2015. Eilat is a major destination for athletes to take advantage of the warm winter weather, the varied desert landscapes, and a host of professional and amateur sporting events. Participants can choose between a full marathon, half-marathon, 10k or 5k distance courses. The marathon begins at the Sun Bay, and takes runners up along Roded creek, past the remains of an ancient gold mine in the Tuchin valley and then continues upwards towards the Shechoret mountain to experience some truly breathtaking scenery. Registration ends on November 1, 2015.    Find more information here.  FREE FRIDAY TOURS OF SARONA COMPLEX IN TEL AVIV The new Sarona leisure complex is now offering free guided tours in English every Friday at 11:00AM, courtesy of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality. The tours, which last up to two hours, explore the history and heritage of the restored German Templar colony in the center of the city, which today includes a range of cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries. Sarona combines a unique architectural history with a dynamic urban experience, inviting the public to enjoy this renewed Templar colony. Visitors can also explore the recently opened Sarona Market, Israel's largest indoor culinary market boasting 91 different shops.   Find more information here.  TEL AVIV HOTEL ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR ROCK LEGEND  JON BON JOVI American Grammy Award-winning singer Jon Bon Jovi arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday, where he was welcomed to the Dan Tel Aviv's Presidential Suite for his weekend stay. Bon Jovi was in Tel Aviv for his first-ever concert in Israel, which drew a crowd of more than 50,000 fans to Hayarkon Park. Before leaving on Sunday morning, Bon Jovi autographed the Dan Tel Aviv's guest book (which has previously been signed by Mick Jagger, Madonna, Bono and many others) with a promise to return.   Jon Bon Jovi and Etai Eliaz, General Manager of the Dan Tel Aviv, in the hotel's Presidential Suite Find more information about Dan Hotels here.  TOP CHEFS FROM THE USA AND EUROPE JOIN ISRAELI CHEFS FOR EXCLUSIVE EVENT From November 1 - 25, 2015, acclaimed chefs from top restaurants around the world will meet in Israel for American Express' Round Tables event. During this event, chefs from New York, London, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens will take over the kitchens of Tel Aviv's best restaurants. Each of the selected Tel Aviv restaurants will welcome an international chef for a week, who will prepare a full tasting menu, incorporating some of the country's local flavors. Representing the U.S. will be the chefs behind The Fat Radish in New York, who will be taking over The Blue Rooster in Tel Aviv, and fromOsteria Mozza in Los Angeles, who will take over Cafe Italia in Tel Aviv, from November 1 - 7, 2015.     Find more information here. TEL AVIV BAR NAMED AMONG WORLD'S TOP 20 BARS Tel Aviv's Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar was voted among the world's top 20 bars at the World's 50 Best Bar Awards earlier this month. The trendy nightlife destination came in at number 17 in the rankings, earning it the distinction of being the highest new entry on the top-50 list. The winners are chosen by more than 400 of the spirits industry's international experts, and the resulting list is considered the ultimate guide to the top bars around the globe. Cocktails at the Imperial Craft include: the Spicy India, made with grated bittersweet chocolate, green cardamom, orange liqueur and an egg yolk; Flip of a Coin, made with Cognac, sherry, spices and a Guinness reduction; and Colonel Mustard, made with gin, Campari, orange liqueur, fresh grapefruit and a mustard-cinnamon syrup.    Find more information here.  SINGERS FROM GEORGIA, USA PERFORM TO A FULL HOUSE On October 11, 2015, 150 members of the Georgia-based Choral and Instrumental group performed within the ancient walls of the citadel at the Tower of David Museum, situated at the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. The concert, aiming to bring a sense of hope and joy to the community, brought a moving 80-minute choral and orchestral program to a packed audience. Photo Credit: Ricky Rachman Find more information here.  FULL HOTEL OCCUPANCY IN JERUSALEM AND TEL AVIV  Hotels in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have been at nearly full capacity for the month of October as international conferences, conventions and exhibitions have continued to attract visitors from all over the globe. From October 12 - 16, the International Astronautical Congress has taken place, bringing in Buzz Aldrin as a guest speaker, along with 2,000 other participants from abroad to discuss "Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future" at Jerusalem's International Convention Center.TIMBER Israel, Israel's only woodworking and furniture industry fair, starts October 26, attracting representatives from 18 different countries. WATEC, the Water Technology and Environment Control Exhibition & Conference, took place from October 13 - 15 at the Tel Aviv Conference Center, bringing in more than 2,500 people. From October 20 - 22,  the 36th World Zionist Congress will be filling hotel rooms with over 1,000 participants from 35 countries also at the Israel Convention Center in Jerusalem.   MANOFIM FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART LAUNCHES The Manofim Festival of Contemporary Art celebrates its eighth year from October 15 - 22 in Jerusalem. The festival celebrates the rich and diverse artistic creation that takes place in the city throughout the entire year. Manofim is made possible thanks to the rare collaboration between dozens of Jerusalemite galleries and art institutes, independent artist groups, and hundreds of artists who take part in the exhibitions. The festival includes 30 exhibitions within 20 galleries, showing a wide range of perspectives and pieces. This year's theme is "voices," exploring those voices that do not always get heard in the regular noise of Jerusalem.   Find more information here.

Israel's Oldest Luxury Restaurant Celebrates 85th Anniversary

Transformation of King David's "La Regence"  Aligns with Country's Culinary Revolution

Foodies on six continents are lauding Israel's ongoing culinary revolution that in recent years has taken not only Israel, but London and several U.S. cities, by storm. Chefs, restaurant critics and food writers from around the world are zeroing in on a slew of extraordinary restaurants not only in Tel Aviv, but also in Jerusalem, Haifa, Eilat and in the Israeli countryside.  But while it's the latest wave of cuisine development that has taken dining in Israel to a whole new plane, it's worth remembering that the country's first luxury restaurant is still going strong at 85 years of age. When the King David Hotel opened in 1930, the pinnacle of Jerusalem's gastronomic culture was its exclusive "La Regence" restaurant and, for many in 2015, it remains number one in Jerusalem. Today's La Regence is a crescent-shaped, wood-paneled space with a wall of windows facing the hotel gardens and the floodlit Old City of Jerusalem. A vast wine cellar is open for inspection, as is a private dining room whose walls are covered with photographs of celebrities, royals and statesmen who have dined here. Born in Jerusalem, 35-year-old Chef David Biton has been the executive chef of La Regence for eight years, and concentrates on using local ingredients prepared in an unusual and creative fashion that combines a uniquely "farm-to-table" concept with the rules of kashrut (kosher), a prerequisite at all major Israeli hotels. Signature dishes include Lamb Tongue with Smoked King Oyster Mushrooms, Tomato "Leather" Filled with Wild-Caught Fish Salad, Roasted Duck Confit with Black Garlic and Filet of Beef "Financier." For dessert, sweet options range from More than an Apple (Pink Lady Apple au Gratin, Caramel Sable and Apple Sorbet) to theCitrus Finishing Touch ("La Regence" Citrus Fruit Tart). And the restaurant's sommelier can select pairings for each course from La Regence's extensive list of Israeli sparkling, white, red and dessert wines. For more information about La Regence or to browse the menu and see photos of Chef Biton's signature dishes, please visit: www.la-regence.co.il. For more information about The King David, which was recently voted the top hotel in Israel, in Travel+Leisure magazine's "World's Best Awards 2015," go to: www.danhotels.com.  ABOUT DAN HOTELS: Dan Hotels Israel is the largest luxury hotel group in the country. The history of the chain dates back to June 1947, when two brothers Yekutiel and Shmuel Federmann, purchased a 21-room guest house called the "Kaete Dan" on the Tel Aviv sea shore. Today, the chain owns 14 deluxe and superior first-class hotels in prime locations around the country, an international convention center and a hotel training school.

The Latest Travel News From Israel

www.goisrael.com

FIFTH ANNUAL ISRAELI OPERA FESTIVAL AT MASADA HAPPENING NOW The fifth annual Israeli Opera Festival at Masada is currently going on featuring productions of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. The Israeli Opera Festival at Masada is the largest cultural and tourism event in Israel. The Festival also extends to Akko from September 10-12 for a weekend of Mozart delights at the Crusaders Courtyard.   Click here to know more. TEL AVIV CELEBRATES SUMMER PRIDE FESTIVAL  The annual Tel Aviv Summer Pride Festival is happening this week and has attracted thousands of international tourists. The focus of this year's festival is the transgender community and the highlight of the week is the Pride Parade, happening on June 12. TERRAOLIVO INTERNATIONAL EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL COMPETITION THROUGH JUNE 14, 2015 Terraolivo is an international extra virgin olive oil competition taking place June 7-14 at the Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem. With more than 500 samples to taste from 17 different countries, the competition also offers participants the opportunity to tour the north and south of Israel as well as Jerusalem.   Click here to know more. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY PAPER ART AT OLD JAFFA MUSEUM   "PAPER CRUMPLING | PAPER FOLDING | PAPER CUTTING" Old Jaffa Museum launches a contemporary paper art exhibition, which will run through August 30, 2015. The exhibition brings together 30 world-renowned paper masters and displays some of their works. Workshops are offered to visitors interested in learning three techniques of paper art: paper crumpling, paper folding and paper cutting.    Click here to know more.    THIS PLACE, A LOOK AT ISRAEL AND THE WEST BANK THROUGH THE EYES OF 12 RENOWNED ARTISTS OPENS AT TEL AVIV MUSEUM OF ART THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 A new exhibit entitled This Place is now open at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and will run through September 6, 2015. The exhibit explores the complexity of Israel and the West Bank through the eyes of 12 internationally acclaimed photographers. Each photographer spent approximately six months in Israel, pursuing his or her own artistic interests, and during this time thousands of original artworks were created. The result is a major museum exhibit as well as thepublication of monographs by each artist and a comprehensive catalog.                     Click here to know more. TWO NEW ATTRACTIONS OPEN IN EILAT: ISRAEL'S LARGEST MUSICAL FOUNTAIN AND SKATEPARK Two new attractions recently opened in Eilat's main park - Israel's largest musical fountain and an extreme skatepark. Both attractions are open free of charge to the public. The musical fountain extends over 16,000 square feet and contains a sound system, more than 400 colored LED lights and 350 jets spraying water almost 100 feet into the air. Visitors can cool off in the fountain during the hot daytime hours and witness the fountain shows, which will take place several nights each week. A mobile app is in the works that will allow visitors to control the water jets. The extreme skatepark is complete with stunt tracks for professionals and amateurs and can host international skateboarding competitions.   Click here to see a video of the fountain. BACKSTREET BOYS, ONE REPUBLIC AND ART GARFUNKEL RECENTLY ARRIVED IN ISRAEL The Backstreet Boys, One Republic and Art Garfunkel all arrived in Israel recently to perform in and around Tel Aviv. The Backstreet Boys performed at the Ra'anana Amphitheater May 19, 20 and 21; One Republic performed at Hayarkon Park on May 28; and Art Garfunkel performed at Bloomfield Stadium on June 10. JERUSALEM NIGHT RUN JUNE 18, 2015 The second annual Jerusalem Night Run will be held on June 18, 2015 with a choice of running either the 5km or 10km track. The tracks will work their way around fascinating holy sites illuminating 3,000 years of history and culture in Israel's capital. Last year, more than 5,000 runners participated in the race.         Click here to know more. EPIC ISRAEL MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE OCTOBER 8-10, 2015 Epic Israel is a full-board mountain bike race with more than 500 riders from Israel and abroad expected to participate in the three-day event. The race begins and ends at the Epic village in the Megiddo municipality and offers participants an exciting and challenging route. It passes through Mount Carmel and Zichron Yaakov in northern Israel as well as the Horshan and Alonei Itzhak nature reserves in the south. The route will also include fun single tracks in Mishmar HaEmek Forest. Click here to know more.   TEL AVIV HOSTS TEL AVIV WATER GAMES, OCTOBER 15-19, 2015 Tel Aviv will be hosting the Tel Aviv Water Games 2015, an international LGBT sports and cultural festival, from October 15-19, 2015. This will be the first international sporting event catering specifically to the LGBT community to be held on the beautiful Mediterranean beaches of Tel Aviv. The Games will consist of a beach volleyball tournament, swim races, soccer games, water polo games, sunset yoga and bicycle tours of the city. There will also be celebrations and parties going on late into the night at Tel Aviv's world-famous bars and clubs.  Click here to know more.