[DVBC] Bike Tour in Israel

[Shelley R. Epstein]

I am gathering info on a bike tour in Israel for this summer and  
looking for some folks to join me. The dates would be June 29- July 6,  
but we'd leave earlier (no more flights left on this fare class on June  
28) and you can extend your stay as well. Flights leave out of Newark  
or JFK.

This is a special program set up between ELAL and the Cyclist's Inn in  
Cfar Tavon VIllage, located about 2 hours from Ben Gurion airport. I'm  
not clear on all the details,  but it appears that we would take a  
Northern to Central Route, and there are 3 levels of biking available.  
The one that I'm looking at is considered the Field Track Plan for  
Non-Pro Intermediate Cyclists (B), and the days range from a low of  
15-20km to a high of 40-60km. Riding is a mix of on and off road. The  
sites include the Tavor River,  Sea of Galilee, Beit Keshet forest, the  
Jerusalem Hills and the (mildly challenging) Path of Israel. Day 5 is  
all Jerusalem including the Wall and churches, Old City Quarters, etc.  
Day 6 is exotic desert canyons riding along the Pratzim River, Sodom  
Creek, and Masada, ending with a dip in the Dead Sea. This day ends at  
a recreational Bedouin Tent Camp, set atop the soaring sea cliffs of  
Metzukey Dargot overlooking the Dead Sea. And there's more on day 7...

The prices are great and include airfare and board (in nice hostels,  
mostly). I'm still not clear on a lot of details, but they need a  
minimum of 4 people or they will cancel (this is a brand new program)  
and once they hit 10 people, they definitely won't cancel. You can  
bring your own bike at no extra charge on ELAL or use one of theirs.

Here's the link:
http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/States/USA/Fares/default_items/ 
USA_BikeSpecial.htm

Feel free to e-mail me privately for some more details.

Shelley Epstein
4epsteins at comcast.net