Conference taveng::bagels

    I haven't been back to Israel since '80(has it been that long?!),
    but I have noticed that airplane fares are at an all-time low. 
    TWA has been advertising a fare of$424, and mind you this is the
    high-season.  So it may be fair to assume that after the peak that
    the fares will be lower.  You may want to take notice that EL AL
    is now flying from Boston, non-stop, once or twice a week, so that
    could cut out the added expense of flying to NY, etc.
    
    As far as other expenses go, I've never stayed in a hotel in Israel,
    it may be safe to assume that their rates are down due to the current
    tourist drought.  You may want to check out a few kibbutz guest
    houses, such as Kfar Blum(we used to call it Kfar Kloom - inside
    joke, sorry).  They're nice, and they can afford you with a good
    view of kibbutz life.
    
    A good measure of the economy is to find out how much a Felafel
    sandwich costs(no joke), that's usually the metric used.  Don't forget that
    the economy changes daily(also no joke), so the rate of exchange is forever
    fluctuating.  Hopefully some of the chevrei over at ISO will provide
    more up-to-date info.  Check out Nesher travel in Brookline(run
    by the Bostoner Rebbe's son, Meir), they'll probably have more info
    on accomodations, etc.
    
    Last but not least Mike, LEARN "a lttle" HEBREW.  This bit of advice
    will help you with say, taxi and sherut drivers, who I wouldn't
    place too much trust in.
    
    David
    

    Michael,
    
    I don't want to sound sarcastic, but you've been singing this tune now
    for about a year. 
    
    You post a resrevation number with El Al (or any other airline),
    and I'll get you any information you want.
    
    How's that deal sound for you?
    
    Hope to see you.

    Lehitraot,
    
    Cb.
    

    Mike,
    
    I've told you before that I've been to Israel twice, once in '82
    and then again in '84.  Both times were during the summer.  Since
    I went when when I was a high school and college student my funds
    were extremely limited.  Here's a few things to keep in mind.
    
    - If you are under 24 you may still qualify for a student discount
      on an airplane ticket.
      
    - Get an international student card if you can. (probably not though)
    
    - If you are going to be there for a month you could go with the
      Volunteers for Israel program.  That would require that you work
      on an army base for a month though.  They supsidize (sp) your airfare
      and give you room and board.  They will also make arrangements for
      you with a Kibbutz/Moshav for Shabbat.  Keep in mind this program
      requires some serious work.                         
    
    - About hotels..some of the guides to Israel like Frommers provide
      really good info about hotels.  I stayed in a sort of rooming house
      in Jerusalem that was a pretty good deal although it was on the run
      down side.  If you go to Eilat during the warmer seasons the hotel
      rates are markedly lower because it is the off season.
    
    - Youth hostels are a good place to meet some really interesting
      people but generally they are not a good place to get any sleep.
      There is a beautiful YMCA in Jerusalem across from the King David
      Hotel but I've been tod that it is nearly impossible to get a
      room.  Give it a try anyway.
    
    - If you have any friends over there try to stay with them.  It
      is really the best way to get a good feeling for what Israel is
      all about.  
      
    - There are some nice bus tours available from local travel agents.
      They are a really good idea if you want to go to some place like
      the far north near the border or Hebron were the natives might
      be a little restless.  Otherwise I wouldn't recommend going to
      these volatile places at all. (When I was in Israel my Israeli friends
      strongly advised me not to go there.  The case might not be the
      same now.)                                       
    
    - As far as transportation goes use the bus.  You can go almost
      anywhere and it is very inexpensive.  You can try a Sheirut also but
      they're more expensive.
    
    - Take El Al if you can.  It may cost you more but there's nothing
      safer in the skies.
    
    I think I could go on and on about this.  If you need more info send
    me mail.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Lauren
                                      
      

    Yes, that does sound sarcastic and outa line.

    In the past, I was referring to INTERVIEWING for a Job.
    THIS is strictly for pleasure with VACATION time.
    I would like to find out the cost of a vacation in
    Israel versus the cost of a vacation in certain other
    countries since I am limited by $

    Oh, and thanx for your help.

    Was THAT sarcastic ?

    Don't convert any more money than you have to, do it at a bank after
    you arrive (and keep the receipt, or you can't convert it back to
    dollars), and convert it back before you leave; the inflation rate
    is something incredible.  Most things are (or were, anyhow) "really"
    priced in dollars or other stable currency anyhow - we didn't have
    any trouble passing dollars anywhere.  Don't buy telephone chits
    (asimonim) unless you need them right away; they inflate fast, too.
    
    Paul and I visited Israel three years ago (which is why our honeymoon
    was to a radio convention in Dayton, Ohio! 8-).  My brother was
    worried the whole time we were there, wanting us to ride through
    the Golan under the seats of our bus!  I brought him some good
    barbed-wire pictures.  One of the nicest places we visited was the
    old Roman baths at the sulfur springs in the "northern Galilee"
    (territory acquired with the Golan, but that is what our Israeli
    friends called it) - don't remember the name of it but someone surely
    knows.  We'll be back, some day!
                                                                        

Re.-1

>    Don't convert any more money than you have to, do it at a bank after
>    you arrive (and keep the receipt, or you can't convert it back to
>    dollars), and convert it back before you leave;

You get more local money if you convert your dollars *not at the bank*
(how much you want :-)

>                                                    the inflation rate
>    is something incredible.  Most things are (or were, anyhow) "really"
>    priced in dollars or other stable currency anyhow - we didn't have
>    any trouble passing dollars anywhere.

It's not so bad now. It's been a year now that the inflation rate is
really low and prices are marked in Shekels again (this ofcourse does
not say it will go on like this, even if we all hope so).

Drop by at Digital when you're here.
Nitsan

    I think you have to change money legally once to get the certificate
    you need in order to change money back when you leave.  At any rate,
    I don't like to deal with the black market, especially someone else's
    black market.

    re: .7
    
    The black market in Israel is not as bad as you might envision it.
    In fact when I used to go down Rehov Lilenblum(where it is in TA),
    I only dealt with an elderly gentleman, this guy had currency from
    all over the world, and was always interesting to talk to.
    
    David 

    A year or so ago it used to be a must... . I don't know what the
    percentage spread is now between official and Lilenblum but it may
    still be worth it just for the "flavor" of it. I'll be certain to
    drop by when I go back (in a couple of months)

    This note is, no doubt, in the wrong place; however, I could not
    find the appropriate note discussing travel.
    For those of you who are planning a trip to France this summer,etc.,
    there is a nicely produced 24-page booklet, "France For The Jewish
    Traveler", available from Air France.  It covers Paris, Strasbourg,
    Normandy and the Riviera, compiling much historical, cultural and
    travel information and listing synagogues, kosher restaurants,
    museums and memorials.  For a free copy send a stamped, self-addressed
    legal-sized envelope to FRANCE FOR THE JEWISH TRAVELER, AIR FRANCE,
    DEPT NYCDX3, 2039 9th Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.

    Bob F
        

    My family and I are planning a vaction to Israel from January 20th
    through February 5.  We will be staying in Jerusalem, Tiberias, Haifa
    and Tel Aviv.  I would very much like to meet some of the "bagelers" in
    this conference.  Where are our offices located?  Can we stop by for a
    visit?
    
    Any suggestions to help with our vacation would be very much
    appreciated.  In addition, do we have a dela for car rental.  I can get
    a Subaru 1600 throug Avis for about $350 per week.  Can we do better
    through Digital?
    
    Thanks for your help.  I look forward to meeting you.
    
    Happy Chanukah.
    
    Milt
    

    1. Digital office in Israel:
    
       Accadia Junction, Herzliya  
    
    You can see the office from the Tel-Aviv - Haifa Hwy, it is about 15
    minutes north of Tel-Aviv.
    
    2. Try to call Eldan rental company. They usually have the best rates.
       They have an 800 number located in NY.