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Accommodation Options on Your Holy Land Trip

Since my goal is to get you over to Israel, it might be a good idea if I go through some of the accommodation options available on your trip to Israel. Basically, you have the following three options:

* Hotel

* Guest House (Bed & Breakfast)

* Hostel (& Budget accommodation)

Hotels in Israel Israel has some mighty fine hotels these days, and caters for all tastes and budgets. I won’t be recommending any particular hotel, but after some extensive research (unfortunately that research hasn’t meant sleeping in some of Israel’s tastiest hotels…though we have managed to grab a night or two in some of them over the years) I’ve come to the conclusion that a hotel review site such as hotel.info will probably provide you with some of the best Israel hotel deals out there on the Web.

Israel does have the usual international big players, so if you’re used to that level of hotel, I’d say stick with it. What could be more of a risk, but an interesting risk, is a stay at one of the boutique hotels that have recently been popping up throughout Israel, especially in Tel Aviv. Google and enjoy!

Guest Houses in Israel Israel has a number of great guest houses, some of which you can find on a kibbutz, most however, are privately owned. These bed and breakfast type places can be found all over the country, but in the North are particularly popular for Israelis looking for a short weekend break. Prices can range from 250 shekels per night for something very basic, to 1000 shekels plus per night for a bit of luxury. These guest house/B&B places are often known by the name Zimmer.

Our own personal recommendations for guest houses are to visit the north, and in particular to check out the moshavs Amirim and Had Ness. You also can’t go wrong in Rosh Pina, a small town with amazing views over the Galilee.

Hostels in Israel Israel also has some great budget accommodation, ranging from dorm beds in Christian youth hostels, to private rooms in hostels just a step away from the beaches of Tel Aviv. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing hostel life, and, in the right place, it can take your trip to another level. You get to meet up with other travellers from all over the world, people often looking for the same experiences and fun.

One hostel we know from our (very) early days in Israel and that we can heartily recommend for that backpack/traveller experience: the Old Jaffa Hostel in Tel Aviv/Jaffa. Unique atmosphere and still charming, by all accounts.

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How to Master Intercultural Communication

Interacting with people from other cultures can be fascinating. Whether you are abroad or on home turf, you are often exposed to new and fascinating ways of doing things. If you are about to take a trip to another country, it is a good idea to brush up on the culture and traditions in advance of your departure. This can be instrumental in avoiding potential miscommunication. If you are dealing with people from many cultures on a routine basis, some fundamental information about value systems and how people relate in certain parts of the world can be invaluable. It will help you know how to interact in an appropriate way. Concentrating on five basic categories will give you a running start when interacting with individuals from other cultures.

INDIVIDUALISTIC and COLLECTIVISTIC CULTURES

Individualistic Cultures foster individualism and focus on individual goals.
There is a preference for ‘equal’ relationships, and behavior cannot be predicted from group memberships. Representative Cultures: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States.

Collectivistic Cultures focus on group goals. There is strong emphasis on traditions and conformity. Representative Cultures: Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Guatemala, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

MASCULINE and FEMININE CULTURES

Masculine Cultures have differentiated gender roles and are characterized by power, assertiveness and performance. Representative Cultures: Arab cultures, Austria, Germany, Italy,Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland and Venezuela.

Feminine Cultures value quality of life and service. Sex roles are androgynous. Feminine cultures have overlapping gender roles. Representative Cultures: Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, East African cultures, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Thailand.

LOW and HIGH POWER DISTANCE CULTURES

With Low Power Distance Cultures, individuals are viewed as equals. Emphasis is placed on legitimate power. Superiors and subordinates are interdependent. Representative Cultures: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States.

With High Power Distance Cultures, individuals are seen as unequal. Subordinates
are dependent on those above them. Representative Cultures: Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Panama, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

LOW and HIGH UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE CULTURES

Low Uncertainty Avoidance Cultures are characterized by low stress and anxiety. Dissent is acceptable. There is a high level of risk taking. Uncertainty is OK. Representative Cultures: Canada, Denmark, England, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Sweden and the United States.

High Uncertainty Avoidance Cultures are characterized by high stress and anxiety. There is a strong desire for agreement. People do not like to take risks. Representative Cultures: Egypt, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, France, Greece, Japan and Mexico.

LOW CONTEXT and HIGH CONTEXT COMMUNICATION

High Content/Low Context Messages are direct and clear with most of the message explicit in the code. This form predominates in individualistic cultures.

High Context/Low Content Messages are indirect and ambiguous. Most of the information is internalized in the person or his surroundings. This form is found more typically in collectivistic cultures.

Be aware of cultural differences and how they should impact your communication. When you’re not sure how to proceed, be respectful. That goes a long way in successfully establishing relationships.

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Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Family Adventure Holiday This Year

Planning a holiday with the family is always an adventure in itself and can be a lot of fun if planned methodologically. Perhaps the most important decision you can make for an interesting and exciting break is choosing the right holiday plan that keeps everyone suitably entertained and relaxed.

As seen in travel brochures or on the Internet, there are heaps of options available for one. Many tour companies today offer special adventure holidays for families; typically where small groups can enjoy outdoor activities like rafting, bungee jumping, cycling and climbing, etc., while others can focus on cultural interests.

Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities offered in activity holidays. In this feature, we have shared with you the top 5 reasons to choose a family adventure holiday this year:

1. Cost and Quality: With Family adventure holidays you get what you pay for. Tour companies offer quality holidays with minimal time wasted or organisational hassles. They will do the groundwork for you and find out the best spots to visit. Your holiday will be fun with no hassle and no worries. A family adventure holiday is sure to provide a memorable trip and can be done at budget and time to suit your needs.

2. No Brainstorming for Planning is Involved: When you opt for a family adventure holiday, the burden of planning every last detail is put on the shoulders of the professionals because the itinerary of such trips is set prior to the departure. You can enjoy your holiday with your family without any stress of mapping out every intricate detail and can immerse yourself completely in the joy of boating, kayaking, climbing, rafting or hiking as you see fit.

3. Enjoy Adventure without Stress or Danger: Many at times, when you are on holiday, the activities that are the part of your trip might involve danger with it. Though the danger that is involved is lifted and the professionals have accounted for every circumstance to let you experience a stress free and danger-free holiday. The most exciting thing to takeaway is the huge number of incredible memories that you can keep with you forever, while others can only dream about it.

4. Kids Get to Learn: In a family adventure holiday, many activities are meant for adults as well as kids. Allowing children to participate in the activity together with their parents. In other holiday packages, kids are sent to the kids group and are only confined to the activities that are meant purely for them. While in a family adventure holiday, they spend time with the family and get an opportunity to learn and strengthen bonding with their parents.

5. Lets You do Something that You Love: As there are several activity holidays options available with various adventure activities are a part of it, people usually choose an adventure holiday based on these activities. If you are an adventurous and active sort of person, choose a holiday package that involves the activities of your preference. Kayaking, climbing, rafting and mountain-biking in new lands are all examples of popular adventure holidays that you will love.

When taking your family on an adventure holiday, you can widen your horizons quite a bit as planning such types of holidays can be a journey in itself. All that discussing, researching, packing, getting ready and hard work will however be paid off many times over and make for the most memorable life experiences.