Israel (Away) Sat 26th Mar 05

[Beavis]

No its new AFAIK.Everything seems to be in order so far though,received confirmation and receipt very quickly.
Is it sometimes risky going with a new company?

[IsMiseSean]

Anyone know of other package deals?
I'm still undecided on going!

[ACdub]

As long as the operator is bonded your money is safe, if in doubt ask for proof of bonding etc!!

[Cowboy]

As long as the operator is bonded your money is safe, if in doubt ask for proof of bonding etc!!

Thanks for that but the other issue for me is the travel agency cancelling the trip when its already too late to make other arrangements. This has happened before

[Cowboy]

No way round this ............. :rolleyes: Blame A.Sharon,G.W.Bush.....Hamas & Fatah......etc ;)

well actually I was referring to agencies who cancelled because they did not get sufficient numbers but who maintained right up until the last minute that there was no problem.

[Green Tribe]

hi folks! hope you are all keeping well, this site is great, just joined, i have been reading all the comments on the site that i have missed, seems like there are a great bunch of decent football supporters who represent ireland... :D i need some help or advice, i really want to go to the israel game (maybe i need locking up :cool: ) but nobody i know will go cos of the security and cos of other travel plans at easter. are there many people actually going? will any group of people going be willing to take me under their wing? :rolleyes: the atmosphere in paris was fascinating, i wish i had been there. we need to create the best and noisiest atmosphere we can in israel and support our boys as i think it will be a tough game, perhaps intimidating, as israel are doing well in the group, they will have extra support from fans that don't usually bother going. it was so disappointing missing out on euro 04, we have to get to deutschland!!! if anyone can help, please reply.
thanks :)

[Eldad]

I read in a local newspaper here in TA that the municipality plan to put a many flags of Ireland along the tourism sites in the beach of Tel-aviv!

We realy want you to come visit here!

[gspain]

well actually I was referring to agencies who cancelled because they did not get sufficient numbers but who maintained right up until the last minute that there was no problem.

Exactly - should be a law against it. I had 2 trips to Albania 03 cancelled - 2nd one a matter of days beforehand. Even offered to help sell the 2nd one for them but they didn't want to know.

My mates were bumped off a Tbilisi - Tirana flight when already in Tbilisi. Luckily for them they had bought return flights from London (cheaper than a single) so they weren't stranded there.

Nearly always much cheaper to avoid those guys unless you can only go for a day trip.

[DonegalDub]

I read in a local newspaper here in TA that the municipality plan to put a many flags of Ireland along the tourism sites in the beach of Tel-aviv!

We realy want you to come visit here!

Looks like your the local info. head for Israel! How bout giving us tips and do's/dont's for our visit there? Like PTEGAN did for Paris? (www.travellinggreens.com)

Any local knowledge is always great for the Green guys in the Green army!

[Eldad]

Looks like your the local info. head for Israel! How bout giving us tips and do's/dont's for our visit there? Like PTEGAN did for Paris? (www.travellinggreens.com)

Any local knowledge is always great for the Green guys in the Green army!

I live in TA and I'm a supporter of Ireland...
Ask me anything you want to know!

Also you can read this thread, I have written some tips here.

[Beavis]

hi folks! hope you are all keeping well, this site is great, just joined, i have been reading all the comments on the site that i have missed, seems like there are a great bunch of decent football supporters who represent ireland... i need some help or advice, i really want to go to the israel game (maybe i need locking up ) but nobody i know will go cos of the security and cos of other travel plans at easter. are there many people actually going? will any group of people going be willing to take me under their wing? the atmosphere in paris was fascinating, i wish i had been there. we need to create the best and noisiest atmosphere we can in israel and support our boys as i think it will be a tough game, perhaps intimidating, as israel are doing well in the group, they will have extra support from fans that don't usually bother going. it was so disappointing missing out on euro 04, we have to get to deutschland!!! if anyone can help, please reply.
thanks
If you travel with this www.standupfortheboysingreen.com company(although i'm starting to get a bit worried after hearing garys horror stories :( ) your welcome to join us.Even if not we'd meet you on the town if preferable.Theres only two so,we could use a drinking companion. But no pioneers please, they make me feel guilty :o ;)

[soylent green]

Anyone know of other package deals?
I'm still undecided on going!

Stephens Green Classic Sports Travel

World Cup Qualifier

ISRAEL
V
Rep. of IRELAND

Tel Aviv – Sat.26th March
SPECIAL 3 Night Tour

DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHT DEPARTS;
Thursday 24th Mar – Dublin 7.00 am
Sunday 27th Mar – Tel Aviv 5.00 pm

*Four Star Hotel Basel - € 769.00 *
*Five Star Hotel Sheraton - € 829.00*
* Guaranteed Match Tickets included*
*All Transfers Airport /Hotel/Stadium*


Notes; Prices based on 2 sharing / Single Room € 89.00 p.n extra / Tax €87.00 / Insurance € 39.00

Excursions Available
Friday 25th Mar – Full day tour to Jerusalem (with guide) € 49.00 pp
Friday 25th Mar – Full day tour to Nazereth (with guide) € 59.00 pp

Call for brochure;
STEPHENS GREEN CLASSIC SPORTS TRAVEL
2 Rampart Lane , Donnybrook , Dublin 4.
Tel; 2837900 Fax; 2602435
Email sports@dkt.ie

Or Celtic Horizon Tours

http://www.celtichorizontours.com/celtichorizon/Main/Product.asp?iEventID=628

[Green Tribe]

thanks for your kind reply, no worries, i am not a pioneer!! :D still not sure whether to book the trip now incase it gets moved canx etc, have the agency told u about such a situation? i might leave it a while, but i will let you know if i will become your new drinking companion... hey anyone else going with standupfortheboysingreen.....? :D

[Green Tribe]

just wanted to say thanks to eldad, your comments have been very helpful, glad they are looking forward to ireland's invasion.... :D

[Eldad]

BTW, I give you a very useful link: http://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/english/home.asp

That is a website of city of Tel Aviv, in English!

[Green Tribe]

thanks again, should be handy, do u know the marina hotel, it looks nice on website, what is the area like? :eek:

[Eldad]

thanks again, should be handy, do u know the marina hotel, it looks nice on website, what is the area like? :eek:

I have never been in this hotel, but it is located in Hayarkon St which is the area of tourism. That's a good place very close to beach and Ben Yehuda St where many pubs are based.

[Green Tribe]

lovely-jubbly, can imagine the sea turning green with us all swimming about :D sounds like a good location. pubs, hmmm, beach hmmm... :cool: again, if anyone can say for sure that they are going with standupfortheboysingreen, it would help, i think some people are anxious to know if it will be full/half empty plane...? cheers

[IsMiseSean]

Thanks for the links. I want to go badly, but I dont want to go on my own, I need to convince one of my mates to come along!

[Green Tribe]

hey mr galway! , i can't get anyone to go with me either as they are sh*tting themselves cos of location. beavis has offered to befriend me :D him and friend have already booked, i haven't yet, if u are stuck and really want to go let me/us know, sorry beavis if u were drunk when u offered, maybe now u r regretting it :p ha ha. :ball:

[Green Tribe]

this was on the pples flag website, i am tempted to go for standupfortheboysingreen. beavis mentioned it b4. i just hop the price comes down further.... i imagine they will fill the plane no prob. http://www.thepeoplesflag.com/web/messageboard.asp any updates on plans??? :D

[IsMiseSean]

Thanks for the offer Mr. N.Ireland. I have kinda convinced one of mates to come along, if we go we'll get the 'standupfortheboysingreen' tour. It seems a reasonable price!

[Green Tribe]

good, looks like israel will be more popular than thought. ps i am not a mr. :D :eek: :D

[Eldad]

Can someone guess how many people have already booked for Israel game?
Or how many supporters will come to Tel-Aviv?

[Green Tribe]

hey eldad! i think there will be more than expected, the group is tight, we need all the support we can get, unfortunately there are 4 teams on 8 points(assuming switzerland win their game in hand) i cannot believe we r in with those jammy swiss knobs again. :eek: what's the word over in ur place are many people talking about it.?

[exile]

this makes for interesting reading from the sunday independent


CONAL URQUHART

IN TEL AVIV


THEY are already calling it Operation Green Invasion. Israeli authorities are bracing themselves for the largest influx of sports fans in their history when Irish football fans arrive next year.

The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv informed local authorities two weeks ago that they could expect at least 15,000 fans for the Ireland-Israel World Cup qualifier although that figure could double.

The Tel Aviv municipality was shocked because since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, it has never had such a large influx of sports fans - for anything.

Kobby Barda, a spokesman for Tel Aviv council said: "The moment we realised how many fans were going to come we decided it was a great opportunity to show the positive side of Israel so we formulated an action plan which we called Operation Green Invasion."

Council officials are engaged in discussion with hotels, travel agents and airlines to guarantee good prices for Irish fans who want to visit Israel for the match.

Economic factors currently favour Irish fans. The Israeli shekel, which is linked to the US dollar, is currently very weak against the euro.

The rate last week was 5.6 shekels to the Euro which makes a pint of Guiness at Tel Aviv's Irish pub, Molly Blooms, €4.1 (23 shekels) but in most other bars a pint of lager costs €3.2 (18 shekels). Tourism in Israel has been blighted by terrorism since the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000.

The country became a byword for suicide bombings but in the last year the incidence of bombings has been reduced massively. It is expected that next year the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain calm as the Palestinians adjust to life after the death of Yasser Arafat.

Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected to become the next Palestinian leader after elections in January 9, vowed last week to halt all violence. Meanwhile, Israeli politics next year is likely to be dominated by internal disputes.

The match on March 26 takes place on Easter weekend which coincides with the Jewish festival of Purim - the biggest celebration in the Israeli year when the Jews celebrate their escape from attack in Babylon more than 2,000 years ago.

I Kobby Barda said: "This is like nothing we have experienced before. Ireland is a big market and we want to take advantage of this situation and find out more about it. We want to lay out some very warm Israeli hospitality."

He said that the council was working on a series of measures to encourage Irish fans to visit and ways to make their stay more interesting and economical.

These include: a special English edition of the Time Out listings magazine for Irish fans which will be available on flights and at hotels free of charge; Irish tricolours will be flying on lampposts from the seafront to the stadium; 50 billboards welcoming Irish fans; free guided tours around Tel Aviv and Jaffa; a massive open air party on the Friday before the game.

In addition, the council is in discussion with hoteliers, airlines and travel agencies to make travel and accommodation cheaper for fans.

"We are extremely excited at the prospect. We know of the reputation of Irish fans so we want to make their stay as good as possible," said Barda.

Irish fans can expect a host of attractions in Tel Aviv. The city is built on the beach and summer begins in March. There are no restrictions on drinking or smoking. It is possible to eat and drink 24 hours a day.

For those interested in history and politics, Jerusalem is just a 50-minute drive, and the Palestinian cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem are a short distance beyond.

Robert Segal, a Dubliner who opened Molly Blooms four years ago, said he was overjoyed when Israel were placed in the same group as Ireland. "I have followed Ireland all over the world and it's fantastic they are coming here.

"There's a lot of anti-Israeli sentiment in Ireland and this is an opportunity for people to see that there's more to this place than conflict.

"I have had friends calling me non-stop from Ireland inquiring about tickets and accomodation."

Etty Gargir, the director of the Association for Tourism in Tel Aviv and Jaffa said: "There is something for people of every budget here."

[GalwayFrancis]

this makes for interesting reading from the sunday independent


CONAL URQUHART

IN TEL AVIV


THEY are already calling it Operation Green Invasion. Israeli authorities are bracing themselves for the largest influx of sports fans in their history when Irish football fans arrive next year.

The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv informed local authorities two weeks ago that they could expect at least 15,000 fans for the Ireland-Israel World Cup qualifier although that figure could double.

The Tel Aviv municipality was shocked because since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, it has never had such a large influx of sports fans - for anything.

Kobby Barda, a spokesman for Tel Aviv council said: "The moment we realised how many fans were going to come we decided it was a great opportunity to show the positive side of Israel so we formulated an action plan which we called Operation Green Invasion."

Council officials are engaged in discussion with hotels, travel agents and airlines to guarantee good prices for Irish fans who want to visit Israel for the match.

Economic factors currently favour Irish fans. The Israeli shekel, which is linked to the US dollar, is currently very weak against the euro.

The rate last week was 5.6 shekels to the Euro which makes a pint of Guiness at Tel Aviv's Irish pub, Molly Blooms, €4.1 (23 shekels) but in most other bars a pint of lager costs €3.2 (18 shekels). Tourism in Israel has been blighted by terrorism since the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000.

The country became a byword for suicide bombings but in the last year the incidence of bombings has been reduced massively. It is expected that next year the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain calm as the Palestinians adjust to life after the death of Yasser Arafat.

Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected to become the next Palestinian leader after elections in January 9, vowed last week to halt all violence. Meanwhile, Israeli politics next year is likely to be dominated by internal disputes.

The match on March 26 takes place on Easter weekend which coincides with the Jewish festival of Purim - the biggest celebration in the Israeli year when the Jews celebrate their escape from attack in Babylon more than 2,000 years ago.

I Kobby Barda said: "This is like nothing we have experienced before. Ireland is a big market and we want to take advantage of this situation and find out more about it. We want to lay out some very warm Israeli hospitality."

He said that the council was working on a series of measures to encourage Irish fans to visit and ways to make their stay more interesting and economical.

These include: a special English edition of the Time Out listings magazine for Irish fans which will be available on flights and at hotels free of charge; Irish tricolours will be flying on lampposts from the seafront to the stadium; 50 billboards welcoming Irish fans; free guided tours around Tel Aviv and Jaffa; a massive open air party on the Friday before the game.

In addition, the council is in discussion with hoteliers, airlines and travel agencies to make travel and accommodation cheaper for fans.

"We are extremely excited at the prospect. We know of the reputation of Irish fans so we want to make their stay as good as possible," said Barda.

Irish fans can expect a host of attractions in Tel Aviv. The city is built on the beach and summer begins in March. There are no restrictions on drinking or smoking. It is possible to eat and drink 24 hours a day.

For those interested in history and politics, Jerusalem is just a 50-minute drive, and the Palestinian cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem are a short distance beyond.

Robert Segal, a Dubliner who opened Molly Blooms four years ago, said he was overjoyed when Israel were placed in the same group as Ireland. "I have followed Ireland all over the world and it's fantastic they are coming here.

"There's a lot of anti-Israeli sentiment in Ireland and this is an opportunity for people to see that there's more to this place than conflict.

"I have had friends calling me non-stop from Ireland inquiring about tickets and accomodation."

Etty Gargir, the director of the Association for Tourism in Tel Aviv and Jaffa said: "There is something for people of every budget here."


good damn, i wish i wasnt in leaving cert, otherwise i would be there.

[IsMiseSean]

I hope 15,000 fans travel, but I doubt there will be that many going over. Does anyone know how many tickets will be made available to the FAI?

[Eldad]

I hope 15,000 fans travel, but I doubt there will be that many going over. Does anyone know how many tickets will be made available to the FAI?
About 5,000 tickets... but more tickets are possible if the IFA will open a stand behind the goal (only for this game) that police usually doesn't permit to open it.

[Beavis]

Unfortunately the Israeli officials are going to get quite a shock when nowhere near 15k show up.We appreciate the effort but people aren't keen on going.The Swiss brought less than 50 people and although we'll be in much greater force,there'll be no major invasion like the French game.

[Hibs4Ever]

Have to agree with Beavis. The next big one is definitely going to be Cyprus, then GERMANY :)

[fbtn]

What airlines, hotels etc are going to be cheap then? According to that article they will be in contact with travel agents etc.

If this trip can be done cheapo I would definitely go - but I've the missus and kid to take to Disneyworld in the summer before my week in Ayia Napa :D

I'd say the tickets shouldn't represent a problem because there is no way there will be 15000 going.

Anyone any ideas on how cheap this can be done?

[soylent green]

Another travel agent option for a four nite trip:

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

ISRAEL .v. IRELAND
TEL AVIV
26TH MARCH 2005


FLIGHT DETAILS
24TH MARCH
DUBLIN – TEL AVIV
28TH MARCH
TEL AVIV – DUBLIN
TIMES TO BE ADVISED


HOTELS (BASED IN TEL AVIV):
TWIN/DBL SINGLE SUPP.
3 STAR BASIC (CENTER HOTEL) - €699 €100
3 STAR TOURIST (MAXIM or SEANET HOTELS) - €710 €100
3 STAR SUPERIOR (TAL or CITY HOTELS) - €725 €120
4 STAR (METROPOLITAN or BASEL HOTELS) - €740 €125
4 STAR SUPERIOR
(CROWNE PLAZA or RENAISSANCE HOTELS) - €810 €180
5 STAR
(SHERATON or DAVID INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS) €860 €205

COST INCLUDES:-
· CHARTER FLIGHTS DUBLIN – TEL AVIV
· HOTEL ACCOMMODATION SHARING A TWIN ROOM
· RETURN TRANSFERS FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL
· RETURN TRANSFERS FROM HOTEL TO STADIUM

FLIGHT ONLY - €549.00

EXTRAS:
MATCH TICKETS – ON REQUEST. PRICES TO BE CONFIRMED
AIRPORT TAXES – APPROX. 50 EURO
INSURANCE – 25 EURO (up to 67years)


NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT €150.00 PER PERSON


DATE: 30/11/04

[fbtn]

Cheers.

I'll be doing well to catch this one as well.

[magic]

Any Egypt-based fans planning to travel to the match? Am due to be in Cairo in March and keen to find out if a journey from there to Tel Aviv is realistic without breaking the bank or trekking across the Sinai for 40 years.

[Eldad]

Any Egypt-based fans planning to travel to the match? Am due to be in Cairo in March and keen to find out if a journey from there to Tel Aviv is realistic without breaking the bank or trekking across the Sinai for 40 years.

You've two options:

1) El-Al Israeli airlines fly from Cairo to Tel-Aviv.

2) Go by local Egyption transportation to Taba border-cross, that's located near Israeli town of Eilat, which is a very touristic place!
From there bus line #394 is available to Tel-aviv, or domestic flights to Tel-Aviv's Sde-Dov airport & Ben-Gurion Airport, which is about 4-5 times more exspensive than bus.

[the_bonk]

First of all i would like to say i'm from Israel.
Second is that my english is only 'ok' .

I read thw whole topic ( took me some time :-) ) and i would like to comment on some things:
1. If you are REALLY planing to bring a palenstienien ( im sure i have a mistake spelling this word :-) ) flag, so i have to say the police will not take you and your not going to jail . BUT i think it won't be nice to go around it on the streets.
2. The 'situation' here is getting better and im not saying that you will come here. Tel Aviv is safe and you will be suprised and look back at your review at Israel after you visit here.
3. IMO you will have a great time here. The city is CLOSEING one of the main street's for you - Hayarkon street , the street were all of the hotels are. what do i mean by that?? That you could just hang around with no traffic. the weather will be great here and you should bring swimsuits with you IMO .
4. There is a new 'trend' in Israel now....Irish pub's ( Im not kidding ) . I know at least 5 of them . So on friday night you will have what to do here + if you are 18-30 years old , at tha wekkend it's Purim and everyone is dressed funny and having parties EVERWHERE.
5. Noone in Israel really believes that 15,000 of you will come. The truth is that the expectation is that you will bring here 4,000-5,000 .

I'm not a traval agent and not anything like that and not trying to fool you or giving you.... I just want to help you. As eldad did great until now.

P.S - I would like just to say another sentence about the situation.
I UNDERSTAND why some of you won't come to Israel because of the situation , but i have to say : what you see on TV is not what happens here. We have a normal life like as you people have, we are not scared to hang around or something like that. You should ask your friend eldad that says he is Irish , so he has no motives to say how 'great' Israel is , and i believe that his answer would be that NOW its safe ( 3 years ago i wouldnt say that , but the situation is MUCH better ).

If you want to say/ask something.....i'm here

[lopez]

Shalom TB. Good first post. Don't think anyone going to Israel will be that stupid to bring along a Palestinian flag to the game even if the police are going to put any such display down to 'free speech.' Sadly I won't be going (went there in 1984) but that's down to money and my wife Conchita, not the place being 'unsafe'. As has been shown over the past few days, natural disasters are the biggest killers, and the threat of an earthquake didn't stop the Irish going to Japan.

By the way, what's with the name? Bit of a 'rude' word in English. :D

[the_bonk]

By the way, I dont know for sure but i think that your currency is Euro.
If so , you have a huge advantage if i could discribe it like that...
In Israel it goes: 1 Euro = 5.8 NIS ( around this price ) . So everything in Israel will be not cost alot for you people.
For example the train from the airport ( We have a new airport, a modern one opened a month ago - thank god ) to Tel Aviv will cost you about 1.5 Euro's but with a taxi a least 15 Euro's . Ask me for 'items' that you want to know how much they cost here in Israel.
As for the name....
My friends gave me this weird nickname : bonke , dosn't mean anything just sounds like Yonke that is a from my name : Yoni .
Bonke-----> the_bonk

LOL what does it mean in English?! :-)

P.S- Ask all of the questions you want

[the_bonk]

Ohh , I forgot an importent thing a wanted to ask you people.
Do you know in which gates will you be in?!
I REALLY hope your not going to say 5-7 or 17-18!!!!!!!!!
If so.....Im sad for you!!
These are the worst gates in the stadium .

[lopez]

My friends gave me this weird nickname : bonke , dosn't mean anything just sounds like Yonke that is a from my name : Yoni .
Bonke-----> the_bonk

LOL what does it mean in English?! :-) :eek: According to the Collins English dictionary 'Bonk' means '1. to hit. 2. to have sexual intercourse (with).' Also 'Bonkbuster' means 'a novel characterised by graphic descriptions of the heroine's frequent sexual encounters' (eg. anything by Jackie Collins).

[the_bonk]

:eek: According to the Collins English dictionary 'Bonk' means '1. to hit. 2. to have sexual intercourse (with).' Also 'Bonkbuster' means 'a novel characterised by graphic descriptions of the heroine's frequent sexual encounters' (eg. anything by Jackie Collins).

LOL i hade no clue.....
Can i change it?

[lopez]

You could, but you'll always be remembered for it. On the other hand it sounds like 'you are 'the bonk'' - sort of God's gift to all of Israel's women,;) presuming of course you are a man that is - not the first time that mistake has been made on here. :D

[the_bonk]

You could, but you'll always be remembered for it. On the other hand it sounds like 'you are 'the bonk'' - sort of God's gift to all of Israel's women,;) presuming of course you are a man that is - not the first time that mistake has been made on here. :D

LOL yes i am a man.

[the_bonk]

WTF how do you know him/her?
LOL :D

[lopez]

WTF how do you know him/her?
LOL :DAhem...some of us are BIG fans of the Eurovision song Contest. :eek: :o

[the_bonk]

Ahem...some of us are BIG fans of the Eurovision song Contest. :eek: :o

Is this a topic about Eurovision singers?
:D

[Eldad]

Is this a topic about Eurovision singers?
:D

Don't start with discussion about the Eurovision song contest, because everybody here can tell you everything you didn't know about Johnny Logan...

[Duncan Gardner]

Ahem...some of us are BIG fans of the Eurovision song Contest. :eek: :o

After my 'performance' on the MV Melodika while crossing the Baltic on holiday last term, I'm in line for Estonia's gig in this year's contest. Only three people threw themselves overboard...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/otfmembers/detail?.dir=564d&.dnm=a62f.jpg&.src=ph

[lopez]

After my 'performance' on the MV Melodika while crossing the Baltic on holiday last term, I'm in line for Estonia's gig in this year's contest. Only three people threw themselves overboard...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/otfmembers/detail?.dir=564d&.dnm=a62f.jpg&.src=phHave you seen the company you are keeping on that link. The photo after you is of a cow :confused: , while the previous one looks like he's the lead singer of some group called 'Nerdsworld.' He's definitely not the cooooooooolest guy I've ever seen. Are there any photos of the li'l Buddha's excursion to New Zealand?