Bird festival, Israel

For bird-watchers, the third International Hula Valley Bird Festival, organized by the Israel Ornithological Center, takes place Nov. 10-17, 2013. Visitors to the valley, which is a 2½-hour drive north of Jerusalem, have logged over 200 different bird species.

A festival package costs $2,165 per person (sharing) and includes seven nights at the Pastoral Hotel, breakfasts, dinners, guided birding tours, evening lectures and all transportation within Israel. Visit the website. 

The company Wildwings (Davis House, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, BS16 3JB, U.K.; phone 0117 9658 333) also offers a package to the festival.