Some 50,000 Israelis are expected to travel abroad for the Shavuot holiday, stretching it into a long weekend, travel agents say. Prices of package deals in shekel terms have dropped 12 percent since last Shavuot, thanks to a sharp decline in the dollar. Last year at this time the exchange rate was NIS 4.47 per dollar, according to Ronen Carasso, a marketing manager at Issta Lines.

Many people are taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate to visit the U.S. and Turkey. Primary destinations for the holiday are nearby resorts, along with East Europe and classic European spots such as Italy, Paris, and London. Charter airlines are also offering additional flights during the holiday weekend, mainly to resort areas.

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Sample packages range from $460 per person for five nights in a three-star hotel in Turkey to $500 per person for seven nights in a four-star hotel in Bulgaria and $570 for four nights in a five-star hotel in Rhodes. All packages include flights, half board, and a double room for two people.Organized tours can run, for example, at $750 per person for a week with a double room in Romania, or $900 per person for a week with a double room in Italy. Flights to Western Europe are about $400.