About Israel
As the Holy Land for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, this small Middle Eastern country attracts visitors from across the world, who come to visit important religious sites. Israel, however, is also rich in scenic beauty. The state of Israel was created in 1948 after achieving independence from the United Kingdom's mandate of Palestine. Its capital is Jerusalem, and the Old City is divided into quarters that abound with cultural and religious significance. Visit the Haram esh-Sherif, or Temple Mount as it is known to Jews, and the Wailing Wall, which is a remnant of the Second Temple in the Eastern quarter; the Gulbenkian Library can be found in the so-called Armenian quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher can be found in the Northern part of the Old City. But Israel is also about modern cities, pristine beaches, and culinary delights that promise an exciting as well as an enlightening travel experience. |
Welcome to our Israel Website |
When to travel
Summers can get extremely hot, with temperatures plummeting during the winter months, and significant rainfall from November to March. It's best to travel between March (when the rains begin to subside) and July (when the temperatures start to soar to uncomfortable highs until the end of August). It's also wise to keep in mind the multiple calendars that are in operation in Israel. Before you leave, check to see which holidays fall during your trip, as these could affect prices, availability and transport. Buses do not operate between Friday and Saturday until sundown in most parts, and many shops will be closed for the Sabbath, unless they are run by Christians or Muslims. For the exact hours of the Sabbath, you can consult the Jerusalem Post newspaper when you reach the capital. |
What to pack
Pack light, comfortable clothing during the summer months; and layered, water-proof dress for the cold, rainy weather. Hats and sunglasses are a must for sun protection, and pack effective raincoats, closed shoes and sturdy umbrellas for the rainy months. Wear modest clothing when visiting religious sites - no short skirts, tank tops or uncovered shoulders (women should carry a shawl with them to cover up when necessary, or might be given a robe before entering some mosques). Men will be required to cover their heads when visiting synagogues and other Jewish sites, such as the Wailing Wall, and you will have to remove your shoes upon entry to some mosques. Pack sturdy and comfortable shoes, and take care when walking on the cobbled streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, which can become very slippery. |
Costs in Israel
The currency of Israel is the new Israel shekel (NIS), divided into 100 agorot. It is advised not to change money at Ben Gurion Airport because of its poor exchange rates, as well as at banks on Sundays, where you will be charged a very high commission rate due to the closure of world currency trade on Sunday. There are a number of ‘change' shops in city centres that offer more competitive exchange rates than banks.
There are a number of ATMS located in city centres (find out from your credit card provider about charges before you leave and if any ATM blocks have been put into place because of fraud). Israeli post offices are the best places to exchange travellers' cheques without paying commission charges. Major credit cards are another convenient way to pay for things - although always keep some cash in hand for places where credit cards are not accepted - and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely-accepted, with Diner's Club a little more troublesome to use.
Prices include 16.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) - except in Eilat - and tourists are eligible for a VAT refund provided they have asked for an official VAT refund invoice (look for stores with ‘VAT refund' stickers), which must be presented to the customs officials together with the goods purchased.
When it comes to tipping, always check to see if a service charge has been added to your restaurant bill; if not, tip between 10% to 15%. It's also good practice to tip hotel staff and to give something to tour bus drivers, although it is generally not necessary to tip taxi drivers. |
 |
|
Handy hint: Don't not accept 200 shekel notes where possible, as they cannot be easily traded, and stay well away from street dealers who try to sell you outdated notes no longer in circulation.
|
Health and Safety
Political tensions in the Middle East have led to a number of safety concerns, and it is advised to keep up-to-date with events before and during your trip. You will see guards patrolling bus stops, as well as security checks at shop, bar and restaurant entrances. Another thing to keep in mind for future travel plans is that a number of Arab countries will not allow entry into their borders if you have visited Israel; thus you can try asking officials to stamp your entry permit rather than your passport.
No vaccinations are necessary for entry into Israel, but insect repellants are recommended for travel during the late summer months. There are a number of modern hospitals and Magen David Adom clinics around Israel in case of medical emergencies. The tap water is considered safe in most parts of Israel, but the presence of certain minerals and high chlorine levels might lead to initial tummy upsets, so stick to bottled water for the duration of your stay. Wear a hat and quality sun protection cream to prevent sunstroke and sun burn, and keep well-hydrated at all times with plenty of water, especially if you are drinking coffee, tea and/or alcohol. Also take care when snorkeling - not only is it illegal to break off coral, but scraping yourself on sharp coral can lead to injuries. |
 |
What to buy
Keep in mind that some shops close between 14h00 and 15h00 on Friday for the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) and only re-open on Saturday evening after sunset. Arabic stores will be closed on Friday; and so Sunday is a major shopping day in Israel.
The little streets of Jerusalem's Old City are lined with small shops crammed with jewellery and souvenirs to remind you of your trip to the Holy Land. Dizingof Street in Tel Aviv is well-known for its designer stores, and be sure to stock up on Ahava Dead Sea body products to pamper yourself with once you return home. Zefat is a great place to purchase religious art, and it's possible to bargain with the artists here. Leather accessories are also worth buying in Israel. Remember that shopping is tax-free in Eilat, which is the perfect place to buy some great beachwear. |
Food and Drink
Kosher food is prepared according to certain dietary guidelines - ‘Kahrut' - that include the separation of milk and meat products, slaughtering beef and poultry in a pain-free way (‘shechita'), and only using utensils that have not touched non-kosher food. Not all Jewish food is kosher, though. Israeli food can be characterised by its intermingling of influences, resulting in healthy but mouthwatering meals. Tuck into Middle Eastern influenced falafel balls, made of chick peas or broad beans, and served in a pita; indulge in tasty Shawarmas, usually served in a pita with salad, pickles, Tehina and turkey meat; or sample a Sabich, introduced to Israel by Iraqi immigrants, and made with fried eggplants, egg, Tehina, salad and pickles, all served in a pita. Israelis also eat plenty of hummus with a flatbread - pita bread - as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, which are plentiful here. Lunch is generally the main meal of the day, followed by lighter dinners, but preceded by rather large breakfasts. Israelis eat eggs, veggies, olives, breads and cream cheeses for breakfast, but continental breakfasts are served in many hotels, especially the ones. Grilled meats and kebabs are often served at dinner time. Israelis also have a sweet tooth, with meals followed by (strong) coffee and cake or other sweets, such as baklava. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, there are several local beers and liqueurs to choose from, such as Arak, as well as Israeli wines, with a growing number of wine-lovers in the country. As they say in Israeli, ‘Beteavon', or bon appetite! |
Restaurants
Street foods - such as schwarmas and falafels - are not only delicious but also great value for money. Abu Shukri, near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City comes highly recommended for falafels, pita and hummus; make your way down Ben-Yehudah Street in Jerusalem to find the best fresh fruit and vegetable juices you'll ever sip; and The Jerusalem Tower Hotel offers a big breakfast at a bargain. The trendy neighbourhood around Allenby, Ha'Yarkon, Ben Yehudah and Nahalat Binyamin Streets in Tel Aviv is home to stylish bars, eateries and cafés, and are open until late. Eddie's Hideaway in Eilat is a must, with its longstanding reputation for friendly service and delicious home-style cooking that combines Israeli, American and Italian culinary influences. Eilat is also a great place to eat fresh fish. When in Haifa, do like the locals and pop into the Felafel Row for a great snack; or sample one of the many reasonably priced Arabic restaurants in the area. |
 |
| If you'd prefer to skip the restaurant scene, why not buy your own fresh produce at the colourful Mahkane Yehuda market in Jerusalem or the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv - a feast for the eyes, as well as the taste buds. And for those less experimental with food, fear not as some American fast food chains can be found here too. |
Religion
The dominant religion of Israel is Judaism, followed by Islam, then Christianity, and small group of adherents a sub-shoot of Islam - Druze - although other Muslims do not recognise this sub-shoot. The majority of Israeli Arabs are Muslim, who live mostly in the region of Galilee and Jerusalem; the rest of Israeli Arabs mainly belong to the Greek Orthodox denomination. Judaism is a monotheistic religion that can also be considered as a way of life rather than simply a set of religious beliefs and practices. The key texts in Judaism are the Talmud, the written recording of oral Jewish law; and the Torah, which is the most important document for Jews, and is written in Hebrew. It is of relevance to Christianity too, as the five books of the Torah (the ‘Tanach') - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Number and Deuteronomy - also constitute part of the Christian Bible. Like other religions, Judaism also has different branches, which emerged in the Middle Ages. Sephardic Jews can trace their origins to the Iberian peninsula, and also include the descendents of North Africa and Middle Eastern Jews, whereas Ashkenazi Jews are primarily the descendents of Jews from eastern and central Europe. The different denominations of Judaism, which have varying views of how Jews should lead their lives, include Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Humanistic Judaism and Reform Judaism among others. |
|
|
