Destination:
Israel

Overview

Israel is a land suffused with the importance of its position, as the cradle of Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. This cultural complexity is further reflected by the diversity of its natural landscape, which varies from the salty serenity of the Dead Sea, to verdant national parks and parched desert plateaus.

Most visits to the Holy Land are ushered in with a trip to the capital city of Jerusalem. The vibrant streets bustle with the activity of modern city-dwellers and busy markets spill out onto ancient cobbled streets against a skyline of sacred sites. The modern commercial centre of Tel Aviv is dedicated to the more hedonistic pursuits of life, that come in the form of sun-drenched beaches, good restaurants, designer clothing stores and sophisticated night clubs. Sunbathing and scuba diving is the allure of the Red Sea port of Elat, while relaxation and spa resorts are a specialty of the Dead Sea experience. The Galilee area, north of Jerusalem, is the destination of pilgrims and nature-lovers alike. Its concentration of holy sites provides a fascinating visit, particularly around the azure stretches of the Sea of Galilee. The cosmopolitan reaches of the Jewish-Arab city of Haifa provide a glorious base from which to explore the Galilee area, as well as the magnificent sea grottoes of Rosh Hanikra.

Home to over 200 museums, Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the whole world - further underlining its status as one of the most culturally-rich tourist destinations on the planet - while its national parks are roundly celebrated for their accessibility and beauty, as well. Nearly 3.5 million people visited Israel on holiday last year, confirming its reputation as a chief international tourist destination.

Basics

Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz; European-style two-pin and round three-pin plugs are used.

Language
Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. Most of the population also speak English.

Health
There are no special precautions required for travel to Israel, but insect protection from August to November is recommended due to the prevalence of the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. A Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as well as a tetanus vaccine. Bird Flu has been discovered in Gaza as well as in a number of towns in Israel. The risk to travellers is very low, but close contact with live birds should be avoided, and all egg and poultry dishes should be well cooked as a precaution. Medical facilities in Israel are excellent but treatment can be very expensive, so it is essential that travellers take out full insurance.

Tipping
Tipping in Israel, according to the level of service, is expected (unless a service charge is added to the bill).

Safety
Travellers in Israel should maintain a high level of vigilance and keep up to date with developments. The risk of terrorist attacks remains high and travellers to the region, including Jerusalem, need to exercise caution particularly around locations specifically targeted by attacks in the past such as bars, nightclubs, markets and buses. Suicide bombers have targeted crowded public areas resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries over the years, and although foreigners have not been specific targets, many have been caught up in the attacks. Check with local embassies for the latest travel advisory notices. All travel to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank should be avoided. There is also a continuing threat of kidnap of foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Customs
Israel is a largely religious society and religious customs should be respected. Indecent behaviour is not tolerated and offenders will be arrested and fined heavily or imprisoned. Care should be taken not to photograph any military or police personnel or installations, and visitors should be discreet about taking photographs in Jewish Orthodox areas and of Jewish Orthodox people. It is advisable to carry official identification at all times.

Business
The majority of business in Israel is centred in Tel Aviv. Dress tends to be less formal than in the USA and Europe, but business people tend to dress in suits for important meetings or presentations so formal attire is recommended. Women should dress more conservatively, especially in strictly religious areas. Business cards are usually exchanged, though with little formality involved. Meetings often do not begin promptly and much time can be given to socialising. Business hours are usually from 8.30am to 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and on Friday mornings. Sundays are regarded as a normal business day.

Communications
The international access code for Israel is +972. The outgoing code is 00 (not from public phones) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are other outgoing codes depending on which network is used to dial out on. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)2 for Jerusalem. Public phones are card operated and are readily available, and instruction cards state whether to dial 012, 013 or 014 for overseas. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators; otherwise mobile phones can easily be rented. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and tourist areas all over Israel.

Duty Free
Travellers to Israel do not have to pay duty on 250 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products; 2 litres wine and 1 litre of other types of alcoholic beverages; 250ml of eau de cologne or perfume; and gifts to the value of US$150 for residents and US$125 for non-residents. Prohibited items include fresh meat and fresh fruit (especially from South Africa).

Currency

The Israeli Shekel (ILS) is divided into 100 agorot (singular is agora). Money can be changed in the small exchange bureaux found on most main streets, or at banks and hotels. ATMs are prevalent throughout the country and linked to American systems. Most banks are open Sunday through to Friday until noon, and are open again from 4pm till 6pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, though commission on these is high.

ILS 1 =

US$ 0.26

£ 0.17

C$ 0.26

A$ 0.25

R 2.19

EUR 0.20

NZ$ 0.33

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
There are no special precautions required for travel to Israel, but insect protection from August to November is recommended due to the prevalence of the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. A Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as well as a tetanus vaccine. Bird Flu has been discovered in Gaza as well as in a number of towns in Israel. The risk to travellers is very low, but close contact with live birds should be avoided, and all egg and poultry dishes should be well cooked as a precaution. Medical facilities in Israel are excellent but treatment can be very expensive, so it is essential that travellers take out full insurance.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
All foreign passengers to Israel must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country. Additionally, visitors should hold return/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. Note that holders of a visa category "Aliyah" are allowed to enter Israel on a one-way ticket. Passengers intending to proceed from Israel to Arab countries other than Egypt, Jordan or the United Arab Emirates should ensure that their passport does not contain an Israeli visa or stamps, since no passenger is allowed to enter other Arab countries with such passports. Passengers who, after a three months' stay in Israel are permitted to stay for a longer period, will obtain the extension stamp in their passport - it is NOT possible to have it stamped on a separate sheet. Note that travellers may enter Jordan directly from occupied territory, but must hold a visa for Jordan (to be obtained from a representation of Jordan abroad), otherwise entry will be refused. The Jordanian authorities will NOT permit re-cross to occupied territory. Travellers may also enter occupied territory directly from Jordan. The Israeli authorities will permit a re-cross to Jordanian territory. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Israel Tourism
Israeli Tourist Office: +972 (0)2 625 8844 or www.goisrael.com

Foreign Embassies in Israel

Israel Embassies

Regions and Cities

Haifa

The largest city in northern Israel, Haifa is an attractive seaport and one of the most culturally mixed and cosmopolitan cities in the country. The Israeli saying 'Haifa works, Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv plays' gestures toward the city's blue-collar roots - however, in the 1950s a concerted effort was made to make Haifa more culturally sophisticated, with the Haifa Theatre, the Krieger Centre for Performing Arts and the Ein Hod artists' colony being established. Haifa also hosts an annual (and well-attended) International Film Festival, and the Haifa Rock and Blues Festival, which has attracted performers of genuine calibre over the years (such as Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, to name a few). The majority of visitors to Haifa go there for the amazing gardens of the Baha'í World Centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), although there are numerous other excellent sights in Haifa, including a wealth of museums, gorgeous temples and mosques, and sunny, child-friendly beaches. For those fascinated with biblical history, Tel Megiddo ('Armageddon' in Ancient Greek) - the supposed site of the end of the world - is located about 20 miles (32km) southwest of Haifa.

Jerusalem

Israel's capital city occupies an important place in the hearts and minds of Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. The walled section comprising the Old City of Jerusalem is an area rich in the historical traditions of these three religions. It is home to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The Western Wall provides the focal point for Jewish worship and stands as an enduring symbol of the Jewish homeland.

The Old City can be accessed through seven of the eight gates punctuating the ancient walls enveloping it. Within these walls are the separate quarters of the Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian communities. A dazzling array of merchandise can be purchased from the lively Arab souk(open-air market), and meandering through the narrow corridors and cobbled pavements of the ancient centre inevitably provides a feast of sensations.

For an orientation of the Old City it is best to set off along the Ramparts Walk, originally designed for watchmen, or to climb the Citadel of David for a panoramic vista of the eternally fascinating city of Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a vibrant modern city that is best known for its sun-drenched beaches, pumping nightclubs, designer shopping, crowded street markets and high culture. What it lacks in antiquities, Tel Aviv makes up for in commerce. One third of Israel's population have made this bustling metropolis home. Over weekends, residents from nearby towns head to Tel Aviv looking for entertainment and relaxation and city-slickers spill out onto the city's beaches to soak up the Mediterranean sun along a six-mile (10km) stretch of golden sand. The diversity of the population is reflected in the architectural variations and influences, such as the Yemenite Quarter and the Vodka cafes of Allenby Street. Tel Aviv also provides an ideal base from which to explore other parts of Israel, including Jaffa, the Galilee area and Caesarea.

Galilee

The Galilee is Israel's most fertile region, with an abundance of valleys, forests and farmlands. Tourists are drawn to the recreational pursuits and historical attractions associated with the area. Lake Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee) is an area closely associated with the life and times of Jesus, making it a religious centre for both Christians and Jews - and the area is full of religious shrines and historical sites of interest. The city of Tiberias was built in honour of the Roman Emperor after which it was named and has played an integral role in the history of the Jews. Not only did it serve as an important spiritual centre and as the site of the compilation of the Talmud, early pioneers also established some of Israel's first kibbutzim(collective farms) around Tiberias. Today it is a popular vacation spot, offering year-round water activities, hot springs, health resorts and magnificent national parks.