General Info

Archaeological digs
You can participate in an archaeological dig in Israel.

Banking
Each bank has different hours of operation. However, most banks are open Sunday – Friday 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

Car Rental
Renting a car is more expensive than in North America or Europe. You’ll get the best deal if you rent for a week or a month. If you are more than four people you will probably need a van.

Cell Phones
Mobile telephones are widely used throughout Israel. There are three providers of service. Coverage is generally good. You can rent one prior to departure in the USA, upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport or via the concierge at major hotels in the large cities

Climate
For about eight months of the year Israel revels in warm and sunny weather. Winter rains fall between December and March, sometimes even in April, usually in storms of two or three days duration, with bright, mild intervals. It is difficult to state the average annual rainfall, for there are great variations, with northern Israel enjoying over 32 inches of rain every year, while the amount decreases as you travel south until in Eilat it is barely 1 inch.
Clothing
Modest clothing is required for most holy sites. For men – long pants and casual shirts. Women – skirts and blouses (with sleeves). Hats are recommended all year round.

Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted, even at the local grocer.

Driving
Speed limits are in kilometers: 50 kmh in the city, 80 on inter-city roads and 90 or 100 on highways. Seat belts must be worn in front and in back at all times. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the front seat.
Drinking
Minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18.

Electricity
Shavers, hair dryers, laptops, digital cameras and other appliances that are purchased in America are 120 volts at 60 cycles per second. Power in Israel is 240 volts at 50 cycles. Most hotels have converters in the rooms; batteries are widely available.

Entrance Fees
All of the National Parks, museums and Nature Reserves accept major credit cards. Average for entrance fees per person per day is $15.00.
Food
The Kosher kitchen is based on two main principles – firstly, only meat permitted by the Torah (Beef, Lamb, Deer, Turkey etc. and not Pork, Sea food, Camel etc.) and slaughtered by a licensed ritual slaughterer (Shochet) may be eaten, and secondly, there is complete separation between meat and milk. Most of the hotels in Israel are Kosher, so they will not offer you milk with your coffee after a meat meal. Not all the restaurants in Israel are Kosher. Should you want to feel “at home,” many American food franchises now operate in Israel: Burger King, Macdonald’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and more.

Gifts
Special gifts from Israel are: “Ahava” cosmetics from the Dead Sea, Olive Wood curving, Judaica, Diamonds and Eilat Stones, Archeological antiquities, ancient coins and Israeli art.

Health Insurance
Make sure that you have health insurance coverage.

Hotels
Accommodation choices are an important part of planning a trip to Israel. Boutique hotels, quaint B/B’s, country cottages and Kibbutz lodging are some of the suggestions. See recommended hotels.

Internet
Internet access is available in the Business Center of most major 5 star hotels as well as at Internet Cafes in the large cities.
Jordan
If you are interested in touring Jordan – from a day tour to Petra up to 4 day tourI can add it to your itinerary. Visas can be obtained on the spot at the border crossing near Eilat (Arava Crossing) and at the crossing in the Galilee near Beit Shean (Sheikh Hussein). To cross Alenby bridge (King Hussein) near Jericho you need a visa to Jordan from the Jordanian embassy in your country.
Laptops
If you plan on bringing your laptop or palmtop to Israel – fine. Most of the larger five star hotels have modular phone hook ups in the rooms. As for the smaller and out of the way hotels – use the hotel’s fax machine. Bring a long phone cord, as the phone jack may not always be conveniently located. Make sure that your charger is good for use on a 220-volt system and bring a plug adapter that will allow you to plug your gadgets into a standard Israeli wall outlet

Money
The NIS – New Israeli Shekel (or simply shekel) operates on the decimal system. American currency happily accepted in most places, but confirm the exchange rate used.

Newspapers
Newspapers in English language dailies: The Jerusalem Post and HaAretz. The former has inserts from the NY Times and the latter has an insert of The International Herald Tribune.

Passports
Passports are required for all foreign currency bank transactions.

Photography
Photography is not allowed in some museums and in some security-conscious facilities like the Knesset as well as in some “ultra-orthodox” neighborhoods. On the Sabbath, it is inconsiderate to photograph at the Western Wall and in “religious” areas.

Public Telephones
Public phones are plentiful and usually do work. Most of them operate today with a plastic credit card size phone card, available at post offices and your hotel newsstand.
Public Toilets
Known as WC, and available in most tourist locations. Be prepared with tissues in your pocket at all times. Also, be aware that some public toilets are staffed by attendants who ask for a “user’s fee”.

Safe: Most hotels have a safe in every room large enough for cameras, passports, and other small items.

Security
You and your bags may often be checked by security guards at public buildings such as shopping malls. Be cooperative — it is for your safety too. Do not leave your bag unattended – anywhere.

Shabbat

Taxes
There is 15.5% value added tax (VAT) on most goods and services in Israel. At retail stores, this tax is always already included in the price. Upon making a purchase of $100.00 or more at a gift store that has an agreement with the VAT authorities, you should fill out a form at the store and have it stamped there. You will be eligible, upon presenting the form and the item, for a 15/5% refund at the airport prior to departure. Do not pack these gift items in your luggage. They should be kept in your hand luggage along with the special VAT formed that you receive from the merchant.

Telephones
Direct dialing from your hotel room overseas is not cheap. Phone credit cards accepted. For calls within Israel, you’ll do better making calls with a TeleCard plastic card from a pay phone.

Tipping
It is accepted practice to tip restaurants, your tour guide and tour bus driver.
10 – 15% is a good bet.

Water
Although water in Israel is of good quality and suitable for drinking, you may not be used to the high mineral content. Bottled natural spring water is available everywhere – expensive at your hotel, more reasonable at the supermarkets.

Weights and Measures
Metric system used exclusively. A kilometer is a bit over a 1/2 mile – (0.62 miles). A kilogram is equivalent to 2.2 pounds.