Holiday tips for Israel

If you're thinking of doing it, do it... go overseas and take a break. The seagull below thinks it's a pretty good idea as it wings its way across the Mediterranean off the Israel coast.

(Read more...)

Note: The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah guerillas in southern Lebanon has held since August 14 2006 and tourists should now feel confident about travelling to Israel, including the north of the country. All travellers to Israel should be aware that the country is subject to occasional terrorist attacks and they should accept that sometimes there are inconvenient security delays while travelling through Israel. For example, a suicide bomber killed three people in the southern resort town of Eilat in January 2007 - the first such attack in Israel in nine months. However, the risk of harm from a terrorist attack is slim and comparable to the risk of being in a road accident in any country, so fear should not curtail travel plans.

Israel is a fascinating country steeped in religious history. As a result, it is comparatively dangerous.

It's highly unlikely you'll encounter terrorist activity while enjoying your Israel or Jerusalem holiday travel, but you nevertheless might remain nervous about other people sitting on your bus or in the same cafe.

You'll constantly be reminded of the threat by the ubiquitous but understandable civil security measures such as guards checking bags at many doorways.

Travelers should be encouraged by reforms introduced by new Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in January 2005, and by Israel's removal of settlers from occupied territories, but the region remains volatile.

Holiday travel in Israel is usually nothing like tourists expect. Israel is a modern country with all the usual problems of overcrowding and pollution, and gullible tourists being fleeced with high prices.

Almost all Israeli men and women have military training and most have served in the army. This common bond has bred a close-knit culture with a wary attitude because of passionate foreign attitudes toward Israel's history, for and against.

Israelis tend to have strong characters and they usually aren't hesitant to express their thoughts and feelings.

Hebrew is the language of Israel but just about everyone also speaks English, often fluently.

Almost 6 million people live in Israel and 2.7 million live in Gaza and the West Bank.

Most westerners can enter Israel for up to three months without a visa, although arrival by land from Egypt or Jordan might only allow travel for one month.

An entry permit is handed over at the point of entry and this should be closely safeguarded throughout your travel if you want to avoid problems when the time comes to leave Israel.

Be aware that many Arab countries won't allow you to visit at a later date if your passport carries an Israeli stamp.

Top

Israel is a small country covering just 26,990 square kilometres including the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, and it doesn't take long to travel from the far north to the far south.

Israel shares borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

The north of Israel is mountainous, green and laced with forests and streams. Wildlife and birdlife are abundant.

The south of the country is mostly desert and about a fifth of Israel is protected within national parks.

The climate in Israel varies enormously from north to south, despite the small size of the country.

The temperature is usually either pleasantly warm or hot, although it sometimes snows in the far north around Haifa and as far south as Jerusalem during winter.

Bring clothing in your travel bags to suit all seasons, preferably worn in layers to reduce your luggage bulk, as the climate varies in Israel according to latitude, season and altitude below sea level.

Hot winds can make Spring a little uncomfortable and you should remember that desert nights can be chilly even during summer.

Most Israelis live secular lifestyles but religious laws and traditions still control the structure of the week and determine whether you can easily travel around during annual holidays and festivals.

Fundamental Judaism is growing and you should always be aware that Orthodox or Hassidic Jews, recognisable by their dark clothes, beards and sideburns, are deeply religious in their outlook on life.

If you travel through the occupied territories, you'll find most Palestinians are friendly, hospitable people who are usually helpful toward strangers.

It's true that the most likely place in the world to suffer a terrorist attack is Israel, but Israelis are living their lives as normal and the only security threat visible to travelers is the constant bag and identity checks at places like supermarkets and theatres.

If you are concerned about bombings in Israel, the US State Department advises that you avoid municipal buses during morning and evening peak hours, crowded shopping malls or markets, and the Old City of Jerusalem on Fridays.

Due to the ongoing Palestinian struggle, the West Bank and historic towns such as Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Jericho are closed to tourists.

Top

Israel is overflowing with ancient sites, many of religious significance and either in ruins or still functioning as living towns and cities.

The Israeli climate might be hot but fortunately there are plenty of swimming opportunities, whether in the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the Sea of Galilee or the Mediterranean Sea.

Be cautious as the Mediterranean produces some dangerous currents, many beaches turn rocky under the waves, and stinging jellyfish can plague Israeli beaches in July. Poisonous sea urchins and stinging coral can be a problem at some beaches in Israel.

Regardless, Israelis love beach sports and there is almost always a lively crowd on the sand. Poor swimmers in particular should remain within sight of lifeguards.

Israel has world-class medical facilities, although hospital standards are lower in the occupied territories. The emergency telephone number for ambulances is 101.

Israeli pharmacists are highly trained and invariably have English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are mostly open from 8am to 7pm from Sunday to Friday with a roster system outside business hours.

The bulk of Israel's housing architecture is uninspiring. Many people live in monotone square apartment blocks that were built rapidly after 1948 in Israel's main cities and regional towns, although an increasing number of areas are enjoying stylish refurbishment.

Israel has an exceptional number of geological and geographic attractions for such a tiny country.

Beaches, deserts, forests, coral reefs and snowcapped mountains are all within a few hours of each other if you travel by road.

Be mindful that the southern 60% of Israel is desert or semidesert, although the nature reserves and landscape are breathtaking.

Top

Most street and road signs in Israel are written in Hebrew, Arabic and English, the latter being common almost everywhere you go. If you do have trouble communicating with a non-English speaker, ask any young person to translate as English is taught in all schools.

Tel Aviv

Jerusalem

Yad Vashem

Tiberias

Bethlehem

Nablus

The Red Sea

The Dead Sea

Israel holiday tips

Jerusalem images

Travel tips for Israel

To book the cheapest airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, etc. for Israeli cities, visit our Travel Shop.

To explore this site... select a travel destination from the menu bar below

Copyright 2009. All text and graphics on or related to this page are under strict international copyright and their use for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without prior permission. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer and copyright

This website produced by Scribeworks 2000-2009