| What to Know Before You Go to... |
|
| ISRAEL
|
Call US AT: 800-206-TOUR |
|
Thank you for booking with 206 Tours. We promise to do all with in our power to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us. Please note that should any problems arises during your trip you should first contact your local emergency contact, and then 206 Tours. We pray that your pilgrimage will meet and exceed all of your expectations. Please share with us your positive and constructive feedback upon your return! |
How to Prepare for Your Pilgrimage:
Thank you for your desire and readiness to visit these places of grace and prayer. May the Almighty God, through the intercession of our Heavenly Mother, reward you for all the efforts you undertake to come! As we would like your trip to be as pleasant and helpful as possible. It is important to note that 206 Tours pilgrimages are packed full of spiritual activities and sightseeing. We do not include much free time for recreation, such as shopping. This is because our desire is to offer you the most comprehensive pilgrimage possible. However, all tours/activities are optional, and if you feel you are unable to keep up with the pace of the tour, manage the terrain, or would like free time for your own interests, you are welcome to refrain from participating in any aspects of the program you desire (of course, no refund can be issued for any aspects of the the tour which you choose not to participate in).
It is also important to note that the amount of walking is significant, and the terrain varies greatly through out our tours. You will encounter hills, mountains, unpaved streets, cobblestone streets, etc. Please prayerfully consider whether or not you are up to such physical activities prior to registering. For this reason, we would like to offer you some recommendations, and we ask you sincerely to read them carefully.
A couple of weeks before your pilgrimage, one should begin preparing physically as well as spiritually.
-
If not accustomed to physical activity begin walking "briskly" 1-2 times a day; build up to 2-3 miles with no discomfort.
-
If possible attend daily mass or attempt to spend quiet time in church during lunch or after work.
-
Pray for Jesus and His Blessed Mother to open your heart and mind to be responsive to new perspective ideas, their words laid on your heart, etc.
-
Begin praying the rosary daily (Learn How to Pray the Rosary) or at least the Apostle's Creed.
General Info About Your Documents, Flights, Arrival & Travel:
New Security Procedures:
-
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
-
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use Only * one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
-
Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
Final Documents:
206 Tours will ship your final documents to the address provided on your reservation application approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. The package will be delivered by FedEx (can not be delivered to a PO Box). Your final documents will include your airline tickets, hotel confirmations, emergency contacts, general trip information, luggage tags, portfolio of travel documents, flight bag, and more. Carefully review your tickets to ensure that your name on the tickets are an exact match to that of your passport. Please note that the name field on your tickets is Only * 19 characters long, therefore names exceeding this length will be cut off (this is not a problem, as your actual reservation contains your full name). Please also carefully review the itinerary provided to ensure that all departure and destination cities, as well as dates, are correct. Please contact 206 Tours immediately should any discrepancies be found.* Please note that late payment/bookings can cause delay in the shipment of your final documents.
International Flights:
We recommend that you check in for your international flight three hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Passengers must personally check their luggage at the airline counter. Please advise the airline representative of your final destination upon check in so that you will not need to claim your baggage and recheck it during flight connections. Please note that our pilgrims travel from across the USA. You will be traveling independently for all flights until your arrival at your final destination. You will not have a tour escort with you during your flights. Please be advised that 206 Tours attempts to centralize as many pilgrims as possible on the same flights, so you may arrive/depart on the same flights as many of your co-pilgrims (for additional information see "Arrival Procedure" below).
Airline Connections:
206 Tours must book your airline reservations based on the routings provided to us by the airlines, including connection time, cities for connections, and partner carriers. Airlines determine the standard for the required minimum connecting time to transfer from one gate to another for each specific airport. At times, the connection times provided by the airlines are quite tight (i.e. 45 minutes) and require passengers to make haste during their connections. At times the airline connection times are quite long, due to the flight availability at the time of booking. While we wish we could determine the connection times for each of our clients, we are subject to the rules, regulations, and availability of the carriers we work with. We also must ensure that all reservations correspond so that each participant is able to meet the group transfer to/from the airport to hotel and hotel to airport. We promise to do all in our power to provide you with the most convenient flight schedule available to us at the time of your booking, however, we must still follow all appropriate airline rules and regulations.
Airline Tickets:
Most airlines now require that we provide e-tickets in place of paper tickets. At check-in, you should be ready to provide your flight itinerary and passport to the agent. In a few cases where e-tickets cannot be issued, you will receive your tickets in a paper form. Please note that paper tickets, and boarding passes, must be present in order to check in, and or board the plane.
Code-share Flights:
Airline Mileage Accounts:
Please contact the airline directly to open a mileage account and to obtain credit for the miles flown on this trip.
This is a long journey, in case you did not get the chance to enroll in the airline mileage program prior to your trip, make sure to do so upon your return, just save your boarding passes and luggage tags.
Passports and Visas:
All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Israel. Your passport MUST be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return date. For additional information on obtaining a US passport please visit:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. A visa is not required for citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, Western Europe. If you are not a citizen of those countries please contact Israel Consulate to find out the procedures on how you may obtain visa. Please be advised that it is the passengers responsibility to reconfirm if any visa's are required for their trip itinerary.
Health Precautions:
No inoculations are necessary when arriving Israel from the US. But consult with your health care provider before traveling. Although the water in Israel is safe in order to prevent "Montezuma's Revenge", avoid the tap water, including ice cubes. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's travelers' hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site a
t www.cdc.gov.
Travel Warnings:
US State Department Travel Advisories: For up to date US State Department travel advisories you may visit:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Arrival Procedure:
After disembarkation from the plane you will clear immigration, and proceed to claim your luggage. You will exit the baggage claim into the arrival lounge where you will be greeted by driver and/or your Tour Escort displaying a board or sign with your name and/or "206 Tours”, and then you will be transferred to your hotel where you will meet your guide and the rest of your group. Please remember to look for the sign!
If your plane arrives late, or you are re-routed you will probably miss the group transfer which is included in your package. In such circumstances you will need to pay for your separate private transfer, which you may submit a claim to the airlines for reimbursement upon your return to the USA. Where public and taxi transportation is difficult to obtain from the airport, 206 Tours will do all possible to arrange for a private transfer to meet you upon your arrival (if we are aware of your misconnection/arrival flight, however, you will be responsible to remit payment to your driver upon drop off at your destination. If you arrive in one of the previously mentioned destinations, and we have not been able to arrange for a driver to meet you, please call your local emergency contact (listed in your Final Instruction Booklet) so that they may dispatch a transfer for you. In major cities it is best for you to take a taxi directly to your hotel upon arrival should you miss the group transfer. Please remember to save your receipts. We strongly recommend the purchase of Traveler's Insurance for this reason (www.206tours.com/insurance).
Luggage:
It is suggested that you attempt to travel with Only * one piece of luggage.
Although airlines do allow each person to check two suitcases, due to the space
provided on the bus we are unable to accommodate more than one suitcase and one
carry-on. International air carriers are
becoming stricter about the size and weight of baggage and carry-on luggage.
Please contact your air carrier or travel agent for specific information prior
to departure as size and weight limitations vary from airline to airline and
even according to destination. For your own comfort and that of fellow
passengers, please limit the size of your hand luggage to 17x14x8 in. (43x36x20
cm) for easy storage on the motorcoach. Porterage for one suitcase on tour is
included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag
should have dimensions not exceeding 45 in overall dimensions (length+width+height)
and weight not exceeding 50 lbs (23 kg). A charge of USD 3 per traveling day
will be collected by the Tour Director if a second piece of baggage is carried,
or if the suitcase exceeds the established weight and/or dimensions. For health
reasons, porters may refuse to carry very heavy suitcases.
Carry all documents and money on your person but not all in the same place to
limit the inconvenience in case of loss; do not keep money, important documents,
medicines or jewelry in your suitcase; please leave valuable jewelry at home. We
recommend a money belt worn inside your clothes, while touring. On departure
from your hotel, remember to double check that you have your money belt with
you, and that you have collected any items left in the hotel safe. Please, at
all times, be as vigilant as you would be in any major city, especially in
crowded places such as subways, squares or churches/cathedrals. Never leave your
hand luggage unattended or out of sight in public areas, including airports,
hotel lobbies or dining rooms.
The same common-sense rules of safety and security apply here as to anywhere else:
-
A
Use room safes or leave items with the hotel manager.
Make certain that any valuables are insured against theft.
Avoid exploration on your own of unfamiliar streets or areas.
How to Overcome Jet Lag:
Rapid travel through multiple time zones can take its toll on your physical and mental well-being. "Jet Lag" is the phrase used to describe the condition when an individual's internal body clock is out of sync with the actual time in the region to which you have traveled. It is important to try to adjust your internal body clock to receive the most out of your tour. Here are some tips on how to adjust your body to local time. On the day of the flight/arrival:
Eat a high carbohydrate dinner (e.g. pasta, potatoes, etc.)
Drink a lot of water to compensate for the dehydration that is common on long flights.
Shortly after your evening meal on your flight, set your watch ahead to actual time.
Try to rest or sleep as soon as possible on your flight.
When you arrive keep active, and go to bed around 10:00 PM
Insurance:
Please note that traveler's insurance is STRONGLY recommended for all 206 Tours pilgrims. Be advised that traveler's insurance can not be purchased after you have paid in full for your trip. For those who have purchased Travel Guard Travelers Insurance through 206 Tours a pamphlet will be included in your final documents. Please refer to this brochure for specific stipulations or questions. For more information you can also visit www.206tours.com/insurance.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Refund and 5% Discount for Israel:
Tourists, who purchase goods worth $50 or more at a Ministry of Tourism
approved shop, are entitled to a discount of at least 5% on the purchase
price plus a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund.
Israel's Value Added Tax
(VAT) currently stands at 15.5%.
In order to qualify, you
must be a foreign passport holder who is not an Israeli citizen, and you
must make your purchases in foreign currency (cash or international
credit card. Stores offering this service display the following signs
that show the 5%
discount is given at the shop. The VAT refund is given at the point of
departure from Israel.
In order to receive your refund, please be sure to obtain, the special
VAT invoice/receipt shown below from the shop, filled in with the
relevant details. Ensure that your purchases
and the invoice have been sealed in a transparent bag at the shop. The
bag must remain sealed until you leave Israel. Pack
the sealed bag in your hand luggage when preparing for departure.
Upon
arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport or Haifa port, please report
to the official at the Bank Leumi counter (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week). The official will open the sealed bag, inspect the goods, stamp
the VAT invoice, and refund the VAT in US dollars (rounded to the
nearest dollar) minus a commission.
The bank fees are as follows:
V.A.T. refund from $ 30 to $ 100 = $5
V.A.T. refund from $ 100 & more = $8
Note: V.A.T. refund of $ 1,000 and more will be mailed to your home address, from the Israeli customs authorities by check in U.S. dollars.
If you are leaving Israel from other departure points, such as: Rafiah border crossing, Jordan River bridges, and Allenby Bridge. Please present the sealed bag to the customs official. The official will open and inspect the bag and stamp the invoice. The Customs Office will then send a check in U.S. dollars covering that V.A.T refund to your address abroad, as indicated on the V.A.T invoice. V.A.T. is not charged on goods or services purchased in Eilat, which is a free trade zone.
Transportation:
Distances between points in Israel range are not that long, depending on day and your itinerary. However, our days are packed with activities and there is no much free time to shop. Some days may include Only * 1 hour of free time. During travel days with extensive driving the coach will stop for bathroom/stretch (approximately every 2 to 3 hours) breaks as well as a lunch stop.
Money:
Currency Exchange:
The SHEKEL is the currency of Israel. As March 31, 2008 the exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 3.5165 Shekel. There are coins of 5, 10, 50 agorot (like cents), and 1, 5, 10 shekels, as well as 20, 50, 100 & 200 shekels . Note that 200 Shekels notes are not easily traded, and one should try to avoid receiving them when exchanging money. Money can be exchanged at any of the street exchange bureaux, ATMs or any of Israel’s major banks (i.e.- Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount bank, FIBI and Hamizrahi).
Keep in mind that this is the "pure" exchange rate an any form of currency exchange has some fees associated. For up to date currency exchange rates please visit www.xe.com . Please note that the currency flocculation has been particularly volatile in the last year, so we strongly urge you to check the current exchange rates prior to departure.
Banks:
When exchanging money at a bank, you
will be charged a fixed exchange fee, and if you choose to use an exchange place
on the street, you will not be charged for the transaction, but will receive a
lower rate than the banks supply. If you do choose to use the bank, try not to
exchange money on Sundays. The reason is that while the Israeli banks are open
on Sundays, there is no world currency trade on Sunday, and the banks charge a
commission that is 10 times higher than on any other day of the week.
ATM:
There are many ATMs around Israel that are all connected to European and
American banking systems. When using an ATM, you will be charged by your credit
card provider, as well as an ATM fee (usually 3.5$ plus 4% of the total amount).
Your credit card provider (i.e. VISA, Master Card, Diners club, American express
etc.) will also determine what the exchange rate is, and it will usually be the
highest rate possible for that date.
Shopping:
Due to large crowds and time limitations you will have an allotted time
for shopping in a Christian shop the guide will bring you to. This is
to avoid pilgrims getting lost in the large crowds while walking through
the busy bazaars. If there is some shopping you prefer to do after
touring hours you can discuss this with the guide.
Stores in Israel are open daily from Sunday through early Friday
afternoon. The most important thing to know is that on Shabbat, the Jewish
Sabbath, all Israeli shops, offices and places of entertainment close down.
Shabbat starts at sundown Friday and ends at sundown of Saturday. Some observe a "siesta" from 1pm
to 4pm, re-opening until 7pm. Some malls close later in the day and are
open Saturdays after sundown.
Many stores in Israel are also closed from sundown on Saturdays
and Sundays.
Ask your tour escort for regional specialties products which Israel is
known for Dead Sea Products, Olive Wood Carvings and Gold.
Israel is the world's largest producer of polished diamonds. Israeli-made
leather goods are of very high quality and design, and there is a notable fur
trade. Armenians in Jerusalem produce pottery decorated with beautiful floral
designs. Other gifts include art, Judaica, fashion, crafts, olive-wood carvings
and hand-blown glass from Hebron, as well as embroidery from Yemen, Bethlehem
and Gaza. Enjoy
some stress-free Christmas shopping during your travels; small, light
items that you can easily carry home make splendid and festive gifts.
Don’t forget to buy something nice for yourself too, to take home to
evoke pleasant memories of your vacation abroad. If you purchase a video
or DVD, please check very carefully that it is compatible with your home
viewing system (for USA and Canada – VHS NTSC and DVD region 1; for
Australia, New Zealand and Pacific – VHS PAL and DVD region 4).
Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags;
VAT refunds, if applicable, may sometimes take up to three months to
process. Whenever traveling abroad, be aware of your personal
belongings when shopping in crowded areas.
Weights and Measures:
The metric system is used exclusively through out Europe and the Middle East. A kilometer is a bit over 1/2 mile (.62 miles). A kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.
Time:
Israel is seven hours ahead of American Eastern Standard time. When it's
5 pm in Israel, it is noon in New York. Israel operate on a 24
hour clock. This means that 6:00 pm is 18:00, etc.
Tipping:
Tip envelopes are enclosed for your convenience. Tips are an important part of
earnings for your escorts, guides and bus drivers. Due to devaluation of US
dollar (in order to budget we recommend that you anticipate a total of
approximately 36 - 48 Shekels per person per day):
-
Your tour escort who is with you throughout your tour or for the whole day should be tipped approximately 27 Shekels per person per day (or depending on the level of the satisfaction).
-
Your bus driver 12 Shekels per person per day (or depending on the level of the satisfaction).
-
Smaller Hotels/Inn's it is customary to tip your home owners 6 shekels per person per day.
-
If you have a sightseeing tour with a local guide, which lasts approx 2 1/2 hrs, it is standard practice to tip your local tour guides and bus drivers after an excursion, or tour, generally 6 – 12 Shekels a day.
Optional and may change from place to place: But, almost all restaurants
include tax and a 15% service charge (service compris) in their prices.
If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving another 6-12
Shekels is customary, as is leaving the waiter the small change from your
bill if you pay in cash. If service is not included a 15% tip is
appropriate. In hotels, tip porters is included of 12 Shekels for each bag
and chambermaids. When and if your group has a completely free day (s)
and escort sees them Only * for a couple of hours or during the dinner
time, then it is really at your discretion what amount you should tip
them. As normally most clients calculate a total amount of tip for
escort for total days serviced - when, escort does less hours it
normally compensates the days with longer hours, which often happens
when escorts are touring.
Hotels / Accommodations:
Rooms may be smaller than you are used to. Mini-bar items and access to pay TV channels are at your own expense. King / Queen size beds are rare in Europe. In some hotels, key cards operate the room lighting systems and/or the elevator. Fixtures in bathrooms and bedrooms are not standardized. While most hotels do offer a hair dryer in the bathroom, we recommend bring one if it is essential to you. Most hotels do toiletries (shampoo, lotion), we strongly recommend that you bring an adequate supply with you.
Please note that while we do request non-smoking rooms for our clients, European and Middle Eastern hotels are less stringent about enforcing these rules.
Remember to frequently check your hotel bulletin board for important information, suggestions, or any last-minute changes from your tour escort.
Electricity:
The voltage used is 220 volts AC, single phase 50 cycles (the U.S. uses 110/120 volts). Unless you use a good quality electric current converter, the heavier voltage will instantly burn out any electrical equipment you wish to use abroad. Before leaving home, you will need to purchase an international adapter so your two-prong plug will connect to the various local electrical supply outlets (check that it is sufficiently powerful for your appliance), and a converter to convert the 220 volts to 110 volts. Adapter/converter kits that include the entire range of plugs can be purchased at better electrical supply stores. Stores such as Radio Shack, Walmart, K-Mart, Target sell adaptor/converter kits readily. Buying electrical devices in foreign places is not recommended unless you are sure that the current they use is compatible with the current at home. It will likely cost you more than the original price to have an appliance converted.
The telephone country code for Israel is +972 (from U.S. 011-972 followed by
the city code and telephone number)
Cell Telephones:
You may bring your cellular phone, but make sure to contact your
wireless phone provider and inform them, that you will be traveling out
of the country (giving them destinations). Most have an "international
plan" if not get one for the trip. This will allow you to make calls to
the United States while you are out of the country using your wireless
phone.
Hotel Telephones:
While telephones in your hotel offer convenience, they do tend to cost substantially
more than public phones. You may choose to utilize a calling card to be
more cost efficient, however, be advised that most hotels charge a
connection fee which ranges from 6 to 12 Shekels for such calls.
Public Telephones:
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
newsstand. Cards of 20, 50 and 100 units are available (time per unit
depends on distance of call and time of day). A reasonable way to
communicate.
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 manned/ womaned by attendants who ask for a small "user's fee".
Photography:
If you
are bringing a digital camera, make sure to bring extra batteries. If not
digital, remember to bring plenty of film (200 or 400 speed is recommended
for outdoor and indoor-flash photography). Photography is not allowed in
some museums and in some security-conscious facilities.
Terrain:
Israel is based on a myriad of old buildings, and there are split-levels and uneven surfaces everywhere; please watch your step! Due to the structure of old buildings, access to some establishments may not be convenient for wheelchair use, and facilities for the disabled in general may be limited. Many areas are pedestrian Only * and have cobblestones. High-heeled shoes are not suitable for cobblestone streets; rubber-soled walking shoes are recommended. Many streets are narrow, and due to strict traffic regulations, the buses are not always permitted to drop groups off directly in front for their destination. Please be prepared to walk.
Taxis:
Be wary of any person approaching you offering unofficial taxi services. If you do not have an airport transfer included and you need transportation, make your way to the official taxi desk or to the regular taxi line outside the terminal; choose Only * those vehicles with a meter and a taxi sign. We recommend you pre-negotiate the fare, as taxi drivers in some countries may attempt to overcharge unwary travelers. Taxis in Israel look like ordinary cars with a colored light displayed, are legally required to use a meter for every journey. However, travelers sometimes need to insist that the meter be turned on. If, as frequently happens, the driver claims that the meter is ‘broken’, it is wise either to agree a fare beforehand or find another taxi. To avoid being cheated, it is worth asking your hotel receptionist or the tourist office for some idea of what the fare to specific destinations should be. Taxis can be hailed in the street or booked in advance. Tipping is not usual, and not expected, although a very small gratuity of say 5% is sometimes given.
Local Customs:
A different way of life in some countries on tour may take you by surprise, but if you travel with an open mind and respect local customs and culture, you should find it easier to adapt to and enjoy your new surroundings. Standards of living may not be quite what you are used to, but there are compensations – a closer sense of reality and a more authentic feeling of locale. Due to cultural differences in the Middle East you may not be greeted quite as cheerfully as back home; smiling is generally reserved for intimate friends! So be especially wary of people presenting themselves as “instant friends” and never accept any offer of food or drink from strangers.
Social Conventions:
Israelis are usually very informal but with the European style of hospitality. Israelis are typically blunt and direct in speech, which should not be misinterpreted as rudeness. Visitors should observe normal courtesies when visiting someone’s home and should not be afraid to ask questions about the country as most Israelis are happy to talk about their homeland, religion and politics. The expression shalom (‘peace’) is used for hello and goodbye. Dress is casual, but in the holy places of all religions modest attire is worn. For places such as the Western Wall, male visitors are given a smart cardboard yarmulke (skull cap) to respect the religious importance of the site. Businesspeople are expected to dress smartly, or at least in smart casual style, although ties are often not worn, while the most expensive of restaurants and nightclubs may expect a similar standard. If formal evening wear is required this will be specified on invitations. It is considered a violation of Shabbat (Sabbath, on Saturday) to smoke on that day. There is usually a sign to remind the visitor of this, and to disregard the warning would be regarded as discourteous.
Meals / Food:
Most European countries tend to dine later than we are accustom to.
Please expect that your dinners will be scheduled around 7:30 pm to
8:00 pm. Most breakfasts are buffet style. Unlike in the USA, it is
frowned upon to take food out of the breakfast room. Most dinners will
be served "sit down" with a pre-determined 3 or 4 course meal. Your
meals include iced tap water and coffee or tea. While some restaurants
may be able to provide for a special diet, such as vegetarian or
salt-free, there is no way for us to guarantee this. Please note,
vegetarian meals tend to lack variety and imagination. Elegant
restaurants can be found alongside small cafes or pizza and falafel
stands. Israel is influenced in world events, and tries to keep astride
of all world changes, including culinary trends. It's important to note
that while kosher food is predominant in Israeli hotels, many
restaurants are not kosher. The Hebrew word kosher means
conforming to Jewish religious laws. Milk, cream or cheese may not be
served in the same meal as meat. Pork and shellfish are not kosher, and
rarely seen, although imitation seafood is common and may be
indistinguishable from the real thing.
* Due to crowds and time limitations the guide will pick one restaurant for the group to have lunch in to avoid loosing pilgrims, please note that you should eat lunch as a group at the restaurant the guide brings you to. Thank you!
Israeli Street Foods:
While looking for restaurants in Israel you must know that eating out in Israel must not necessarily be expensive, and cheap food must not (necessarily) be Burger King or McDonalds. In fact, in Israel as in many other Middle Eastern cities, “street food” is very popular. Street food may be called fast food, but what gives it a special edge is that some of the places have no chairs, so the client has to finish his meal while standing in the street. That may not sound like the most civilized thing to do, but in Israeli streets you will see businessmen as well as young moms and teenagers eating this way. Israel’s top street foods are:
Falafel - the most common and affordable street food is served in a pita bread (full or half) along with salad, pickles and Tehina. Falafel balls are usually made of either hummus (chick peas) or ful (broad beans) seeds mixed with parsley and some spices. Those with an edgy stomach may want to try one falafel ball before getting a full serving… One Falafel serving = one pita with 6 balls = 11 weight-watchers’ points = 10-12 NIS
Shawarma – in Israel (unlike other places such as Turkey) Shawarma is made of turkey meat, and is usually served in pita bread along with salad, Tehina and pickles. The size of the pita may vary, and if you want to get your money’s worth – look at the size of the pita before ordering, and ask for a serving without salad or pickles. This way you can increase the amount of meat you are getting for the same price, and save yourself the second serving. One Shawarma serving = one pita with approx. 80 grams of turkey meat = 11 weight-watchers’ points = 20-22 NIS
Sabich –
the meaning of the word is “morning” in arab, and it is the traditional
food Iraqi immigrants introduced to the Israeli street. It may be found
on all cities in Israel, mainly in Ramat-Gan. The essence of this food
is pita bread with fried eggplants, an egg, salad, tehina and pickles.
One Sabich serving = one pita = an endless amount of weight-watchers’
points = 10-14 NIS
Tunisian Sandwich – is a sandwich usually made from a baguette
with many surprises that make a delicious meal. Additions may include:
Tuna, egg, pickled lemon, salad, fried hot green pepper etc. One
Tunisian sandwich = one quarter of a baguette = 8-15 NIS
Lafa –
usually means a big pita bread which has been cooked in a taboon, and is
filled with some shish-kebab, salads and French fries. It is a full meal
with a huge portion . Some choose to fill their lafa with goose liver,
but that is out of the specified price range and definitely out of the
weight watchers points specified below… One Lafa serving = one lafa
with 1-2 shish-kebabs = 20 weight-watchers’ points = 22-28 NIS
Tap Water:
While most local tap water will not hurt you, due to differences in mineral and micro-biotic levels, we recommend that you avoid consuming local tap water including ice, as it may upset your stomach.
Climate:
City |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Jerusalem |
Low |
40 |
40 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
65 |
70 |
70 |
61 |
58 |
45 |
45 |
|
High |
52 |
56 |
60 |
65 |
75 |
85 |
90 |
90 |
86 |
78 |
62 |
58 |
|
Tiberius |
Low |
45 |
48 |
50 |
55 |
65 |
75 |
80 |
80 |
80 |
72 |
50 |
50 |
|
High |
56 |
60 |
68 |
75 |
85 |
90 |
96 |
96 |
88 |
84 |
66 |
62 |
|
Due to global weather changes, regional temperatures may deviate from
the norms. We recommend layered, easy care, loose-fitting clothing, an
item or two for rain or unseasonable temperatures and something warmer.
Light-weights for summer. Medium-weights for winter with heavier
clothing for inland areas. It is a good idea to pack waterproofs at any
time of year.
Mid-summer advice:
Wear a sunhat and loose-fitting clothing,
drink at least one liter (one quart) of mineral water a day if you can
(carry a small bottle in your hand luggage); avoid eating too much
ice-cream and reduce the amount of ice in drinks. A small
battery-operated fan may be useful in warm weather.
Capital: Jerusalem
Geography:
Israel is on the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Lebanon and the
Syrian Arab Republic to the north, the Palestine National Authority
(West Bank) and Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the south. Gaza, a
small coastal strip between Israel and Egypt, is administered by the
Palestine National Authority. Although Only * the size of Wales or
Massachusetts, Israel contains a great variety of terrain and four
climate zones. The north of the country is the fertile hill region of
Galilee, rising to Mount Hermon and Golan in the northeast. The fertile
Plain of Sharon runs along the coast, while inland, parallel to the
coast, is a range of hills and uplands with relatively barren stony
areas to the east. The country stretches southwards through the Negev
Desert to Eilat, a resort town on the Red Sea. The Great Rift Valley
begins beyond the sources of the River Jordan in the north and extends
south through the Dead Sea (the lowest point in the world), into the Red
Sea, continuing on into Eastern Africa.
The official language of Israel is Hebrew. English is widely spoken, and many signs appear in English too.]
| ENGLISH PHRASES | HEBREW PHRASES | HEBREW PHASES |
| Hi! | Shalom! | שלום |
| Good Morning! | Yom tov! / boker tov! | יום טוב / בוקר טוב |
| Good Evening! | Erev tov! | ערב טוב |
| Welcome! (to greet someone) | Barukh haba! (Barukh hanimtsa) | ברוך הבא (ברוך הנמצא) |
| How Are You? | Ma shelomkha | מה שלומך |