Israel travel Tips
As long as you take the necessary precautions, you should have no problems exploring the Holy Land. Incidents of crime directed at foreigners are low, although there is a constant threat of indiscriminate bombings targeting civilians at restaurants and nightclubs. Health and medical facilities are generally very good.
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You should avoid travel to the immediate area of Israel’s border fence with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’) as well as the Israeli side of the Israel/Gaza Strip border. Particular care should be taken in Jerusalem.
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Most of the world's currencies are recognised as legal tender in Israel and are freely exchanged at banks or may be used in making purchases.
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The best places to buy food and vegetables are outdoor food markets (‘shuk’ in Hebrew). The produce is both the cheapest and the freshest. The atmosphere in most shuks is also something to be savoured.
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Do not exchange your money in a bank; the commission charged is astronomical. Go to ‘change’ shops scattered around most city centres. They take no commission and equal the bank rates.
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Climate should not be a major factor in your choice of when to go to Israel; whatever time of year it is, some part of the country is always pleasant. You may want to avoid major Jewish holidays, as the country fills up with pilgrims, accommodation prices go up and it's almost impossible to travel between cities.
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The Jewish Sabbath day, Shabbat, is celebrated from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, and no work may be done on this day. You’ll find that the country grinds to a halt.
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Israel is quite expensive, and on top of that you'll be expected to tip at least 15 per cent, whether it's been earned or not. Hospitality workers are paid a pittance however, so it is somewhat justified.
Useful travel tips resources
Footprint Guides - Israel
Exhaustive resource on all things Israeli from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/
Go Israel
This is the official website of the Israel Ministry of Tourism and offers loads of helpful information and advice.
http://www.goisrael.com/
http://www.israel-travel.net/
Offers tourist information as well as hotel and city guides.
http://www.israel-travel.net/
More topics on this site…
Israel travel information
Israel health and safety
Israel maps and geography
Essentials
Visas: Stays of up to 90 days are visa-free for most nationalities
Season: Year round
Money: Shekel – most major currencies accepted widely, especially US dollars
Language: Hebrew – English widely spoken
Emergency #: Fire / Police - 100; Ambulance - 101