Israel

Israel Flag

"Silicon Valley of the Middle East"

Why visit Israel?

Best known for archaeological digs, beaches, biblical sites, caves, culture, historical sites, markets, museums, religious shrines, spas, and wineries.

A popular destination for:

• Amateur & Professional Photographers
• Bucket List Destination
• Ocean Cruises Embarkation/Disembarkation
• Groups: Family, Friends and Multigenerational 
• Religious & Spiritual

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Isarel. Ekaterina Vysotina/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Antiques, bathing suits,  diamonds, embroidery, furs, jewelry, leather coats, religious goods, skin-care products, and wine.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Challah (bread). Cholent (stew). Falafel (sandwich). Kubba (beet stew). Malawach (flatbread). Me'orav Yerushalmi (grilled mixed meat). Oznei Haman (filled cookie). Ptitim (toasted pasta). Potato Bourekas (pastry). Sabich (stuffed pita sandwich).
• Local Drink to Try: Arak (spirit). Goldstar (lager beer). Limonana (lemonade). Maccabi (beer). Sahlab (drinkable pudding).

Jaffa Beach, Tel-Aviv, Isarel. Photo Credit: Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Jerusalem is considered the holiest city in the world.
• Has the highest standard of living amongst Middle East countries.
  
• Highly ranked of citizens with a education degree and military training.
• Education is required for children from 3-18 years old.
• All homes are required to have a reinforced security room for warfare purposes.
• Warren Edward Buffet, American Billionaire Investor purchased metal cutting company, Iscar LTD for a reported $4 billion.
• Port of Haifa is their oldest port.
  
• The only country in the world where the Hebrew Calendar sets life.
• Israel Museum (Jerusalem) is home to ancient Jewish religious manuscripts (Dead Sea Scrolls) found. 
  
• The salt lake of the Dead Sea is the earth's lowest elevation.

Timna Park, Eilat, Israel. Photo Credit:  Jim Black/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (March) Eilat Bird Festival, (May) Abu Ghosh Vocal Music Festival, Israel & Jerusalem Festivals of the Performing Arts, (June) Jerusalem Light Festival, Tel Aviv Gay Pride Week, White Nights, (July) Israeli Folkdance Festival, Jerusalem Arts & Crafts Festival, Jerusalem Film Festival, Jerusalem International Film Festival, Jerusalem Summer Culture Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, (August) Jerusalem Beer Festival, Karmiel Dance Festival, Opera in the Park Tel Aviv, Safed Klezmer Festival, (September) Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival, ltidisciplinary Arts Festival,  Interational Film Festival, Sukkot Festival, (October) Cycle Tel Aviv, Haifa International Film Festival, IndNegev Music Festival, Jerusalem March, Tel Aviv Night Run, (November) Eilat Desert Marathon, Olive Festival, and Jacob’s Ladder Festival.
• Holidays: Sabbath, New Year, Fast of Gedaliah, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, Simchat Torah/Shmini Atzeret, Rabin Day, Sigd, Ben-Gurion Day, Hanukkah, Tenth of Tevet, Arbor Day, Fast of Esther, Purim, Aliyah Day, Passover, Seventh Day of Passover, Mimouna, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Victory in Europe Day, Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day, Independence Day, Herzl Day, Lag BaOmer, Jerusalem Day, Shavuot, Seventeenth of Tammuz, Jabotinsky Day, and Tisha B'Av.

Caesarea, Israel. Photo Credit: Robert Alvarado/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• The north is green lush and the south area desert.
• From May - September rain is rare.
  
• The left hand is considered dirty, therefore use your right hand to eat, give, and take.
• Land mines are present in remote areas (Golan Heights).
  
• From sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday do not drive through Mea Shearim Orthodox Jewish Section of Jerusalem due to Jewish Sabbath Rules.
• The Official day of rest is on Saturday.
  
• Men entering a synagogue are required to cover their heads.
• Public buses do not normally operate on Saturday.
• Tel Aviv offers spectacular beaches and unbeaten nightlife.
• Internal checkpoints are known to restrict the movement of individuals.
  
• Entry or exit from Gaza or the West Bank area could be denied.
• HIV/AIDS entry restrictions are imposed.
  
• A free three-month tourist VISA is given upon arrival.
  
• Avoid the Gaza Strip area.
• In the event of mortar or rocket fire, a “red alert” will be sounded.
  
• High-pressure sales tactics are known to occur in tourist areas.
  
• Avoid demonstrations.
• Swim only at official designated beaches with a lifeguard due to strong rip currents.
  
• LGBTI acceptance and tolerance varies throughout the country.
• Avoid drinking tap water.
• Cars must use headlights at all times. Drivers are required to carry fluorescent vests and safety triangles.
• Aggressive driving is common.

Eilat, Israel. Photo Credit: Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for under 90 days.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Dead Sea, Israel. Photo Credit: Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: March - April & September - October
• Coolest Months: October - March
• Hottest Months: April - October
• Peak Season: June - September

Wadi Road, Jordan, Israel. Photo Credit: odedloveanat/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee, Biblical Tels–Megiddo Hazor Beer Sheba, Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves, Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev, Masada, Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal, Old City of Acre, Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot/Wadi el-Mughara Caves, and White City of Tel-Aviv - the Modern Movement.

Golan, Israel. Photo Credit: uric69/Pixabay 

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                                          All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.