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. 

Ireland

Ireland Flag

"The Emerald Isle" and "The Land of Saints and Scholars"

Dingle Bay (County Kerry), Western Ireland. Photo Credit: EMersinger/Pixabay 

Why visit Ireland?

For the international traveler seeking the experiences of beer, bicycling, birdwatching, castles, charming towns, coastal cliffs, coves, culture, famous film scenes, festivals, fishing, folklore takes, gastronomy, golf, greyhound racing, green panoramic vistas, historical sites, history, horseback riding, horse races, kayaking, lush green landscape, monuments, mountains, museums, music, nightlife, pristine beaches, pubs, rock climbing, rolling hills, ruins, scuba diving, shopping, stunning scenery, surfing, theatre, traditional dance, walking, water sports, and windsurfing. 

Galley Head Lighthouse, Cork, Ireland. Photo Credit: Roland Mey/Pixabay 

A popular destination for:

• Amateur & Professional Photographers
• Genealogy Ancestry Discovery
  
• Meetings & Reunions
• Cruises: Debarkation/Embarkation
• Destination Wedding
• Movie Buff Fans: Game of Thrones and Star Wars
• Groups: Family, Friends and Multigenerational
• Milestones: Anniversary, BabyMoon, Bachelor Party, Bachelorette Party, Birthday, Honeymoon and Retirement

Ring of Kerry, County Kerry (southwestern) Ireland. Photo Credit: Howard Walsh/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: China ware, copper ware, Claddagh, crystal, Gaelic jewelry, handmade sweaters, lace, linens, liquor, peat carvings, poetry books, pottery, walking sticks, whiskey, whistles, and wool goods.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Bacon and Cabbage. Barmbrack (raisin bread). Blaa (bun). Bog Butter. Champ (mashed potatoes). Colcannon (mashed potatoes/kale). Coddle (hearty meal). Crubeens (pigs feet dish). Goody (dessert). Gubbeen Cheese. Irish Stew. Mackerel (fish). Oatcake (biscuit cookie). Skirts and Kidneys (pork stew). Soda Farl (bread). Veda Bread (malted).
• Local Drink to Try: Baileys Irish Cream (liquor). Cavan Cola (soft drink). Cidona (apple soft drink). Club (soft drink). Guinness (beer). Irish Coffee (cocktail). Irish Mist (whiskey). Irish Whiskey. Magners (cider). Poitín (spirit). Red Lemonade (soft drink). Smithwick (red ale). Tanora (tangerine soft drink).

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare (Burren Region), Ireland. Photo Credit: weareaway/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• In 1912, the Titanic ship was built (Belfast).
• During World War I (1914-1918) Benedictine Nuns fled Belgium to Galway (Kylemore Abbey monastery).
• Historically, newlyweds were given fermented honey to toast each other until the next full moon deriving the term "honeymoon".
  
• Second largest island of the British Isles
• The third largest island in Europe.
  
• On Reek Sunday the fourth tallest and sacred mountain, Croagh Patrick (County Mayo) is climbed by many.
  
• In the churchyard of St Columba’s Church (Village of Drumcliff) a tombstone reads, "Cast a Cold Eye On Life, on Death, Horseman pass by" marking the final rest of  William Butler Yeats, Poet (1865-1939). 
• Home to three native finest horse breeds.
• Once upon a time, Ireland's Alcatraz (Cork, Spike Island) was the world's largest prison.
• Historically built around 1425 the Bunratty Castle (Clare) was a Viking trading camp.
• Home to the oldest vernacular poetry in Europe.
• Cliffs of Moher appeared in films Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Leap Year (2010), and The Princess Bride (1987). 
• Home (Trinity College Dublin) to the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript of four Gospel Book in Latin of the New Testament.
• Keem Bay (Achill Island) is said to inspire writers Graham Greene and Heinrich Böll.
  
• Croaghaun Mountain is one of the world's highest sea cliffs.
  
• Former castles converted to hotels include: Ashford Castle, Castle Leslie, and Dromoland Castle.
• The Longest river is River Shannon.
• Home to 26 native land mammal species.
• There are no snakes.
• Wins more medals in boxing compared to any other Olympic sport.
• Over 240,000 golfers visitors annually.
• Largest consumers of potatoes amongst European countries.
• Produces 90% of the world's supply of whiskey in the world.
• Irish beef has a worldwide reputation for excellence since cattle are grass fed.
• Amongst the best smoked salmon in the world.
• Award-winning artisan producers of black pudding (blood sausage).
  

Duckett's Grove House, Duckett Grove (County Carlow), Ireland. Photo Credit: Howard Walsh/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Funderland, Warpcon (February) Audi Dublin International Film Festival, Dublin Tech Summit, Itzacon Eire, Willie Loughman Forest Rally, (March) Galway International Rally, Games Fleadh, Limerick Forest Rally, Mayo Rally, Seachtain na Gaeilge, St Patrick’s Day Parades, St Patrick’s Dublin Festival, West Cork Rally, World Book Day, (April) All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Castlepalooza, Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Great Ireland Run, Pan Celtic Festival, World Irish Dancing Championships, (May) Bloom Festival, Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Daily Mirror May Day Races, Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, Galway African Film Festival, International Literature Festival Dublin, Nettlemas, Oxegen, Wicklow Arts Festival, (June) Bloomsday Festival, Cork Midsummer Arts Festival, Cork X Southwest Music & Arts Festival, Donegal International Rally, Earagail Arts Festival, Irish Derby, Taste of Dublin, Women's Mini Marathon Dublin, (July) Battle of the Boyne Commemoration, City Spectacular, Galway International Arts Festival, GAZE International LGBT Film Festival Dublin, Mary From Dungloe International Festival, Reek Sunday, (August) All Ireland Fleadh - Marching Band Competition, Black Pride Ireland, Dublin Feminist Film Festival, Dublin Horse Show, Flat Lake Festival, Fleadh Cheoil, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Lughnasa Fair, National Heritage Week, Puck Fair, Rose of Tralee International Festival, Spraoi, (September) All-Ireland Hurling & Gaelic Football Finals, Arthur's Day, Dublin Theatre Festival, Electric Picnic, Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival, Irish Antique & Fine Art Fair, Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, National Ploughing Championships, (October) Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Dragon of Shandon, Dublin Marathon, Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Kinsale Gourmet Festival, Mr Gay Ireland, SSE Airtricity Dublin City Marathon, Wexford Festival Opera, (November) Cork Film Festival, Science Week Ireland, (December) Dublin Docklands Christmas Festival, Killarney Christmas Market, (December) All-Ireland Hurling Final, and Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, May Day, June Holiday, August Holiday, October Holiday, Christmas Day, and St Stephen's Day.
  

Killarney, Ireland.  Photo Credit: Christian_Birkholz/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Weather tends to be cool, damp, misty, and rainy.
  
• Not all accommodations are deluxe.
  
• Pack a quality raincoat and/or umbrella.
• Use comfort and quality walking shoes.
• Cycling is best in Clare, Kerry, and Sligo.
  
• Remember its Irish Whiskey vs Scottish Whiskey.
• Potato chips are locally called crisps.
• Ferry Service connects to France and the United Kingdom.
• Be patient, when ordering Guinness or Murphy beer as they are required to settle before being served.
• American Express is not widely accepted. Mastercard and VISA are widely accepted.
• Northern Ireland currency is Pound Sterling (GBP) while the rest of the island is in Euro's (EUR).
• All debit and credit cards must have a chip and pin to use for purchases.
• Travelers Checks is not accepted.
• Roads are often narrow, uneven, and winding.
• Be mindful some of our words may have a different meaning there. For example: ATM here but a hole in the wall there. French fries here but chips there. Potato chips here but crisps there.
• Car rental companies may not permit driving in the northern region as it's a part of the United Kingdom.
• Most visited attractions include: Abbey Theatre, Achill Island, Aran Islands, Bantry House, Blarney Castle, Book of Kells, Bunratty Castle, Castletown House, Castle Ward, Cliffs of Moher, Clonmacnoise, Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Glendalough, Glenveagh Castle, Guinness Storehouse, Holy Cross Abbey, Lakes of Killarney, Rock of Cashel,
• Surfers migrate towards Ballybunion, Bundoran, Donegal Bay, Inishowen, Lahinch, or Portrush. 
• Scuba Diving is best along the western seaboard. Best ship wreck dives explorations is Malin Head and off the County Cork coast.
• Broken away from Great Britain after rising sea levels caused by ice melting.
• Top rated windsurfing is in Brandon Bay, Clew Bay, Lough Erne, and Lough Neagh.
• Between August - September, water temperatures averages around 60°F.
  
• Kingfisher Trail (300 miles) boasts a scenic cycle route to enjoy lakes and mountains.
  
• Importing meat and milk products is prohibited.
  
• Keep all your shopping receipts. You may apply for a "VAT Refund Form" (portion) to claim a Sales Tax (VAT) Refund with the Republic of Ireland.
• Rental cars are known theft targets easily identified with rear window sticker decals.
  
• Banks will not accept $100US bills.
  
• Cars drive on the left side of the road.
  
• Has more circular “roundabouts” than stop lights.
• Majority of rental cars are manual transmissions vs automatic.
• Turning on a red stoplight is illegal.
  

Giant's Causeway (Interlocking Basalt Columns), Northern Ireland. Photo Credit: Paul Hampshire/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara (County Galway), Ireland. Photo Credit: Hans Hansen/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - June & October
• Coldest Months: January - February
• Hottest Months: May - September
• Peak Season: June - September
• Shoulder Season: April - June & October

Connemara, Western Ireland. Photo Credit: Greg Montani/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Brú na Bóinne: Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne and Skellig Michael.

Dunluce Castle, (County Antrim) Northern Ireland. Photo Credit: NakNakNak/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

Greyhound Race, Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium, Waterford, Ireland. Photo Credit: MICHOFF/Pixabay 

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

Iraq

Iraq Flag

"Cradle of Civilization"

Why visit Iraq?

For the adventurous spiritual traveler seeking to enjoy archaeologically, biblical sites, handicrafts, and ruins.

Lake Dukan, Kurdistan, Iraq. Photo Credit: Wria Mahmood/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Antiques, carpets, ceramics, copperware, rugs, silver, and wool goods.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Jameed (cheese). Kleicha (date cookie). Lahm B'ajeen (meat dish). Mann al-sama (nougat). Masgouf (grilled carp). Samoon (bread). Tepsi Baytinijan (casserole). Quzi (rice dish).
• Local Drink to Try: Arak (anise distilled). Sharbat (sweet petals). 

Hillah (Hilla), Iraq.  Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• In 1932, became independent from Britain.
• In 1980, invaded Iran.
  
• In 2003, invaded by the United States.
• In 2011, the United States military left.
• Reconstructed brick buildings often are engraved with Saddam Hussein.
• Shanidar Cave (Bradost Mountain) contains two cemeteries (Kurdistan Region).
  
• Ranks third largest with oil reserves.
• Najaf (central area) is considered the third holiest sacred city.
  
• In seventh grade students are separated by gender and schools.
• Home to the world's oldest recipes, Cuneiform Tablets (Babylon).
• Home to the two largest mosque palaces in the Islamic world.

Babyalon, Iraq. Photo Credit: Mariusz Matuszewski/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (September) Al Ghadeer International Festival, Babylon International Festival, and Iraq Short Film Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Army Day, Nowruz, Liberation Day, Labour Day, Republic Day, National Day, Victory Day, Christmas Day, Islamic New Year, Ashura, Prophet's Birthday, End of Ramadan, and Feast of the Sacrifice.

Great Ziggurat of Ur, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq. Photo Credit: Abdulmomn Kadhim/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Home to deeply rooted al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS) Terrorism Groups.
  
• Only way to visit Baghdad and the southern area is on a hosted or escorted tour.
  
• Baghdad is prone to poor air quality.
  
• Dress conservatively (arms and legs).
• Women must wear a scarf to cover their hair and neck.
• Business hours usually vary during the month of Ramadan.
• Poorly ranked with sanitation and water supply.
• Required to carry your passport and VISA at all times.
• Hepatitis and HIV blood tests required within seven days of arrival for stays over 15 days. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
• Requires an exit stamp from the Residency Office. Cost varies by length of stay. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
• Avoid border areas.
• Crime is common.
• Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
• Electricity is unstable and prone too outages.
• Landline phone service is limited.
• Largely a cash environment, ATM's are rare.
• Healthcare and treatment is limited.
• Prevalent Diseases include: Cholera, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Tuberculosis.
• Prone to poor driving conditions and disregard to pedestrians.
• Avoid dark explorations.
• Traffic checkpoints can take hours to pass.
• Avoid public transportation.

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Since January 2021 the Travel Advisory is a Level 4: Do Not Travel due to conflict, kidnapping, and terrorism of Americans.

• Best Time to Visit: September - January & April - June
• Coolest Months: December - February
• Hottest Months: July - October
• Peak Season: March - May

Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Photo Credit: Zana Latif/Unsplash 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat), Babylon, Erbil Citadel, Hatra, Samarra Archaeological City, and The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities.

Kurdistan, Iraq. Photo Credit: florencedidiot/Pixabay 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? 

Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

Stay connected, find us online: Alignable Facebook  LinkedIn  Pinterest  Slack  Twitter 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

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