2020 EASTER HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE - NOT AVAILABLE

Located geographically and culturally at the intersection of Asia, Europe and Africa, Israel is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities and religions. Despite its small size, Israel holds a plethora of spectacular natural landscapes, archaeological treasures, and historical religious sites. Soak up some sun on a Mediterranean beach, hike the Israeli National Trail or ride a camel through Israel’s hauntingly beautiful deserts. With its snow-capped mountains, coastal gems, ancient artefacts, bustling markets, striking cityscapes and laid-back locals, Israel is an ideal travel destination.

Currency

New Shekel (ILS; symbol ₪) = 100 agorot (singular, agora). Notes are in denominations of ₪200, 100, 50, and 20. Coins are in denominations of ₪10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 and 10 agorot.

Note: Many hotels, tour companies, car rental agencies and other tourist services quote their prices in US dollars.
It is customary to tip 12-15% in restaurants and cafés. Tipping in bars is appreciated but not expected, and it is the norm to round up to the nearest shekel in taxis. Bargaining is done only in open markets.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding ILS90,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Most major currencies can be exchanged for shekels at the airport, banks, post offices, many hotels or licensed exchange booths in most towns and cities. To exchange travellers’ cheques you will need to show your passport. All public services such as banks and post offices are closed on Shabbat. At the end of your trip it is possible to change money from shekels back to your currency of choice, only at the airport.

Banking

Banking hours: Sunday-Friday 08h30-12h00 and Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 16h00-18h00 although these can vary slightly between banks.

All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widely available.

Israel is a small country, and it is therefore easy to get from one place to another in a relatively short time.  Public transportation is convenient, and you can get to almost any destination for a reasonable price.

Domestic flights focus on routes linking Eilat to Tel Aviv and Haifa. Arkia (IZ) (www.arkia.co.il), Israir (6H) (www.israirairlines.com) and El Al (www.elal.com) operate regular flights between these cities. Flights operate daily except Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday).

Most major car rental companies are represented in Israel as well as several local companies, notably Eldan (www.eldan.co.il). To rent a car, drivers must be over 21 and hold an international driving license, a credit card and insurance.

Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 80kph (50mph) in non-urban, 90kph (56mph) on a divided highway, and 110kph (68mph) on a designated 'high-speed road'. It is illegal to drive without a seatbelt and hands-free kits must be used for talking on mobile phones.

Israel Railways operates convenient, inexpensive train service.  It is also possible to travel by taxi, but this is more expensive, particularly for inter-city trips.  It’s therefore preferable to use shared service taxis. 
Taxis are metered, and can be telephoned or hailed from the street. Taxis operate during Shabbat, but are more expensive. 

Buses are the most popular form of public transport in Israel for both local transport and intercity trips.  The Egged bus company operates most of the intercity bus lines, as well as the local service in most of the large cities and towns.  Local and intercity transport in the Gush Dan area (Tel Aviv and the surrounding suburbs) is provided by the Dan bus company.  Bus service in Be’er Sheva and Nazareth is provided by private companies.  The fare for all bus lines is reasonable, the busses are comfortable and usually airconditioned, and there is regular, frequent service.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths in the central bus station in each city or town, or from the driver.  Most of the bus lines do not run on Shabbat or on Jewish holidays.  Service ends on Friday afternoon and resumes Saturday evening. 

Mains water is safe to drink throughout Israel. Bottled water is widely available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. All local meat, fish and vegetables are considered safe to eat.

Almost every restaurant in Israel has menus in English. Occasionally, the spellings or translations can be a bit strange, but these can provide amusement as well as charm. Like for anywhere else in the world, research restaurants on-line or use a good guide-book, and get advice from friends or your hotel front desk about their favorites. And use common-sense when choosing a place to eat, selecting places that look clean and welcoming and where there is a large turnover of diners.

Most restaurants and food stalls are open non-stop from the morning until the evening hours. Restaurants that are also bars remain open until the small hours of the night. In the major cities, especially in Tel Aviv, you can find something to eat at any hour of the day or night.

Reservations are a must at the top restaurants – particularly in Tel Aviv. A great deal for tourists are the Business Lunches at restaurants – particularly the top-rated places – in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. These lunches are special ‘prix fixe’ menus with several choices – at prices a third or half of the same meal in the evening. Israelis generally eat later than Americans. Lunch is usually some time between 1 and 3PM. And while the better restaurants are open from 6 or 7 – they don’t usually become crowded until 9PM or later.

Israelis tip 15% in restaurants and cafes. Often this is added to the bill, but if service was not satisfactory you can ask to have it removed.

Israel is located, between 29°-33° north of the equator, which is characterized as a subtropical region, between the temperate zone and the tropical zone. The northern and coastal regions of Israel show Mediterranean climate characterized by hot and dry summers and cool rainy winters. Whereas the southern and eastern areas of Israel are characterized by an arid climate.

The rainy season extends from October to early May, and rainfall peaks in December through February. Rainfall varies considerably by regions from the North to the South. Highest rainfall is observed in the North and center parts of the country and decreases in the southern part of Israel, from the Negev Desert to Eilat where rainfall is negligible.

Heavy snow falls only in the northernmost part of Golan Heights where the Mount Hermon summit (2,224 m above sea level) remains generally snow covered from December to March. In other parts of the country snow is observed rarely.

The city of Eilat, located at the southernmost point of Israel and at the northern tip of Red Sea, has a good climate for beach holidays all year round.

Dress is casual in Israel. Even Israeli prime ministers frequently wear short-sleeved shirts without ties. Lightweight layers in natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk will work better in the heat and will protect you from the sun better. Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Dress is casual even in restaurants.

Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen before you leave home as it is not that common in Israel.
Tattoos are more common that you might expect and on the beaches of Tel Aviv you will see many. If you feel a particular tattoo would be culturally offensive then as a precaution we would suggest that you cover it up, but otherwise the most you might raise is an eyebrow or two. A lightweight day sack will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials. Keep your passport with you at all times as you are required by Israeli law to carry ID.

For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in the State of Israel (Medīnat Yisrā'el) are their own standard, the "Type H " Israeli SI 32 with round pins. The current standard was changed from flat pins to round pins in 1989. Almost all Israeli sockets will accept both round pin and flat pin plugs, but on the rare occasion you may encounter an older socket which may only accept flat pin plugs. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types. 

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Israel usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance is not compatible with 220-240 electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.  

While this Arab kingdom in Western Asia typically conjures up images of vast sprawling deserts, it is, in fact, a remarkably diverse destination offering ancient churches and castles, spectacular mountain scenery, and stunning beaches, as well as some famously friendly local inhabitants. Itinerary highlights include: the incredible Dead Sea; the 2000-year-old ‘lost city’ of Petra; and the famous Lawrence of Arabia trail, which takes visitors from the ruins of his fort at Azraq to the picturesque deserts of Wadi Rum. While Jordan’s long and fascinating history provides travellers with a host of intriguing historical and biblical sites, the country is certainly not stuck in the past. With its slew of modern luxury hotels, trendy restaurants and lively bars, the city serves as a great base to explore the many ancient sites. For a captivating destination full of natural, historical and cultural wonders, look no further than the enchanting nation of Jordan.

Currency

Dinar (JOD; symbol JD) = 100 piastres or qirsh, or 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of JD1, 1/2 and 1/4; 10, 5, 2 and 1/2 piastres; and 1 and 1/2 qirsh.

Banking

Banking hours: Saturday-Thursday 08h30-15h00. Hours during Ramadan are 08h30-10h00, although some banks open in the afternoon.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and bureaux de change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.

American Express, Visa, Diners Club and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops.

ATMs can be found in most of the larger towns and throughout Amman. Jordan is a cash society. In most places (other than top-end hotels and restaurants) the only acceptable method of payment is cash dinars. Dollars and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted.

Travellers cheques issued by UK banks in sterling, euros or US dollars are accepted by licensed banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Royal Jordanian (www.rj.com) operates frequent flights between Amman and Aqaba. This is the only domestic air route in the country, and is something of a luxury – the road journey between the two cities is only around 4 hours. The flight from Amman to Aqaba takes less than 45 minutes. However, fares are not excessive, and the views out over the desert are an added enticement.

It’s easy to move around Jordan by road. Signage is generally good (and bilingual, in Arabic and English) and road quality is mostly high. Jordan is also small - few journeys between points of interest take longer than 2 hours.

Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road in Jordan. Speed limits are 60kph (38mph) or less in built-up areas, 80kph (50mph) on country roads and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. Mobile radar speed-traps are common. Roadside ID checks have been withdrawn everywhere, but it’s still a good idea to keep your passport with you at all times. The minimum driving age is 18 years. The wearing of seatbelts for all car passengers is mandatory. National driving licences are accepted if they have been issued at least one year before travel. However, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Visitors are not allowed to drive a vehicle with normal Jordanian plates unless they have a Jordanian driving licence.

You should always carry bottled drinking water with you in your vehicle, in case you are stranded in the daytime heat. Be prepared in winter (December to February) for heavy rain, fog and/or snowfall to block roads or hinder progress, especially in high-altitude areas around Ajloun, Tafila, Petra and Ras Al Naqab, as well as in the elevated western suburbs of Amman.

The highways are reasonable but the local driving style can be erratic. For most visitors, in most situations, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is not needed. If you intend to drive off-road in the deserts, in Jordan’s east and south, you are best advised to make contact with a local guide or driver in advance.

Major international car hire companies and a number of local companiesoperate services in the main towns, including Amman and Aqaba; car hire is also available from hotels and travel agents. Drivers are available for the day.

In Amman all taxis operate a meter and can be hired for the day. A shared-taxi service to many towns on fixed routes is also available and can be hired for private use. Tips of around 10% are appreciated but not obligatory. Note that taxis often display the fare in fils rather than dinars and if you overpay by mistaking one for the other, no one is likely to correct you.

Buses are the main means of inter-city transport in Jordan – mostly small 15-seater minibuses, which ply between neighbouring towns as well as to/from Amman.

Jordan’s tap water is generally safe to drink in the towns and cities – it is heavily chlorinated, so may taste bad, but it will not do you harm. Nonetheless, if you can, it is advisable to stick to bottled water and pasteurised milk. Avoid dairy products made from unboiled milk. Be careful with food and water in rural areas: ensure meat and fish are well cooked and avoid raw vegetables and ready-peeled fruit.

Jordanian cuisine shares many of the characteristics of Middle Eastern cooking, but the inclusion of freshly made, local yoghurt and cheese adds a twist to the menu.

Aubergines, chickpeas, lentils and beans turn up in many of the dishes and rice and khoubs (flat Arabic bread) are staples used to scoop up spreads and dips, such as hummus and labneh (a yoghurt-like cream cheese).

Alcohol is served in most restaurants and bars, except during the fasting month of Ramadan (non-Muslim nationals can drink alcohol only in hotels during Ramadan). Black tea is the default drink and is usually served with a spoonful of sugar, though herbal blends are also common.

Generally, a 10% service charge is added to the bill in hotels and upmarket restaurants; extra tips are discretionary.

Jordan is a year-round destination. Even in high summer (June-August), Amman and most areas around the country are not excessively hot, chiefly due to the moderating influence of altitude – Amman stands around 850m (2800ft) above sea level. Similarly, Petra enjoys an elevated position – around 1,100m (3600ft) above sea level, so here, too, although days in summer can be hot, nights are often rather chilly. For Petra, as well as decent walking shoes – the only way in and out of the ruins is by a moderately testing walk over stony ground – also bring something warm for the evenings, even in summer. In winter, Petra can be very cold, with rain and even snow.

The Jordan Valley and the Red Sea coast around Aqaba is warm during winter (December-February) – a pleasant relief from the chill elsewhere – but extremely hot in summer (June-August). In the Eastern Desert, the winter can be bitterly cold and dry and the summer intensely hot. Some high-altitude areas, such as Ajloun, Dana and Petra, can receive snowfall in winter. Rain falls in many areas across the country on higher ground between October and March.

Lightweight clothes are advised between May and September. Thick winter clothes are essential for winter and a warm layer is necessary for cool summer evenings. Rainwear is advisable from November to March.

For the most part, electrical sockets in Jordan are one of three types: the "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug, the "Type G" British BS-1363 or the "Type D" Indian 5 amp BS-546. It's just anybody's guess as to which of the three types will be installed at any given specific location. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.

Electrical sockets in Jordan usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.