Travel Tips and Visitor Information for Israel

Few places in the world evoke as much passion as Israel, conjuring an ancient, complex history that touches at the very heart of civilization. Its sacred ruins, dramatic beauty, spiritual core and ancient history have intrigued travelers over the centuries.

Our 12-day Israel tour takes Club ABC Tours members from the modern city of Tel Aviv to ancient Tiberius near the "town of Jesus" to Jerusalem, the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This discovery tour to Israel features the "best of" by focusing on the key cultural and historic treasures with guided excursions as well as providing ample free time to explore at your own pace, all at a value expected by Club members. Members can also select an optional 3-night Eilat/Petra extension.

Before You Go: Israel

• Passport/Visa: All visitors must have an up-to-date passport valid at least 6 months from time of entry. Free tourist visas issues to port of entry to U.S. citizens. All other nationalities need to check with the Israeli consulate.
• Vaccinations: Not required.
• Customs: After claiming your luggage upon arrival, you exit the Arrival hall via the Red or Green channel depending on what you declare. Check the information posters located at the entrance to confirm which channel to choose. In general, Green: Articles that do not need to be declared include: personal clothing, shoes, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages (1 liter hard liquor; 2 liters wine), tobacco (up to 250 grams), present values up to $200 (except tobacco, alcohol, perfume, TVs), cameras, binoculars, radio (no video camera). Red line: for goods that need to be declared you must leave a deposit that will be paid when you depart Israel. Goods include any personal computers, new video camera. The deposit is a guarantee equal to the taxes due on the item. This deposit can be paid in cash or major credit card. Failure to declare taxable items will result in fine or goods confiscated.
• Value Added Tax (VAT) Refund: Tourists visiting Israel are entitled to a VAT refund on specific goods purchased. Make sure to pick up a brochure at the airport or hotel with all the details. While shopping, you’ll need to make sure shop/establishment has a “tax refund” sticker on the door. Make sure to ask for a VAT refund invoice. At the airport, you’ll need to show the original invoice, the green VAT tax form and the goods purchased.
  • Price of purchase (including VAT) exceeds $100
  • Goods must be taken out of the country and must be for personal use only.
  • Shopkeeper must place goods with special VAT refund invoice in a sealed and transparent nylon bag.
  • You must make sure that the required details are filled out accurately on the refund invoice.
  • You must make sure that the goods and invoice are placed in the bag before sealed. The bag must NOT be opened until it is presented for VAT refund.
  • When departing, you must go to the VAT refund Center at Change Place Ltd. And present sealed bag as well as tax invoice in order to receive VAT refund.
  • Note: Commission is charged on refund

Food in Israel

• Cuisine: Many cooking traditions have influenced the food of Israel, from Eastern Europe and Mediterranean to Northern Africa and the Middle East. You can find lots of choices, from inexpensive, tasty street food in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to world-acclaimed Middle Eastern and Continental cuisines in Tel Aviv. Many restaurants have menus in English. Generally a 10% service charge is included.
• Foods to try: Popular, inexpensive street food includes Falafel, the flagship dish from Arab cuisine, a whole or half pita stuffed with deep-fried balls of chick peas and spices, served with salad or pickled vegetables and often accompanied by harif (“fiery red sauce”). Make sure to try humus made with chickpeas and tehina (sesame paste) and Labaneh, a cross between yogurt and cream cheese serviced with olive oil and herbs, and eaten with pita bread.
• “Israeli Breakfast”: Start each day in Israel with a good appetite! Your Israeli Breakfast at the hotel features huge portions and lots of choices. It usually includes eggs, cheese, breads, pastries, fresh vegetable salad, humus, yogurt, fruit, coffee or tea. Sometimes fish is served, but never meats. •
• Kosher Meals: Most hotels and some restaurants serve kosher meals. Look for a posted Kashrut certificate granted by a local rabbinate to confirm the establishment serves kosher meals.

Customs and General Tips in Israel

• Attire: Dress is casual, except for visiting Holy sites. Men should wear hats or don yarmulke (skull caps) usually provided on site. Women should wear modest attire at these Holy sites, generally a scarf to cover head and no pants. Dress or skirt should fall below the knee.
• Don’t be offended. Israeli’s are known to be blunt and direct. This should not be mistaken for rudeness.
• Shabbat (Saturday) is the Jewish Holy Day. Shabbat begins on Friday evening and ends Saturday evening. All public offices and most private business are closed. In most cities public transportation does not operate and most restaurants & shops are closed. Likewise similar closing on Holy Days for Muslims (Friday) and Christians (Sunday). It is considered discourteous to smoke on Shabbat.
• Shops are generally open Sun-Thurs from 9 AM to 7 PM. Most shops close early on Friday afternoon and for Shabbat (Saturday). Some shops close around lunch for an hour or so.
• Bargain at the market – it is expected.
• Currency: New Israel Shequel (NIS)
• Taxis: tipping not necessary. Make sure taxi driver starts meter when you begin your trip.
• Electricity: 220 volts AC/50 H – adapter needed
• Basic Hebrew: Toda (“Thank you”); Ken (“Yes”); Lo (“No”); Bevakasha (“Please”); Hello & Goodbye (“Shalom” – which also means Peace)

Tel Aviv Travel Tips

Tel Aviv is home to about a third of Israel’s population and its center for commerce. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean, Tel Aviv is also a major center for Israeli’s culture and entertainment, boasting of architectural wonders, numerous museums and a lively nightlife. The “White City” is home to the largest surviving collection of Bauhaus architecture, making this a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a very social city. Many folks, young and old, go out on the weekend. The Promenade is lively through the early hours.

Top Museums in Tel Aviv

Eretz Israel Museum (“The Land of Israel Museum”) is located on the outskirts of northern Tel Aviv and focuses on the history and culture of Israel. This huge complex encompasses Tel Qasile, an ancient mound where 12 strata of civilization can be found. The museum boasts of fascinating archeological finds along with dedicated Pavilions on the history of coins, ceramics, glass, ethnography and even an Olive Oil Press Complex reflecting this plant’s long history in these lands. Plan to spend at least a few hours here.                                                                 Location: 2 Haim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv, 03 641-5244 Hours: Sun-Wed: 10 AM – 4 PM; Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM; Fri & Sat: 10 AM – 2PM.

Beth Hatefutsoth (“Museum of the Jewish Diaspora”)

Visit the Diaspora Museum on the campus of Tel Aviv University, which documents the dispersal of the Jews around the world since the destruction of the Second Temple. Location: Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner Street, Ramat Aviv (entrance Matatia Gate 2) 972 37457800  Hours: Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs: 10 AM – 4 PM; Wed: 10 AM – 6 PM; Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM; Sat: Closed

Tel Aviv Museum of Art is Israel’s main art museum. This acclaimed collection ranges from classical to contemporary art, with a special focus on Israeli art and Modernism. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art was also the site of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Location: 27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd. 60 77020  Hours: Mon-Wed: 10 AM – 4PM; Tues & Thurs: 10 AM – 10 PM; Fri: 10 AM – 2 PM; Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM; Sun: Closed

While in Tel Aviv, visit the Tourist Information Center for materials in English and Hebrew. Location: Tel Aviv Promenade, 46 Herbert Samuel Street (corner of 2 Geula Street) Hours: Sun-Thurs: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Fri: 9:30 AM – 1 PM

Jerusalem Travel Tips

Jerusalem is a 5,000-year-old city sacred to the world’s three major religions, Jewish, Christian and Muslim. Whatever your beliefs, the must see site in Jerusalem is the walled Old City with its four distinct quarters — Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian — and the eight fortified gates that provide access to the Old City. Start with the view at the Temple Mount and the magnificent Dome of the Rock, holy to Muslims. Visit the Western Wall or Kotel Ha-Ma’aravi, the holiest of Jewish sites. Christians can follow the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. See King David’s Tombs and the Upper Room on Mount Zion.

Top Museums in Jerusalem

Israel’s largest cultural institution, the Israel Museum, features the most extensive holdings in biblical and Holy Land archeology of the world. The museum’s most celebrated highlights are the Dead Sea Scrolls, the world’s oldest biblical manuscripts, as well as the Jerusalem Model in the Second Temple which reconstructs the topography and archeological character of the city prior to 66 C.E. Location: Ruppin Street, 02 670 8811  Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs: 10 AM – 5 PM; Tues: 4 PM – 9 PM; Fri & Holiday Evenings: 10 AM – 2 PM; Sat & Holidays: 10 AM – 5 PM  Note: Museum is undergoing a major renovation thru 2010 and permanent collection galleries are not open. You may wish to confirm that the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display.

Yad Veshem (“Holocaust History Museum”) is the largest repository of information on the Holocaust, the Jewish people’s memorial to the murdered six million. Location: Har Hzikaron, 9722 6443749 Hours: Sun-Wed: 9 AM – 5 PM; Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM; Fri & Eve of Holidays: 9 AM – 2 PM; Sat & Jewish Holidays: Closed.  Note: children under 10 not permitted.

L. A. Museum of Islamic Art features the foremost collection of Islamic art since the 7th century. Earthenware, glassware, decorative metals document the traditions of various cultures under the influence of Islam.  Location: 2 Ha-Palmakh Street, 02 5661291  Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed & Thurs: 10 AM – 3 PM; Tues: 10 AM – 6 PM; Fri, Sat, Holidays & Holiday Eves: 10 AM – 2 PM.

Note: All information is subject to change.