Israel is located at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia. Border countries are Egypt to the southwest, Jordan to the east, Syria to the northeast and Lebanon to the north. The Mediterranean is Israel’s western border and longest coastline – the Red Sea is at its southernmost tip and the Dead Sea is at its center. Israel is about as big as New Jersey – 7,992 square miles – and has a population of 6 million. Jerusalem, the capital of both ancient and modern Israel is is one of the most important holy sites in the world where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is among its most sacred sites. Built by the mother of Emperor Constantine over the site of a Roman pagan temple to Venus, the entire site encompasses the last five stations of the cross. The church marks the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. It is cared for by six denominations, and visitors can see the differences in layout, decor and tradition from the countless additions and modifications. It is perched on a hill known as Golgotha (Calvaria in Latin, hence Calvary).
Please pay close attention to safety and security matters regarding yourself and your possessions while abroad. Please keep your passport, airline tickets and any other valuables in a safe place as it is very difficult, costly and time-consuming to get a new passport issued in a foreign country. Please also keep photocopies of your passport, air ticket, credit cards, traveller’s check numbers and any other important personal documentation in a separate part of your luggage.
Be alert for , pickpockets and muggers no matter what city you visit and do not wander around anywhere late at night on your own.
PLEASE CHECK DEPARTURE TIMES FOR TOURS AND TRANSFERS WITH YOUR LOCAL TOUR GUIDE/ESCORT AS THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO FACTORS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE TOUR OPERATORS SUCH AS WEATHER, TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MUSEUM CLOSURE, RESTORATION/RECONSTRUCTION OR DELAYS.
NOTE:THERE WILL BE NO REFUND FOR ANY UNUSED PORTION OF THE TRIP AS EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PREPAID.
THE TOUR IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE TRAVEL & TOUR OPERATORS/ HOTELS, AIRLINES, BUS COMPANIES AND ANY OTHER SUPPLIERS.
PASSPORTS/VISAS/CURRENCY/ETC.
To travel to Israel, you will need a valid passport and one that has not expired or will not expire while you are out of the country. For US citizens, visas are not required for Israel. All non-US citizens must contact their local embassies regarding visa requirements for Israel. Israel is 8 hours ahead of US Central Standard Time – when it is 6:00 pm (evening) in Tel Aviv, it is 11:00 am (morning) in New York. The monetary unit in Israel is the Israeli New Shekel. There are approximately 4.7 Israeli New Shekels to the US Dollar. This is a guide only as the exchange rate fluctuates so it is wise to check nearer departure. US dollars are also used so have some $1 and $5 dollar denominations with you. It is expensive to make calls from your hotel room so it is best to use phone cards or ask the hotel if you can use the phone in the hotel lobby and if phone cards are suitable. Or you can use cel phones (if you plan to use a cel phone, make sure it will work internationally.) Alternatively, get a family member from the USA to call you at the hotel after dinner it is cheaper to make calls from the USA to Israel than the other way round. We suggest you call your credit card company before you leave the USA and advise them that you will be out of the country for 10 days and will be using your card for charges while you are in Israel. This will avoid your credit card company not approving charges in a foreign country and thereby embarrassing you. NOTE: Please do not wander off on your own or visit places like Hebron particularly if your local guide/escort advises against it. Please take his or her advice as they are the experts on the local conditions. The above tour is subject to all the terms and conditions of the airlines/tour operators, hotels, tour companies and other suppliers. The program is subject to change due to factors beyond their control. There is no refund for any unused portions as the tour has been fully prepaid. Should any additional sites be visited which have not been included in the program, entrance fees might be applicable. Your Tour Escort will advise accordingly.
CLIMATE/CLOTHING/PACKING/SAFETY, ETC.
Early spring is an ideal time to visit Israel. Days should be mild to warm and sunny with temperatures ranging from 48 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For cool evenings, take a warm jacket and good sneakers with you. Please pay close attention to safety and security matters regarding yourself and your possessions while abroad. Please keep your passport, airline tickets and any other valuables in a safe place as it is very difficult, costly and time-consuming to get a new passport issued in a foreign country. Please also keep photocopies of your passport, air ticket, credit cards, traveller’s check numbers and any other important personal documentation in a separate part of your luggage. Watch the traffic which is heavy in all big cities and watch your step when stepping on an off the curb or the bus, entering or leaving monuments, buses and buildings, etc. Also check each time you leave an aircraft, bus, restaurant, shop, taxi or restroom that you have all your belongings with you – do not leave anything behind. When you leave the bus during each tour please also make sure you take all your possessions off the bus each day, ie umbrellas, coats, cameras, bags, etc. As you leave the bus at the end of each day/tour, check above and below your seat for all your possessions. Pack casual, comfortable clothes, good walking shoes/sneakers (preferably rubber-soled shoes/sneakers as leather shoes get damp and slippery when it rains), warm rainproof jacket/coat, hat, sunglasses, sweater, tracksuit/sweatsuit, jeans etc (however – avoid jeans for holy sites – slacks or skirts and long sleeves are appropriate). Pack lightly. Please take one checked bag (as there is only space for one checked bag person on the bus) and one carry-on bag. In your carry-on please pack all your Valuables and Medications and a change of clothing in case of a flight delay. Keep your passport/airline ticket/credit cards/travellers checks in a money belt, belt bag or passport pouch under your shirt. Luggage with wheels is preferable as porters are not always readily available when you want them. Trolleys should be available at the airports you will be visiting. Keep your carry-on with you at all times – do not give it to any porters. Make sure your name, address and telephone number is clearly marked inside and outside your luggage. Do not pack airline tickets, passports, cameras, credit cards, money, medication, cameras or any valuable items in your checked luggage. If a bag is lost or damaged please report it to the airline representative on arrival at the airport immediately and get a written receipt documenting the loss or damage to your checked luggage. Please retain your baggage claim check which is usually stapled to your airline ticket on check-in. In the unlikely event of your luggage not arriving at your destination, report the missing bag to the airline immediately and this will enable your bag to be traced immediately.
VALUABLES
We suggest you leave all your valuable items such as expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash at home. Place any valuable items (passports, airline tickets, cash, credit cards or traveller’s checks, etc.) in the hotel safety deposit box. Do not leave any valuables in your hotel room. Be alert at all times especially if you are in a crowded tourist area and beware of gypsies or pickpockets. Unfortunately in all big cities – anywhere in the world for that matter including the USA – pickpockets operate so do not have anything on you that could be easily stolen. PLEASE BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES.
AIRPORT SECURITY
Be especially alert at all airports both in the and abroad. It is easy to be distracted at busy airports where pickpockets abound. Remember you are not aware of the pickpockets or muggers – but they watch you. When placing hand luggage through Security be aware that the security staff could unwittingly be part of a scam. Wallets can be removed from purses as pickpockets see what’s available in your hand luggage, follow you to the Security and quickly remove an item when you are distracted. Lock-up handbags or purses are recommended. Also be alert for security staff/those posing as security staff possibly creating disturbances as a smokescreen to withdrawing articles from your hand luggage while you are distracted. As you go through the Security each time make sure one of you goes through first and the other follows only when you are on the other side and ready to look out for your items on the Security conveyor belt. Never take your eyes off your hand luggage and keep your hand luggage in front of you at all times even after you leave the security area. All the professional pickpocket/mugger needs is a brief second to steal some of your treasured belongings and ruin your vacation. Never leave your personal belongings unattended at any time once you leave home and finally return. Be careful at all times, check at all stages and be alert – this is the only way you can outsmart the muggers. Be careful of bags/cameras slung over shoulders. Belt bags, money belts and passport pouches (tucked under your clothes to prevent someone cutting the straps) are the best.
PASSPORTS/VISAS
To travel to Israel, you will need a valid passport and one that has not expired or will not expire while you are out of the country. For US citizens, visas are not required for Israel. All non-US citizens must contact their local embassies regarding visa requirements for Israel.HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
At present no vaccinations are required to enter Israel or to re-enter the USA but please check with your family doctor or the US state department for an update before you leave.
TIME
The Middle East is 8 hours ahead of US Central Standard Time – when it is 6:00 pm (evening) in Tel Aviv, it is 10:00 am (morning) in Dallas.ELECTRICAL CURRENT
The electrical current in Israel is not the same as the USA so please take special adaptors along for hairdryers, shavers and other appliances. Please check the local voltage with the hotel before using electrical appliances. Plugs have prongs that are round, not flat, therefore an adaptor plug is needed.CURRENCY, CASH & CREDIT CARDS
only as the exchange rate fluctuates so it is wise to check nearer departure. It is best to change money at airport banks or banks in the cities or you can use the ATM machines – the latter usually gives the most favorable rate but please make sure no one watches you withdraw cash. Hotels will also cash traveller’s checks but they usually charge a higher commission rate. Traveller’s checks and most major credit cards (American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Diner’s Club) are accepted throughout Israel but it might be preferable to pay for items in smaller towns by cash or traveller’s checks. Personal checks – not accepted. In Israel most banks are open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Sundays through Thursdays and also from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 8:30 am to noon on Fridays. Traveller’s checks can be exchanged for local currency at most airports, hotels, shops & foreign exchange offices/bureaus.
SHOPPING
In Israel, the market in Jaffa is a bargain-filled institution. All the old towns of Israel, such as Akko and Nazareth, have bazaars, but the ultimate is to be found in the Old City of Jerusalem. Art, fashion, crafts, pottery, olive-wood carvings, hand-blow glass, embroidery and leather goods – these are some of the enormous array of things to buy in Israel. Religious items such as Crucifixes, rosaries, holy cards, statues, etc. will be available in all the places you Unless you are using digital cameras, remember to take plenty of film for your camera from the USA – the cost of film overseas is higher.Customer Service
USA: +1-510-342-5714
Australia: +61-2-8007-4465
Israel: +972-3-522-5253
Email us for more info and bookings
info@wonders-tours.com