General Packing Tips Tips
for Touring in Israel Cancellation
Policies
Travel Insurance Disclaimer
FAQs
Skillful
packing is an art, but one that is easily learned.
It only takes a few trips to figure out what works for you, your travel
style and your luggage.
GETTING STARTED
Label your luggage inside and out. Instead of using your home address, use a business address or post office box. Inside your luggage, list the name and address of your destination hotel.
Make your luggage visible in the sea of black by attaching colored yarn to each handle.
Remove all extra straps and place them inside your suitcase before checking your bags. Dangling straps can catch on conveyor belts and other luggage.
Soft and semi-soft sided luggage is meant to be packed full, so choose the right size bag.
Make sure your carry-on bag fits your airline's specifications for carry-on luggage. Check with your airline for its guidelines. Even if your suitcase or garment bag is small enough to fit in the overhead bin, you may be required to check it in if the flight is crowded. Pack valuables (prescription medicine, laptop, camera, jewelry) in a small tote or briefcase and carry it on the plane.
NECESSITIES
Gallon-size
ziploc bags, to store cosmetics, shoes, jewelry, scarves, hosiery. At
the end of the trip, use them to separate clean clothes from dirty
A dark raincoat with a zip-in lining - the only coat you will need
Small, flat lint brush
Travel alarm
Small sewing kit
Small flashlight for getting around in hotel rooms or reading menus
in dark restaurants
Small container of powdered laundry detergent
Travel-size toiletries. Collect sample sizes of shampoo, conditioner,
toothpaste, hair gel, etc. For really long trips, look for products
that do double duty: shampoo/conditioner combos, tinted moisturizers
with sunscreen.
Minimal first-aid kit: adhesive bandages, aspirin or other pain medicine,
cold/cough medicine, antacid tables, jet lag or seasickness remedies
Baby wipes, for quick clean-up on planes and trains
Lightweight, foldable tote with a zippered closure that you can use
to bring back souvenirs or other purchases
NICETIES
An inflatable
travel pillow to support your neck. Use the plane pillow for your lower
back
Eye shade and earplugs, in case you want to sleep through the movie
A lightweight shawl or large scarf that doubles as a blanket. Great
for cold planes and drafty hotels
RULES FOR LONG TRIPS
Build your
travel wardrobe around no more than two colors, one of which is black,
navy, gray, or brown.
Plan to wear every item more than once.
Bring more tops, fewer bottoms. A combination of T-shirts, shirts and
sweater will work in most climates and let you change your look from
day to day.
Use old plastic dry cleaning bags between suits and dresses to eliminate
wrinkles.
On extended business trips, bring leggings or sweat pants and a big
T-shirt or sweater to wear in the hotel at night. You'll be comfortable
and look presentable, but you won't wrinkle business clothes.
If you're bringing more than one coat or pair of shoes, wear the heaviest
ones on the plane.
Make a packing list and keep it in your purse or wallet, not in your
suitcase. You'll have something to refer to if your luggage is lost
and you have to describe the contents. Refer to it to make sure you
don't forget anything.
Don't bring more than you can manage yourself. Most able-bodied travelers
should be able to hoist their own bags. The more experienced the traveler,
the less luggage he will bring!
Cancellation Policies:
$100 per person charge if cancelled once booked. $250 per person charged if cancelled 60-31 days before departure. 100% penalties apply if cancelled 30 days or less before departure. Additional hotel/airline penalties may apply if cancelled 14 days or less before departure.
FOOD
Israeli cuisine is unique and very tasty. If you are willing to try something
new don't miss Falafel, Israel's national snack, and their idea of fast
food (at least before McDonalds got there.) Shwarma, Turkish Coffee, Hummus,
Pita, and Kebab are a few of the other delicacies you should try. In addition,
Israeli wines compete well with those of Europe and the United States.
The famous Israeli Breakfast is a sight for hungry eyes in the morning.
However, if foreign food does not appeal to you, several American chains
have expanded rapidly in Israel over the past few years.
WEATHER
Summer lasts from April to October. It is warm and virtually without rain.
Winter lasts from November to March and is characterized by cooler temperatures
and short spells of rain interspersed with long periods of sunshine. Swimming
is excellent in Israel from April to October along the Mediterranean coast
and in the Galilee. At the Dead Sea and Eilat, swimming is popular year
round.
CLOTHING
Israel is a very casual country. There are only a few restaurants that
require a tie. It is still rare, even in 2000 to see a suit in a synagogue
or office. For Shabbat dinner on Friday night, many American men do wear
a tie and sport coat and the women wear skirts or dresses.
For visits to holy shrines, monasteries, churches and synagogues, appropriate dress is required. Women will need to cover their shoulders, legs and heads. Men should always have a head covering for synagogues and especially for the Western Wall.
Remember to bring sunglasses, a scarf (winter scarf and a shoulder scarf), medical prescriptions, first-aid kit, slippers for the plane, tote-bag for day trips, packets of tissues, sewing kit, bathing attire, sun screen and a sun hat.
The most important thing you can pack is a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sore feet. Good sneakers and shoes with rubber soles are recommended. Remember - casual and comfortable is the best way to travel!
Summer/Fall
(April-October)
Pack very light and comfortable clothing. Shirts and shorts are advisable
for both men and women. In the hills of Jerusalem a sweater is quite useful
for the cooler evenings.
Winter/Spring
(November-April)
Pack a warm raincoat with a zip-out lining. Bring a sweater or sweatshirt
and a turtleneck. Even in the winter, bring a bathing suit for the Dead
Sea and Eilat. Although they rarely see snow or temperatures below freezing,
it can get cold. It can get cold easily, a scarf, mittens and an umbrella
might be useful. Layering clothes always works well.
SHOPPING
Israeli shops carry a wide variety of gifts ranging from exclusive jewelry
and diamonds to oriental carpets, clothing, furs, and leather goods to
modern art, ceramic work and antiques. T-shirts and other less expensive
gifts are available throughout the country. In addition, Jerusalem now
boasts the largest indoor mall in the Middle East.
Stores are generally open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays (includes Sunday). On Fridays, non-Arab shops close at noon and remain closed all day Saturday. Department stores are open all day and most evenings.
BANKING
Bank hours are similar to store hours. Check with a concierge for the
hours of a specific bank.
TIME
Israel Standard time is usually 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time,
but occasionally drops to 6 hours ahead, around the time we change our
clocks.
MONEY
The Israeli Shekel is the legal tender. The exchange rate floats around
four shekels to one dollar, but you should check around for the best rate
as it can vary. Hotels, airports and banks tend to have the worst rates,
but are the most convenient. Payment in foreign currency (i.e. credit
cards and travelers checks) exempts tourists from the value added tax
(V.A.T.) for services provided in Israel. The V.A.T. is refundable at
the airport upon your departure from Israel. Be sure to ask for the "V.A.T.
Refund Form" when you make purchases. Credit cards are also accepted
throughout Israel, however, debit cards are not accepted.
CUSTOMS
You can bring in almost anything you need for your personal use and for
your convenience. Limited items, per adult, are ¼ liter of cologne
or perfume, a liter of liquor, 2 liters of wine, 250 grams of tobacco
in any form, gifts up to $125 in value. Upon returning to the United States,
each person may bring up to $400 worth of goods duty free. If you bring
video cameras to Israel, you may have to deposit twice the price of the
camera with customs at the airport. Traveler's checks and credit cards
are accepted.
ELECTRICAL
CURRENT
The Israelis use a current of 220 Volts, AC, single phase, 50 cycles.
Sockets are three pronged and foreign appliances require adapters for
the plugs. However, most larger hotels have built in adapters for foreign
travelers. Adapters can be purchased at any department or discount store
in the US.
PHONE
CALLS
Telecards, which operate Israeli public phones, are available for purchase
at any kiosk and newsstand, as well as all post offices. AT&T and
other dial direct services are also valid. Find out the Israel code from
your calling card carrier.
Cellular Phones
Can be rented at Ben Gurion International Airport or by contacting your
hotel concierge.
TAXI
Taxis can be hailed from the street or ordered to the hotel (ask the concierge).
Make sure the driver uses the meter. They are required to do so by law.
NEWSPAPERS
The Jerusalem Post, published in English, is available at most newsstands.
English news can be heard on the radio at 7 AM, 1 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM on
AM 576 1170 kHz and FM 90.1 MHz. In addition, many hotels receive CNN
International.
PASSPORTS
In order to enter Israel as a visitor, it is necessary to have a valid
passport. As is the case with many other countries, Israeli customs and
immigration laws require that the passport be valid for at least six months
beyond the planned return date from Israel. Visa and passport requirements
can change over time. Please contact your nearest Israeli consulate or
embassy for the most updated information and travel requirements.
