Israel is an amazing country that draws visitors from all over the world. People can visit historic sites and walk where Jesus, Elijah, King David and many other people walked years before. While visiting Israel is unforgettable, there are some things to keep in mind when visiting Israel as a tourist.
- Tourist in Israelisraeltourism / Travel Photos / CC BY
To begin, it is important to keep in mind that attire is different in certain places in Israel compared to the United States. Shorts and other exposing dress are not allowed in synagogues, churches or mosques, and the reality is that a tour in Israel has many stops at those kinds of places almost every day. Therefore, it is vital that people bring long pants and jeans, even though some days get very hot. It is recommended that men bring some nice pants on the trip. The reason for this is that evening meals at the hotel can be more dressed up than touring during the day. In addition to this, consider a layered look. There will be days that start cool and get extremely hot at the end of the day. Dressing in layers helps people adjust to the temperature, whether the weather becomes hot or stays cool for the rest of the day. Depending on the time of year, it is recommended to bring a light jacket. Finally, bring clothes that do not wrinkle, if possible.
When traveling in Israel, bring with a small container of suntan lotion. Some days in Israel are extremely bright and it is good to have protection from the hot rays. Sunglasses are a great idea, since many days are very sunny. It is advisable for men to bring a hat with them. A hat is necessary when visiting Jewish holy sites because men must have their heads covered. However, when visiting Christian sites, men must take their hats off.
Before going on the trip, think about how much cash to bring on the trip and how to carry it. Try to find a safe place to store your valuables in the hotel (most hotels provide safes to store your belongings) and only take as much cash as you would need for that day.
When touring in Israel, remember that it is a completely different culture. Some markets expect customers to negotiate a price. There is a country-wide friendliness and people are always willing to help, explain directions, and assist any way they can. Another key about Israeli culture is that fact that they have a strong security presence. When visiting the Wailing Wall, there will be soldiers there. When visiting a mall or other popular attraction, soldiers, police officers or security guards will be in the vicinity. Their job is not to intimidate tourists, but to ensure their protection. Many hotels in Israel have armed security guards to ensure that hotel guests are safe. Although Hebrew and Arabic are the official country languages, English is understood and spoken by many people as well.
Israel has many fantastic places and cities to visit including the Wailing Wall, the Garden Tomb, the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Eilat, Tel Aviv and more. Ask an Israeli Travel Agency for more information and ideas of what to see and where to go!
