SHIRLEY'S LINKS FOR ISRAEL TRAVEL.
CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION, FOR HOT DEALS, OR TO BOOK ANY OF THESE TRIPS. EACH PAGE INCLUDES INFO ON ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, AND HOTELS
Jerusalem Attractions
Tel Aviv Attractions
Haifa and Carmel Attractions
Eilat Attractions
Galilee and Golan Attractions
Rosh Hanikra
The Rashbi Cave (Shimon Bar Yochai)
Nazareth Attractions
Tiberias Attractions
Acre / Akko Attractions
The Mediterranean Coastal Attractions
Caesarea Attractions, its Roman aqueduct and port, built by Herod over 2000 years ago.
Herzliya Attractions, including the beaches and its marina of 800 boats.
Netanya Attractions, and its beautiful resort beaches.
LINKS FOR ISRAEL NEWS:
Call Shirley at (800) 223-3855 extension 366 to book a trip
The Jerusalem Post, Israel's leading English daily
Haaretz - English version of Israel's leading Hebrew newspaper
Globes - Israel's leading English business newspaper
Israel Wire - latest news
Upcoming Tourist Events in Israel
Maven, Israel's English search engine
THE NEIGHBORS
Egypt Today
Middle East Times
El Ahram in English
Jordan Star
Jordan Times
Beirut Daily Star
Teshreen Syrian Times
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISRAEL TRAVEL...
(1) How do you get to Israel??
Call me at (800) 223-3855 extension 366, and we can discuss transportation. However the primary method is by air. Airlines from North America include ElAl, Tower Air, Continental, TWA, and Air Canada
(2) Do I need a visa to go to Israel?
Citizens of the USA and Canada need a valid passport to visit Israel.
No visa is required for a tourist to stay up to 3 months.
To extend your stay after three months, contact the Ministry of Interior Affairs
No special shots or vaccinations are required.
(3) I want to rent a car in Israel. Do I need an International Drivers License?
You can use your State or Provincial driver's license for up to 3 months in Israel to rent and drive a car. Call me at (800) 223-3855 extension 366 and we can discuss of good deal on a rental.
(4) How do I phone home?
To direct dial home from Israel, dial 001- , then the area code and then the rest of the number.
Access numbers for credit car calls are:
AT&T 177-100-2727
MCI 177-150-2727
Sprint 177-102-2727
(5) Can I smoke a cuban cigar in Israel?
Yes. But are you sure you should be smoking?
(6) What is the exchange rate?
Israel's paper currency is called the New Israeli Shekel or NIS. Shekeleem is plural for Shekel.
Rates are changing every month, but the latest rates were close to
About 5 NIS in each $1 (US)
Each Shekel is divided into 100 Agorot (like a penny, or actually 20% of a penny).
Most of Israel's Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) are linked to major North American credit cards for cash advances (American Express, Diners' Club, Visa, MasterCard, and Eurocard.
(7) Can I have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Celebration in Israel?
Call me at (800) 223-3855 extension 366 so we can make arrangements.
Please note that ceremonies at the Kotel are held on Mondays and Thursdays. A minyan is provided. Services at the Wall follow Orthodox practice, so there is a separation of men and women. A Bar Mitzvah boy may wear tefillin and read a portion of the Torah and/or Haftorah.
Bat Mitzvah services for women can only be held at the Kotel if a male relative chanting on the celebrant's behalf. Private Bat Mitzvah services can also be arranged at the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount, at the outdoor Hurva "Synagogue", or at a synagogue of your choice anywhere in Israel. The Zealot's Synagogue atop Masada is one of the most popular sites in Israel for Bat (and Bar) Mitzvahs.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism offers a Bar/Bat Mitzvah certificate, free of charge, to those celebrating in Israel. Contact me for more info.
(8) How can I hookup to the internet in Israel?
Why bring your computer? You can just drop by an Internet cafe and rent a computer and web access. In Jerusalem, there is Studel and the Net Cafe. They are downtown neear the Russian Compound neighborhood. You can also fax and email and scan pics there. In Tel Aviv, check out the Inbar Internet Cafe at 2 Shaul hemelech Street (King Saul Street)
(9) What can you tell me about the VAT refund?
In Israel, a VAT Tax (Walue Added Tax) is added to the cost of a purchase as the product moves through its value chain. As a tourist, you are allowed to get a refund on the VAT payments you made on purchases greater than $100. KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS. In the departure hall at Ben Gurion Airport (after passport control), you just need to go to the VAT Refund desk, fill out the forms, and apply for the refund.
(10) What about 110 versus 220 electrical currents?
Israel operates on an electrical current of 220 volts. The USA operates at 110 volts. Therefore your 110 volt equipment is not going to work without a transformer. And even transformers are good to a point. If you require a hair dryer, it is best to bring one that has the option to switch to 220 volts. Or just bring an adapter plug with you.
(11) What can I do with kids in Tel Aviv?
You can go to the Educational Center for Games at 10 Rehov Israel near Hashimoniim and Hamasgir Streets. Lots of games to see and some to play. You can visit Dizengoff and the Agam Fire and Water sculpture, and get some ice cream. You can sneak into a hotel bathroom, change into a swinsuit, and go to the beach. You can take the Number 4 bus and visit the observation tower at Shalom Tower at 1 Herzl Street (517-7304), the tallest building in the Middle East. Or visit Beit Haganah Defense Museum at 23 Rothschild (560-8064) with displays on Israel's wars. Or visit Independence Hall at 16 Rothschild (517-3942). Ben-Gurion's home is at 17 Ben Gurion (the house in Tel Aviv, not the home in Sde Boker). There is the Diaspora Museum (Beit Hatefutsot) at TAU in Ramat Aviv (646-2020) If you are at the Tel Aviv marina, take the ferry between Tel Aviv and Yafo (it's like taking a round trip on the Staten Island ferry in NYC. Or how about the Maymadion Water Park (642-2777, take buses 23,27)
(12) What are the top restaurants in Israel?
This is a matter of personal preference, but here is a list:
Jonathan Roshfeld, 21 Shaul HaMelech, TelAviv
Also the Roshfeld Bistro casual dining room, next door
Moul Yam, Old Port of TelAviv
Arcadia, 10 Agrippas, Yerushalayim
Also the Dalla Renaud Bistro at 10 Agrippas
Keren, 12 Eilat, Tel Aviv
Kapot Tmarim, 60 Ahad HaAm, Tel Aviv
Mika, 27 Montefiore, Tel Aviv
Herzliya, 11 Galgalei HaPlada, Herzliya Pituah
Dagim 206, 54 Moshe Snieh, Tel Aviv
Tamuz, 6 Ahad HaAm, Tel Aviv
LaRegence, in the Kotel King David, Yerushalayim
Itamar, 12 Rothschild, Tel Aviv
Auberge Shulamit, David Shuv, in Rosh Pina
Barbaresco, 226 Dizengoff, Tel Aviv
Birnbaum and Mandelbaum (steak house), 35 Rothschild, Tel Aviv
Lilith, 41 Mazeh, Tel Aviv
Tricolor, in the Hotel Meridien, Eilat
Bistro Carmel, 20 Hameginim, Haifa
Ali Oli (spanish), 21 Brenner, Tel Aviv
DARNA (authentic Moroccan), 3 Horkanus, Yerushalayim
LINKS FOR ISRAELI LIFE, POLITICS AND BUSINESS:
Call me at (800) 223-3855 extension 366 with your questions
All About the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, it's committees, members, with links to the President, the Supreme Court, even live broadcasts of Knesset sessions, etc.
All About the Central Bank of Israel
The Israel Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel
The Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Tourism
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
SOME LINKS FOR JEWISH AND OTHER TRAVELERS:
The Israel Ministry of Religious Affairs
Masada National Park
Israel Museum in Jerusalem
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem
Shrine of the Book at the IM-Jerusalem
Bet Hatefusoth - The Jewish Diaspora Museum in Northern Tel Aviv
Ein Dor Archelogical Museum
The Ratner Israel Bible Museum in Sfat
The National Science Museum (Recanati) at Haifa
Museum of Bedouin Culture
Listing of Museums in Haifa
The Museum of Babylonian (Iraqi) Jewry in Or Yehuda
Live Web-Cam of The Kotel, Jerusalem
Live Web-Cam of Tel Aviv
Live Web-Cam of Israeli Beaches
Live Web-Cam of Israeli Beaches
LINKS FOR CHRISTIAN TRAVELERS AND PILGRIMS:
Call Shirley at (800) 223-3855 extension 366 with your questions. Let me arrange your vacation to Israel for the Great Jubilee 2000.
Among the sites you can visit are all the holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Tiberias, Jericho, Mount Tabor, Cana, the Jordan River, Haifa, and Akko to name a few sites.
The Great Jubilee 2000 Website of the sites holy to Christian tourists and pilgrims
Nazareth Attractions
Chapel of the Ascension in Nazareth
Saint Josephs Chapel in Nazareth
Beit Yosef Home, the Home of Joseph - Nazareth
Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem
LINKS FOR MOSLEM TRAVELERS:
Apollonia & Sidni Ali Tomb
The Museum of Islamic Art
Israel and the PA are filled with sites of interest to Moslem travelers, including The Al Aqsa Mosque, The Dome of Youssouf (Ba'at Youssouf), The Dome of the Rock (Ka'abath Al-Tzakhra), The Dome of the Prophet (Qa'abat A-Naebi; Markhab A-Nebi), Nebi Musa, The Dome of the Ascent (Raj), The Dome of the Chain (Qa'abat Alsalsaliya), The Islamic Museum on Temple Mount,
The Citadel (The Tower of David),
The Museum of Islamic Art ,
the excavations at jericho, Bir Zeit University, Ein Gedi, the mosques of Salman El Farisi; El Alami, and Rabiah El Adawieh; and Kharam Ramet El Khalil and the Oak of Mamre just to name a few.
If you only have FOUR days, here is a suggested itinerary.
On Day 1, visit the excavations in Jericho. Visit the Spring of Tel Elisha, where the Prophet Elisha changes bitter water to sweet water. Visit the 8th century Omiyyad Palace of Hisham, and then grab some lunch.
In June 1999, a $10 million cable car system to the Mount of Temptation opened (funded by the Sinokrot family of Hebron). The car takes only 5 minutes to reach the top of the mountain.
After lunch, drive from Jericho to the Dead Sea (Bahr Lout)- which is the lowest point on earth. At the Dead Sea, visit the Ein Gedi Spa and take a short swim (or float) in the Dead Sea. Dry off, and drive to Khan Nebi Moussa (where, according to legend, the Prophet Moussa is buried). In the afternoon, drive up to Jerusalem (Al Quds) for a panoramic view of the city. Spend the night in Jerusalem.
On Day 2, visit the Zion Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, and walk to the Western Wall - where Jews have been praying since the Second Temple was destroyed more than 1900 years ago. From here, ascend to Al Kharam Al Sharif. Visit the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Visit the Islamic Museum. Visit the restored ancient Roman Cardo in Old Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. Also, the suq, the Muslim Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus is said to have been buried), the Old City walls built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th Century. Leaving the Old City, tour of the Mount of Olives and local Mosques: Salman El Farisi; El Alami, Rabiah El Adawieh. Stop for lunch. After luch, visit Nebi Samuel Mosque. Then catch a cab to the Israel Museum, , and then visit L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art. If you have a car, drive to Bethlehem, birthplace of King Daoud. Visit the Tomb of Rachel (Mother of Joseph) and the Church of Nativity (birthplace of Jesus). Return to hotel in the evening.
On Day 3, visit the Pools of Solomon and then ride to Hebron (El Khalil). Ride to Nebi Daniel to visit the Kharam Ramet El Khalil and the Oak of Mamre (dwelling place of Ibrahim (El Khakik) and the tree where he received the three angels). Visit the local museum and Islamic University. Visit and pray at the burial place of Abraham and his family. Stay in Hebron for lunch. After lunch, drive to Ramle for a tour of Muslim sites. Drive to Jaffa for a walking tour of the city: the Mahmudiyye Mosque; Tomb of Abu Nahat and his two fountains; Jaffa Museum; Bus tour of Tel Aviv- Israel's center for commerce and finance. Visit Hassan Bek Mosque in Jaffa.
On Day 4, visit Acre (stopover to visit Sidna Ali, the Roman and the Crusader ruins at Caesarea, the Islamic Religious Institute in Baka El Gharbiyah, the Istiklal Mosque, Bahai Temple, Persian Gardens and Cave of the Prophet Elijah in Haifa). Have lunch. After lunch, visit Acre's Old City- 13th century port, El Jazzar Mosque, El Kamel Mosque and Khan El Umdan. Drive to Tiberias with a stopover at the Horns of Hittin (where Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1182 AD). Tour Tiberias' 18th century Towers of Dahar al Omar. Visit the Omar Jamia El Kebir Mosque- now a museum. Dinner, optional evening activities and overnight in Tiberias or Nazareth or a kibbutz in the Galilee.
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