edit Israel Travel Guide

The Dead Sea - A must see for any traveller, the lake at the lowest point on earth contains more salt than your average salt shaker. Feel yourself float in the water, that makes you feel lighter than air. Mud baths are also popular due to the high amount of minerals contained in the mud.

Jerusalem - The ancient holy city has more to do than can possibly be done in a single trip. There's many different religious sites for Jews(Western Wall), Christians(Church of Holy Sepulchre) and Muslims(Dome of the Rock) to vists. You can haggle with a shopowner, enjoy some Shwarma, visit Yad V'Shem (the international holocaust memorial), walk down Ben Y'huda street and still be able to explore the city's vibrant nightlife.

Masada- High above a plateau near the Dead Sea lies the ruins of an ancient fortress. Long ago, refugees were hiding from the Romans there so the Romans built a path up the mountain to get the refugees, and the inhabitants eventually commited suicide. This road is still the one that you hike to reach the top.

Eilat - Located at the very southern tip on the Red Sea, Eilat is a resort town. You can relax on the beach, go snorkling and party in the near year-round sun.

Tel Aviv - The second largest city has become a sprawling metropolis that has absorbed the ancient port city of Jaffa. Tel Aviv is home to a fabulous beach culture, all kinds of performing arts and sports, shopping, clubbing, and every kind of food and drink you can imagine.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of most European, North American and Autralasian countries do not need a visa to enter Israel. Citizens of Germany born before January 1, 1928 will have to apply for visas in advance. The visa will be given so long as you were not heavily involved in Nazi activities during World War II.

Please note that certain arab states have made it illegal for their citizens to enter Israel, and you will be in trouble upon return to your country of origin. This applies to Arab-born citizens of a European or North American country and will have consequences upon return to your country of birth. Also, several states (Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, Sudan and Afghanistan) deny entry to anyone who has been to Israel. If you wish to travel to one of those countries with the same passport, you can ask the Israeli immigration to put a stamp on a separate piece of paper.

Customs and Immigration

By plane

Israel's main airport is Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv (code IATA:TLV, ICAO: LLBG). Ben Gurion is hub to El Al, the largest international Israeli airline, Arkia International Airlines, Israel's largest domestic airline which also serves several European destinations, and Israir, who serves several european flights and New York.

Please note that Israeli security measures are much stricter than those you might encounter in other countries, both going to and from Israel. Be sure to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of time, and be prepared for bag inspection by both machine and hand and for intense questioning about your time in Israel. Keep your cool and be patient, it is done with best intentions for everyone's safety.

By car

There are land routes from both Jordan and Egypt into Israel, expect intense security measures equal to those found in airports.

By boat

There are weekly cruises available to Israel from Cyprus and from Greece. Freighters will land in Israel's major ports in Haifa or Ashdod. Private Yachts can land at Herzliya (north of Tel Aviv), Ashkelon, Haifa or Tel Aviv.

By bus

There are bus routes from Amman to Tel Aviv, Haifa and Nazareth. Call (+972-4-6573984) for details.

There are 3 East Delta Travel buses a day that travel from Cairo to Jerusalem.

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement firmly rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, Israel's Arab neighbors invaded the new nation with the hope of regaining territory previously held by the Ottoman Empire and preventing the creation of an independent Jewish state. The Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars confirming their independence, but the uprooting of thousands of Palestinians from their homelands has created deep tensions between the two sides. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank) and Syria, to achieve a permanent settlement. But progress toward a permanent status agreement has been undermined by the outbreak of rounds of bloody Palestinian-Israeli violence since September 2000.

Israel is a parlimentary democracy.

Economy

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for grains. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, chemicals and chemical products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, rubber, plastics, and textiles are the leading exports. For many years Israel posted sizable current account deficits, which were covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. However, the tight fiscal policy of recent years and the high growth rates have led Israel to a budget surplus in 2006. Roughly half of the government's foreign debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR during the period 1989-99 coupled with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel's economy, which grew rapidly in the early 1990s. But growth began moderating in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Growth was a strong 6.4% in 2000. But the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict, increasingly the declines in the high-technology and tourist sectors, and fiscal austerity measures in the face of growing inflation have led to declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. However, in 2007 the economic growth was 5.3% and the inflation was only 0.4%. In the first six months of 2008 tourism has grown with 45%. 

Banking and Currency

The Israeli unit of currency is the new shekel (proper name = the New Israeli Shekel; in Hebrew, shekel chadash or sha-ch for short). Each shekel is divided into 100 agorot (singular: agorah). The common symbols for the shekel are NIS or %u20AA. $1 US equals about NIS 3.61; 1%u20AC equals about NIS 4.88; %uFFFD1 equals about NIS 6.14 (October 2008).

The following banknotes are in circulation: NIS 20 (green) in two varieties, regular papere and a new polymer variety; NIS 50 (violet); NIS 100 (brown); NIS 200 (red). Caution: all current banknotes are of a vertical design, similar to Swiss currency (most Israeli banknotes are manufactured in Switzerland). Do not accept change in horizontally designed New Sheqalim, as these notes are no longer legal tender. They can, however, still be exchanged at par at the Bank of Israel in Jerusalem only.

Coins in use: 10 Agorot (copper); 1/2 New Sheqel (copper); 1 New Sheqel (nickel); 2 New Sheqalim (nickel); 5 New Sheqalim (nickel); 10 New Sheqalim (bi-metallic; copper core, nickel rim).

ATMs are widely available in cities and towns and are connected to European and American banking systems - this is easily the best way to access funds without paying commission on travelers' cheques! There are specific change storefronts that do not charge commission. Bank of America charged a service fee of five dollars for taking money from the ATM, so other banks probably do as well. Check with your specific bank. Note that post office branches change travellers cheques (and cash) commission-free. Cash can also be sent to post office branches using Western Union services.

You can get V.A.T. (15.5%, Jan 2007) refunds when leaving the country, but if you don't like the queue at the airport, note that Eilat is a V.A.T. free city.

US Dollars are accepted in some tourist locations, particularly Jerusalem, at a rough exchange rate of 3 to 3.5 NIS to the dollar.

Credit Cards

Tax

Shopping

Israeli wine, kosher products, t-shirts, diamonds. Almost needless to say, Israel is one of the best countries for purchasing Judaica and Christian pilgrim trinkets.

While it is legal to purchase antiquities from the small number of government-licensed dealers, exporting antiquities from Israel is illegal, except with a written authorization from the Israel Antiquities Authority

Bargaining

It is pretty common to bargain in most modern areas in Israel. When buying at shopping malls and the bigger places bargaining will be more difficult but is always worth a try to lower the price. Usually it's easier to make a deal if you are buying multiple items than a single item.

It is quite common to bargain in bazaars and the more rural markets, and when buying second hand products. Prices in tourist areas such as the Old City of Jerusalem can routinely be haggled down to as low as 25% of the asking price.

Costs

Living and travelling costs in Israel are almost on a par with Western Europe, North America and Australasia, making it by far the most 'expensive' country outside the Persian Gulf in the Middle East region.

Small food kiosks (known as "Pitzukhiot") offer various snacks such as freshly roasted peanuts, sunflower, and melon seeds, soft drinks, cigarettes and candy. Take note that currently (Feb 2007) the price of a soft drink can is between 3 and 7 shekels and a 0.5CL bottle is generally one shekel more expensive than a can. Prices in tourist areas in big cities, especially tourist cities like Eilat can be up to 20 shekels per 0.5CL bottle, however often a small walk will reveal the more local places that will sell you 6 1.5CL bottles for as cheap as 14 shekels.

Israel possesses a number of diverse regions, with landscapes varying between coast, mountain, valley and desert landscapes, with just about everything in between. Beyond the towns and cities, each region of Israel holds its own unique attractions. The metropolitan areas of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv form very much their own regions; from north to south, however, Israel's regions are as follows:

• The Upper Galilee %u2014 from Dan at the base of Mount Hermon down to the Beit haKerem Valley in south, and from the North Coast across to the Sea of Galilee
• The Lower Galilee %u2014 the hills immediately north of the Jezreel Valley
• Golan Heights %u2014 Mountain area north-east of Sea of Galilee. Occupied in 1967 by Israel, annexed in 1980, but still claimed by Syria.
• The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) %u2014 diverse landscapes and settlements around the lake, many with connections to the life of Jesus
• The North Coast %u2014 sometimes called "Western Galilee", extends along the Mediterranean shore from Haifa to Rosh Haniqra and the Lebanese border
• The Jezreel Valley %u2014 an extensive inland valley, largely rural, extending inland from east of Haifa to the Jordan Valley
• The Beth Shean Valley %u2014 the core of the north Jordan River valley
• The Carmel Range %u2014 a small yet diverse region of hills just south-east of Haifa
• The Sharon %u2014 broadly speaking, the coastal plain north of Tel Aviv, south of the Carmel Range
• The Shephelah %u2014 the fertile, hilly hinterland between the coastal plain and the Judean highlands
• The Southern Coastal Plain %u2014 location of the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon
• The Dead Sea %u2014 the lake and immediate surroundings forming the lowest point on Earth
• The Negev %u2014 desert covering much of the south of Israel, including Machtesh Ramon

The most obvious division in Israel's society is between Jews, who make up 90% of the population in Israel proper and 15%-40% in areas currently controlled by Israel (West Bank) and non-Jewish Israeli-Arabs, who make nearly all of the rest. In terms of religious loyalty, 77% are Jewish, 16% are Muslim, 4% are Christian and 2% are Druze (a Muslim offshoot considered heretical by mainstream Islam). While equality is theoretically guaranteed, in practice there are many restrictions on the Arab population, both legal and de facto (difficulty in obtaining building permits, onerous security and travel restrictions, positive discrimination, etc). There are also deep divisions within Jewish society. First is the ethnic division between the Ashkenazim, who lived in Europe for nearly 2000 years and are generally considered wealthier and politically better connected, and the Sephardim and Mizrahim, who immigrated from the Middle East and North Africa (Sephardi immigrants from Europe tend to match the socio-economic profile of Ashkenazim.) In recent years, the divide between these ethnic groups has, however, grown much less acute.

While divisions have weakened as the native-born population has increased, religious tensions between secular and orthodox Jews have increased. The spectrum ranges from the stringently-orthodox haredim, only 15% (2008 est.) of the population but able to wield a disproportionate amount of power thanks to Israel's fractious coalition politics, to 50% who are Modern Orthodox and finally 45% who consider themselves secular, although still adhere to some traditions. While secular Jews are widespread throughout all of Israel, orthodox Jews tend to concentrate mostly in certain cities such as Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Ashdod.

Holidays and Celebrations

Israel's time is 2 hrs from GMT so when it's 6 pm (GMT), 1 pm (EST), it's 8 pm in Israel. Daylight saving time (Summer time) begins on the last Friday before April 2nd, and ends on Saturday between the Jewish holidays of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur.

Public Holidays in Israel follow the Jewish calendar and as such vary from year to year although tend to fall within the same few-week period. Different levels of activity stop in Israel depending on the festival or holiday, and different areas will see different levels of activity on these days. The public transportation, for example, tends to completely stop its activity in many holidays. In the jewish tradition, a new day begins with the appearance of three stars in the sky, which means that jewish holidays begin in the afternoon hours a day before the official date. In general, Israel is a secular country, so most festivals won't see big changes in the levels of activity. Official national holidays are bolded.

• Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), Falls between Sept 5 & Oct 5
• Fast Day of Gedaliah (Tsom Gedalyah ben Ahikam), Falls two days after the first day of Rosh Hashanah (New Year)
• Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Falls between Sept 14 & Oct 14. The holiest day of the year - this is the day 'when everything stops', including all shopping, traffic, etc.
• Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) (Sukkot*), Falls between Sept 19 & Oct 19 (Only the first and last days are national holidays, however there may be some disruption during the intermediate days)
• Assembly of the Eighth Day (Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret), Falls between Sept 26 & Oct 26. Street festivals and dancing are common in most cities and towns on the preceding evening.
• Yitzhak Rabin's Remembrance Day (Yom Hazikaron le Yitzhak Rabin)
• Feast of Rededication (First Day) (Hanukkah), Falls between Nov 27 & Dec 27. Celebrated much less than in the US.
• Tenth of Tevet Fast (Tsom Asarah b-Tevet)
• Fifteenth of Shvat (Tu Bishvat). New Year of the Trees (similar to an Arbor Day)
• Fast of Esther (Ta`anit Ester)
• Memorial Feast for the Triumph of Esther (Purim*), Falls between February 24 & March 26. Street parades are common on this day.
• Passover (Pesach), Between March 26 & April 25 (Only the first and last days are national holidays, however there may be some disruption during the intermediate days). No bread or grain products are sold or served in most places during this week.
• Seventh day of Passover (Shvi'i shel Pesach), Falls between April 1 & May 1
• Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron LaShoah VeLaGevurah), Falls between April 7 & May 7. At 10 AM, air raid sirens sound and the entire country comes to an eerie standstill for two minutes. Places of entertainment are closed on this day and its eve.
• Fallen Soldiers Remembrance Day (Yom Hazikaron), Falls between April 14 & May 14. Air raid sirens sound and the entire country observes a minute of silence in the morning and preceding evening.
• Independence Day (Yom Ha-Atzmaut), Falls between April 15 & May 15. Large street festivals, city-wide parties and fireworks are common on the preceding night.
• 33rd day of the `Omer (Lag Ba'omer), Bonfires are common on the preceding night.
• Jerusalem Day (Yom Herut Yerushalayim), Large parades and festivals occur in Jerusalem.
• Pentecost (Shavuot), Falls between May 15 & June 14
• Seventeenth of Tammuz fast (Tsom Shiva` Asar b-Tammuz)
• Ninth of Av fast (Tisha B'Av). Destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples
• Fifteenth of Av (Tu B'Av). Festival of Love

Language

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. Hebrew is most commonly spoken. However, a sizable part of the population are Israeli-Arabs, who speak Arabic.

It is generally very easy to communicate in English in Israel, since English is compulsory in Israeli schools. Nearly anyone you meet on the street, especially people under 40 years old, will be able to communicate with you in English, although with noticable accent and fluency issues. All street and road signs (and many others) have the English name, as well as the Hebrew and Arabic names. Most tourists get along fine in Israel without speaking a word of Hebrew.

Massive immigration from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s brought a large number of immigrants who speak Russian. Other commonly encountered languages in Israel, reflecting the diverse origins of Israelis, include Romanian, French, German, Polish and Argentine Spanish. Some of the older members of the population and some of the ultra-orthodox population speak Yiddish, an Eastern-European Germanic Jewish language.

While speaking Hebrew Slang, words of Arabic origin are commonly used. For example: "Walla?" (is that so ?), "Yalla!" (come on, lets move!), "Sababa" (great), "Akhla" (good), "Sahbak" (friend), and many more. Street talk is also much affected by the military language, which is second nature to many Israelis.

Israeli cuisine is as diverse as the population which makes up this gastronomic country. Food here is generally of a very high standard, and immigrants from around the world mean that almost every genre and type of food is available. Tipping is appreciated in sit-in restaurants. It is standard to give 10% (or 15% for exceptional service). Some establishments include a service charge in the bill; in this case it is clearly marked (normally in Hebrew and in English). Additionally, in recent years, restaurants have been charging a "security fee" - roughly 1-2 NIS per person. However, this fee is not mandatory, and it is common to ask for the fee to be removed from the bill. Most restaurants accept credit cards.

Types of Food

Fast and Popular

Falafel was officially adopted as the national food. In recent years, it has lost some of its popularity, but is still quite ubiquitous. These are small fried balls of mashed chickpeas, usually served inside a pita bread with hummus-chips-salat (hummus, French fries and vegetable salad) and tehina. A selection of more salads is usually available, and you can fill your pita with as much as it can take. This is usually the cheapest lunch available (10-15NIS), and it's vegetarian. You can also order half a serving ("kha-TSEE mah-NAH").

Another popular option is shawarma, sliced turkey meat, also served inside a pita, or its larger cousin lafa, with hummus-chips-salat. Many other things can fit your pita: for example, Me'orav Yerushalmi (Jerusalemite mix), which contain several types of meat, or Schnitzel, a batter fried chicken breast somewhat inspired by the viennese original.

Hummus, a cream of chickpeas, tehina, onion, lemon and olive oil, is also served on a plate, and eaten by hand using small piece of pita.

Another street food gaining popularity is the Iraqi-origin sabich sabich, a pita bread stuffed with a hard boiled egg, batter-dipped deep fried eggplant, hummus, tehina, and salad.

Ethnic Food

Jews immigrating to Israel from different parts of the world brought with them many different cooking traditions. Most of these are now served in a handful of specialty restaurants, so check the individual chapters and ask around. Among the selection: Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewish), Bulgarian, Turkish, North African, Iraqi, Iranian, and many others. One can also enjoy excellent local Arab cuisine served in areas with large Arab populations, mostly in the north of the country and in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

One dish, however, is known across nearly the entire Jewish Diaspora. Known in Europe as Cholent and in the Middle East and North Africa as Chamin, it is a sort of stew that has simmered for many hours over a low fire. It is traditionally a Shabbat dish, originating from the prohibition on lighting fire and cooking on Shabbat. The exact ingredients vary, but it usually contains meat (usually beef or chicken), legumes (chickpeas or beans) and\or rice, eggs, and vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and carrots. Chamin is served in some restaurants on Saturday, and can be bought in delicatessens on Friday.

Israelis appreciate good coffee and a café culture thrives in the country. Although the Starbucks enterprise has not been so successful there are several highly popular local coffee chains. Many Israelis like to just spend time sipping their "hafuch" (Cafe latté) and chatting with friends. You can also have light meal with sandwiches and salads. Aroma is Israel's largest coffee chain. You can order sandwiches there in three sizes and choose from three types of bread. Arcaffé is slightly more expensive, but their coffee (some say) is even better. Other chains include Elite Coffee, cafe cafe, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and the kosher (dairy) Cafe Hillel. Many Israelis still like to drink "botz" (mud coffee, also known as "cafe turki" or Turkish coffee) which is an extra finely ground coffee that is cooked on a stove and is comparable to an espresso, but much stronger. But you probably wouldn't order "botz" in a chic espresso bar, and those who are used to Starbucks-like coffee most likely won't find it palatable.

Krembo (A hybrid of the words KREM and BO, "Cream" and "In it", respectively) is a favorite Israeli chocolate snack. It is composed of a round cookie, on which cream (Most often Vanilla-flavored, but there is also a mocha variety) lies, covered with a chocolate shell. Krembos come wrapped in aluminum foil, and are very delicate. They are rarely found in the summer due to the weather. Krembos have been eaten in Israel for two generations now, and there is a well known argument as to the right way for eating it. 1. Holding the cookie while eating the chocolate and the cream, and then eating the cookie. 2. Holding the chocolate while eating the cookie and then eating the chocolate and the cream. 3. Eating all of it at once. 4. While holding the cookie, eating the chocolate. Then the cookie and "lastly" the cream. The Embassy Bar (next to the U.S. embassy) serves bacon butties as a sign of ultimate disrespect, and will even put cheese on it and serve beer on Shabbat. A good place if you're homesick.

Dietary Restriction

Kosher food

The Hebrew word Kasher (%u05DB%u05B8%u05BC%u05E9%u05B5%u05E8), pronounced by East-European Jews as Kosher, means legal, or legitimate. When associated with food, it means anything that is allowed by the Jewish religious laws concerning food. These laws are quite complex, but the short version is that they totally forbid certain products (such as pork and shellfish), and allow others only under restrictions - most importantly, that meat and dairy products are not to be cooked together or eaten at the same meal, which bans all sorts of Western staples like cheeseburgers and pizzas with meat toppings. In addition, lighting a fire on Shabbat is forbidden, so only cold or long-simmered food is allowed. Having said this, due to the secular nature of much of Israel, many foods can be found, and many restaurants aren't kosher depending on the region. Kosher laws do not usually apply to Arab areas of Israel (unless they cater to mixed clientelle), although Halal dietary laws (the Muslim equivalent) do.

Most of the hotels in Israel are Kosher, so breakfast is dairy, and during lunch and dinner you'll not be able to get milk for your coffee or butter for your bread (although soy milk and margarine are common substitutes). Most big supermarkets sell only Kosher products, but more and more non-Kosher supermarkets and convenience stores have appeared in recent years, due in part to the huge numbers of secular Jews who have come to Israel from the former USSR. With restaurants, things are more complicated: in Tel-Aviv, it is sometimes difficult to find anything other than Falafel & Shawarma stands that holds Kosher certification. In Jerusalem, on the other hand, Kosher cafes and restaurants are much more common. Bear in mind that restaurants that remain open on Shabbat cannot receive Kosher certification, so some restaurants that do not carry a Kosher certification are nevertheless kosher as far as the food is concerned, and could have kosher kitchens. So if you care, you shouldn't assume anything and always ask. Where restaurants are kosher, they will either be dairy or meat. Dairy restaurants, by their very nature, are perfect for any vegetarian tourists.

One attraction for practicing Jewish (and other) tourists are the kosher McDonald%u2019s restaurants. Note that most of the branches are not kosher, so ask before ordering. Most Burger King restaurants in Israel are kosher, though - and so are branches of Burger Ranch, an Israeli burger chain. In addition, Pizza Hut branches in Israel are kosher, and thus will not serve pizzas with meat toppings, while Domino's chains are not kosher, and serve a toppings selection similar to their Western branches.

Passover

Another series of strict restrictions come into force during the seven days of Passover, when leavened bread (hametz) %u2014 taken to include any grain product that may have come into contact with moisture and thus started fermenting %u2014 is banned. Some Jews even widen the ban to cover rice and legumes. The main substitute for the bread is matza, the famously dry and tasteless flatbread, and you can even get a matzoburger from McDonalds during Passover.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians/Vegans should have a relatively easy time eating in Israel. Due to "kashrut" (the rules of keeping kosher) there are many restaurants that serve only dairy food, which makes them popular with vegetarians. In some parts of the country you can also find Vegan restaurants run by the Black Hebrews. Amirim is a vegetarian/vegan village in the Galilee with several restaurants

Drinks

Beer

There are three main brands of Israeli beer:

• Goldstar %u2014 a Munich-style dark draught. Can be found in bottles and cans of 0.5 and 0.3 liters (1 pint and half a pint, respectively), or KHE-tsi and sh-LISH (Hebrew for "half" and "third". Referring to the amount based on litres, as Israel uses SI). It is also available from tap (meh-HA kha-VIT).
• Maccabee %u2014 a pilsener, lighter and smoother than Goldstar. Only comes in bottles and cans.
• Nesher %u2014 comes in bottles, mostly malt.

Palestinian beers are also available:

• Taybeh %u2014 from Taybeh village, close to Ramallah, a beer popular with many Palestinians, Israelis and tourists alike. It is mainly found in Israeli Arab communities and the Old City of Jerusalem.

In addition, a wide variety of international brands are available throughout Israel, some of which are locally brewed. Among the most popular are Heineken, Carlsberg, and Tuborg.

Liqueurs

A common liqueur in Israel is Arak. It is clear, and anise-flavored, quite similar to Pastis or the Colombian Aguardiente. It is usually served in a glass of about 0.3 liters, mixed with equal amount of water and ice. Some like to drink it mixed with grapefruit juice. Arak is usually kept in the freezer. A common brand is called Aluf Ha-Arak and Elit Ha-Arak (both of the same distillery) with the former of higher alcohol per volume and the latter of stronger anise flavor. They are of slightly different volume although the price is accordingly different.

Wines

There are several local big vineyards and a growing selection of botique ones, some of them of high quality.

Soft drinks

Most of the regular western sodas are available, and many have local variants that aren't very different in taste. Pepsico and Coca-Cola company fight for the soft drinks market aggressively. Israeli Coca-Cola is thought by Cola connoisseurs to be tastier and more authentic than elsewhere. This is due to the fact that Israeli Coca-Cola is made with sugar, and not with high-fructose corn syrup. Tempo (not to be confused with Tempo Industries, Ltd. which is the brewer of most Israeli beer and bottler of most soft drinks including the local Pepsi) and Super Drink are dirt-cheap local variants, at times sporting very weird tastes. The generic name for Coke or Pepsi is "Cola", and it usually implies Coke - if the place serves Pepsi, they will usually ask if it's fine.

There are several more authentic soft drinks:

• Tropit %u2014 cheap fruit flavor drink which is usually grape. Comes in a tough aluminum-like bag with a straw. The bag is poked using the straw to make a hole through which you drink. A very portable drink (until holed), which has become very popular in summer camps. In the newer varieties there is a marked area where the straw should be inserted. Even then it can sometimes take practice to insert the straw without the juice squirting out, if you are from the US it is just like the Israeli version of "Capri Sun."
• Cocoa milk %u2014 there are a number of brands of sterilized cocoa milk (SHO-ko) which comes in a plastic bag. The tip of the bag is bitten or clipped off, and the milk is sucked out. As with Tropit, it is very portable (although due to its milky nature, not as much) until opened, after which it is impractical to reseal. It should be noted that cocoa milk in a bag is usually served cold, and it would be a very bad idea to warm it.
• Prigat %u2014 fruit juice that comes in plastic bottles. Is sold at pretty much every supermarket, petrol station and corner-store around Israel. Comes in many flavours including grape, orange, apple, tomato and a few more exotic options as well. It is quite common to see Israelis sitting on the beach with bottles of Prigat juice they have just bought from the promenade.

Israel is host to a huge variety of accommodation options, from camping and hostels through to 5-star luxury hotels. Accommodation in Israel is similar to Western standards in general both in terms of price and what you can expect as service

Israel has many universities which tend to be well regarded by the international community. Special programs for students from abroad are offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Lowy School for Overseas Students  at Tel-Aviv University and the Ginsburg-Ingerman Center for International Student Programs at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva.

The International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem in West Jerusalem also offers a variety of educational options relating to the Holocaust or you could also use your time in Israel to study Hebrew. Hebrew school is called Ulpan (pl. Ulpanim).

There are even ways to learn Hebrew online from outwith Israel - try Hebrew Online. A good starting point for finding more information on study and volunteering programs, can be found on the website of the World Zionist Organization.

If you are interested in learning firsthand about the social, political and cultural aspects of life in Israel, there are several programs and organizations offering courses, workshops or learning tours, such as: The All Nations Cafe in the Jerusalem - Bethlehem area.

One of the iconic activities in Israel is working ("volunteering") on a collective farm: a kibbutz or a moshav.

Another popular option is to volunteer for work on an archaeological excavation, mostly conducted in summer at a variety of locations. Most Israeli excavations offer college/degree credit for international students.

Although it's not officially legal to work on a tourist visa, in reality Israel depends upon immigant workers. Stay at any hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem and the staff will offer to put you in contact with opportunities to wash dishes or jobs in construction. Pay is only around $5 an hour which is standard for non-skilled work in Israel.

The country code for Israel is 972.

Area codes

Drop the leading 0 (zero) when calling from abroad:

• Jerusalem area %u2014 02
• Tel Aviv-Yafo and the center %u2014 03
• North %u2014 04
• South %u2014 08
• Sharon %u2014 09

Countrywide codes

• HOT %u2014 077
• 012 %u2014 072
• 013 NetVision Baraq %u2014 073

Cellular carriers

• Cellcom %u2014 052
• Pelephone %u2014 050
• Orange %u2014 054
• Mirs %u2014 057

Access codes

If you want to phone home from Israel, you need to choose which company you want to use for your international call first. You cannot use an access code for international numbers like in the rest of Europe, where '00' is the almost universal common access code. The companies and their access codes are the following:

• Kavei Zahav ("Golden Lines") %u2014 012
• Barak %u2014 013
• Bezeq International %u2014 014
• Smile %u2014 015
• Netvision %u2014 017
• XFONE %u2014 018

Note that the 015, 017 and 018 prefixes are for VOIP operators. Thus, they have the cheapest rate but a somehow lower line quality.

Cellphone rentals

You can rent a cellphone for use in Israel either before your trip or once you arrive from several vendors such as IsraelExperts.com - these can be delivered to your home before you leave or you can collect them at the airport upon arrival or have them delivered to your hotel upon arrival. Phone stores that rent out phones can be found in the public arrival hall of Ben Gurion Airport (ie, the non-restricted zone); turn right after leaving the restricted area after picking up your baggage. Here, you will find 'Pelephone' and 'Orange' phone stores, both of which rent out phones. If you have a cellphone without a SIM-lock, you can buy a SIM-card which is much cheaper than either renting or buying a phone. An 'Orange' pre-paid SIM-card costs about 100 shekels ($20).

Some GSM North American and European cell phones will function in "roam" mode in Israel using your regular phone number. Check with your cellular provider for details. Be aware, however, of the costs - calling to the US or Europe, or inside Israel, might cost more than $1 a minute!

Internet

Israel is a technologically advanced society, and internet cafés are widely available in most cities and towns. The regular price for paid internet cafés is about NIS 15 per hour but you can get it for about 10 NIS in some of the more local places. Free wi-fi access is common in cafés (check individual articles). All branches of 'Aroma Espresso Bar', 'Arcaffe', 'McDonalds' and 'Yellow' convenience stores have free wi-fi access, though in some you will have to approach the staff for a password.

Recently, the "Jerusalem WiFi" project started. This government started project aims to cover the entire Jerusalem area with WiFi although at the moment the only areas covered are in the city center. A similar project has started in Tel Aviv.

In general, Israel is safe to travel to. There is the possibility of violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters, and possible military action between Israel and other countries at any time. Travel to the West Bank or Gaza Strip should be avoided.

Crime

The crime rate in Israel is much lower than those found in other Western countries. Terrorists have been known to attack buses and bus stations with suicide bombers since 1990, but this attack has not been seen since 2005. You are more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than a terrorist attack in Israel, but it is wise to be aware of the political situation before and during your travels. It is not unusual to see soldiers, or even civilians, wearing firearms in public. Typical crime rates are very low and it is generally safe to walk cities and towns at night. Single women still need to be careful, but the risks are much lower than any European country.

Emergency Medical

Magen David Adom (101)

Police

Mishtara (100)

Fire Department

Mehkabeyesh (102)

Gays and lesbians

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Smoking

In getting around Israel, be aware of the Sabbath: from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, train and bus services are not available in Israel (except in Haifa and Eilat, and limited sherut services - shared taxis, see below). Unless you have a car, or are willing to pay for a taxi (not shared), if you're daytripping on a Friday, you should start thinking about how to get back by noon at the latest, and you should plan on staying near your lodgings on Saturday.

Also note that both youth and students usually get discounts at buses and trains. Showing a valid student ID will usually entitle you for 10% discount for one-way long-distance travel, while for short distance bus travel those below the age of 18 can usually get half-priced Kartysia - a punch-card valid for 20 rides. Each bus driver has a hole-puncher which makes a unique shape on the card. Both the card and or reciept must be kept until the end of the ride as there are random checks by bus officials.

Public transport is used heavily by soldiers returning to/from their bases, so a bus or train packed full of soldiers (some armed) is a common occasion and does not indicate any special occurence. One can expect higher crowding on Thursday evening and Friday morning (due to weekend leave) and on Sunday mornings (due to soldiers returning to their bases).

By bus

Buses are the most common form of public transportation for Israelis and travellers alike. They are cheap, fast and reliable. The only problem tourists will face is that it is very difficult to plan your journey through Israel by bus; a problem the main article Bus travel in Israel aims to solve. The extensive national bus system is run by a public corporation called Egged [10] (pronounced "Eg-ged"), the second-largest bus network in the world. Additionally, a bus company called Dan [11] operates solely in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Some other companies are active as well.

By sherut

Faster than normal buses are minivans, known as monit sherut or "service taxi", that generally follow major bus routes but can be hailed from anywhere. They are usually somewhat cheaper and somewhat quicker than buses, their operations hours may be longer - and maybe most importantly, in many cases the sherut runs 7 days a week, including on Shabbat.

For inter-city lines, if a driver is at a station he may wait until he has a full load of passengers before leaving. Ben Gurion Airport has a rule that drivers are supposed to leave one hour after getting their first passenger, but that rule seems to be left mostly ignored. The upshot of this is that unless you're with a group, or the Sherut already has a load of passengers, you might be in for a wait before you leave. Look for an almost full Sherut!

By train

One of the best advances in transport in Israel in recent years has been the modernisation of the train system, now set for major expansion as part of the country's efforts to combat global warming, gridlock, and smog. Israel Railways [12] currently runs intercity lines from Nahariya to Beer Sheva via Haifa, Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion airport (note that not all trains travel the whole route), and suburban lines radiating from Tel Aviv to Binyamina, Ashkelon, Kfar Sava, Rishon LeZion, Modiin and Bet Shemesh. There are also lines between Bet Shemesh and Jerusalem, and between Beer Sheva and Dimona.

Tel Aviv has 4 train stations, and Haifa has as many as 6, providing easy access to many parts of those cities.

Trains run 2-3 times per hour in peak travel times and at least once an hour at off peak hours. Trains on the Nahariya-Haifa-Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion Airport line run through the night too. Note, however, that after midnight trains stop in Haifa at the Bat Galim station only, and in Tel Aviv at Merkaz (Central). All other Tel Aviv and Haifa stations close after midnight.

A high-speed train line from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem via Ben Gurion airport is now under construction (as of November 2007, the line is open as far as Modi'in, and service to Ben Gurion airport is fully operational). For now, the only train to Jerusalem via Beit Shemesh is very slow, and it ends in the out-of-the-way Jerusalem Malcha station. It's Israel's most scenic rail ride, though, and the area it traverses is sometimes called "Little Switzerland". In winter, after a rare heavy snowstorm, Jerusalem may get cut off for a up to a day from the rest of the country by road, making the train the only possible connection between the capital and other parts of Israel. The scenic line to Jerusalem was built by the Ottoman Turks and dates back to 1892. Because of the long travel time and inconvenient location of the Jerusalem Malcha station, the line is not widely used. During holiday periods these trains can get crowded, though.

Work is also underway on a line that will connect Tel Aviv to its southern suburbs - Holon, Bat Yam and Rishon LeZion - and will continue via Yavne to Ashdod and Ashkelon.

Train fares are generally more expensive then equivalent bus fares (especially for the line from Tel Aviv to Beer Sheva, with a train fare almost double that of the bus fare). In exchange, you can generally expect a much higher level of comfort, speed, and safety.

By taxi

Taxis are very common in Israel. The driver should use the meter both inside and outside cities (in Hebrew, moneh), unless the passenger agrees to prefix a price. There are surcharges; for calling a taxi (3.50 NIS as of June 2006), for luggage (2.90 a piece) and for hailing a taxi at Ben Gurion airport (5 NIS). Drivers are known to try to cheat tourists by not turning on the meter to begin with and then fighting about the cost at the end of the ride. It is best to specify that you absolutely require the 'moneh' to be activated before you leave unless you know how much the trip should cost, in which case you can make a deal. However, if you are caught off guard some drivers will become extremely rude or even violent if you refuse to pay despite the meter never having been switched on. It is best to try to avoid this common situation but it is better to avoid any conflict with the driver by paying and learning rather than saving your money and risking an unpredictable escalation.

By thumb

Israel is known to be one of the easiest places to hitchhike in the world. Most major junctions have a shelter and are well lit throughout the night. This is a great way to meet and interact with the locals. A sign can help (put a blank piece of paper inside a plastic sleeve, and with a dry-erase marker you have a reusable hitchhiking sign). When hitchhiking, instead of a thumb, you extend your hand, with 1 or 2 fingers extended, pointing at the road. For short rides, the 1 or 2 fingers should point to the ground. Drivers staying in the area may point downwards while passing, indicating that they wouldn't make a good long-haul ride.

Generally speaking, hitchhiking in urban areas is less popular than in other parts of Israel.

Tourists should note that the British Foreign Office considers it unsafe to hitch-hike in Israel, like most other countries in Europe and the Middle East. This advice applies specifically to tourists and is not a comment on the safety of hitch-hiking for locals and is not specific to Israel.

It is considered especially unsafe to hitchhike in the West Bank; Israeli settler-hitchhikers have been kidnapped and murdered there in past years.

By Car

Road system

Israel has a modern highway network, connecting all destinations throughout the country. Most roads are well maintained. In recent years, increased investment into infrastructure has further improved the condition of roads. Most roads are numbered according to orientation and significance. In general, east-west roads are given odd numbers, and north-south roads are given even numbers. The most significant national highways are numbered using one or two digits, while the least significant local roads are numbered using four digits. Exceptions to these rules do exist.

Driving regulations

Traffic in Israel drives on the right. Traffic signs and regulations are generally standard and resemble those of Western Europe. Israel has a somewhat unique "protected" traffic light system. Whenever a green light applies to a certain direction of travel, it guarantees fully protected travel to that direction, with the exception of right turns on green, which might require the driver to yield to pedestrians in some cases. Usually, each traffic light has an arrow on top, and the traffic light then controls travel to the indicated direction, with a green light guaranteeing that all conflicting traffic faces a red light. However, the most unusual thing happens in the rare occasion when a traffic light has no arrows. Unlike in most other countries, a green light allows protected travel into all directions, and one may even turn left without yielding to oncoming traffic, which faces a red light. Turning right at a red light is strictly forbidden; however, many large intersections provide separate right-turn pockets that bypass traffic lights, usually only requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians and traffic. Such right-turn pockets are usually preceded by a single flashing yellow light with a picture of a pedestrian in it - this merely reminds the driver to watch out for pedestrians who may be crossing the pocket in the path of the turning vehicle. Like in several other countries, the green phase is preceded by a red yellow combination phase. A flashing green light indicates that the yellow light is about to appear, but can usually be found only on roads with speed limits of at least 60 km/h.

White road markings are used to separate both traffic traveling in the same direction and in opposite directions. Yellow lines are used to mark the outer edges of the road (do not cross these, except if stopping at a shoulder), and orange or red lines are used in construction zones. Traffic circles (roundabouts) are very common; generally, one gives way to cars already in the circle. There are no all-way stop signs. Highway signage is usually in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, although sometimes just in Hebrew and English.

Headlights must be turned on (even during the day) on intercity highways from November to March. Motorcyclists have to have their headlights on in all months of the year. Seat belts must be worn at all times. Talking on a cell phone without a hands-free system is forbidden. If one must exit the vehicle on the shoulder of a highway, there is a law requiring that one put on a neon yellow reflective vest in order to promote visibility.

Parking regulations are indicated by curb markings. Red and white markings mean parking is prohibited (though depending on the locale and its parking regulations, one may park at a red and white overnight). Do not stop near curbs marked red and yellow, because these are usually reserved for certain vehicles, such as buses at bus stops. Blue and white markings permit parking only with a parking permit purchased at a machine. And of course, do not park in handicapped zones.

Israel uses the metric system of measurements. Default speed limits are 50 km/h in residential zones, 80 km/h on intercity roads without a physical separation median between opposing lanes, and 90 km/h on intercity roads with a physical separation median. By default, all major freeways (identified by the standard blue European motorway sign) have a speed limit of 110 km/h; however, in practice, speed limit signs bearing a lower limit (usually 90 km/h or 100 km/h) limit the speed on these roads. Currently, only one freeway, toll highway #6 (Cross-Israel Highway) actually allows 110 km/h in most sections.

Police presence on the roads is generally very significant, and speed and red light cameras are common.

Licensing information

All drivers in Israel must carry a driver's license. International driver permits, as well as licenses from certain countries are accepted. Drivers of motor vehicles must be at least 17 years old, whilst insurance is mandatory. Driving a motorcycle or a moped is permitted starting at the age of 16. All cars in Israel must undergo an annual safety inspection, and a sticker bearing the year of the last inspection should appear on the front windshield. Recently, there has been a law passed that calls for every car to carry a yellow reflective vest at all times. Theoretically, the police could stop you at any time and ask to see it. If you stop on the edge of the road, and have to get out, you are expected to wear the vest. All rental cars should have one so it is a good idea to check before you leave.

Safety issues

Compared to Western Europe and North America, the rate of traffic accidents in Israel is high. Many factors contribute to this, but Israeli drivers are known to be aggressive and impatient. Take this into consideration if you decide to drive in Israel, and use caution. Be especially cautious on two-lane intercity roads, especially when passing other vehicles. While most major highways have a physical separation median, many lower-traffic intercity roads do not. Also be particularly cautious when driving in the Negev desert, since most roads in that region have only two lanes carrying fast-moving traffic, and trips tend to last hours in the heat. Take care while traveling on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, as roads tend to be emptier and invite faster, and occasionally more reckless, drivers. Also take care in the winter, when it rains and roads are unusually slick.

Car rental

Most major international car rental companies; Hertz, Avis, Budget and Sixt, as well as many Israeli ones including, Eldan (Israel's largest car rental company) and Traffic. If you are interested in Touring Israel with a private vehicle and guide there are many highly professional guides who do this for a price.