PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THE HOLY LAND
There are two basic seasons in the Holy Land, the dry summer and the sometimes rainy winter. The dry season extends, in general, from April until October. The daylight lasts longer, giving us additional time to tour. Because of temperature inversion, the visibility is not as good as in the winter, and in April-May there are sometimes sultry days. Yet the consistently clear blue skies make the beginning or end of this season (April – June, September – October) an excellent choice. In July and August the temperatures can go over 30 degrees Centigrade (more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). During these two months one should avoid long hikes in the desert. Buses and hotel rooms are air-conditioned, of course, and most of the sites offer plenty of shade. Because of the longer days, one can often include time for a swim in one of our four seas (or in the pool). A hat is a must in the summer… and plenty of sunscreen.
The winter has its own advantages. The visibility is often sterling, the air invigorating. The flowers are marvellous (especially in February and March). Bring a coat and hat: we shall often want to stand for long stretches on hills to take in panoramas and read the relevant Bible passages. There is of course the risk of rain. (January has of late been our rainiest month.) An average storm, charging eastward across the Mediterranean, lasts about three days. There are often dry spells within the stormy days,The rainy season can start any day after September 15.
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Currency
Present exchange rates
The Israeli currency is the Shekel (NIS = New Israeli Shekel). In general, the exchange rate is better if one waits until arrival in Israel. One can make the exchange at booths designated for this purpose (for example, at the airport).
There are also ATMs in the cities, although seldom conveniently close to the hotel. One can also change money at the hotel or bank, but the rate is usually not as good.
Many enterprises accept the dollar or the Euro, but one usually receives change in Israeli shekels (sheqalim).
Even if one does not exchange money, therefore, it is important to be aware of the rate
Religious holidays
Six religions are represented in the Holy Land: Judaism, Chri
stianity, and Islam are the major ones, but the Druze is also here, as well as the Bahai and the Samaritans. Within Christianity, both the Eastern and Western Churches are present. All have their holy days. Apart from their inherent interest, these days affect the opening hours at many sites.
The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday (“It was evening and it was morning…” [Genesis 1:5.]) Most Jewish sites close early on Friday and some remain shut through Saturday. Muslims observe Friday as the holy day, when the mosques are closed to tourists. Some Christian churches are open only for worship on Sunday. Thus, scheduling visits is a craft… and then there are the holidays:
The Interfaith Calendar of Religious Holidays
Opening hours as posted by the Christian Information Centre
Christian holiday services as posted by the Christian Information Centre (See under Religious Services and Information)
Regular Christian Sunday services
These are sites that visitors often miss because of time limitations.) If you travel with a tourist agency and a licensed guide, they will be able to advise you. If you travel on your own, you should seek advice from the Tourist Information Office at (02) 625-8844 (Jerusalem) or (02) 274-1581 (Bethlehem).
Security
During travel in the land.
Here are some tips on how to avoid getting robbed. Do not leave valuables in your hotel room when you aren’t there, unless you have them in a safe. If there is no safe in the room, the reception desk should provide you with a safe-deposit box at no charge. Or keep the valuables with you and don’t forget them.
In Jericho, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and elsewhere, you will encounter peddlers selling souvenirs, postcards etc. Almost all
of them are upright, honorable persons who are honestly trying to make a living. A few are less than honorable. Like every land, ours has its quota of skilled pickpockets.
The best policy, therefore, is never to open one’s wallet or purse in the presence of a peddler. Keep some dollar bills loose in your pocket, in case you want to buy something. Wallets and passports should not be in the back pocket. Also, before exchanging currency on the street, seek the advice of your guide.
You should have a photocopy of your passport; this will make it easier to replace it if necessary.
Food and Water
While touring, one’s body loses a lot of water, and it is vital to avoid dehydration. Officially, all the water is good for drinking, but unofficially, opinions (and stomachs) vary. The writer of this website recommends drinking mainly bottled water, which is available all over. Prices vary, starting at about $1.50 for a large bottle (1.5 liters). You need not worry about using tap water for brushing your teeth, and it is perfectly all right to drink the coffee, tea, welcome-drinks at the hotels, and soup.
As for food, there are no limitations. The Holy Land’s fruits and vegetables are among the best in the world.
Health and Accident Insurance
Bring all the medicines you will need. Pharmacies will not honor prescriptions from abroad.
In general, no special immunizations are needed for travel to the Holy Land. In case you have a problem, ask your guide to help you to make contact with a clinic. Emergency help and ambulance: Dial 101 for Magen David Adom (the Red Star of David, equivalent to the Red Cross). For hospital and pharmacy telephone numbers, see Useful Numbers in Israel.
It is wise to take travel insurance that includes emergency evacuation with accompaniment. Suppose, for example, that a tourist gets carried away with photography, walks while shooting, trips on something and breaks a leg. Without insurance, the arrangements for getting home can be complicated and expensive. One may have to leave before the group, and one may have to be accompanied. Not all travel insurance policies cover such eventualities.
Be sure to take one that does. Know in advance how the company’s procedure works: Will it pay your bills directly, or are you to pay and seek reimbursement?
(U.S. citizens, please note: Medicare does not cover hospital or medical costs outside the U.S.)
If you have preexisting medical problems, it is wise to bring a letter from your doctor, describing the condition and any prescription medications, including their generic names. Bring all the medicines you know you will need.
Sufficient medication should be in hand-held carry-on baggage in case suit cases go adrift. Tourists taking special medications should bring a prescription clearly signed by their doctor and the doctor’s license number. (Prescriptions issued in the USA will be honored in Israel provided they show clearly the doctor’s signature and license number.)
The tour programs are such that there is usually little chance of stopping at a pharmacy when you may require one. MEDICAL DOCTORS should bring their prescription book and license.
Hotels and Eateries
Virtually all our tour programs include pre-paid breakfasts (usually a big buffet) and dinners. (Drinks cost extra.) A group may elect to go full-board, including pre-paid lunches as well. There is an advantage in half-board: one is not committed to a specific restaurant for lunch at a specific place and time. The group has greater flexibility, therefore, in adjusting its itinerary to weather conditions. Half-board groups generally use self-service restaurants; here the main course with trimmings may cost $8.00 – $10.00.
An exception is lunch on the Sea of Galilee, where some group members may wish to eat “St. Peter’s Fish” (tilapia). The restaurant, in this case, will have waiter service, and the full meal will have a fixed price: $16 – $18. This usually includes soup, ten or fifteen local salads (as much as you can eat), the fish itself with French fries, fruit for dessert and tea or coffee. One may substitute beef or chicken for fish. Lighter eaters may opt to leave out the main course, and the price will then be about half. (These prices do not include soft drinks or service.)
For a picture of the fish meal, see Tabgha . Please note: The hotels usually post signs, asking that one not take food from the breakfast room. In addition, one should not bring food from outside into an Israeli restaurant: this may endanger the establishment’s certification as kosher.
Swimming
One can float all year in the Dead Sea. It is a unique experience. (For an appetizer, try filling your bathtub with 30% salt.) Mere wading will not give you the idea. One can swim, snorkel and scuba dive all year in the Red Sea too.
So bring a bathing suit, whatever the season. We have two other seas as well: the Mediterranean and the Lake of Galilee. Swim only when a lifeguard is present. The Mediterranean can be treacherous, and places on the Lake of Galilee are subject to a very strong wind each summer afternoon.
Most hotel pools are outdoors and closed in winter. When open, the hours are usually from 0900 – 1700.
Appropriate Dress
Dress in Israel and Palestine is casual. In order to visit the holy sites, however, even in the hottest months, one must wear modest attire: the upper body must be covered, including the shoulders, and legs must be covered to below the knees.
Always have such “modest dress” on the bus, so that you can quickly don and doff it as needed.
Other things to have on the bus: a sun hat, shoes with good profile for moderate hikes, and in the winter months, a warm coat.
Required Travel Documents
Anyone visiting Israel needs a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, plus a return ticket. As for visas, visitors from the U.S, Canada, and many other countries are exempt.
Telephones and Internet
Cell phones: It is possible to rent a cell phone for use in Israel. Talk to your domestic cell phone company or try an internet search under “rent a cell phone in Israel.”
Calling to the Holy Land from abroad: The country code is 972. From North America, for example, dial 011-972 and then the number in Israel (omitting the initial zero).
Calling from the Holy Land: AT&T, MCI and Sprint all have toll-free access numbers here. In most hotel rooms, you can dial “9” for an outside line and then proceed with the access number. (Some hotels have recently begun to charge a tiny, annoying fee for this.) If you dial your service from a public phone, your instruction card will tell you to dial 012, 013 or 014 for overseas; continue with the country code, area code and number.
Internet: Many of the hotels provide internet Wi-Fi
Electricity
The voltage in the Holy Land is on the European standard: 220 v, 50 hz. Many luxury hotels provide hair dryers and an ironing room. Most rooms have 110/220 shaver sockets (to be used for shavers only). If you wish to use American appliances, bring a converter. (This is not the same as an adaptor that merely changes the shape of the plug!) Sometimes the hotel can also provide a converter.
What to bring: a partial checklist
VAT refund
Israel has a tax that is similar to a sales tax, called a Value Added Tax (VAT or ma’am in Hebrew), amounting to 15.5% in 2008. Some shops are authorized to provide a VAT refund to tourists for purchases over $400. For more information, go to this Israeli government link and scroll to Number 6. Please note that this tax does not apply in Bethlehem or Jericho which are not part of Israel.
Planning a trip to Egypt does not always If we’ve missed anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our skilled professionals. We’ve got the answers.
feel simple, but we are here to help! We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked.
Questions about security, medicine, and general travel information to simplify the planning process.
Egyptians speak English quite well as it is taught as a second language starting in elementary school. All hotels, sites, and restaurants that cater to tourists will also have English speaking staff.
Egypt is at the forefront of medicine and healthcare. But for emergency medicines if required better to have it.
No. we recommend mineral water for drinking
Visitors traveling from the United States, Canada, EU and many other western countries need just a passport, and don’t need a visa. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entering Egypt
Egypt has hot dry summer (generally from April – October), and worm winter (November – March).
Most major airlines fly to Egypt’s Cairo International Airport, including Delta, El Al, British Airways, and United.
We can help coordinate a trip to neighbouring Jordan or Israel.
Yes you can. But better to ask before, also at that time you have to bring personal photo with you.
Yes. Your safety is our first priority. As an Egyptian company located in Cairo that caters to tourists from around the world, we understand your concerns. We also have a firm grasp of the situation here and carefully curate our tours and staff to meet the changing needs of our country and cities.
It’s also helpful to note that currently more than million foreign tourists are traveling and enjoying Egypt. Groups and individuals continue to arrive daily and feel safe and secure.
Generally speaking, we do not charge our clients cancelation fee, if the trip was cancelled due to security reasons. But for other reasons we may charge from 10-20 % up to the time before the tour starts. Please consult with your agent.
We do not recommend employing security guards. Egypt is safe to travel in, but if necessary, we will do immediately.
In case of an emergency, your tour guide is equipped with all the necessary information and procedures to ensure your safety and well-being.
Most areas of the country, are safe after dark.
We can provide someone to meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. If you prefer, you can also easily take a taxi from the taxi line at the airport.
There are a variety of transportation options in Egypt : buses, trains, private taxis, and rental cars. Whatever your need.
Cairo to Alexandria : 230 kilometers
Cairo to Sharm Elsheik : 470 kilometers
Cairo to Suize : 135 kilometers
Cairo to St Catharine : 430 kilometers
Cairo to Luxor : 720 kilometers
Cairo to Aswan : 950 kilometers
Luxor to Aswan : 220 kilometers
Aswan to Abo Simple : 280 kilometers
Egypt electric current is highly performed, Egypt plugs are also two pronged. Therefore, you will need an adapter for your appliances. Most hotels will provide you with an adapter and a low-wattage socket for electric shavers that can function to charge your cell phone as well.
Yes, most hotels have WI-FI available to guests, some for a fee while others offer complimentary Wi-Fi. In addition, most cafes offer complimentary Wi-Fi.
Yes. If you know that you would like to rent a phone, we can refer you to a rental phone company. Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements at any time during your visit. The country code is 002.
Egypt currency is the pound.
Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, stores and everywhere.
The VAT (value added tax) in Egypt is 12% in most prices of the goods, also which will be for the extras.
Many governmental offices are closed but stores and shopping mauls are available on Fridays (the Muslims holy day of the week, which begins at sunset on Thursday and ends at sundown on Friday)
. Valid till age 75; age 75+ no insurance.
The policy will not cover any event as: Pre-existing chronic or previous illnesses; Road accident; Work accident; Pregnancy; Aids; Usage of alcohol and/or drags and/or weapon.
Restaurant staff: 1$ per person (fix group menu lunch on route) or 10% of amount in case of a large group
