What is Israel and how does it differ from other countries?
Israel is a country in the Middle East with a land area of 8,000 square kilometers. It borders Lebanon and Syria to the north, Jordan and the West Bank to the east, Egypt and Gaza Strip to the south, and it has maritime borders with Cyprus.
Israel is one of two countries in the world that does not have an official religion. The other is New Zealand. Despite this, Israel is considered a Jewish State by most people as its population is mainly Jewish (77%). Israel is a country in the Middle East that was established on May 14th, 1948. It has a population of 8 million people and is around the size of New Jersey.
Israel is separated into three regions: The Coastal Plain, The Mountains, and The Negev Desert. Israel’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, manufacturing, high-tech industries such as electronics and software development, and research and development. Israel’s GDP per capita is $35,000 which makes it one of the richest countries in the world.
Tel Aviv, would be unrecognizable to its founders, a small number of Jewish immigrant families living in Ottoman-ruled Palestine at the time. The towering sand dunes of a century ago have been replaced by a skyline of sparkling skyscrapers. Today, the city is well-known for its boxy Bauhaus apartment structures and other cultural institutions like theaters and concert halls, as well as the throngs of people who fill up its sidewalk cafés weekly. Read more in this article about what you should know before traveling to Israel
Here’s what you should know before traveling to Israel
Is It Safe to Visit Israel? What are the Risks?
Because of its position in the Middle East, Israel is home to a diverse range of cultures. Israel has diplomatic contacts with fewer nations in the region than other countries in the region. Six wars have been fought by Israel since its independence in 1948, and the Israeli-Palestinian issue remains unresolved, resulting in regional instability. There are no restrictions on access to Bethlehem and Jericho in the West Bank, but prior clearance or permit is required for travel to the Gaza Strip or the West Bank.
Terrorism is a concern for the United States and its allies. As a result of Israel’s lengthier history of terror attacks than the United States, the Israeli people have cultivated a stronger sense of security awareness than we have. Bag checks are standard at supermarkets, crowded restaurants, banks, and shopping malls, where security officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Israelis don’t think twice about it, and you will too after a few days of doing it daily.
It’s completely risk-free to visit Israel even if you’re a complete novice. In reality, Israel is one of the last places in the world where young women can go out on their own, especially at night, without fear of being attacked. Chances are, you’ll run into a few stalkers and nutters, but they’re everywhere!
What Should You Pack When Visiting Israel?
Israel is a small country, but it still has a diverse range of landscapes. Israel’s climate varies depending on the region and season.
Israel has four seasons:
- Spring: March to May
- Summer: June to August
- Autumn: September to November
- Winter: December to February
Now that the trip is quickly approaching, you’re wondering what clothes you should pack for your vacation to Israel! Men should wear long pants and sleeves while women should wear longer skirts and sleeves with a scarf or other items to cover their hair if they plan on visiting holy areas, whether in Jewish or Muslim neighborhoods. If you’re hoping to get inside any of the country’s older churches, this is a must.
In the vast majority of the United States, you may wear whatever you want and no one will bat an eyelid. Tel Aviv is Israel’s center for avant-garde fashion. Prepare your luggage based on the expected weather conditions at that time of year. Even in the height of summer, it’s best to pack a few extra layers for the evenings, as temperatures can drop quickly once the sun goes down, especially in the desert and along the coast.
For the sake of your health, bring along some nice walking shoes. Because of the high humidity, it’s a good idea to pack light cotton clothing. If you plan on going to the beach, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. Sunscreen is a need! Also, if you plan on visiting other parts of Israel, you’ll want to pack some modest apparel, as Tel Aviv isn’t the most liberal city.
Best Time To Visit Israel
All year round, Israel’s weather is undoubtedly ideal. The kind of weather you’d desire on a summer vacation occurs during the summer months. You’ll never want to leave the lovely beaches along the coast with the scorching sun pounding down on your soon-to-be golden skin. However, temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius may be too much for some people, so October may be the best time for you to visit. Even if the wind is stronger and the sun is dimmer, this is not winter. Israel’s winters aren’t quite blizzards, but they’re still sunny. We believe that the greatest time to travel is between April and November, depending on your preferences.
If you’re coming to the country primarily for religious reasons, you can go at any time of year. When arranging a trip, the weather and public holidays are the most important considerations for most travelers. Winter (November-March) brings cooler temperatures but also the risk of rain, whilst summer (usually believed to span from April to October) can be extremely hot and humid by the shore.
Passover and Rosh Hashanah are two of the busiest travel periods in Israel since they are Jewish festivals. Because October and August are the busiest months, you should start planning your trip and making hotel reservations well in advance if you intend to go during any of those seasons.
Currency
Because shekel is the biblical term for cash, it makes sense that it was adopted for usage in the modern State of Israel, abbreviated as NIS (for New Israeli Shekel, frequently denoted by the symbol of the interlocking shin and chet letters) or simply ILS (for Israeli Shekel) (Israeli Shekel). In Israel, prices are denoted by shekels and agurot. While agurot are commonly referred to as pennies, a single agura is worth a fraction of a US penny, and hence single-agura coins are no longer struck.
The Israeli New Shekel (INS) is the country’s currency (NIS). There are banknotes in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50, and 20 shekels. One shekel is equal to 100 agorot (plural: agora). Ten shekels, five shekels, two shekels, one shekel, and fifty agorot are among the coin denominations available.
Cash and credit cards are the two most frequent methods of payment. Some ATMs (Bank Leumi or Bank Hapoalim are the most common) even offer the option of dispensing cash in dollars or euros.
Getting a Visa For Your Trip To the Jewish State
A visa allows the holder to travel to the country and stay there for a certain period of time. There are different types of visas depending on the purpose of the visit and whether or not it will be temporary or permanent.
Visa applications can be made online, in person at an embassy, or at an airport when entering the country. The type of visa you need depends on your nationality, how long you will be staying in Israel, and what you plan on doing while there.
As with other tourists, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date you are scheduled to leave the country to visit Israel for up to 90 days from the date of your arrival.
Make sure you ask the customs employee at the passport control window to not stamp your passport (they typically don’t) if you plan on traveling to Arab nations after entering Israel. In contrast, if you plan to visit either Egypt or Jordan after Israel, you don’t need to be afraid.
Make sure you’re fluent in Hebrew!
You won’t have any trouble traveling around because most Israelis are fluent in English. Having said that, learning a little Hebrew can be a huge asset. Any tourist can benefit from this list of useful Hebrew words and expressions.
- Yes. – כן. – Ken.
- No. – לא. – Lo.
- pharmacy – בית מרקחת – beyt merkachat
- ticket – כרטיס -– kartees
- toilet – שירותים – shehrooteem
- airport – שדה תעופה – sdeh te’oofa
- taxi – מונית – moneet
- train station – תחנת רכבת – takhanat rakevet
- bus station – תחנת האוטובוס – takhanat ha’otoboos
- hotel – בית מלון – beyt malon
- beach – חוף – khof
- help – עזר – azar
- restaurant – מסעדה – mees’ada
- supermarket – כלבו – kolbo
- souvenir – מזכרת – mazkeret
Israel isn’t cheap.
Israeli prices are almost certainly more than you had anticipated! There is no such thing as a free night at a hostel in Israel, so don’t come expecting it. Hummus and falafel may be found on the street at a reasonable price, but it’s the little things that are often excessively pricey. In addition to deodorants and groceries from the grocery store, there is also gasoline to consider. Because of this, be prepared to fork over a little more than you had planned.
The lack of knowledge that tourists face can lead them to overspend in certain scenarios. The cost of living in Tel Aviv can be high, but there are a few places where you can save money. The cost of living in Israel is certainly higher than you anticipated! So, don’t expect to stay in hostels for 10 shekels a night if you don’t have any money saved up in advance. You may come across street meals like hummus and falafel that are reasonably priced, but it’s the little things that might be a pain in the neck. Deodorants, grocery store purchases, and gasoline all fall under this category. Because of this, be prepared to fork over a little more than intended.
In Tel Aviv, public Wi-Fi is free, so you won’t have to pay to use it in hotels. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas such as beaches and parks. Renting a bike for 17 shekels per day can take care of all your transportation needs. Instead of taking a cab from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, use the train. When it comes to fresh produce, head to your neighborhood farmer’s market.
Israeli Culture
Explore famous Israeli culture and find what you should know before traveling to Israel and what you can expect when you get there. As a result of Israel’s large immigrant population, you won’t be the odd one out — regardless of your race or religion! The country is much more relaxed than you may imagine. As a result, you’ll see bank managers and high-tech executives dressed casually in jeans and shorts. Know any more things one should know before traveling to Israel.
The Cuisine of Israel Is Known Throughout the World
The wine and gastronomy of Israel are world-renowned. A unique mix of flavors and aromas awaits you in towns like Tel Aviv, where street vendors and high-end restaurants meet. With tahini sauce, salad, and falafel, you’ll be swooning in no time at all.
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Enjoy the local whites and reds at one of the many luxurious vineyards across the country, or simply head to one of the many fantastic restaurants in the Middle East. If you’re coming to Israel with an open mind and a hungry appetite, you won’t be disappointed.
Weekend and Sabbath travel
Israel is a Jewish-majority country and as such, you can expect travel to be disrupted by the country-wide observance of Shabbat or Saturday. This seven-day Jewish holy day is observed by closing all government offices and most private enterprises on Friday afternoon and concluding Saturday evening.
Sabbath, Jerusalem
Even if the majority of Tel Aviv’s eateries are still operational, public transportation is severely curtailed or nonexistent in the city. If you don’t have a car, this may make it difficult to organize a weekend getaway. There are no flights on Saturdays or religious holidays for El Al, Israel’s national airline (notice that El Al does not fly on Saturdays). In contrast, in Israel, Sunday marks the beginning of the workweek.
Most public venues in Israel are smoke-free, so be sure to inquire and look for designated smoking spots if you must smoke.
Conclusion: Ready To Start Planning Your Trip to This Beautiful Land of Israel?
Israel is a small country, but it has an incredibly diverse landscape. The country is known for its beaches and the Dead Sea, but there are other hidden gems that travelers may not know about. The weather in Israel is temperate with warm summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Israel is from April to October when the temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees Celsius.
Israel is a beautiful land, perfect for any traveler. It is home to some of the most exquisite and diverse landscapes in the world. Israel is a country that has been in the news a lot lately. It is not just because of its strong military, but also because it has been at the forefront of technology. For example, Israel was the first country to develop a system that can detect whether an individual is lying or not.
