Highlights |
Escorted Package Includes
- Round trip flights NYC-Tel Aviv
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
- Airline fuel surcharges
- 9 nights First Class accommodations
- All transfers
- 10 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager Days 3-8
Special Features
- Ancient Roman port of Caesarea
- Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth
- Old City of Jerusalem
Also Available
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Itinerary |
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DAY 1, Thursday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Israel. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Friday - Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Tel Aviv
DAY 3, Saturday - Tel Aviv
Enjoy the day at leisure in the vibrant seafront city of Tel Aviv
Optional: Half Day Tel Aviv
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Sunday - Galilee
Today, depart Tel Aviv, traveling north along the coastal highway. Arriving in Caesarea, visit its ancient Roman port and aqueduct, Byzantine streets, and Crusader ruins. Continue to Mt. Carmel for a panoramic view of Mukraka Monastery and Haifa Bay. Visit the Druze Villages and their attractive markets nearby. See Haifa's beautiful Bahai Gardens before continuing through Nazareth, home of the Church of the Annunciation, the largest basilica in the Middle East. Arrive in the Galilee
Overnight: Galilee
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Monday - Galilee
Enjoy a full day at leisure on the Kibbutz, a type of community unique to Israel
Optional: Full Day Golan Heights Tour with Lunch
Overnight: Galilee
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Tuesday - Jerusalem
Depart Galilee, and en route to Jerusalem, visit Capernaum, site of a second century village and synagogue on the Sea's northern shore. Continue to Tiberias. Drive around the Sea of Galilee to Yardenit, continuing to Beit Shean in the Jordan Valley to visit the excavations and Roman amphitheater. Afterwards, proceed to your hotel in Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Wednesday - Jerusalem
This morning, enjoy a half day tour of Jerusalem's Old City, taking you to the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall), Jewish Quarter, Christian Quarter, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and a local bazaar. The balance of the day at leisure
Optional: Half Day Jerusalem New City (PM)
Optional: Farewell Dinner with Illuminated Tour of Jerusalem
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Thursday - Jerusalem
Enjoy the day at leisure in this fascinating city. Stroll the pedestrian Ben Yehuda Street with it's many shops and cafes and restaurants or visit one of the city's many museums
Optional: Masada and Dead Sea
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Friday - Jerusalem
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Jerusalem
Optional: Full Day Kibbutz Tzorah, Latrun & Kennedy Memorial
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Saturday - Jerusalem
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Jerusalem
Optional: Half Day Jerusalem: David's Citadel and Mount Zion (AM)
Optional: Half Day Bethlehem (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Sunday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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Optionals |
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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| Half Day Tel Aviv |
Day #3 |
01 May 2009 - 31 Mar 2011 $39
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See the highlights of Tel Aviv, a vibrant city renowned for its chic, cosmopolitan character. Drive along the Promenade, the Tel Aviv waterfront on the Mediterranean to ancient Jaffa. Walk through the winding alleyways with their many art galleries that now occupy the old structures. Return to modern-day Tel Aviv, down the tree-lined Rothschild Avenue which boasts a large selection of Bauhaus Architecture style from the 1930'2 and 1940's. Continue past the Mann Auditorium and Habima, Israel's National Theatre, through Dizengoff Street, named after Tel Aviv's first mayor, dotted with boutiques and side-walk cafes. Visit Yitzhak Rabin Square with it's memorial to the late Israeli Prime Minister. Proceed along Ben Gurion Boulevard, named for Israel first Prime Minister and where David Ben Gurion's House remains as it was as a permanent exhibition. Return to your hotel.
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| Full Day Golan Heights with lunch |
Day #5 |
11 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $85
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Ascend the Golan Heights. Stop for spectacular vistas of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinnereth) and surrounding areas. Visit Mt Ben Tal, site of a former Israeli bunker to understand its stategic importance during the 6 Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. After a stop for lunch, visit the kosher winery in Katzrin, the largest town in the Golan Heights. Drive to Safed, a holy city in Judaism and the center of the mystical Kabbala. Stroll through the artists' colony and visit an ancient synagogue.
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| Half Day Jerusalem New City |
Day #7 |
01 Jan 2008 - 31 Mar 2011 $49
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Drive past the Knesset, Israel's Parliament to visit the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed on a rotating platform. View the model of Jerusalem during Second Temple period. En route to Yad Vashem, pass by the Israeli Supreme Court Building. Explore the new facilities of Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the Holocaust. Return to your hotel.
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| Illuminated Jerusalem with dinner |
Day #7 |
01 Jan 2009 - 31 Mar 2011 $55
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Jerusalem at night shows off her splendor. Drive by the walls of the Old City, and various other monuments to see the city in a new light. Continue to a local restaurant for dinner.
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| Full Day Masada & Dead Sea |
Day #8 |
01 Jan 2009 - 31 Mar 2011 $85
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Enjoy a full day tour to Massada and the Dead Sea. Drive through the Judean Desert and along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ascend the towering desert mesa via cable car to visit the excavations of the fortress of King Herod and last stronghold of the Zealots against the Romans. Here you will be able to see many of the original structures, such as the synagogue and storehouses, that have been painstakingly restored by archaeologists. Descend the mount via cable car and continue your tour as you journey via Ein Gedi and the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest elevation on Earth at more than 1,300 feet below sea level. While at this natural wonder, enjoy the opportunity to float in the water or cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud. Afterwards, return to your hotel.
Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
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| Full Day Kibbutz Tzorah, Latrun & Kennedy Memorial |
Day #9 |
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $59
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Depart Jerusalem to the Valley of Elah, the area of the famous battle between David and Goliath. Visit Kibbutz Tzorah for a tour of this unique type of Israeli community living, including their vineyards. Continue to Latrun, a strategic area during the battle for Israel's Independence. View the IDF Armored Corps Tank Museum. Return to Jerusalem via the Judean Hills and the Kennedy Memorial in the Jerusalem Forest.
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| Half Day Jerusalem, David's Citadel & Mount Zion |
Day #10 |
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $49
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Enter the Old City of Jerusalem via the Jaffa Gate, adjacent to David's Citadel or Tower of David. Visit the Museum of the History of Jerusalem, located in the restored Citadel. Each guardroom depicts a period in Jerusalem's history through a series of models and multi-media displays. Following the visit, walk through the Armenian Quart to Mount Zion where you will view the traditional site of King David's Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper.
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| Half Day Bethlehem 2:00 PM |
Day #10 |
11 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $30
11 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2011 $30
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Enjoy a half day tour featuring the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the Holy Land, still in use and commemorates the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Many restoration projects have occurred through the years. Presently the facade of the Church of the Nativity is encircled by the high walls of the three convents: the Franciscan on the northeast side, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox, on the southeast side. A shopping stop for local souvenirs and olive wood handicrafts is included. Please note that Bethlehem is located six miles south of Jerusalem in the West Bank and governed by the Palestinian National Authority.
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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Rates & Hotels |
Step 1: Select Your Featured Hotels Step 2: Click a Date to Book Online
OR: Click here to create your own flexible vacation
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*Not Included:
Airport taxes & fees, optional tours, and gratuities.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.
Entry Requirements:
US citizens require a passport valid for six months beyond travel dates.
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| Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones. | |
| Passports and Visas | It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies.
| | Trip Preparation | A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you’ll need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas) are in order and that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip.
| | Health Information | Check with your personal physician for the latest overseas travel health information, or contact the Center for Disease Control’s travelers’ hotline at 404-332-4559, web site www.cdc.gov.
| | Climate & Clothing | Israel - Spring: 60°F-85°F, Summer: 70°F-90°F, Autumn: 60°F-80°F, Winter: 45°F-70°F. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. In the heat of summer, bring sunscreen and a hat. Some religious sites do not allow shorts or sleeveless shirts.
Israel Average Temperatures: http://www.gate1travel.com/weather/mediterranean/default.aspx#israel-weather
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| E-tickets | Most airlines now require that we provide e-tickets in place of paper tickets. At check-in, you should be ready to provide your e-ticket itinerary and ticket numbers, as well as identification (valid passport) to the agent. In a few cases where e-tickets cannot be issued, you will receive your tickets in a paper form.
| | Airline Flights | Please check in at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time to allow for security steps. Passengers connecting from another point within the USA may check their luggage through to their final destination, and although problems with lost luggage have been minimal, it is a possibility. Certain carriers do not allow baggage “interlining,” and luggage must be checked separately for each flight. If you are connecting from a domestic flight which is delayed for any reason, causing you to miss your international flight, you must ask the airline for assistance in getting you to your destination. Since all airline tickets are issued on special fares which carry restrictions and penalties if changed, you must have the airlines responsible make alternate arrangements on your behalf as Gate 1 has no authority or control over airline activities and policies. Do not leave the airline check-in desk until an alternative itinerary has been confirmed for you.
Flight schedule changes are common and may occur anytime until departure. Therefore it is the responsibility of each passenger to reconfirm their flights 72 hours prior to departure for all flights.
| | Airline Luggage Restrictions | Most international airlines are consistent with regard to the number and weight of the pieces you may check and bring onboard. Domestic carriers however, typically on small aircraft, differ. Therefore, we suggest that you check in advance if you are concerned about size or weight restrictions. Many airlines have begun to apply charges for checked bags. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies. Airline policies vary and may change at any time. Gate 1 Travel is not responsible for any excess luggage/ weight charges levied by an airline.
| | Airline Seats | Airline seats are confirmed whenever possible. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only. Even when seats are pre-assigned however, we recommend that you contact the carrier one to two weeks prior to departure to reconfirm your seats. In many cases there are equipment changes after your initial booking which can cause airplane seating reconfiguration.
| | Airline Tickets | Most airline tickets are issued using special fares which cannot be changed or canceled without incurring additional cost. Should you lose or misplace your tickets while traveling, you should immediately notify the airline. In most cases they will have you complete a Lost Ticket Indemnity Form, and for a fee, issue replacement tickets.
| | Code-share Flights | Many airlines participate in alliances and special agreements with other airlines which permit passengers to travel from one point to another using more than one carrier. While your ticket may indicate that you are flying with one carrier (eg: Delta), you may find that you are actually seated in a plane belonging to another carrier (eg: Alitalia). Please review your airline itinerary carefully to determine which airline you should go to for check-in; if your flight is operated by a carrier other than the primary airline indicated on the itinerary, your itinerary will state "Flight Operated by (Airline)." If you have any concerns regarding which airline to check-in with, you may contact the airline directly or Gate 1 Travel for clarification.
| | Luggage | All Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to airline handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/luggage.aspx for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers.
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| Arrival Procedures | Upon arrival, please complete immigration formalities and claim your luggage. If your program includes airport arrival transfers, check your voucher for specific instructions, as they vary with every destination. In most cases, you will be met after passing through Customs by the local representative who will be holding a Gate 1 Travel sign and/or a sign with your name on it. In some instances you will be instructed to walk a short distance to a transportation counter. The company's name and location will be printed on your voucher. If for any reason you do not connect with the Gate 1 transfer personnel, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the Gate 1 Travel representative or phone the number on your voucher.
| Israel - You will be met by our local representative after you have completed immigration formalities in the baggage claim area. Look for someone holding a Gate 1 Travel sign and/or a sign with your name on it, or your name might be paged to approach the Information Desk. If you do not connect with the Gate 1 transfer personnel, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the Gate 1 Travel representative or phone the number on your voucher.
| | What To Do When Your Flight Is Delayed | Airlines do not share flight manifest information. Therefore, the only way we may learn of a delay or schedule change while you are traveling is from you, the traveler. The sooner you are able to contact one of our offices, overseas or in the USA, the better we can respond. Gate 1 Travel is only able to guarantee pre-reserved arrival transfers for up to one hour from the scheduled time, no matter the cause. In case you are delayed for any reason, and are unable to follow the instructions on your voucher, please make independent transfer arrangements and retain your receipts. Unused tour services, including transfers and hotel nights are not refundable. Upon your return home you will need to contact your airline and/or insurance carrier to investigate the possibility of reimbursement for any unused tour services.
| | Departure Procedures | If your program includes departure transfers, instructions will be stated on your voucher or provided locally.
| | Transfers | Due to local traffic and other extenuating circumstances, we ask that you allow 30 minutes from your scheduled transfer time for our representative to arrive. This includes hotel, airport and cruise transfers. Such possible delays are taken into consideration in scheduling transfers and you should therefore have no concerns about arriving late for your tour, flight or cruise. For transfers from a hotel, let the hotel reception desk or concierge know that you are waiting for a transfer. In the case of a missed transfer, reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses will be considered provided you obtain a written statement from the hotel's front desk verifying the length of time you waited, and the time you left the hotel, and a receipt for your transportation with time and date.
Escorted tour programs include transfers, providing you have purchased airfare from Gate 1 to arrive and depart on the scheduled tour dates. If you are traveling independently, you may purchase the transfers from Gate 1 or contract your own method of transportation to the hotel or cruise ship. The cost of a transfer will generally be more expensive than hiring a taxi as the pre-arranged transfer necessarily includes round trip service, or a 'dead-leg'. Additionally the driver may have to wait at the collection point for up to an hour.
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| Hotels | | Gate 1 Travel has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two single beds and private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standard. | | Hotel Check-in/ Check-out | | Check-in time is usually 4pm or later. Check-out time is 12 noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. Ask at the front desk if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later. |
| Eco & Sustainable Tourism | We support global efforts to create a more eco-friendly world, intolerant of any forms of cruelty, abuse and intentional environmental destruction. To that end we ask that our clients maintain a watchful eye as they travel, and report any abuses they may encounter. One of the many benefits of tourism is the shared cultural knowledge and ultimate elimination of negative behavior through education. We rely on your good feedback to enable this element of symbiosis. As you travel to and learn about foreign cultures, we ask first and foremost that you practice tolerance and respect for local customs.
| | Land Only Passengers (Escorted Tours) | Your tour manager will contact you after your arrival at your hotel. Passengers who have not purchased arrival transfers from Gate 1 Travel should proceed directly to the hotel for checkin. The details of the hotel can be found in your documents.
| | Shopping | Shopping in a foreign country can be a wonderful experience. We do include a few stops at recommended popular shops on every escorted tour, intended to enhance your cultural experience. As you explore the country independently, you may find fantastic, one-of-a-kind merchandise. You may get terrific bargains. However, we advise you to exercise care and common sense when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that, just like in this country, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!
| Israel - Shopping hours: From Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 7 pm. Sabbath is from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. Because of this, most stores and businesses are closed on Saturday.
Most hotels and many restaurants throughout the country keep kosher (observe Jewish dietary rules) which means no mixing of meat and milk products in food preparation and not serving pork or shellfish. Non-kosher restaurants are open on Friday night and Saturday.
| | Currency | We suggest getting a small amount of currency for the first country you're visiting before you leave the U.S. It is a good idea to carry a chart with you to help you convert U.S. dollars to the local currency. It's also a good idea not to carry too much money. Many countries have ATM machines that accept most U.S. ATM cards, but be sure you know your ATM password in numbers-the keypads on foreign ATMs don't always have letters. ATM machines will only dispense cash in local currency. Check with respective consulates to learn current currency allowances and requirements. Use your credit card whenever possible. Should you decide to carry cash or travelers checks, exchange them at banks where the rate is more favorable than at hotels or exchange bureaus.
| Israel - The Shekel is the currency of Israel. Also, many vendors will accept payment in U.S. dollars.
| | Purchasing Tours Locally |
On escorted tours, the guides will generally sell optional tours to passengers who have not pre-purchased them.
Payment can be made by cash or credit card, unless otherwise noted below.
This does not apply to Independent packages. Please see Gate 1 Terms & Conditions for more information.
http://www.gate1travel.com/terms.aspx#optional
| | Credit Cards | While credit cards are accepted in most destinations, it is advisable to carry local currency. Inform your credit card company that you are traveling to avoid your card being blocked for security reasons.
| | Gratuities | This is a matter of personal discretion. You may use the following as a guideline:
- Tour escort (Coordinator; may or may not act as a guide):
$6 or $7 per person per day - *Driver (Provides chauffeur services and limited assistance with luggage):
$3 per person per day - *Local Guide (Offers in-depth information at specific locations. There may be one or many guides along a tour program):
$2 per person per half day of sightseeing (2-3 hours) - *River Cruises:
$6 or $7 per person per day as indicated by each cruise line (see details regarding European River Cruises) - *Private car tours(small groups of 2-14 passengers):
$12 to $16 per person per day for each day of sightseeing - *Hotel Porter:
$1 per bag per person - *Wait staff:
$1.50 per person (lunch or dinner) - *Chamber maid:
$1 per person per day
Tipping is considered by many locals to be a part of their normal remuneration and some may approach you for additional "compensation." There is no need to be intimidated by the request, nor should you feel pressured to pay more than recommended. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour escort or phone our local office. Numbers have been provided in your documents for your convenience.
| Israel - Although bills normally include a service charge, it is customary to tip in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists. Taxi drivers do not expect gratuities and rounding up to the nearest shekel is usually sufficient.
| | Your Safety is Very Important | Every effort has been taken by Gate 1 Travel to ensure your safety. However, it is important that you do not allow your common sense to take a vacation while you're on your trip. Be aware of potentially dangerous places and situations as you would at home. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carry your valuables concealed in inside pockets or hidden pouches. Don't put all your valuables (money, credit cards, passports, etc.) in the same place. (In case that one wallet is stolen, you should have other valuables and identification in another safe place.) Don't leave valuables laying loose in your room-use the hotel safe. Keep copies of your passports, credit card numbers and travelers checks numbers in the hotel safe. If you've purchased an escorted tour program, your travel documents will include telephone numbers of local Gate 1 Travel representatives who will do their utmost to assist you in the event of an emergency. The numbers are printed on your Gate 1 Travel vouchers. Please copy the numbers. Once you relinquish the voucher, you will not have this information. Passengers traveling independently should employ the services of hotel concierges and local authorities.
| | Local Emergency Phone Numbers | Israel
- Ambulance/Medical: 101
- Fire: 102
- Police: 100
| | Languages | Israel - Hebrew and Arabic are the local languages. English is generally spoken in tourist areas.
| | Electricity | Please note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances.
| Israel - The voltage used is 230 volts. Israeli sockets are usually 3-pronged, and foreign-made appliances generally require an adapter.
| | Code of Conduct | | Holidays - Israel |
| Holidays 2009 |
| Apr 9 - 15 |
Pesach (Passover) |
May 8 |
Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) |
Jun 9 |
Shavu'ot (Pentecost) |
Sep 30 - Oct 1 |
Rosh Hashana (New Year) |
Oct 9 |
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) |
Oct 14 - 20 |
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) |
| Oct 24 |
Simhat Torah & Shemini Atzeret (Celebration of Renewal and Thanksgiving) |
Dec 22 - 29 |
Chanukah (Festival of the Lights) |
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| Holidays 2009 |
| Apr 20 - 26 |
Pesach (Passover) |
Apr 29 |
Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) |
May 29 |
Shavu'ot (Pentecost) |
Sep 19 - 20 |
Rosh Hashana (New Year) |
Sep 28 |
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) |
Oct 3 - 9 |
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) |
| Oct 10 |
Simhat Torah & Shemini Atzeret (Celebration of Renewal and Thanksgiving) |
Dec 12 - 19 |
Chanukah (Festival of the Lights) |
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The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat - Day of Rest) is on Saturday. Shabbat begins at nightfall on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. All public services are closed on Friday and Eve of Holy Day, as well as Saturday and all Holidays. Stores and some restaurants close at midday on Friday and Eve of Holidays and are closed on Saturdays and all Holy Days. There is no public transportation on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, Eve of Holy Days and observed Holy Days. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations.
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