Israel
There is no destination on Earth like Israel. Over millennia, this tiny bit of land, located on the warm shores of the Mediterranean, has cast a giant footprint on the world that belies its size. It is the birthplace of the three major monotheistic religions, whose epicenter, Jerusalem, is a beloved and coveted capital. Deep within the Judean desert lies the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth, whose mud is considered a cure for some illnesses and whose water is so buoyant that everyone can happily float. The fertile hills of the Galilee are resplendent with Arab and Jewish villages and ancient archaeological sites that reveal previous civilizations as archaeologists work to peel back the layers of rock, soil, and time. And today, modern cities have risen from the desert, attracting the trendiest travelers with a world-class foodie scene, high-end shopping, and incredible innovations in science and technology! So whether you wander the land with the Bible as your guidebook or gravitate to the frenetic nightlife, beautiful beaches, and restaurants of Tel Aviv, you will discover that this old-new country truly lives up to its nickname, the Miracle on the Mediterranean.
Highlights
- Old City Jerusalem
At the heart of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian religions, Old City is a must-see destination for all travelers alike. Surrounded by ancient walls, this region is home to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine. Old City is full of biblical history that is divided into four quarters; The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. Each quarter holds its significance with unique atmospheres, sites, smells, and experiences. Old City is full of various shops and markets where vendors sell prayer shawls, rosaries, ornate ceramics, and more. In addition to the shops dotting the streets, numerous food stalls serve fresh-squeezed juice and some of Israel's favorites: falafel, hummus, and pita.
- The Dead Sea
Known famously as one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world (8.6 times saltier than the ocean), the Dead Sea is a salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley, bordered by Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. This hyper-saline lake is the lowest elevation on land, situated over 1,400 ft. below sea level. Its waters and mineral-rich mud are known for many health benefits, and many travelers to this area take advantage of these benefits and indulge in mud treatments and salt baths. Because of the high salinity, people can easily float on the surface with natural buoyancy. The Dead Sea got its name for its harsh conditions where animals and plants cannot flourish, even though some bacteria and microbial fungi exist.
- Tel Aviv
Sitting on Israel's Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. This thriving and bustling metropolis is the second largest city in Israel, following Jerusalem, and its greater metropolitan area has a population of 3.1 million people. Composed of sandy beaches, electric nightlife, desirable cuisine, and an active cultural scene, Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 by a group of Jaffa residents. Tel Aviv is home to the "State of Mind" Innovation Center, the ancient port city of Jaffa, UNESCO-recognized architecture, 50 distinctive neighborhoods, and more. In the heart of Tel Aviv lies Rothschild Boulevard, a strip full of the most prominent collection of Bauhaus built in the early 1900s.
- Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the Holocaust victims. This prism-shaped memorial is dedicated to honoring those who fought against the Nazis and preserving the memory of those who lost their lives. Yad Vashem is the second most visited tourist site in Israel, following the Western Wall. The museum holds nine galleries of interactive historical displays, including photographs, films, documents, and letters that represent the Holocaust in numerous ways, giving its visitors a proper understanding of the impact of the tragedy. Some of these galleries include the Hall of Names, an area containing over 3 million names that families have submitted to honor those fallen; Hall of Remembrance, where ashes are buried, and an eternal flame burns in remembrance; Yad Layeled, the memorial that honors the children who perished in the Holocaust; and the Memorial to the Deportees, which consists of a railroad car that honors those who were deported.
- Shabbat dinner
A Shabbat dinner is a traditional time focused on resting, enjoying family company, and being with your inner self. For this dinner, the table is set with a Kiddush cup, challah, salt shaker, white tablecloth, Shabbat candles, and Jewish books. Rather than the food, the series of events make a Shabbat dinner so special. Before dining, Jewish women light candles to welcome the Shabbat as the sun sets, and a blessing is recited. Afterward, a poem – Shalom Aleichem – is sung to address angels accompanying the family on their return home from Shabbat prayers. The husband then shows admiration for his wife by serenading her with a poem, and the parents both take time to bless their children. The head of the household then recites a blessing, called "Kiddush," over wine to sanctify the Shabbat, and then all participants follow in tasting their wine. The meal begins with participants washing their hands before enjoying challahs dipped in salt. The remainder of the Shabbat dinner is spent enjoying cuisine influenced by the many foods eaten around the world.
- The Western Wall
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall is an ancient limestone wall that stands as the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Thousands of people travel to the wall every year to visit and recite prayers that are either spoken aloud or written down and placed in the cracks of the towering wall. The Western Wall once enclosed and supported the Second Temple, built by King Herod in 20 BCE, which was later ruined by the Roman invasion. The wall was the last remnant of the temple that survived, which is why it has also been called the "Wailing Wall" due to Jewish having gathered here to lament the loss of their temple.
At the heart of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian religions, Old City is a must-see destination for all travelers alike. Surrounded by ancient walls, this region is home to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine. Old City is full of biblical history that is divided into four quarters; The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. Each quarter holds its significance with unique atmospheres, sites, smells, and experiences. Old City is full of various shops and markets where vendors sell prayer shawls, rosaries, ornate ceramics, and more. In addition to the shops dotting the streets, numerous food stalls serve fresh-squeezed juice and some of Israel's favorites: falafel, hummus, and pita.
Known famously as one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world (8.6 times saltier than the ocean), the Dead Sea is a salt lake in the Jordan Rift Valley, bordered by Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. This hyper-saline lake is the lowest elevation on land, situated over 1,400 ft. below sea level. Its waters and mineral-rich mud are known for many health benefits, and many travelers to this area take advantage of these benefits and indulge in mud treatments and salt baths. Because of the high salinity, people can easily float on the surface with natural buoyancy. The Dead Sea got its name for its harsh conditions where animals and plants cannot flourish, even though some bacteria and microbial fungi exist.
Sitting on Israel's Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. This thriving and bustling metropolis is the second largest city in Israel, following Jerusalem, and its greater metropolitan area has a population of 3.1 million people. Composed of sandy beaches, electric nightlife, desirable cuisine, and an active cultural scene, Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 by a group of Jaffa residents. Tel Aviv is home to the "State of Mind" Innovation Center, the ancient port city of Jaffa, UNESCO-recognized architecture, 50 distinctive neighborhoods, and more. In the heart of Tel Aviv lies Rothschild Boulevard, a strip full of the most prominent collection of Bauhaus built in the early 1900s. 
Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the Holocaust victims. This prism-shaped memorial is dedicated to honoring those who fought against the Nazis and preserving the memory of those who lost their lives. Yad Vashem is the second most visited tourist site in Israel, following the Western Wall. The museum holds nine galleries of interactive historical displays, including photographs, films, documents, and letters that represent the Holocaust in numerous ways, giving its visitors a proper understanding of the impact of the tragedy. Some of these galleries include the Hall of Names, an area containing over 3 million names that families have submitted to honor those fallen; Hall of Remembrance, where ashes are buried, and an eternal flame burns in remembrance; Yad Layeled, the memorial that honors the children who perished in the Holocaust; and the Memorial to the Deportees, which consists of a railroad car that honors those who were deported. 
A Shabbat dinner is a traditional time focused on resting, enjoying family company, and being with your inner self. For this dinner, the table is set with a Kiddush cup, challah, salt shaker, white tablecloth, Shabbat candles, and Jewish books. Rather than the food, the series of events make a Shabbat dinner so special. Before dining, Jewish women light candles to welcome the Shabbat as the sun sets, and a blessing is recited. Afterward, a poem – Shalom Aleichem – is sung to address angels accompanying the family on their return home from Shabbat prayers. The husband then shows admiration for his wife by serenading her with a poem, and the parents both take time to bless their children. The head of the household then recites a blessing, called "Kiddush," over wine to sanctify the Shabbat, and then all participants follow in tasting their wine. The meal begins with participants washing their hands before enjoying challahs dipped in salt. The remainder of the Shabbat dinner is spent enjoying cuisine influenced by the many foods eaten around the world.
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall is an ancient limestone wall that stands as the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Thousands of people travel to the wall every year to visit and recite prayers that are either spoken aloud or written down and placed in the cracks of the towering wall. The Western Wall once enclosed and supported the Second Temple, built by King Herod in 20 BCE, which was later ruined by the Roman invasion. The wall was the last remnant of the temple that survived, which is why it has also been called the "Wailing Wall" due to Jewish having gathered here to lament the loss of their temple.Fast Facts
Already booked on one of our packages to Israel? See everything you need to know before you go.
| Overview | Capital: Jerusalem |
| Entry requirements | Please see our Entry Requirements page. |
| Staying Healthy | There are no vaccination requirements for travelers to Israel. |
| Weather | Israel's climate varies from the northern region to the southern region. Recommended months to travel are March thru April which is wildflower season and September thru October. The peak summer months of June through August are usually too hot to enjoy, especially in the Negev desert. Winters are wet, cold, and occasionally snowy. |
| Tipping | When tipping, pay cash, not credit. In restaurants tip 12-15%, however some automatically include a 12.5% service charge. |
| Money & Credit Cards | Most banks have ATMs and are open every day except Saturday. Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling. |
| Shopping | Israel is famous for its exclusive lines of bathing suits (Gottex, Gideon Oberson), skin-care products made from mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, silver jewelry, diamonds, glass, art, leather coats, painted tiles, embroidery, religious items and antiques. |
| Electricity & Power Adapters | 230 volts. Plugs H & C. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world. |
| Cell Phones & Internet | Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad. |
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- Destinations: Israel
- including closed packages
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