Travel Tips

Preparing your Trip

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

• Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of entering Israel.
• Check your visa requirements and consult Afro-Holyland Tour or the Israel consulate near to you.
• It is recommended to photocopy the important pages in your passport. This will expedite obtaining a new passport replacement in case of loss or theft. Leave one copy at home with family or friends and take the other with you. Keep them in a safe place separate from your passport during the trip.
• Do not leave your passport and money in the luggage during your flight to Israel. Have them always with you! During your trip, never leave your passport, money and flight ticket in the hotel room or the bus. Always have them with you!
• Your family members or friends should be able to contact you in a case of emergency. Leave your travel information with them, including your flight and travel itineraries, hotel names, phone numbers and the tour operator’s number.
• We recommend that each participant provides Afro-Holyland Tour with an emergency contact to ensure that we are able to reach your family in case of an emergency.
  
  

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Travel insurances are available at travel agencies and from insurance companies.

MONEY

• Israel’s currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS).
• Most places accept American Dollars, although some charge extra to do so. All major credit cards are welcome almost everywhere, but street vendors will give you back Shekels.
• Exchange: Money can be exchanged at any street exchange bureaux, ATMs or bank. Generally speaking, exchange places are always cheaper than the banks and ATMs.
  
  

CLOTHING

• Dress for comfort and choose clothing that can be layered if the weather changes.
• Pack very comfortable walking shoes! You will walk a lot, in particular in Jerusalem
• It is a good idea to bring a small bag for day trips.
• Sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses are essential throughout the year.
• Take your swimming suit for a “float” in the Dead Sea Winter (October to March): Winters in Israel are generally mild, with cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north. You will need warm clothing, a coat, preferably a raincoat as well, good shoes, an umbrella, gloves, a scarf and other warm clothing. Summer (April to September): The weather is warm and hot in July and August. Take sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses with you. Drink a lot of water and tea during your trip.
  
  

ELECTRICITY

Power in Israel is 230 volts at 50 Hertz. Not all our hotels have converters and adaptors in the room. You may want to bring a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use your appliances, such as shaver and hair dryer.

TIPPING

In Israel it is customary to tip local tour guides and tour bus drivers. These tips are included in your travel with us. A 10 – 15% tip is the average in lunch restaurants that are not part of the tour package. Check the bill to see if “service included”. Tipping is not necessary for cab drivers.

HEALTH

Ask your doctor for a duplicate prescription for any medication you may be taking with you in the event they are lost. Alternatively, bring a copy of the prescription with you.

No vaccination is needed for Israel.

INTERNET

All the hotels you will be staying have internet terminals and wireless connection available in the lobby. Some offer their services for free, others charge a nominal fee.

KEEP A TRAVEL JOURNAL

A trip to Israel is a unique experience. A great idea is to keep a journal of your visit. This is a very wonderful resource that will help you remember all of the details of your visit. A helpful journaling technique is to make a simple bullet list of all that you do throughout each day including meal descriptions, conversations, sites visited etc.

BRING YOUR BIBLE

...and see the Bible come to life before your eyes! We will read the relevant bible passages at the very spots where all took place 2,000 years ago! You will receive an information package upon arrival in Israel. The information folder will include the tour itinerary, hotel addresses and emergency numbers, basic Information about Israel and the Holy Land, city maps and other useful information.