The currency most commonly used in Israel is the US Dollar or the NIS ( New Israel Shekel ). The exchange rate is one to three, i.e. $1.00 US Dollar = $3.00 NIS or $100.00 US Dollars = $300 NIS.
For Canadians on the Tour, it is advisable to get your spending cash (American Dollars) from your local bank before leaving home as you will get a better exchange rate. The same goes for those who wish to take some Shekels; you will have to go to your local bank and have them order what you will require, as most banks do not keep Shekels on hand.
Of course, you can use your Visa and MasterCard’s; they are accepted everywhere in Israel. If need be, you also can withdraw money from ATM machines in Israel.
Travel Insurance, Many seasoned travelers are not aware that their health insurance will not cover them outside of North America. For a minimal amount of money, travel insurance is a must. If you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen emergency or serious illness, most of your trip may be non-refundable. In the event you become ill during your travels, finding and receiving medical care may be very frustrating.
Booking Flights to Toronto, Canada. To help avoid a panic the day of departure, I would suggest that you get a DIRECT, early morning flight, using a travel agent, for the following three reasons:
1. If the weather is bad the morning of your departure, hopefully you can get put on a later flight, still arriving in Toronto on time for your overseas connection. We must check in between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
2. Utilizing a direct flight helps eliminate the possibility of getting grounded at your connecting airport due to bad weather.
3: If any of the 1st two reasons occur, and you have utilized a travel agent, you can make one phone call and they can very quickly make you other arrangements so you will not miss your Toronto flights.
I would suggest Lois Barbour as an agent (709-753-9950 or toll free 866-433-9950). She will be a great help, as she has access to air fares not published to the general public. Ask her to quote you pricing form your home departure airport.
Pre-Flight, Leave your travel information with a family member or friend, including a copy of your passport, your flight itinerary, travel itinerary, hotel names and phone numbers. In the event of an emergency, family members may also contact Lois Barbour at TPI Travel Time, 709-753-9950 or toll free 866-433-9950.
Most airlines restrict passengers to one piece of carry-on luggage (in addition to your purse, laptop, camera case). Sizes and weight of carry-on luggage are determined by Alitalia, so be sure to check with Alitalia on dimension requirements before you leave. It is suggested that each person have only one piece of checked baggage as the tour bus only has so much room for baggage, If everyone had two pieces of checked baggage we could not get it all on the bus.
Click the links below for Alitalia Luggage Requirements,
Checked Baggage http://www.alitalia.com/CA_EN/your_travel/baggage/checkedbaggage.htm
Carry on Baggage http://www.alitalia.com/CA_EN/your_travel/baggage/handluggage.htm
Liquids on Board http://www.alitalia.com/CA_EN/your_travel/baggage/liquids.htm
Electronic Devices http://www.alitalia.com/CA_EN/your_travel/flight/electronicdevices.htm
Keep important items and documents with you at all times. Medicines should be carried in their original packaging. Do not keep travelers checks, money, jewelry or travel documents in your checked luggage.
Make sure your luggage is clearly labeled on the inside (In a plastic bag encase your luggage gets wet) as well as the outside.
Check-in time for overseas flights is normally three to four hours prior to departure. When checking in at the airport, a US or Canadian passport (valid for six months after your return date) is needed as proof of identification to enter Israel. No visa is necessary. Non-U.S./Canadian citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of the destination country. Contact your local consulate for information.
Do not leave your luggage unattended for any length of time (no matter how short) or accept packages from strangers to carry on to the plane for them.
Clearing customs in Israel may take a little longer than in most foreign countries. Keep in mind, upon arrival in Israel, you will need to go through customs.
Medications/Health, Before you leave home, ask your doctor to write a prescription for any medications you may be taking with you in the event they are lost. Keep all of your medications in their original bottles or packaging. Israel has quality health care. Should you require minor treatment, most hotels have ready access to a doctor who will make a house call, write prescriptions for antibiotics, etc. A fee will be payable, by you, directly to the physician at the time services are rendered.
What to Pack. Plan to dress casually, packing clothes which can be layered if the weather changes. Choose comfort over fashion, planning your wardrobe around one or two colors is ideal. Bring along a light-weight jacket which will not prove to be too cumbersome if you end up carrying it for a few hours.
Do not make yourself a target by wearing expensive jewelry. A good way to conceal your valuables is by purchasing an inexpensive but light-weight pouch which attaches around your waistand is worn under your clothes. Do not over-pack...leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
It is highly recommend that you bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as protection against the harmful rays of the sun. We will be traveling to the Dead Sea, it’s a good idea to bring a bathing suit, since it is warm enough to swim there even in the Spring. As well, most of the hotels will have pools for swimming.
If you are traveling with a companion, cross-pack. Put half of your items in your companion's luggage and vice-versa. This will ease the frustration of lost luggage.
Don't forget these travel sized necessities: sewing kit, first aid kit, tissues, travel clock, toiletries, plastic "zip locking" bags (for storing open bottles and collecting special items to bring back home, i.e. stones from the Sea of Galilee, Hyssop and Thorns). Remember all of the above items must be in you checked baggage.
Bring your digital camera, and extra storage cards and batteries from home.
Tipping,(About $100.00 US Dollars, per person, with the Bike Tour about $110.00)In Israel, it is customary to tip hotel personnel, guides and drivers. When traveling on our tour program, your tour tip is included in the cost of the tour, the Host will pay the tour guide and bus driver. A 15% tip is the average in lunch restaurants that are not part of the tour package. While tipping is not mandatory, some visitors choose to do so anyhow. Remember that a tip or gratuity is earned for services rendered in a courteous and professional manner.
Shopping, All of the old towns in Israel have bazaars but the ultimate is to be found in the Old City of Jerusalem. Favorite items to purchase include leather goods, pottery, crafts, olive-wood carvings. Vendors are anxious to bargain.
Meals, When traveling with a tour group, all meals are included at our hotels. Excluded would be our noon-time meals, as we are on the road touring and we will stop at fine local food establishments to give you a taste of local culture.
Electric Current, Most hotels in Israel will have 220 volts AC 50 Hz. You will need to bring along necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volts, 60 Hz appliances such as re-charging cameras, hair dryers, electric razors, etc.
Breaking Bread in Israel, I’m currently contacting some Assemblies of Christians, who we would be in fellowship with, to pursue arrangements for us to join them to remember The Lord on the Sunday we are in Israel. It will depend upon where we are, when they meet, and if we are able to get the bus to take us. I’m doing my best to make it work, I’ll keep everyone updated as to my progress. If this is the case, we will all need letters and the ladies will need veils. Currently there are three possibilities: Jerusalem, Nazareth and Haifa.
Personal Meeting with Zvi in Israel, I have personally met Zvi on three occasions. For those of you who do not know who this remarkable man is, I’ll briefly introduce you to him. He is a Jewish Holocaust survivor, saved by the grace of God, who lives and preaches among the Ultra-Orthodox Jews. Through Isaiah 53, he tells them about the true Savior. In the magazine, Israel My Glory, Zvi writes an article each publication about his conversations with the Orthodox Jews. I am trying to make arrangements to have Zvi come to speak and meet each of you personally.
It's a Long Way, You're at the gate, your plane awaits...the excitements mounts. Below are some tips for the making your flight as easy as possible:
Dress comfortably for the flight. Wear comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement as you will most likely be trying to sleep on the flight. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily.
In order to avoid jet-lag, do not drink alcohol, caffeine or carbonated beverages. Choose natural fruit juices and water.
Bring the good book (Bring along your Bible and Believers Hymn Book). They will be the best guidebooks for Israel.
Store your coat and anything you are not going to use in the overhead compartment. You'll be much more comfortable with a minimum of things to shift around.
Take off your shoes and make yourself as comfortable as possible right away.
Bring along a moisturizer as the air in the cabin is extremely dry.
Get up once in a while and stretch your arms and legs.
If you find yourself extremely exhausted upon arrival in Israel (2:25 pm local time or 7:25 am Toronto time), take a brief nap after check-in and we will all meet for supper in the hotel that night. After supper, take a walk on the Mediterranean Seashore and watch the sunset.
Plan for an early sightseeing start the next morning.
Departing Israel, Israel's airport security is probably the tightest in the world, so it is vital that you arrive in plenty of time to board your flight. Be aware that you will need at least two hours for pre-departure screening and even more time for check-in.
Odds and Ends, Wear very comfortable shoes. The streets of Jerusalem can be hilly and uneven in places.
Sight-see with your hands free! No one wants to walk around the city holding a soaking wet umbrella and ten different shopping bags. A rain hat and poncho (or rain coat) are a lot easier to deal with than an umbrella.
Bring along a day back-pack with a water bottle (fill it at the hotel before you leave), tissues (a definite must), note-book and pen. Keep your purchases in your day pack.
Be sure to wear modest clothing when visiting any religious site.
We will opt to sight-see with an Israeli tour guide, you are in for a treat. The guides are extremely knowledgeable, friendly and strictly regulated by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
Carry a photo-copy of your passport in your money pouch. You will most likely leave the original at the hotel. It is highly recommended that you bring several photo-copies of you passport with you. Should you loose your passport, it will be that much easier to get it replaced if you have a copy to present at the local consulate.
Three languages are spoken in Israel: Hebrew, Arabic and English. Communications should not be a problem.
Israel meets western standards of sanitation and no special precautions need to be taken. Both the water and food are safe to consume and medical facilities, are more than adequate.
Take lots of pictures, introduce yourself to people, seek to be a blessing to those you meet. Pray for peace for Israel.
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