destinations | israel Israel
ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE Information Center T: 1 888 77 ISRAEL T: 212 499 5650 F: 212 499 5665 E:
info-ny@goisrael.com
goisrael.com
800 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017 T: 212 499 5660 F: 212 499 5655 E:
info-ny@goisrael.gov.il
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
POPULATION (2020): 8,655,535 CAPITAL: Jerusalem MAIN CITIES: Tel Aviv, Haifa VISA: Visitors’ passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of the stay in Israel, with an onward or return ticket required for entry. A no-charge, three- month visa may be issued on arrival in the country
HEALTH: Precautions against hepatitis A recommended CURRENCY: New Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 agorots. Major credit cards widely accepted EXCHANGE RATE (APPROX.): NIS3.84 = $1 TIPPING: A 10 percent service charge is added to restaurant and hotel bills TIME: GMT +2 ELECTRICITY: 220 volts. Adaptor required DRIVING: On the right. International permit required PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2021): Mar 28; Apr 3, 15; May 17; Sept 7, 8, 16, 21, 28 LANGUAGE: Hebrew, English and Arabic RELIGION: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Baha’i COUNTRY DIAL CODE: +972
CLIMATE The climate in Israel is Mediterranean, with a pleasant spring and fall plus hot summers. Snow is rare, but rain is widespread during the winter months, which can be cold in the north of the country. In the south, Eilat on the Red Sea is a good winter sun destination
GETTING THERE
MAJOR GATEWAYS: Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) Eilat Ovda (VDA) TYPICAL FLYING TIME: From New York, 10h
TRANSFERS Tel Aviv (9 miles/14km) train 15 mins; bus 25 mins; taxi 20 mins. The best way to travel the 32 miles/50km to Jerusalem is by sherut (shared taxi)
PORTS Haifa, Ashdod
Lebanon Syria Turkey
ISRAEL Jordan Egypt Saudi Arabia MEDITERRANEAN SEA Gaza GAZA STRIP ISRAEL Tel Aviv
WEST BANK
Bethlehem
Jerusalem DEAD SEA
Haifa Lake Tiberias Iraq
GETTING AROUND Dan and Egged provide good local bus services in the main towns throughout Israel, as well as taxis and sherut. Israel also has an extensive national bus network, making stops from the Golan Heights in the north to Eilat in the south. Tel Aviv is the hub of a rail system covering Jerusalem, Herzliya, Netanya, Hadera, Haifa, Acre and Nahariya. Most bus and train services don’t operate on the Sabbath (Friday evening to Saturday evening) or on Jewish holidays. Car rental is available from international and local companies in the main cities and at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Renters must be over 21 and in possession of a valid driving license as well as an international credit card
MAJOR EVENTS EGYPT JORD AN
Sea of Galilee Tiberias International Marathon (January) Red Sea International Classical Music Festival, Eilat (January) Eilat Chamber Music Festival, Eilat (January) International Spring Migration Festival, Eilat (March) Jerusalem International Marathon (March) Ein Gev Festival, Sea of Galilee (March/April) International Festival of Sacred Music, Nazareth (April)
252 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2021/22
Israel Festival (May/June) International Israel Festival, Jerusalem (May/June) Food Trail, Galilee (May/June) White Night Festival, Tel Aviv (June) Tel Aviv Pride Festival, Tel Aviv (June) Masada Opera Festival, Masada (June) Red Sea Jazz Festival, Eilat (August) Wine and Vintage Festival, Binyamina (July/August) International Film Festival, Haifa (September/October) Tel Aviv Fashion Week (October/November) Hula Valley Bird Festival, Galilee (October/November) International Guitar Festival, Tel Aviv (November) Christmas Parade with international choirs, Nazareth (December)
TOP ATTRACTIONS
The Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount, Western (Wailing) Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to Jewish victims of the Holocaust Israel Museum, Jerusalem Tel Aviv nightlife City food tours Jerusalem Beach, Tel Aviv Tel Aviv port Baha’i Gardens, Haifa Dead Sea and Masada Sea of Galilee Negev Desert Nazareth Ramon Crater Old City of Acre and Crusader ruins
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
Awad & Co. Tourist Agency Ltd Ahalan Olympus Ltd Tailor Made Tours Ltd Derek Israel Tours Ltd Amiel Tours Ltd Genesis Boutique Travel See International Members section for details
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