Israel
-about this travel
-photos
-funny stories
-travel tips
# printable #
  MIDDLE EAST
Iran
Pakistan
Iraq (Kurdistan)
Syria
Israel
Palestine
Oman
U. Arab Emirates
Jordan
  ASIA
Laos
Cambodia
Thailand
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
India (Kashmir)
China
Armenia
Nagorno K.
Russia (Siberia)
Malaysia (Borneo)
Singapore
Brunei
Japan
  AFRICA
Mali
Senegal
Uganda
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Somalia
Guinea
Sierra Leone
Malawi
Mozambique
Swaziland
Zambia
Egypt
Sudan
  AMERICA
Nicaragua
Chile (Patag.)
Colombia
Brasil
Boliva
Peru
Cuba
  EUROPE
Romania
Albania
Russia (European)
Belarus
Bosnia-Kosovo
Ukraine (Kiev)
Milan-Scotland
hitch-hiking
Hungary
Poland-Czech
Lith.-Latvia-Estii
Germ. -Austria
Denmark
Eastern Germany
  LIVING IN:
Sweden
Poland 04
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) HOME
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) BEST PICS
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Panorama pics
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) The worst
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Visa
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) FAQ
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) About me
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) In Italian
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Contact me
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Links
 arrw08_09c_new.gif (157 bytes) Credits
guestbook2_md_blk.gif (5856 byte)

HOMEIsrael > tips

Israel travel tip


DOCUMENTS

EU citizens don't need any visa, the only issue is the Israel stamp on your passport that can be a hassle for future traveling in some Arabic countries as Syria; namely simply you'll be rejected. The best is asking to not stamp your passport, and they'll stamp a piece of paper instead. Obviously if you are gonna to cross the border overland, you'll get the entry stamp of the neighboring country anyway, so it won't help that much avoiding the Israeli one.

 

 

MONEY

The currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) (1€= 5.6 NIS, 1$= 3.4 NIS). US$ seems still to be the most convenient currency to be changed, but also euros are well known.


HEALTH

I had the usual vaccinations: ephatite A, B, typhus and tetanus. I hadn't any problem with the food or the drink, anyway I never drank tap water.


 

GUIDE BOOK

I used Lonely Planet (in italian 3rd ed, translated from 5th ed, March 2007), as usual it's a good support, but it lacks of detailed info about the frequency of the buses and, sometimes having just two buses per days you'll wish some words more.

 

 

GENERAL TIPS

Freezing air condition
When taking buses don't forget having a sweater with you (and not in the luggage in the trunk), since air conditioning is always set for pinguins

Questioning at the airport
It's perfect normal to be questioned like hell at the airport, both when landing and leaving, their preferred sport is to try to make you fall in contradiction: just keep the nerves down, the don't aim to you, it's just the procedure. Of course Arabian evidences on your passport won't help to fasten the all thing, but I had the Somali visa and anyway they didn't imprisoned me.

Photos of ultra-orthodox
Never try to take pictures of Haredim (ultra orthodox), especially in Tsfat, they reject the technology and don't seem to do exception for the cameras. The best place where taking pics of Haredim with the black dresses is at the Western wall in Jerusalem, however remember that during Shabbat (friday- saturday) taking pictures is forbidden.

The Shabbat
During the Jewish week end, called Shabbat (from Friday 14.00 to Saturday 17.00) moving get slooooower, since all the buses and trains stop, but minibuses (driven by Arabians) still run. Take it in account when planning your itinerary.

Russian language
It seems amazing but in the northern part (Haifa) Russian language could turn out more useful than english. Also around the Dead Sea Russian is widely spoken.

 

about this travel photos funny stories travel tips printable