Agorot is the
plural term for the national monetary unit of Israel and is also
known as the new sheqel. Agorot is the national
currency in Israel and is sometimes referred to as the new Israeli
sheqel. The singular term for this is agora. Agorot are aluminum
coins which can be classified into three classes. Israel has used
these coins since the ancient times. Contemporarily, the term Agorot
means the 100th part of the new sheqel. Agorot coins were classified
to 5’s, 10’s and 50’s. However, 50 Agorot contain an inscription
which says 1/2 New Sheqel.
For additional information, click here.
General Information About Israel
For travel and tourism information about Israel, contact the Israel Government Tourist Office at 1-800-596-1199.
Just click on the commonly asked questions below to find your answers about Israel. Click on Passports for passport and visa information.
|
|
|
| Into the Heart of Jerusalem : A Traveler's Guide to Vacations, Celebrations, and Sojourns - From the Wailing Wall to the Dome of the Rock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem is an awe-inspiring place, a city steeped in history and sacred to three religions. But, as Arlynn Nellhaus explains in this one-of-a-kind traveler's guide, it is also a vibrant contemporary metropolis, an urban center with its own rhythms, customs, and special places. Nellhaus, an American who has lived in Jerusalem for more than a decade, offers a treasure trove of up-to-date information on itineraries, accommodations, restaurants, and historical sites. A city soaked in history and sacred to three religions, Jerusalem is also a vibrant, contemporary urban center. Nellhaus, an American resident of Jerusalem, delivers up-to-date information on itineraries, accommodations, restaurants, historical sites, and cultural mores. 40 photos. |
|
| Book Hostels in Israel Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away. |
|
Location
Israel is located in the South Western corner of the Asia
along the South Eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Geographically it could be considered as the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is
bordered by Lebanon to the North, Syria, to the north East, Jordan to the East
and Egypt to the South West. Its Western shoreline is on the Mediterranean Sea
and it occupies a narrow strip at the extreme South along the Red Sea.
Geographical Features
Israel is a small country, long and narrow, that stretches just under
450 kilometers from the North to South and is, on average, about 60 kilometers from East to West.
The area along the Mediterranean Coast comprises of a narrow plain (The
Sharon Plain) which is home to most of Israel's people and its largest urban center, Tel Aviv. Israel's Eastern border is dominated by the Jordan River Valley
which drops down to the Dead Sea which is the lowest depression on Earth at 400 meters
below sea level. The southern region is dominated by the rugged and
mountainous Negev Desert. At Israel's Southern apex Israel's port of Eilat, a
popular sea-side tourist and resort area, dominates several kilometers of sparkling Red Sea coast.
The central spine of the country is hilly. At one of the
highest points is the national capital of Jerusalem. The northern quarter of Israel is dominated by the hilly and
fertile Galilee region. Israel's largest body of fresh water, Lake Kinneret is
on the eastern part of the Galilee. Further to the North East is the Golan
Heights and Israel's highest point, Mt Hermon which reaches an altitude in
Israeli territory of 2,224 meters above sea level (almost identical to Mt
Kosciusko) and includes Israel's only ski slopes.
Climate
Israel enjoys long warm-hot dry summers from April to October and a mild
winter with substantial rainfall in the north. As you travel south, the
rainfall begins to lesson between December-February. In the highland regions (including
Jerusalem) there are occasional snowfalls in winter. In March there is a brief
spring season. One of the best times to visit is after a rainy winter when Israel is carpeted with flowers in March and
early April. For the latest
weather updates, current conditions and forecasts, check
TulipsWeather.com.
Language
Israel's official languages are Hebrew and Arabic. However, there is no need to
rush out and attempt to learn these rather difficult languages as English is
widely spoken and is a compulsory language for all Israeli school students.
Other languages frequently spoken include Russian, French, German and Yiddish.
Israel's cosmopolitan society guarantees that you can find somebody to speak
almost any language.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Shopping and Store Hours
As Israel is a predominantly Jewish country the working week is Sunday-Thursday.
Some services are available on Friday morning. Much of Israel closes down for
the Jewish Sabbath which commences on Friday afternoon and concludes on Saturday
evening. During Shabbat (the Sabbath) there are few transport services available
and most shops are closed. Muslim shops are closed on the Muslim Sabbath which
is on Friday and most Christian run businesses are closed on Sundays. The
religious week is most evident in Jerusalem. In Israel the main public holidays
coincide with important Jewish religious festivals.
Most stores and shops are open from 0900 -1900 from
Sunday-Thursday. However, several may close for a siesta period from 1300-1600.
On Friday many Jewish stores are open in the morning and close during the
afternoon for the onset of the Sabbath. Most Jewish businesses are closed on
Saturday and Muslim owned stores are closed on Friday, which is the Muslim
Sabbath, but are open on Saturday. Christian owned stores are generally closed
on Sunday.
Israeli arts and crafts are extremely stylish and of high quality and make excellent souvenirs. Israeli glassware and silverware are some of the best in the world. Additionally, Israel is the world's leading manufacturer of cut diamonds. The national diamond exchange in Ramat Gan (near Tel Aviv) conducts free tours for tourists. Just check with reception at your hotel. Prices of finished diamonds and jewelry products are quite reasonable. Israeli leather goods are of a high quality, are reasonably priced, and also make a nice take home item.
Israel offers a varied selection of shopping from modern shopping malls to colorful and noisy Arab, Jewish and Bedouin markets. In markets it bargaining is accepted practice, and expected one, and an essential part of the Israeli shopping experience.
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
|
Most foreign currencies are readily accepted with the US$ being the most readily accepted. Most major international credit and charge cards are accepted. It is recommended that most tourists services including tours and hotel accommodation should be paid in foreign currency, travelers checks, or credit cards. This will enable these services to be exempt from value added tax which would be levied if you paid in local currency.
Banking hours are 0830-1230 Sunday-Thursday. On Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday banks are also open from 1600-1800. On Fridays and the eve of Jewish holidays banks are open from 0800 -1200. Many banks have automatic teller machines which will allow holders of most charge and credit cards to withdraw cash ( in Israeli currency) from foreign accounts. These are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
|
Accommodations
You have just about any choice of accommodation you will need and you will only
be limited by your budget. Israel has everything you might look for including
deluxe hotels and resorts, tourist standard hotels, self catering apartments,
bed and breakfast, Kibbutz guest houses and home stays, hostels, field schools,
campsites. Some Christian pilgrims stay at hospices run by various churches.
Your travel agent or the Israel Tourism Office can help you choose the right
form of accommodation to match your taste and budget. Check the
Accommodations section for additional information.
Food and Drink and Dining
An infinite range of cuisine available in Israel.
This is in part because of Israel's cosmopolitan society. Any style of food from
Argentinean to Zairean can be obtained in Israel. Israel is famous for its fresh
vegetables and fruits with the Jaffa orange being a sweet symbol of the
country.
The most popular snack food is the felafel which is an open pita bread stuffed with fired chick pea (felafel) balls and almost any other kind of filling you care to have including salads, chips and a wide range of condiments.
Many restaurants observe the Kosher (Jewish dietary ) laws. When dining Kosher you cannot mix meat and dairy products. And, there are certain forbidden foods including shellfish and pork. However there is no shortage of fabulous food that adhere to the strict Kosher laws. The Israeli breakfast, which is included at most hotels, is a gastronomic experience you will long remember. And, if you believe you cannot survive without a morning fix of bacon and eggs and grits (Sorry, I live in Atlanta!), you will find it in the Christian neighborhoods and some restaurants. However, with the wide range of culinary delights available to you in Israel, I suggest you go native.
Israel produces many fine wines and good beer. For those
wanting an alternative to alcohol fruit juices, coffee, milk products, soft
drinks and drinkable water are available in abundance. However, as always,
I recommend you carry and drink bottled water.
Electricity
Visitors to Israel can utilize their appliances in Israel, but will require
adaptors which can be purchased locally or in Israel. Israeli appliances operate
on 220 volts AC , 50 Hertz. Most Israeli plugs feature three cylindrical prongs.
Check Travel
Supplies for all of your travel needs,
including voltage adapters and converters!
Safety
Contrary to popular belief, probably due in large to the
images projected in the media, Israel is one of the safest tourist destinations
in the world. Although you often read about terrorist activities in Israel.
Tourists have never been deliberately targeted by terrorist actions in Israel.
However, there are common sense steps tourists should take to maximize personal
safety, just as you would in your home city. If you have never visited Israel
before it is advisable to make your initial foray as part of an organized tour.
And then, be sure to always be with members of your group and not venture out on
your own into areas where you are unfamiliar. Be cautious when you are
using public transport and, if you do have any doubts about the safety of places
you wish to visit, contact the police or the local tourist office or authorities.
While the crime rate in Israel is one of the lowest in the world, travelers
should protect valuables as you would any where else you travel.
Calling Home
To direct dial home from Israel, first dial 001, then the area code, and then the
rest of the number. Direct toll-free service is available at the following credit card numbers:
AT&T-177-100-2727; MCI-177-150-2727; Sprint-177-102-2727. The international
dialing code for Israel is 972 (from outside Israel). To direct-dial Israel from
overseas, omit the "0" in the local Israeli area code. Public
telephones are either operated with tokens or magnetic cards, which are
available at post offices, hotel gift shops and lobbies, automatic vending
machines and private vendors. Be sure to have them so you will be able to
make calls when necessaery.
Tipping
It is customary to tip hotel personnel, guides and drivers. Service charges are
often included in tour packages. A 15 percent tip is the average in restaurants.
While tipping is not mandatory in taxis-locals usually don't- visitors are free
to do so.
