Waiting for luggage
No Vaccines or Covid tests are required. Frequent hand sanitizing may be helpful to keep you feeling well.
Passport
Make sure your Passport is up to date and will not expire six months past the last day of your tour. Your Passport should always be with you. Make a copy of your Passport and put it inside your carry-on for safekeeping (this is very important in case your Passport is lost). Also, when you arrive in Tel Aviv, Customs will place a tourist Visa inside your Passport. Keep the Visa (a small piece of paper with your picture) inside your Passport for the duration of your travel.
Money
Keep money in a safe place, not all in the same place. Most Israeli vendors accept Master Card and Visa. Many prefer credit/debit cards over cash. However, when in the Old City, cash is still welcomed. Moneychangers are available at various locations, including the airport and your hotels. Many shops accept U.S. dollars, but most prefer shekels. Traveler checks are not recommended. If your tour host did not include tips for the drivers, hotels, and guides, plan for at least $150 to give to your tour host. It is customary to leave a 15% tip for lunch.
Luggage
Zion’s Bridge Travelers are allowed one carry-on, one personal item, and one check-on, which is included in your ticket price. It will be your responsibility to pay for any extra luggage overage. Keep in mind that you can purchase items you may forget. The lighter your load, the better. Packing at least 10 pounds underweight is advisable to allow for purchased items while in Israel to carry home. Check with your individual airline for their guidelines. El Al has stricter guidelines.
·Carry on weight – size – 22 X9X14
- Check on weight – 50 lbs., size – 62 in (circumference total)
- One personal item that can fit underneath the seat
Water
The water in Israel is safe to drink. (I prefer bottled water.) Keeping hydrated is necessary to keep you healthy and feeling at your best. Our custom is to have the bus driver provide bottled water at a small fee.
Yes, there are (relatively) clean bathrooms at every stop! It’s a good idea to carry a packet of tissue with you just in case…
Lunch
Lunch is on your own. If you want to experience the local food, plan on around $15 to
$20 per person. Feel free to take along a simple snack instead. Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price and will be served at the hotel. Keep in mind that soft drinks are per glass with no free refills. Coffee and tea are usually complimentary with your hotel meals. Tap water is clean and accessible.
How to Dress
Dress comfortably. Jeans, knee shorts, or athletic wear are acceptable. Dress modestly, as many of the areas we visit are religious. If going to the Temple Mount, you will be required to cover your arms and legs.
Jerusalem can fluctuate 30 degrees on the same day, so layer your clothing. The rainy season could begin in November and extend through March. A small umbrella or rain gear to cover your head will help keep you somewhat dry. January and February rains can be pretty heavy, with wind gusts that make it impossible to stay dry without a full rain jacket and boots. The Galilee and Dead Sea areas are warmer than Jerusalem.
Two pairs of comfortable shoes are a must. This would not be the time to break in a new pair of shoes. Flip-flops are discouraged for walking days. We highly recommend that the shoes have good traction as well as support. In the Old City, the stones are very worn. In the summer, they are dusty and slippery; in winter–wet and slippery.
Electronics
You will need an adapter for your electronics. An adapter will be required for your iPhone and other items that convert automatically from 110V to 220V. Hairdryers, curling irons, etc., will probably need a voltage converter that can handle high wattage (around $30 on Amazon). Some devices, such as travel blow-dryers, have a voltage converter built-in. Check all your devices. If they can handle up to 240 volts, you will only need an adapter to accommodate Israel’s type of sockets. (Most hotels provide hairdryers in the room and iron upon request.)
Cell Phones
Most cell providers have international rates. Contact your carrier to understand your options. For example, Verizon (U.S.) offers a global unlimited plan for $10 per day or a per minute/text/data rate. Another option is to purchase an Israeli sim card online. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and the motor coach, but it is not always at the desired speed.
Travel/ Medical Insurance
Contact your provider to let them know you will be out of the country.
Travel Insurance is a good idea. Please read the fine print as to the specifics of coverage. Most plans will cover illness, job emergency, death of immediate family, and a few other circumstances, but not reimburse you should you simply change your mind.
Regarding medical coverage, medical care in Israel is excellent, but remember that full payment is required upon services rendered. Should you need care, your insurance will need to specify that you are covered while in Israel, including any Covid-related issues. Please note that Medicare and other government insurance do not provide coverage in Israel. Some supplemental policies become the primary. So, please, check with your agent so that you will know for sure. You can purchase a travel plan that includes emergency medical from Faith Ventures. Faith Ventures/Brotherhood is the most reasonably priced I’ve found. Go to their website for more details: https://www.faithventures.com/basic-plan/. (This is my opinion. I do not receive any bonuses for recommending this company.)
