May 6th 2015
When you first exchange dollars for shekels, you might joke that the bills look like Monopoly money. But confusing or unfamiliar as foreign currency can be, the shekel is Israel’s legal tender—so it’s worth spending a few minutes getting familiar with it before you arrive. The word shekel appears in the Bible, which is why […]
May 6th 2015
Tourists visiting Israel from the United States are often overwhelmed by the idea of Celsius temperature notations or measuring weights by the kilo and distances by the meter. You might be comfortable knowing that a store a quarter-mile away sells the 12-ounce sodas you count on to keep you cool when the weather rises above […]
May 6th 2015
Just south of Jerusalem lies a cluster of approximately 20 Jewish communities known collectively as Gush Etzion, the Etzion block. Gush Etzion is located among the Judean Hills and is home to a wide range of historic and recreational sites. Kfar Etzion, home to the Lone Tree Brewery, is also among the oldest kibbutzim in […]
May 6th 2015
Although Jerusalem is the center of spirituality in the Holy Land, the concept of Israel’s Four Holiest Cities came about in the mid-17th century, primarily as a way to jointly raise charity from Jewish communities overseas for the needy Jews of Israel. Judaism’s Four Holy Cities are Jerusalem in the center, Hebron to the south […]
May 3rd 2015
The story of Jewish life in Tzfat over the past 200 years is preserved and displayed in a compelling manner at Hameiri House, or Beit Hameiri in Hebrew. A fifth-generation native of Tzfat who passed away in 1989, Yehezkel Hameiri came to know this building as a child and spent decades transforming it into a […]
May 1st 2015
Israelis are statistically far less likely to own cars than Americans are. As a result, taxis and other forms of public transportation are used by a much higher percentage of the locals here. Obviously, tourists are also a major market for taxi services in Israel. Here’s what you should expect from the experience of taking […]
April 29th 2015
The Jerusalem Light Rail system (“HaRakevet HaKala” in Hebrew) first began operating in August 2011. If one of the Light Rail’s 24 stops is close to where you need to go, it can be a great way to get from one end of the city to the other, often much faster and more pleasant than […]
April 27th 2015
Public buses are everywhere in Israel, as Israelis from all sectors of society depend on them to get around. There are approximately 20 bus companies operating in Israel. Some, such as Metrodan in Beersheva or Rama-Golan in the Golan, operate regionally. The major bus companies are Egged, which runs routes countrywide but especially in the […]
April 20th 2015
Most Jewish holidays are celebrated, albeit with variations, similarly both in and outside of Israel. However, there’s one ancient holiday that’s celebrated dramatically differently in Israel – that holiday is Lag BaOmer. Visitors who travel to Israel for this festival of campfires and mysticism just may find themselves discovering new aspects of their own tribal […]
April 19th 2015
Although most Israeli holidays are rooted in Jewish tradition, with echoes dating back to the times of the Bible, each spring, Israel observes three holidays that commemorate significant 20th-century events. Visitors to Israel who travel here during this time of year have the opportunity to connect with the homeland in ways that may be unfamiliar […]
April 15th 2015
Israel takes tour guide licensing very seriously. Before they can get licensed, tours guides in Israel are required to attend close to 600 hours of lectures, to participate in 80 field trips and to pass the written and oral exams administered by the Ministry of Tourism. These are just the minimum requirements for governmental certification. […]
April 15th 2015
Jerusalem Street (Rechov Yerushalayim) forms the nerve center of Tzfat. It’s where the busy, modern city, the Old City and the Artists’ Quarter converge. Known in Israel as a “midrachov,” Jerusalem Street is a pedestrian mall, so you won’t find any dangerous or disruptive car traffic here. Moreover, the Tzfat midrachov is situated at the […]
April 7th 2015
Walk into any travel agency or click on any general travel site on the internet, and your head will soon be swimming with dozens, if not hundreds, of potential destinations that are some combination of exotic, relaxing, affordable and/or exciting. There are so many wonderful places in the world to see. But a trip to […]
March 30th 2015
Israeli wines win international competitions on a regular basis. But did you know that craft beer-making has been gaining traction in Israel in recent years as well? Here are five amazing Israeli microbreweries to check out, many of which offer in-house restaurant-pubs and fun factory tours. Dancing Camel Brew-master David Cohen was living in the […]
March 28th 2015
Every country has its own distinctive taste sensations, and Israel is no different. Here are six drinks you’ll want to try while you’re visiting. Arak Hard liquor that tastes like licorice? That’s arak, the clear, unsweetened, flavored spirit sold all over Israel. At 40 to 120 proof, it packs a punch. Reminiscent of Greek ouzo, […]
March 26th 2015
Israel tour participants seeking to memorialize the country’s deceased prime ministers can visit their tombs at locations including Mount Herzl and Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and Kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev. Four Greats at Mount Herzl What Arlington National Cemetery is to the United States, Mount Herzl is to Israel. Also known as […]
March 24th 2015
How to Tap Into Israel’s Film Scene, Past and Present With subtitles, assigned seating, intermissions that often take place at inopportune moments and kosher candy at the snack bar, going to the movies in Israel is something special. Israeli films have been garnering accolades overseas in recent years, and the country is doing what it […]
March 22nd 2015
Following in the Footsteps of Yehuda Amichai, Israel’s Greatest Modern Poet Yehuda Amichai (1924-2000) is best known for writing romantic free verse in contemporary Hebrew, a language he learned as a child born to a Jewish family in Germany. He is considered by many to have been the greatest poet of contemporary Israel. Amichai’s work […]
March 20th 2015
Dolphin Reef Beach At Dolphin Reef Eilat, there are no scheduled dolphin performances with tricks and costumes, but plenty of opportunity to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. Dive, swim or snorkel with them, or just spend the day on the facility’s private beach and enjoy watching the dolphins from the floating docks! The […]
March 9th 2015
Menachem Begin was Israel’s 6th Prime Minister. Born and raised in Poland, he identified as a passionate Zionist his whole life. As a young man, he was a peer leader in Poland’s Beitar, a right-wing Zionist youth movement. He was arrested in Poland for his Zionist-related political activities and, upon release, made aliyah to pre-state […]
