Israel365 Tours
Please send an email to: JTITripOptions@outlook.com
We have wonderful staff monitoring this email constantly. As you can imagine we are getting many questions in these times like no other. This is the fastest and most reliable way to get your questions answered!
For U.S. and Canadian citizens, all you need is a passport that’s valid at least six months longer than your date of arrival in Israel. (For stays up to three months, you don’t need a visa.)
VERY IMPORTANT! Keep the paper visa/slip you receive at the airport with your passport and always keep both on your person!
There is always confusion about whether you will be banned from other countries once you visit Israel. Thoughtfully, Israel does not stamp your passport when you visit. Instead, they give you a paper visa to carry along with you to avoid all that hassle. Make sure to keep the slip safely, as it is proof that you have entered into the country after being checked. You will also be required to show this slip at any crossing points. Keep it safely along with your passport. You definitely don’t want to end up stuck in a new country.
The Israeli currency is the Shekel (officially “New Israeli Shekel”), worth around 30 cents. Click here for the current conversion rate. On arrival in Israel, it’s a good idea to use your bank-card to withdraw some Shekels from the ATM in the arrival-halls at Ben Gurion. There are ATM machines all over Israel and credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler’s checks have become obsolete and are now problematic.
Most shops and restaurants accept foreign debit/credit cards. Exchanging some money for Israeli Shekels is a good idea. You will need Shekels for there are a small number of shops that may only take cash (especially when outside of tourist areas or in the markets). Before you leave to come to Israel, please make sure to contact your bank and let them know that you are traveling overseas, and they will be able to help you unlock your credit card to enable use of your debit and credit cards while in Israel. Please remember that fees can apply to international transactions.
We recommend carrying no more than $200 cash with you. Most places that we go do take credit cards and there are also cash machines that will take your debit card and give you shekels (the Israeli currency) in return.
Israel Standard Time (IST) is the standard time zone in Israel. It is 2 hours ahead of UTC and 7 hours ahead of EST.
For a minimal amount of money, travel insurance is a must.
A general insurance policy can be found here and should be used for a general idea of the coverages. The policy for your group will be similar, but may have some changes.
It is best to call them directly and they can answer your specific questions. We highly recommend this insurance because of our previous experience with it, but are not agents for the insurance company, so are unable to give specifics on coverages.
Travel insurance can be purchased for a minimal amount of your travel investment, and can cover the following:
***NOTE: ONLY COVERAGE FOR ANY REASON (CFAR) COVERS COVID CIRCUMSTANCES – IT IS AVAILABLE, BUT IS MORE EXPENSIVE AND WILL ONLY COVER 75%***
***NOTE: Without CFAR no travel insurance will cover general covid conditions such as self-quarantine or even border closures.
***NOTE: Insurance companies are overwhelmed with the continued global pandemic and even a covered claim can take several (as much as 6) months.
***NOTE: As with any insurance claim, an insurance claim will not return your premium that you paid and premiums are non-refundable after 7 days
Here is a link to our travel insurer, Travel Insured’s covid coverage FAQ:
https://www.cfins.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/COVID19-FAQ-Consumers-020221.pdf
Many credit cards come with travel insurance and could be a great additional resource if you pay for your trip with it. Here is more information on that:
https://www.cnbc.com/select/covid-summer-flight-cancellations-credit-card-travel-insurance/
Israel is one of the safest countries on the planet! Safer than many locations in the United States. Every year (with the exception of covid years) more than 4 million tourists visit Israel. 90+ airlines wouldn’t fly to Israel if it weren’t safe. Donna Jollay, the owner of Jerusalem Tours, has lived in Israel most of the past 6 years as a single woman and has never felt safer anywhere. On a daily basis she witnesses first hand how safe, free and prosperous Israel is with Christians, Arabs, Jewish people and many nationalities all commingling peacefully in public, in the many malls (more per capita than any other country!), on the road and even at McDonalds!
Israel is an ultra-modern country with the world’s highest number of doctors per capita, and a health and hospital system that is the envy of the world. No vaccinations are required to visit Israel (unless you have recently been in an area where there have been epidemics of yellow fever, cholera or ebola). You can buy most standard over-the-counter equivalent of North American drugs in Israel. You can also bring supplies of your standard prescription drugs with you. (If you need to bring syringes and vials of medicine – bring along a letter from your doctor attesting to your needs, just in case.) If you need to see a doctor in Israel, check with your hotel concierge. Travel insurance (including medical coverage) is always recommended for all foreign travel.
As of June of 2022 Israel is fully open to visitors, HALLELUYAH! There are no vaccination or testing requirements!
There is a LOT of good news here in regard to a dramatic decrease in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, so LORD Willing we are passing through this. And, just a note that ALL plagues in the past have ended, without a vaccine! Or else, we wouldn’t be here ☺.
https://www.cfins.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/COVID19-FAQ-Consumers-020221.pdf
Israel Drinking tap water in Israel is safe and you can feel free to refill your bottles just as you do back home! If you would like to have bottled water you can also buy at any local store or street vendor. No matter how you get water, it is important to stay hydrated, especially when out walking and doing activities on hot days!
If covid disrupts your trip we will be happy to reschedule you, and that is the best thing to do, because everyone’s money will follow them to the new trip and we will do our best to keep the pricing as close as possible. Should someone not be able to go on rescheduled dates they will be refunded all recoverable expenses per our cancellation policy.
There is always a minimum non-recoverable amount in addition to any deposits or payments for flights or land services that are non-recoverable, in addition to travel insurance that is always non-refundable.
Below are the cancellation terms from the registration form that everyone signs when registering.
Thankfully, during our last couple rounds of rescheduling groups our suppliers have been very willing to help us recoup our client’s money.
This is possible, but not recommended at all. The room would consist of 2 twin beds and a roll away and the cost would not reduce, so no discount per person for a cramped room and a rollaway bed.
If covid disrupts your trip we will be happy to reschedule you, and that is the best thing to do, because everyone’s money will follow them to the new trip and we will do our best to keep the pricing as close as possible. Should someone not be able to go on rescheduled dates they will be refunded all recoverable expenses per our cancellation policy.
There is always a minimum non-recoverable amount in addition to any deposits or payments for flights or land services that are non-recoverable, in addition to travel insurance that is always non-refundable.
Below are the cancellation terms from the registration form that everyone signs when registering.
Thankfully, during our last couple rounds of rescheduling groups our suppliers have been very willing to help us recoup our client’s money.
This is possible, but not recommended at all. The room would consist of 2 twin beds and a roll away and the cost would not reduce, so no discount per person for a cramped room and a rollaway bed.
This is possible, but with group air can only be requested around 45 days before the flight. We will soon have an online form to make that request. Until then please send an email with your name/group name and “upgrade request” in the subject to JTITripOptions@outlook.com
Like almost everywhere in the world, casual is the “rule” for everyday sightseeing. Bring good walking shoes or sneakers and “layers.” Israelis (especially women) like to be “elegant casual” on evenings in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Some religious locations require modest dress (arms and legs covered, and, occasionally, no pants for women). Don’t forget your swimsuit and, for the Dead Sea, plastic shoes or aqua-socks.
Almost all hotel rooms are equipped with hairdryers, and all have shaver sockets. For other appliances, Israel’s electricity is 220V A/C, single phase 50-cycles; 110V-220V transformers can be used. Israeli outlets have three prongs, but European two-prong adapters usually work. If you don’t have an adapter that seems to work, call the hotel’s front desk or visit a hardware store.
Most hotels have free wi-fi in the lobby, and some hotels provide it free in the room. Many hotels also have Business Centers where you can access e-mail and the internet without charge. American cell-phones that work overseas will work in Israel too. Israel is 6 or 7 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA depending on the season.
Temperatures can vary widely so just pack for the “right” weather and you’ll be fine. Seasons overlap of course, but general guidelines are:
Summer (Jun/Jul/Aug/early Sep): Temperatures in the high 80º’s, 90º’s. Tel Aviv, and Tiberias will be hot and humid (like New York or Miami). Jerusalem is dryer and cooler, particularly at night. Masada and Eilat are extremely hot (110º+!) but it is a dry heat ☺. There won’t be a drop of rain. This is when Jewish families visit Israel, making it one of the most expensive, as well as hottest, times to visit.
Fall/Spring (late Mar/Apr/May/late Sep/Oct/Nov): Daytime temperatures will be very pleasant: 75º-ish in most of the country (but hotter at the Red and Dead Seas). Jerusalem will be in the 70º’s, 50º’s in the evening. There’ll be some rain – nothing torrential. Because this season has the best weather, it is also the most crowded and more expensive.
Winter (Dec/Jan/Feb/early Mar): Winter weather can fluctuate. Some winters are mild and sunny, some severe and overcast. There’s often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow sometimes. It’ll probably be in the 50º’s, 60º’s most places, but in Jerusalem and the Galilee in the forties, and cold at night. This is also the best pricing and least crowded season!
Yes.