With an area of only 8,522 mi² and a population of 9 million, Israel is not much bigger than New Jersey but offers endless possibilities of places to visit and a wide variety of things to do. The visitor to Israel can both explore the ancient Holy Land sites, which have so much significance for all religions, and also be captivated by the experiences this modern nation has to offer. Add a sunny all-year-round climate and you have a unique and fascinating destination for all types of travelers.
Did you know?
- 90% percent of Israeli homes use solar energy for heating water. This is the highest percentage in the world.
- The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world.
- The Mount of Olives is the world’s oldest cemetery.
- Israel is the center for bird migration. Over 500 million birds fly to and from Israel twice a year.
- Israeli inventions that have changed the world including: anti-virus software, disk-on-key, voice-over-protocol, cherry tomatoes, drip irrigation, PillCam (aka capsule endoscopy), Mobile Eye and many more.
- Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the world.
Important information for tours to Israel
Climate
Israel is a year-round destination as far as weather is concerned but the best times to tour Israel is in the spring (April & May) or autumn (September & October) when the weather is sunny with mild temperatures all over the country.
National Holidays
Israel’s national holidays are set according to the Jewish Calendar:
- Purim March/April
- Passover March/April
- Independence Day May
- Pentecost end May/June
- High Holy Days and New Year September /October
- Hanukah December
Currency
The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel.
Visa
Please check the following document to see if you need a visa to Israel: https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ConsularServices/Documents/VisaRequirements-Tourists.pdf
G2 Travel also is authorized to arrange group visas through the Ministry of Interior.
Business Hours
The working week is from Sunday to Thursday. Fridays are half-days. All businesses are closed on Saturday apart from restaurants, certain shops, markets and tourist attractions. In Muslim areas, most businesses are closed on Friday but are open on Saturday. In Christian areas, businesses are usually closed on Sunday.