With comfortable weather year round, there is no bad time to visit Israel. Israel’s weather is generally very mild and calm with warm summers and a rainy season stretching from November to March. The Dead Sea region and Jordan Valley will be hot, while the mountain areas stay dry and cooler.

Premium Global Tours invites you to visit the Holy Land. If it were not safe, we would not invite you to visit us! The Holy Land welcomes 4 million visitors a year with no major incidents.

Packing is very personal, but there are things you should keep in mind while preparing for your trip.

• Plan to dress casually, packing clothes which can be layered if the weather changes. Choose comfort over fashion. If you plan on dining in exclusive restaurants, you may want to pack just one dressy outfit.
• Bring along a light-weight jacket which will not prove to be too cumbersome if you end up carrying it for a few hours.
• Bring along modest options for visits to certain religious venues.
• Do not make yourself a target by wearing expensive jewelry.
• A good way to conceal your valuables is by purchasing an inexpensive but light-weight travel pouch which attaches around your waist and is worn under your clothes.
• It is highly recommended to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as protection against the harmful rays of the sun.
• Women should bring wear a scarf to cover their head and shoulders at certain sites.
• Don’t forget these travel-sized necessities: sewing kit, first aid kit, tissues, travel clock, toiletries, notebook and pen. Put all medication and necessities in your carry-on bag, not your checked bag, along with a few changes of clothes.

Cell phones are an excellent source for staying connected.  Before travel, contact your cell provider to learn about options for using your phone in Israel. But there Here are some items you will want to check on:

• Confirm that your cell phone can be used internationally
• Check on international rates (Note all countries being visited)
• Inquire about activating and deactivating process.

Travel SIM cards can be purchased in Israel – make sure that your phone is unlocked if you wish to go this route.  Free WIFI is available at most hotels.  At restaurants – just ask your waiter for the WIFI password.

The local currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). Most Israeli businesses will accept Credit Cards, but it will be a good idea to exchange some cash to the local currency, which can be done at any of the Money Exchange offices throughout the country. Traveler checks are usually not accepted in Israel, and you can use the many ATM machines available everywhere in Israel.

It is customary to tip your tour guide, bus driver and hotel staff (when traveling with a group) at an average rate of $10-$15 per day per person. The cash is usually collected by your tour leader and is divided between your service providers before the journey’s end. It is common to tip staff at restaurants at roughly 10-15% of the bill.

In case of an emergency, your Premium Global Tours guides are equipped with all the necessary information and procedures to ensure your safety and well-being. When necessary, local emergency numbers are: • Police: 100 • Emergency Medical Services: 101 • Fire and Rescue: 102 • Dialing 112 from a mobile phone will connect you to the emergency services

The Israeli cuisine is delicious and nutritious, and food is safe and clean. Meals are based on hotels’ or restaurants’ buffets or set menus. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. 

Please note: Most of the Israeli hotels dining rooms and restaurants conform to the Jewish dietary Kosher laws and will not serve un-kosher foods or mix dairy and meat products.

Israel is a modern nation featuring excellent internet coverage in most areas, but you will need to secure an international data and calling plan from your service provider. Most hotels in Israel offer Wi-Fi service, as well as many coffee shops and restaurants. The City of Tel Aviv actually offers a citywide free Wi-Fi network with 80 free Internet “hot spots” across the city. Many of our buses also provide an onboard Wi-Fi service. A local phone can also be rented upon your arrival.

Foreign national are exempt from paying Israel’s VAT of 17% when paying for hotel services. Many stores and businesses where you might shop will provide a VAT detailed receipt, and the tax amount can be refunded at the airport upon your departure. Please save the small permit slip that is issued to you at passport control upon entering Israel. It is all the proof that you will need in order to verify your nationality.

Please note: Israeli citizens are not exempt from paying VAT even if they have other citizenships. 

Throughout your touring days, you will have plenty of opportunities to shop for gifts, souvenirs, and personal items in safe and recommended outlets. Department stores and shopping malls are open all day, but not on Saturdays.

 Hebrew and Arabic are the official spoken languages of the Holy Land, all your service providers, people around tourist sites will have full command of English, and almost all people also have a good knowledge of English.

In Israel, your upcoming trip will probably include at least one Shabbat Day, and possibly a holidays. The Shabbat Day and all Jewish holidays are celebrated from the evening prior and end on the evening of the day itself. On those days most government services, public transportation, businesses and banks are closed, while some restaurants and places of entertainment remain open. You will be able to receive specific information from your tour guide or the hotel concierge.

We strongly recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance.  Travel insurance can be purchased for a minimal amount of your travel investment, and can cover the following: 

• Hospital and doctor needs. Many seasoned travelers don’t realize that their health insurance may not be valid outside of their home country.
• Cancelled trip coverage. If you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen emergency or serious illness, most of your trip may be non-refundable. This can help you save thousands of dollars.
• Travel insurance also covers lost baggage, and worldwide emergency assistance coverage.

 We therefore recommend that you secure insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit payment date.

You do not need any vaccinations to visit Israel. Before you travel to Israel, ask your doctor to write a prescription for any medications you may be taking with you in the event they are lost. Keep all of your medications in their original bottles or packaging. Israel is known around the world for its medical care, so if any need arises, you will be well cared for.

The tap water in Israel is safe to drink. In the Dead Sea area, certain hotels advise not to drink the water as an extra precaution because of the potentially high sulfur content. Otherwise, the tap water is treated throughout the country just like any westernized country.