Trip to Israel

[Sparkly-OCD]

I will be taking a ten day tour of Israel the first week of November. 

I have only been out of the states once and that was to Canada many years ago.  I am totally clueless regarding what to pack or what to expect.
 

Any advice from you world travelers?

[clgwli]

Clothes are good to pack and a you should bring a passport too maybe  

(seriously I haven't been to Isreal before but would love to go some day so I am jealous)

[ah2bqat]

  What does  DW recommend?

[Sparkly-OCD]

I've been searching the internet and have learned that:

I need a dual voltage hair dryer and adapters.

In Europe being a pickpocket is a career option.

I should "Pack Light"by having four outfits made of wrinkle free clothes that I can wash out in the sink then hang on a twisted clothes line so that I won't need clothes pins.  One lady is so good at this "pack light" method that she only uses a carry-on bag.

Has anyone on the forum actually used this "pack light" method and hand washed their clothes every night?  

[Mrs Mitchell]

Fantastic! I'm quite envious, it's a place I would love to visit.

I like to pack light, I'm not excited about leaving luggage in the baggage hold to go astray. Unless I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks, I prefer a carry-on bag.

My 'technique' is to have light items that roll up small, but not so few of them that they need washed every day (some spills don't wash out in a basin and you can't guarantee that everything will be dry by morning, especially if you have a late night).

I travel wearing jeans or dark pants that will go with everything else, and carry a spare pair in the bag. Add a few plain t-shirts or similar light weight tops and underwear, plus a change of shoes and you can keep it to a minimum. A dress that rolls up small is useful too. Basically I just fill the size of bag that fits the carry on requirements with as many staple items in light weight, no-crease fabric as possible. I try to avoid taking any colours that clash, because then I can wear anything with anything. I wear a fairly smart woollen cardigan or sweater to travel, and just carry a fleece or more casual sweater over my arm on the flight.

Also, you get to take a purse as well as a carry on bag usually. You can cram an incredible amount of general stuff into a purse.

Just be careful that whatever you pack in a carry on bag is ok to take in the cabin on a flight. If you have something that isn't ok, you'll have to leave it at the airport if you don't have hold luggage. Toiletries in travel size bottles are great, and meet the restrictions on carrying liquid.

Oh, and please don't forget your camera - Israel looks so beautiful, I'd love to see more photos. I'm sure there are pickpockets, but they are all over the world. I've never been a victim (so far) and I've done a fair bit of travel. Just be aware of your surroundings and take the same sort of care you'd take at home. Pick pockets are opportunists and will take what they can without being noticed, but actual robbery is pretty rare- you should be safe enough. None of my friends who've visited Israel have had any problems that I know of.

Jen

 

[Awestruck]

Some airlines and some hotels are more picky than others so check with anybody else who may have travelled with the same airline and stayed at the same hotel. One hotel I stayed in simply didn`t like people hanging washing either in the bathroom or on the balcony and we received a rather imperious phonecall from their reception telling me this. Some airlines allow you one item of hand luggage plus your handbag or purse, others don`t. So leave enough space in your hand luggage to stow your handbag or purse, just in case you`re allowed only one item.
Toiletries weigh heavy so if you can manage with travel sizes or if they`re cheap enough to buy at your destination then it can save a lot of weight. I buy Dr Bronner liquid soap ( unperfumed ) and it`s highly concentrated so you only need a dash of it. It can be used to wash hair, body, face and even your clothes and I`ve done a 2 week holiday with a midget sized bottle and still had some to bring home.
Wear your heaviest items to travel in and you can now buy travel waistcoats with lots of zip pockets inside it, outside it and around the back of it. Not exactly haute couture but considering one of the pockets is big enough to contain a laptop, some people have actually fitted into the waiscoat enough clothes for a 2 week holiday and you simply wear it to walk onto the plane then stow it in the locker.
If you are taking a suitcase then agree with a friend to keep a change of clothes in her case and she keeps a change of clothes in yours. That way if one of your cases goes missing you at least have some clean clothes to change into.
Insect repellant can weigh heavy too and often doesn`t smell too good. I buy one of the insect repellant wristbands which are made of light rubber, they don`t smell and will last a fortnight and I wear it day and night.
Of course a basic first aid kit is a neccessity. Tablets for tummy troubles, basic painkiller tablets, sticking plasters, tweezers, etc etc because they can be very expensive to buy abroad and sometimes ( depending where you stay ) impossible to find.
When you buy bottled water always check the seal around the neck is intact. Some places have been known to refill empty bottles with tap water and sell them as bottled water which can lead to bad tummy upsets.
Roll everything instead of folding and you`ll fit far more into your bag or case. If you`re taking any shoes with heels then ensure the heels point into the bag not towards the outer of the bag. This way they won`t puncture the case ( unless it`s a hard bodied case ) when thrown onto luggage conveyors.
Knot something onto your case handle which identifies it straight away, anything bright and colouful, I use a brightly flowered chiffon scarf and then if anybody just happens to have an identical case it will stop them picking up yours from the conveyor instead of their own.
Avoid ice in drinks. It will be made from local water which isn`t always safe and even in countries where their sanitation is good, the local water can still cause problems.
I have a Universal adaptor which can be used anywhere in the World rather than buy one which just happens to be suitable for a particular country.
And most importantly a money belt or money bag which fits underneath your clothes so you carry your air tickets, passport, money or travellers cheques on your person rather than in your hand luggage or hand bag. A friend of mine put her hand luggage into the overhead locker thinking it would be perfectly safe and whilst she was asleep someone, somehow, stole her money. Also ensure your hand luggage as well as your suitcase has a sturdy lock on it.
Most of all, enjoy yourself !
Lynne

[GracefulLion]

Hi Sparkly!  You are going to love it!!! November is winter in Israel, so I am not sure about the pack light option.  Depending on which cities you will be traveling to, it can be quite rainy and cold, and sometimes (though rarely) it can snow. 

Will you be traveling with a group?  If so, they should give you a very detailed itinerary so you know exactly how many rough and tumble days you will have (climbing Masada, riding a camel or donkey, etc), and how many strolling days (shopping or seeing museums, etc).  There are many tourist locations with rough terrain, such as all of Tzfat, so comfotable shoes are going to be your most important item, and this is coming from someone who is a shoe hound who generally could not care less about comfort!

There is not much street crime in Israel, but you should still watch your back.  NO HITCHHIKING!!!!  This used to be a very typical and reliable way to get around there, but now even the soldiers are not allowed.  I also used to take public buses there, but now I would generally avoid that.  Cabs are everywhere and I would ask your hotel concierge to get you one if you are heading out without the group.

Water should not be an issue, but most is bottled.  Most hotels have a huge breakfast buffet with lots of fresh fruit and veggies and eggs and pastries.  So yummy!  There also is not much need for insect repellent, especially in November.  If you have been to Southern California, the climate in the North of Israel is very similar.  Tel Aviv reminds me more of Miami, and Jerusalem is really unlike anything else, very hilly, gorgeous stone, and on the colder side temperature-wise.  Eilat is the seaside resort.  I have never been there in winter, so I am not sure what the weather is like.  It can be a little seedy, but if it is warm it is worth it.  I have scuba dived and taken a glass bottom boat, and you can swim with dolphins (and they treat them much more humanely than in Mexico).

Expect a lot of security in the airports, and be grateful for it.  Do not leave any items unattended at the airport or they will be confiscated. 

Also, in Jerusalem and other areas, be aware if you are heading into a religious area of town that you will need to have your hair and shoulders covered, so you may want to bring a hat/shawl or some combo just in case.  The shawl can double as an extra blanket in the plane too.

Will think of more.  You will love it (did I say that already?)!!!!

[Sparkly-OCD]

Thank you Jen, Lynne, and GL!  You ladies are a fountain of knowledge!

I'll try to find a bottle of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap this week.  I'm allergic to glycerin and coconuts, so I have to watch what I use for shampoo.  I'm currently using a product made of Chinese Soapberry Tree nuts; it doesn't lather up and that feels wierd.

GL, thanks for the warning to cover the hair and the shoulders.  I knew to cover the head, but not the shoulders, and to not go sleeveless, and skirts and dresses need to be several inches below the knee.  I am going to try to wear multiple thin layers to deal with the varying temperatures.

GL, what is the difference between a hotel and a kibbutz hotel?

[GracefulLion]

GL, thanks for the warning to cover the hair and the shoulders.  I knew to cover the head, but not the shoulders, and to not go sleeveless, and skirts and dresses need to be several inches below the knee.  I am going to try to wear multiple thin layers to deal with the varying temperatures.

GL, what is the difference between a hotel and a kibbutz hotel?

Right, if you have on a long sleeved shirt you would not need to also wear a shawl.  Only if you had on a tank top or something like that.  The hair thing probably depends on where you would be exactly, but it wouldn't hurt to have something with you just in case.

As for a hotel vs a kibbutz hotel, it depends on the hotel and depends on the kibbutz.  Do you know where you will be staying?

[Mikla]

This is very interesting for me, having never been to the Middle East.  Why and how must the hair be covered?  What do you do if you have long hair?

[GracefulLion]

This is very interesting for me, having never been to the Middle East.  Why and how must the hair be covered?  What do you do if you have long hair?

It is only in the very orthodox neighborhoods and only for married women.  It is a sign of modesty because a woman's hair is considered alluring and should be only for her husband to see.  Length doesn't matter.

[annie1]

I really hope to make it to Isreal some day!  Have fun Sparkly!

[Diamondsbylauren]

Kind of like going to church- at religous sites women are requested to cover the head....as are men.

Congrats Sparkley- you'll have the trip of a lifetime.

Speaking as a guy- who remembers those single days where traveling didn't involve hiring a barge to carry all the diapers and stuff- not that I'm complaining....

BUT- it was easy to travel single.
It's not going to be really cold- so I'd suggest wearing one medium weight jacket on the plane- as they are bulky to pack and far easier to carry on your back
CARRY ON CARRY ON CARRY ON
Take stuff that can get wrinkled, and fit it onto one bag that you can CARRY ON.
This saves you a lot of time arriving at any airport.
Underwear is small, so you can carry enough for the whole trip- and things like jeans can be worn a few times between washings.
Don't bring any fancy clothes you won't need them.
Of course I'm a guy so you can trash these suggestions as macho, no problem.
Bring an ATM card and get your cash as needed locally- there's cash machines in the Airport- do not buy Israeli Sheckles here.
Use your credit card as well- the exchange rates are fair- unlike places that change US dollars into local currency.

[Sparkly-OCD]

As for a hotel vs a kibbutz hotel, it depends on the hotel and depends on the kibbutz.  Do you know where you will be staying?

I definitely need to get a map.  The first mention of a Kibbutz Hotel in the itinerary is:
"...then drive through the Galilee to our Kibbutz hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight."

OH, MAN!  Doesn't that sound great...the shores of the Galilee Sea!!! We are going to stay there three nights.

[crh]

I highly suggest getting a CapitalOne credit card for travel overseas as they do not charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases (usually 3% of the transaction for most cards, but 2.7% for AMEX).  It is the only card that I have found that offers that.  When you're spending a few thousand dollars on a trip, 3% adds quite a bit of savings.

crh

[Sparkly-OCD]

Thanks David and crh!  I was wondering about the financial aspect of this on a day to day basis. 

Thanks crh for the Capitol One tip.  I have a card from them; their commercials with the Vikings crack me up.

[Sparkly-OCD]

I really hope to make it to Isreal some day!  Have fun Sparkly!

Thanks, Annie.  I am so pumped about this trip.  My traveling buddy says she'll start thinking about this stuff in October.  Can you believe her?  And she's never been to Israel!

Did I say I was excited?

[GracefulLion]

Kind of like going to church- at religous sites womenOo are requested to cover the head....as are men.

Congrats Sparkley- you'll have the trip of a lifetime.

Speaking as a guy- who remembers those single days where traveling didn't involve hiring a barge to carry all the diapers and stuff- not that I'm complaining....

BUT- it was easy to travel single.
It's not going to be really cold- so I'd suggest wearing one medium weight jacket on the plane- as they are bulky to pack and far easier to carry on your back
CARRY ON CARRY ON CARRY ON
Take stuff that can get wrinkled, and fit it onto one bag that you can CARRY ON.
This saves you a lot of time arriving at any airport.
Underwear is small, so you can carry enough for the whole trip- and things like jeans can be worn a few times between washings.
Don't bring any fancy clothes you won't need them.
Of course I'm a guy so you can trash these suggestions as macho, no problem.
Bring an ATM card and get your cash as needed locally- there's cash machines in the Airport- do not buy Israeli Sheckles here.
Use your credit card as well- the exchange rates are fair- Iunlike places that change US dollars into local currency.

David goes much more often than I do, so he is The Man in this area (and many more of course).   

As for cold vs not cold, D is a hard core New Yorker, and I am Los Angeles born and bred, so it is all  relative...:-)

[titania]

Oh how wonderful - a trip of a lifetime. (We're all saying that, right?) We were there ages ago and have never forgotten it and hope  to return soon. My sister was a Kibbutznik and we stayed with her a month - this was in May. It was boiling hot in certain areas. November can be rainy, but who cares -- you will see things that will never leave you.
Israel is a Western country in many respects, and food and drink are no problem.
Well, I guess I have no advice - but was so excited to see you were going there that I had to chime in my message.
What's your itinerary? Apologies if you've already posted that!!

[Sparkly-OCD]

What's your itinerary? Apologies if you've already posted that!!

Thanks, Titania!  Regarding the rain, I purchased a shorter raincoat and have a mini umbrella.  I am like a super girl scout "Be Prepared". LOL

We will be in Tel Aviv for four nights, then Galilee for three nights, and Jerusalem for four nights.  Return to Tel Aviv for one day and fly out that night.

Places that we will visit:

Palmach Museum, Neot Kedumin, & Old Jaffa (Yafo).

S'derot, Ashkelon, & Ayalon Institute.

Atlit British Dention Camp, Haifa Overlook, Acco Underground Crusader City, Rosh Ha Nikra, & Galilee.

Zippora National Park, Mt Carmel, Megiddo, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Golan Heights and Mt Bental.

Jerusalem, Mt. Olives, Gethsemane, & City of David Archeological Dig.

Mt. Herzl, Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Dead Sea.

Southern Steps of the Temple. Western Wall Tunnel, Via Dolorosa, Cardo, Jewish Quarter,  Garden Tomb, Eretz Bereshit & dinner in Abraham's Tent.

[Sparkly-OCD]

OH DEAR, I am prone to motion sickness. Any remedies that actually work?  What about those wrist things?

[djm195]

Sparkly...

I have terrible motion sickness...to the point that I can't even watch a kid swinging on a swing.   To think I was in the Navy  .

Anywho, I tried everything...wristbands, dramamine, scopolamine, ginger, avoiding alcohol, keeping my head still and focusing on the distant horizon...NOTHING WORKED.

Then a friend told me to try Bonine (Meclizine). It is really cheap...$4.79 for 16 tablets at CVS.
I was a skeptic but it REALLY worked for me after everything else failed. My friend told me to take a tablet in the morning before I lifted my head from the pillow on the morning I was traveling(they are chewable). It worked like a charm.

I hope it works as well for you.
djm

[Sparkly-OCD]

Thanks, djm!  I'll add Bonine to the list.

[clgwli]

As someone who traveled with someone who had motion sickness issues I will second their love of Bonine!!!  Dramamine apparently only made them drowsy (and suggested I use it while flying on a red eye to fall asleep... and boy did I!)

I used to travel a ton before my DS was born and before all the weird restrictions I could easily do carry on only.  Now that DS is older we are doing better with it.  I suggest big tote bags for the plane.  You can do one for your purse (and then stuff your purse, camera, etc) in that.  Then bring a regular carry on.  Be sure though to always carry your electronics with you in carry on.  Never ever leave anything in your suitcase.  Probably well known, but I know people who have lost cameras because they ran out of room in their carry on

One trick that I was told by people who traveled a lot and to totally different types of places is to never ever use your back pocket to hold anything you want.  Always use front pockets if not using something secure to you.  Fronts are way more hard to pick pocket than the back.

I have a tiny camera that I can put in my pocket and now I put it in my front pocket if I need to hold it there.  I also travel with a great selection of golf skirts instead of shorts or the like.  They have way deeper front pockets and even harder to get into.  They also can hold more than most other bottoms I own.  The back pockets are zippered too so if you do want to keep something there, again much harder to get into.

I agree with packing light.  Check out the hotel's laundry service.  My dad used to travel a lot to other countries and would use them.  Usually if he gave them clothing the night before he would get them the next morning.

Your trip sounds awesome!!!  I am so envious of you. 

[ah2bqat]

I loved the pix that David posted from his trip.    It sounds like a fantastic adventure, Sparkly.  I can only say  and have a great time. 

The only time I seem to travel lately is from state to state by car - no need to worry about packing, there - or the plane - but only for short hops, like to Catalina for the day.  Airplane fuel is just too expensive these days.