U.S. citizens traveling to Israel must have a current passport valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. No visa is required for U.S. citizens entering Israel for less than 90 days.

The currency in Israel is the Shekel. While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination.  The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling.  It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.

Like the country's population, Israeli cuisine is a diverse mix of Middle Eastern, European, and African flavors.  You'll find variations on common Mediterranean dishes like falafel, hummus and baba ganoush, plus plenty of rice and fresh salads.  For a quick lunch try a shwarma -  grilled meat (usually chicken or lamb) thinly sliced and served with salad in pita bread.  

You will encounter some restaurants that adhere to Kosher dietary requirements, meaning that you will not be able to get dairy and meat products during the same meal. 

We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items, which can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. We also recommend that women bring a light weight scarf to demonstrate respect for the different religions with historical ties to the region. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.

Tipping is expected when dining out, although tends to be less generous than in the United States. It’s appropriate to leave 10-15%.  Please advise your server if you need to add the tip onto your credit bill, or simply leave your tip on the table.

At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity.  We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director.  Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit.  A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.

Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.

You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions.  All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers.  In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group. 

If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.

We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.