Israel can boast a well-deserved year-round popularity: some go here to immerse themselves in ancient history, others - to correct the shattered nerves in the healing expanses of the Dead Sea (which, by the way, is not very much immersed, too dense water due to salt), the third - dive into general anesthesia on the operating tables of the best doctors, the fourth - again dive, but already in the Red Sea, with scuba diving, the fifth - to spend a vacation on the beach, as you already guessed, plunging into blissful idleness . Yes, almost forgot: young people often go to Israel yet and then, in order to be properly drawn off at the carbon monotonous parties in the local nightclubs, plunging into the rhythms of fashionable music and clubs of fragrant smoke .

To two questions that do not face Russian tourists in Israel - the issue of the language barrier (almost a quarter of the country's population speaks Russian fluently) and the issue of services (here everything is clear - in hotels of any level and on excursions), not so long ago one more visa was added (from the autumn of 2008 the entry visa in Israel, the citizens of Russia are not well It's hardest to write about what everyone knows. Israel is very close to Russia: there were many here, and the rest here have relatives or acquaintances. Those who can afford it, visit holy places in Israel. Other, no less wealthy tourists, go to Eilat or on the coast of the Dead Sea. But apart from the rich program for visitors that our country has to offer, there is also the simple routine of Russian Israelis.

Lyudmila Lapinskaya
Israel
 Israel
All the beauties of Israel for 8 days from 543 USD
Hot Eilat and Yeruaslim from 924 USD - flight included!
Israel and Jordan from 751 USD
Rest on the Dead Sea in the Spa Hotel from 596 USD
(495) 204-10-79, (812) 425-01-72
• shalom-travel .ru Israel
 Israel
Additional discounts for children and pensioners
Magic trip to Israel - from 675 USD
Eilat - the sun all year round - from 490 USD. (including air travel)
Relax at the Dead Sea - from 546 USD.
Christian sacred places of Israel and Jordan - from 720 USD.
(495) 204-27-75, (812) 424-43-52
• www.bestisrael.ru Israel
 Israel
On the most popular tours: Beach Eilat - 629 USD • Acquaintance with Israel - 549 USD • Recovery on the Dead Sea - 866 USD • Travel on 3 seas 10n - 665 USD.
Number of tickets is limited!
Israeli tour operator with Israeli license.
(495) 668-08-41, (812) 336-42-41
• www.royalisrael.ru Israel
 Israel
Classic Israel from 774 USD
Eilat. Affectionate beach from 500 USD - flight included!
Israel + Jordan from 751 USD
SPA tours to the Dead Sea from 561 USD
(495) 204-19-12, (812) 429-71-52
• israelonline.travel Your advertisement here: www.reklama.travel
Capital - Jerusalem (Jerusalem).

Big cities and resorts of Israel: Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Nazareth, Tzfat, , Hevron.
The main resorts on the seas of Israel: Herzliya, Caesarea, Eilat, Hamat Gader and Arad.
Details on when to go to Israel and what to do on the site are described on the page tours to Israel

Content

1

  • How to get to Israel 1.1
    • Search for flights to Israel 2
  • Visa to Israel 3
  • Customs 4
  • Telephone numbers 5
  • Transportation of Israel 6
  • Rent a car in Israel 6.1
    • Rent a car in Israel with guarantee of the best price 7
  • Safety of tourists 8
  • Israel's climate 9
  • Israel hotels 9.1
    • Book hotel in Israel at the best price 10
  • Banks and exchange offices 11
  • Shopping and stores in Israel 12
  • Cuisine and restaurants 12.1
    • Kosher cuisine 13
  • Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Israel
  • 14 Excursion programs "Cascade"
    • 14.1 Also we recommend

How to get to Israel

Daily scheduled flights Moscow - Tel Aviv Follow the important El Al and "Transaero" flight time - about 4 hours. Israir operates charter flights from Moscow to Tel Aviv and Eilat, and Arkia to Tel Aviv. Aeroflot flies from Moscow to Tel Aviv (only in winter) and to Ewat Airport Uvda located 50 km from Eilat, while flights from Ross and El Al fly from St. Petersburg to Tel Aviv. There are also direct flights to Donavia from Rostov-on-Don.

Passengers from Belarus to Israel carry Belavia and El Al. "International airlines of Ukraine" and El Al fly to Tel Aviv from Kiev.

Check before landing on the flight El Al - abruptly than at the entrance to the office to the president. This is both dignity (security!), And the company's lack - many passengers are unhappy with such strict control and questions from the category "How many sexual partners did you have? »
  • How to get from Moscow to Israel
  • Are there flights to Israel from St. Petersburg
  • Are there any direct flights from Russian regions to Israel
  • How to get from Moscow to Tel Aviv
  • Is there wifi at the airports in Israel

Search for airline tickets to Israel

Visa to Israel

Russian citizens can visit Israel without a visa if the period of travel does not exceed 90 days.

  • Do citizens of Russia need a visa to Israel

Customs

It is duty-free to import 250 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, up to a liter of spirits, up to 2 liters of wine, up to 250 g of cologne or perfume, gifts worth not more than 200 USD (including up to 3 kg of food), as well as personal items use. Import of foreign currency is not limited. Weapons, drugs, pornography and any materials that may offend the religion and national self-consciousness of Israelis are prohibited to import.

Some items of personal use (video equipment, snorkeling equipment, hand tools) are levied on the border by a customs deposit. A deposit is refunded if these items are displayed at the customs office when leaving the country.

Antiques can only be removed if there is a permit from the local culture management.

  • How much can you bring alcohol and tobacco products to Israel
  • Can I import into Egypt from Israel medications for patients with bronchial asthma
  • The minimum amount of money to confirm the solvency at the entrance to Israel
  • Rules for the import of a video camera and laptop to Israel
  • How much alcohol can you take out of Israel
  • Is it possible to take a laptop to Israel

Phone numbers

Embassy of Israel in Moscow: st. Bolshaya Ordynka, 56; tel .: (495) 660-27-00, fax: 660-27-68

The Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv: 120, Hayarkon str .; tel .: (3) 529-06-91, 522-67-44; Web site

Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv: 1, Rehov Ben-Ehuda; tel .: (3) 510-10-20, 510-70-88

The Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Haifa: Halonot Ha-City, Pal Yam avenue, 2; (4) 866-75-56; Web site

Police: 100, ambulance: 101, fire service: 102, city information service: 106

Tourist police in Jerusalem: 539-12-54

Inquiries about telephone numbers in Israel: 144 (free of charge from a payphone)

  • How to call in Israel

Maps of Israel

Transportation of Israel

It is very convenient for Israel to travel by train: they go often, the schedule is observed strictly, the speed is high. The only downside - in the country there is only one main line with several branches, as well as the suburban system of Tel Aviv. There is one subway line in Haifa.

In addition, the country can also travel by bus. They regularly ply in all directions, but during religious holidays, as well as from Friday evening to Saturday evening, do not go. Everywhere there is air conditioning.

The main public transport is again a bus. The trip costs slightly more than a dollar (about 5 ILS), tickets are sold by the driver. City buses in Jerusalem run from 6:00 until midnight. However, most bus lines do not work in Shabbat (from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday) and on Jewish holidays.

Taxi (the only mode of transport that operates on Saturdays and holidays) costs about 3 ILS per km, plus 5 ILS per landing.

Very popular in the country and use taxis "Sherout" (fare ~ 4, 5 ILS).

In Israel there are special tourist taxis run by guides registered in the Ministry of Tourism. On the doors of such cars is the emblem of the Ministry of Tourism (two people carrying a huge bunch of grapes). They can make a tour of the city and other areas of the country.

Rent a car in Israel

Car rental in the country is relatively inexpensive (compared to Europe), there are cars with manual gearbox. A car can be rented by anyone over the age of 21 who has a valid international driving license and a credit card. But gasoline, on the contrary, is quite expensive.

Traffic regulations are very strict, all need to be fastened with seat belts, and children up to four years of age can only be transported on special seats. It is better not to cross the border between Israel and the Palestinian territories on a rented car.

Homes in Israel with best price guarantee

Safety of tourists

According to Jewish traditions, Saturday ("Shabbat") starts from the moment of sunset on Friday and ends with the sunset on Saturday .During this time, shops, many restaurants, some cinemas and other public places are closed .Public transport does not work either: you can go somewhere at this time only by taxi .Recommend tourists to respect the religious traditions of this day and not to call during the "Shabbat" in the religious neighborhoods of Jerusalem and other cities .This day should also refrain from smoking in public places - it can be interpreted as an insult .

  • Do I need a medical insurance policy to travel to Israel
Ancient Israel Israel
Ancient Israel
Jerusalem, Israelhttp: //drive.google.com/uc? export = view & id = 1t6veZ2PSjXSfdTqBgnun5tZ0xOu1xjx0 Israel
Types of Jerusalem
Mediterranean Ashdod in sailboat Israel
Port Ashdod

The climate of Israel

The climate in Israel, despite its not too large territory, is very diverse - from moderate to tropical, with lots of sunny days. From November to May, the rainy winter season lasts, the rest of the time - dry summer. Heavy rains fall in the north and in the center of the country, much less - in the northern Negev, and in the south they almost never happen.

On the coast - wet summer and mild winter, in mountainous regions - dry summers and in winter is relatively cold. In the Jordan Valley - hot dry summers and mild winters, in the Negev - a semi-desert climate.

If you meet on your way bakery, do not pass by. Baking in Israel is simply amazing: mini pizzas, pies with tuna, potatoes, spinach, cottage cheese, and about eastern sweets and say nothing. Real jam!

The swimming season in Israel continues all year round: in the summer they bathe in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of ​​Galilee (Kinneret), and in winter - in the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The hottest months on the Dead Sea and in Eilat (Red Sea) are June, July and August. The average air / water temperature at this time is + 38 ° C / + 30 ° C.

See also the weather forecast for the main resorts and in the cities of Israel.

  • Is it really hot in Israel in the summer
  • Is it possible to swim in the beach resorts of Israel
  • In which resort of Israel the calm sea, small waves and smooth entry

Hotels in Israel

Israeli hotels do not have a "star" classification: instead of it there is a system of "classes" .Since the country has a lot of hotels of different world "chains", their classification is determined by the tour operators themselves, based on their more or less objective assessments .This means that when choosing a hotel in Israel, one should focus not on the number of "stars" (this is a very conditional indicator), but on a specific list of services and description of numbers .However, the service in hotels is quite clear - computers do not "hang", there are no overlapping and "rearrangements" .

Those city hotels, which operators define as 4 *, usually do not have swimming pools, and in hotels of the "five-star" category, swimming pools are most often available. Both the "five" and "quartet" are usually pleased with spacious rooms. Feed in Israel is always good, but in the "five", of course, the menu is the richest.

The mains voltage in Israel is standard - 220 V. Most of the sockets have three contact inputs, but they are suitable for European appliances. For electric shavers, road irons and other small household electrical appliances, an adapter may be required. Buy it easy.

Hotels in Tel Aviv take a deposit from the guests.
  • Does the city's hotels in Israel have any features
  • Does Israel offer apartment rental services

Book hotel in Israel at the best price

Banks and exchange offices

The currency can be exchanged in any branch of the bank or in one of the many exchange offices (the latter, as a rule, do not take commissions). Most banks in the morning are open from 8:30 to 12:00 (Sunday to Thursday), and in the afternoon - from 16:00 to 18:00 (on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday). On the eve of the main Jewish holidays banks work from 8:30 to 12:00.

Almost everywhere you accept credit cards, you can withdraw money from numerous ATMs. In hotels and large stores, as a rule, you can pay with dollars, but the delivery can also be given in shekels.

  • What hours of work in the banks of Israel
  • What is the currency in Israel

Shopping and shops in Israel

Opening hours of shops and institutions: Sunday-Thursday 8: 30-13: 00 and 16: 00-19: 00, on Friday and on the eve of the holidays 9: 00-13: 00. The bazaars are closed with the onset of darkness. Trade establishments belonging to Muslims are closed on Fridays, and Christian institutions are closed on Sundays.

On Thursday evening, as well as on Sunday morning, buses and trains without special skills do not squeeze into. The reason is that the soldiers of the Israeli army are released home for the weekend.

Israel is famous for its jewelry industry, especially diamonds and gold jewelry .Still from the country it is possible to bring inexpensive and besides rather qualitative wines, east spices and spices, and also cosmetic preparations on the basis of minerals of the Dead Sea .The most famous brands are Ahava, Sea of ​​Spa, Hlavin, Dead Sea Premier .In addition, the local shops and pharmacies sell a lot of less known, but often very effective cosmetics .A good choice is available in duty-free shops at departure .In boutiques at hospitals of the Dead Sea you can buy serious medications: creams and ointments for the treatment of eczema, flat lichen and t .e .

The popular drugstore for Dead Sea cosmetics is called "1 + 1": buying one product for its full cost, for the second (no more expensive than the first), you only have to pay 1 ILS.
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  • Is good quality cosmetics from Israel

Kitchen and restaurants

In Israel - a great variety of different restaurants: Chinese, Russian, French, Indian, Moroccan and then on the list. The menu is usually printed in Hebrew and in English. Portions, as a rule, are large, but they are also quite decent. Local beer "Macabi" is quite good to taste, but it costs about $ 80, even in the store, to transfer to Russian money.

From meat dishes, in which there are traditionally many spices and herbs, it is worth trying "meat in Hebrew" and "meorav yerushalmi" - a dish of four kinds of chicken meat. From vegetable dishes here it is worth trying a variety of salads, hummus, "falafel" (fried in oil pea beans, beans), cold beet soup, potato pancakes and fried zucchini. The most kosher desserts: "gogol-mogol", baked apples, pancakes, cakes with almonds.

Menu in Israeli restaurants is usually in Hebrew and in English.

Tipping in the cafe and restaurant - the standard 10% (sometimes they are already included in the bill). You can show generosity in a taxi, but not necessarily. It is also accepted to leave "for tea" to the driver of the sightseeing bus and guide.

Kosher cuisine

The main limitations of kosher cuisine are that pork and seafood dishes are not available as a class (although you can eat fish that have scales), and dairy and meat products are served strictly separately. Note that these restrictions do not make the local cuisine sufficiently diverse.

Journey through the Holy Land

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Israel

Nazareth is the sacred city of the Christian world, the place where the childhood of Christ passed. It houses the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, the picturesque Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel at the site of the fountain of the Virgin Mary, the Sepoporis National Park (the parental home of the Virgin Mary), the remains of Roman water tanks in which, according to the biblical legends, Jesus turned water into wine, as well as the ancient Jewish The city of Zippori with a fortress of the Crusaders and numerous archaeological sites.

No less famous for Bethlehem, the city in which Jesus was born lies south of Jerusalem. Its main attraction is the fortress-like church of the Nativity of Christ on the Yaselnaya square with the grotto (cradle) of Christ, the cell and the tomb of St. Jerome.

Haifa, the third largest city and the largest seaport of Israel, lies on the slopes of Mount Carmel. There is a Catholic monastery of the Order of the Carmelites, the Great Synagogue of Haifa, the cave of Elijah the Prophet and the Baha'i Temple with its famous Persian Gardens and El Bach's Tomb.

The main attractions of Akko are "collected" in the old city. This is the citadel, the old fortress walls, the huge medieval city gates, the Burj El Sultan watchtower, the Al-Jazar Mosque, the St. Francis Monastery, the City of the Crusaders (the citadel of the Order of St. John), the building of the Turkish baths with the exposition of the city museum, the caravan -Saray Khan el-Umdan, clock tower.

According to Jewish traditions, Saturday ("Shabbat") begins from the moment of sunset on Friday and ends with the sunset on Saturday. During this time, shops, many restaurants and other public places are closed. Public transportation does not work either.

Almost the entire territory of Caesarea is included in the national park of the same name. There is a lot of interesting: the oldest of the theaters found in Israel, the ruins of the "Palace on the reef", the amphitheater of King Herod, the fortified city-port of the Arab period, the ruins of the temple complex.

More about the sights of the country is told on the page of the sights of Israel.
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  • How much are the excursions to Jerusalem
  • What are the most interesting sights in Israel
  • How to dress for visiting the shrines of Israel

Excursion programs "Cascade"

These are guaranteed programs based on regular bus tours planned for a year ahead, intended for those who came to Israel on their own, and for organized tourists. All excursions are accompanied by Russian speaking guides.

The main one-day excursions to Israel are eight: Jerusalem (three types of excursions), Galilee Christian (the Jordan River, Tiberias, Nazareth, etc.), the Dead Sea (two types of excursions), Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Caesarea-Haifa-Acre. Many days excursions are available in two versions: Eilat with rest on the Red Sea (from two days or more) and Northern Israel with accommodation in "kibbutz" - local communes (up to three days).

Based on these ten basic routes, "individual group price tours" have been created - the "Cascade" program .By combining the excursions to your own taste, each tourist can make up for himself an individual holiday program in Israel lasting from a day to seven (or even longer) .The cost of it will really be like a group .And since all excursions are held with a high frequency, a tourist can arrive in Israel almost at any convenient day .The cost will not depend on the number of people, and the level of hotels and the number of excursions the client can choose himself .Such programs exist in the VIP version - with more comfortable hotels, transfers and flights .

There are, of course, inconveniences. For example, in the morning it is necessary to be at a certain time in a certain place, and the group is quite large (about 50 people). But there are pluses: relative cheapness, acquaintance with new people, communication, excellent guides. Photo of Israel (484)