Israel clothing and luggage suggestions:

Packing Hints:

Take only one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. If you are packing and have no space left in your suitcase, you are taking too much. Unpack and start again. Please remember that 35% of clothes and other objects that most travelers take will NOT be utilized on the tour. Do not pack your passport or documents in your suitcase. Carry them with you at all times while traveling. When staying in a hotel for more than one night, get a safe deposit box from the reception of the hotel and store your passport, airline ticket and other valuable objects.

Make a photocopy of the first page of your passport (the page with your photo) and the first page of your airline ticket. Leave a copy at home and put a copy in the bottom of your suitcase.

Although it is not likely that your suitcase would be temporarily misplaced in flight, we suggest that you carry at least one change of clothes, undergarments, and your toiletries, etc. in your carry-on bag. Essential medicines should be packed in carry-on baggage, never in your checked suitcase.

Bring comfortable, casual clothing for your trip to Israel. Clothing of easy-wash, quick dry, permanent press fabric is recommended. Jeans and casual clothes are good any time of year in the exotic Mediterranean. Take lightweight clothing for the warm areas of the tour. Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable during the summer, but be prepared to cover yourself when visiting a religious site such as churches or synagogues. We suggest that you carry a beach dress or pareo (for ladies) and a pair of pants (for men) so you can cover your shorts before entering such sites.

You might want to bring a sweater or lightweight coat for your time in Jerusalem, where the elevation is higher and the weather tends to be cooler.

Clothing to Bring:

• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Loose fitting cotton shirts
• Light colored cotton pants such as khakis
• One casual sports jacket (men)
• One nice dress or pantsuit (women)
• Beach dress or pareo (women)
• Swimsuit(s)
• Walking shoes with rubber or neonate heels (leather heels and soles are slippery on rocks)
• A pair of shoes for evening
• A pair of old tennis shoes or thongs for swimming in the Dead Sea (the bottom is rocky)
• Hat with a wide brim for sun protection

• Sunglasses (and a spare pair in case of breakage)
• Small notebook and pens or pencils
• Washcloth or two, Kleenex, and a container of wet wipes
• Carry-on bag which will fit under the airplane seat or in the overhead compartment
• Light house slippers or slipper socks for the overseas flights
• Bible
• Small sewing kit
• Packable tote bag for day trips
• Travel alarm
• Inexpensive watch
• Camera, film (bring more than you think you'll need), and batteries
• First Aid Kit (including any currently prescribed medications)
• Sun screen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Small pocket calculator
• Travelers' checks and credit cards (Visa is best)
  
  NOTE: If you forget anything, you will find that most shops carry high quality clothing for all occasions.
  

What to leave at home:

• Electric shavers, hairdryers, iron, etc. unless you have the converter and adapter (the electrical current in Israel is 220-240 volt)
• Extra credit cards
• Expensive jewelry or any item of sentimental value that would create a hardship if lost or stolen
• Short shorts (offensive to the local populace in Moslem areas).

About Money

Take your extra cash in small bills, since change is given in local currency. In some shops, US dollars can be used. We recommend that you carry at least $30.00 in $1.00 single bills. Credit cards are widely accepted. A service charge may be added to credit card purchases. Consider wearing a money belt, neck pouch, or fanny pack for carrying valuables. Ladies, walk with arm through purse strap and hand clutching purse firmly. DO NOT let your purse dangle.

The currency of Israel is called the new shekel (NIS) divided into 100 agorot. Money can be changed at banks and in hotels. At present, payments for goods made in foreign currency are free of the 17% value added tax. Many Israelis will quote prices in American dollars. It is always worth asking the price in dollars when you are quoted a price in shekelim.

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