Israel Vacations

Israelis tend to be quite informal. This is expressed in the dress code of the country which is very casual. The exception is when visiting religious sites. In these instances, modest attire is required. More upscale restaurants and nightclubs may require smarter dress. When visiting a home, normal courtesies should be observed. The expression shalom (peace) is often used for hello and goodbye interchangeably.

The Shabbat (Saturday) forbids smoking in certain restaurants and many hotels. This is always very well-marked and indicated, therefore, to ignore this would be considered very rude to Orthodox Jews.

Hebrew is the official language in Israel while Arabic is used officially for the Arab population. English is the most widely spoken foreign language due to the fact that it is a compulsory school subject.

The majority of the people in Israel are Jewish making up approximately 80% of the population. A further 18% of the population is Muslim, while the remaining population belongs to Christian and Druze minorities.

Israel can be visited year-round. It has a Mediterranean climate with mainly warm weather with cloudless skies. It experiences hot summers and cool, rainy winters. The best time to visit Israel is in the spring (April and May) or fall (October and November) when temperatures are high but not overwhelming. From November to March is when you could experience snow on high ground. On the coast, this is when it rains. From June to August, the weather in Jerusalem, although hot, tends to have pleasant evenings. Tel Aviv and to the south of Israel, temperatures are higher.

Bear in mind Jewish and Christian holidays such as Passover and Easter. Purim, in March, is a week of celebration with festivals and street parties taking place. Yom Kippur is when the whole country closes down. No cars, no restaurants and no bars are open. These are times when Israel is very busy and prices are at their highest.

What language is spoken in Israel?

The official languages of Israel are Hebrew, with Arabic also widely spoken by the Arab population.

Is English spoken throughout Israel?

English is widely spoken throughout the country. However, don't assume every resident you meet will be able to speak English.

Is Israel a family friendly destination?

Rich with culture and history, Israel can be a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. Whether it be exploring the Old City of Jerusalem or floating in the Dead Sea, there is something for everyone. ‘A fast paced country with a laid back attitude’ says it all.

How welcoming is Israel to LGBTQ travellers?

Israel in general, and Tel Aviv specifically, is a welcoming LGBTQ travel destination. Tel Aviv is known internationally for being one of the most welcoming cities for gay tourists. However, like most other Middle East nations, conservative beliefs still exist throughout much of Israel. All visitors are asked to understand cultural sensitivities at sites of antiquity, as well as during day-to-day touring.

The cuisine of Israel reflects the multicultural nature of the country. The grandparents or great-grandparents of much of the Jewish population of Israel come from more than 120 countries spread over six continents, bringing recipes and traditions from their birth nations. As a result, the cuisine of Israel is very diverse. When in Israel, one will often hear the word kosher. This refers to food that has been prepared and served according to Judaism’s 3,000-year-old dietary laws. Eating pork and shellfish is prohibited, and so too is mixing meat ingredients with dairy ingredients. Most hotels are kosher and restaurants will have certificates outside letting patrons know if it is a kosher establishment.

Food

• Falafel: This is considered to be Israel’s number one street food and it is available everywhere. It is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both.
• Hummus: This is a dip made from ground chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Although hummus is a traditional Arab dish, it is popular in the Jewish community because it is made from ingredients that according to kosher laws can be combined with both meat and dairy meals.
• Shawarma: This is usually made from turkey meat that is sliced and marinated and then roasted on a huge rotating skewer. When it is ready to be eaten, it is shaved off and stuffed in a pita with hummus and tahina or other accompaniments.
• Gefilte fish: A traditional Jewish white fish dish, Gefilte fish is made from a poached mixture of ground-boned fish, such as carp, whitefish or pike. It is usually eaten as an appetizer.
• Shakshuka: This is a dish of eggs that have been poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chilli peppers, onions and sometimes flavoured with cumin.

Drink

Drinking water in Israel is usually fine, however, bottled water is readily available, and so too are fresh fruit juices. The most popular beers in Israel are Goldstar and Maccabee, however, many microbreweries have begun to pop up in recent years. There are over 3,000 vineyards and more than 200 wineries in Israel, with wine produced there since Biblical times. Sabra is popular chocolate and orange liqueur. When it is chilled, the chocolate taste is more prominent, while warming it brings out the citrus taste.