Akeldama (Field of Blood): History, Archaeology & Practical Visitor Guide

On the whole, Israeli hotel rooms tend to run a bit smaller than typical American hotel rooms (they’re closer in size to European hotel rooms), but room sizes usually increase as you go up in property rating and room category. Additionally, only a select few Israeli hotels have American king-sized beds in their rooms; however, double beds here are typically closer in size to a king than to a queen.

When we’re choosing the hotels for a custom tour package, we take a number of factors into consideration. We’ll be sure to choose hotels that make geographic sense with your itinerary, offer all the amenities you’re looking for within your budget, and have room configurations that work for your party. We take all the guesswork out of the hotel search and narrow down the list to a few great options. That way you can be sure that any choice you make will be the right one for you. And because we’re not limited to a small number of hotel partners, we’re happy to work with any hotel in Israel so we can be sure that we’re truly offering you the best hotels for your needs. Let your Tour Specialist know about any special requests, including if you’d like to book hotels from a particular chain.

Hotel Rooms and Dining info:

• If you request separate beds, you can expect a room with two twin-sized beds, rather than two doubles.
• If you’re hoping for a triple occupancy room, please be aware that this typically involves a pull-out couch or a roll-in bed, so this option is best suited for children under the age of 12. Very few hotels offer a quadruple occupancy room, though some hotels do offer family-friendly options, including family suites, adjoining rooms, or connecting rooms.
• Hotels typically offer large, impressive breakfast buffets with Israeli-style breakfast options, including large arrays of interesting salads and cold dishes; nice selections of cheeses, breads and sweet-rolls, and smoked fish; cold cereals, yogurts, fresh and dried fruits; hot dishes such as shakshuka (a traditional Israeli dish of baked tomatoes and eggs) and roasted vegetables; and a full-service espresso/coffee bar. Many hotels also have egg/omelet stations and even pancakes and waffles.
• Some hotels offer dinner or have restaurants with dinner options. We usually recommend dining about town when you’re staying in a city with many options. If you’re staying in a more remote area, such as the north or the south, we’ll set you up with dinner at your hotel as there are fewer options for dining out in the vicinity of your hotel.

It is very safe to travel within Israel. That said, we take your security very seriously, and we understand where we live. Please be assured that we receive daily updates from the Israeli security establishment, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and the US State Department; in the event that developments in the security situation necessitate, we are prepared to make up-to-the-minute changes to your itinerary in order to avoid bringing you someplace that might not be safe, for any reason.

Security measures in Israel are relatively tight and typically not related to any current threat. You may notice armed security guards and/or metal detectors at the entrances of large public establishments, and you and your bags may be checked on your way in. Unattended bags are quickly checked and/or confiscated by the authorities, so do not leave personal items unattended even for a short time. These measures have become part of daily life for Israelis, and they are not an indication of danger or risk.

In general, crime is relatively low in Israel, but you should still take certain precautions to avoid being victimized: keep your wallet in a safe place out of the reach of pick-pockets, leave your passports and other valuables in the safe in your hotel room as much as you can, and avoid exchanging currency anywhere other than at an authorized establishment.

All Israeli taxis are white vehicles with standard yellow taxi signs on the roof. If you wish to take a taxi to dinner or somewhere else around town, make sure you’re traveling in an official taxi and ask the driver to turn on the meter (make sure it’s reset before the trip). Surcharges of between 5 and 12 shekels are standard, and there may be additional surcharges (up to 25%) at night, on the Sabbath or a holiday, or if you’re traveling with luggage. Even with surcharges, however, taxis are relatively cheap in Israel. If you’re taking a taxi outside of the city, it’s best to agree on the fare before the trip begins. The hotel concierge can tell you approximately how much is reasonable for a taxi ride to your destination. It is not customary or expected to tip your taxi driver, except if he or she helps you with luggage (in that case, 5 shekels per piece of luggage is a reasonable tip).

Many taxis only accept cash (shekels), so if you want to pay with a credit card, make sure you ask the driver before getting into his cab. Gett Taxi is a great app for local taxi service, especially in major cities; it allows you to order cabs to your current location (or any other location) and automatically pay through your credit card.

Public transportation is safe and plentiful within major cities, except on holidays and the Sabbath (beginning the afternoon/evening before), though city buses can sometimes be difficult for tourists to navigate (drivers don’t always speak English and stops may not be announced). The inter-city railway is comfortable and more accessible to tourists, with signage, announcements, and information booths in English.

In short, no. Many of the major elements of a trip to Israel (including accommodations, dining, and shopping) are generally more expensive than those of many other international tourist destinations. Prices tend to be comparable to those in New York and London. While it’s not possible to make Israel cheaper, your Tour Specialist will help you maximize your budget and make great choices for where and when to splurge.

We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance in the event that you need to cancel your trip for personal, medical, or any other reason. We suggest that all insurance be arranged through a travel agent in your home country. If claims have to be made, it is much easier to deal with a local insurance company upon your return than to collect reimbursements from an insurance company in Israel. The best time to purchase your insurance policy is right after you confirm your trip with a deposit.

We partner with Travel Insured International to bring our valued US- and Canada-based guests the kind of travel insurance that can stand up to our Uncompromising Quality, Uncomplicated Travel promise. Click here for information or to get a quote!

The local currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS – also ILS). Typically, $1.00 USD = 3.0 – 4.0 NIS (check today’s exchange rate). Visa and MasterCard credit cards can be used to withdraw shekels from most ATMs and are also widely accepted for payment in shops, hotels, and restaurants. American Express is increasingly accepted as well. Many Israeli ATMs are unable to accept international debit cards, so we recommend that you plan to use your credit card for cash withdrawals. Please contact your credit card company to get a PIN code for your credit card before your trip. It is strongly recommended to contact your bank and/or credit card company before you travel to alert them that you will be using your card overseas.

Almost all cash transactions must be made in NIS (though you can plan to tip your guide and driver in US dollars, if you prefer). You will be able to exchange currency at the airport as well as post office branches, banks, and licensed currency exchanges. You should bring your passport with you when you go to exchange currency. Please note, however, that many establishments are not open evenings, sabbaths, or holidays, so withdrawing shekels from an ATM using your credit card is frequently the most convenient option.

VAT of 17% is automatically charged on goods and services in Israel, but tourists are exempt from VAT in many circumstances. Upon entering the country, you will receive a blue visa slip at passport control. You will be asked to present this visa slip along with your passport when you check in to your hotels in order to document that you are exempt from VAT at the hotel. If Dekel Tours has arranged your accommodations, your package price reflects the VAT exemption. Please note that tourists with Israeli citizenship, even those living permanently abroad, are not exempt from VAT. If you or anyone in your party is an Israeli citizen, please be sure to let us know.

Additionally, you may receive a refund for VAT paid on purchased goods that you will be bringing home with you, as long as the purchase price is at least 125 NIS. In order to claim this refund, you must complete a form (many shops can provide you with the form) and present it as well as your original receipt, passport, and blue visa slip at the designated counter at the airport. Please note, you must arrive to the airport earlier than normal on your departure day, and you may be asked to present the purchased items themselves at the counter, so it’s best to pack them in your carry-on luggage. If you wish to claim a VAT refund at the airport, please alert your tour specialist so we can arrange extra time for your departure transfer.

As the recipient of services, it is always left to your discretion whether and how much to tip. However, as tipping standards vary from place to place, you may find the guidelines below helpful. It is accepted practice in Israel to tip tour guides, drivers (except taxis*), hotel staff, and restaurant servers. Please note: gratuities for your tour guide and/or driver are not included your package price. Suggested tip amounts:

Tour Guides – We suggest tipping your guide once, on your last tour day:

For families/groups of up to 12 guests – $90-150 USD per day of touring.
For 12 guests or more – $9-15 USD per guest, per day of touring.

Tour Drivers – We suggest tipping your driver once, on your last tour day:

For families/groups of up to 12 guests – $80-100 USD per day of touring.
For 12 guests or more – $7-9 USD per guest, per day of touring.

Restaurant Service (if not included in your bill):

For up to 8 in your party – 10-15% of the bill.
For parties of 8 and more – 15-18% of the bill.

Airport transfers:

$10-15 USD to/from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
for other transfers, please ask your Tour Specialist for a recommendation.

Hotel Staff:

Bellhops – $1-2 USD per piece of luggage
Room deliveries – $2-3 USD

Taxis:

No tip is required or expected.
However, if the driver helps you with luggage, it is customary to tip 5 shekels per piece of luggage.

If you’re visiting with a North American or European passport, you do not need a visa to enter Israel. If you’re visiting from elsewhere, please check with your Tour Specialist regarding visa requirements.

Vaccinations are not required for tourists entering Israel from Western countries.

Learn more about safe and confident travel with Dekel Tours.

The Israeli workweek is Sunday through Thursday, and most businesses, restaurants, and shops are open standard hours on weekdays. (Banks sometimes keep more unpredictable business hours, so if you need the services of a bank teller, you should check the operating hours before going.) Many businesses close early on Fridays (the Sabbath begins at sundown, but shops and restaurants frequently close earlier in the day) and stay closed through the end of the Sabbath (sundown on Saturday), including all kosher restaurants and dining establishments. In larger urban areas (e.g., Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, and Haifa) non-kosher dining options are more plentiful, though many shops and businesses will be closed. In more remote areas, such as the Upper Galilee and Mitzpe Ramon regions, it can be near impossible to find restaurants that operate on the Sabbath.

National and religious holidays and observances in Israel begin the evening before, and businesses typically operate as they would on the Sabbath – if they are open on the Sabbath, they’re likely to be open on the holiday (note: this is NOT true for Yom Kippur, when even non-kosher establishments will be closed). If you are going to be in Israel on Yom Kippur, it’s best to plan for a day of quiet reflection, rest, and relaxation, since touring and traveling about won’t be possible.

Israeli tap water is perfectly safe to drink, except at the Dead Sea. However, because you may not be used to the mineral makeup of the water here, there’s a small chance you may feel slightly nauseated after drinking a large glass of tap water (you shouldn’t have an issue with the small quantities needed for brushing your teeth, taking pills, and the like). This reaction isn’t terribly common and is typically not a sign of illness, but it may be unpleasant, nonetheless. Bottled water is very readily accessible if you choose to avoid the tap water. Regardless of whether you’re drinking tap water or bottled water, please remember to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and to avoid alcoholic beverages in the sun.

For such a small country, Israel has surprisingly varied weather. The weather during your trip will depend largely on when you’re planning to travel and where you are on a given day.

During the warmer months (June-September), temperatures can range from pleasant to extremely hot, with plenty of variability between day and night. The bottom line is that you should expect hot temperatures most of the time but be prepared for temperatures that might fall a bit in the evening. The sun is hotter and stronger than you may be used to, so please make sure you pack sun protection (hat, breathable long-sleeved shirts, sunblock, etc.). Because of how hot it gets outside, Israelis tend to run the air conditioning on full blast, so you might need to bring extra layers if you’re going to be indoors (museums, restaurants, etc.).

Typical summer weather by region:

• Jerusalem – very dry and hot during the day; evening temps comfortable to cool
• North – pleasant to hot during the day; evening temps pleasant to cool
• Tel Aviv – very hot and humid, but more comfortable at the beach; evening still humid and warm
• Eilat and Desert – VERY HOT and very dry; evenings stay hot and dry.

The colder months (December-February) are generally cooler and damp, and rain is common (although it tends to be sporadic). Occasionally, nighttime temperatures can get close to freezing, primarily in Jerusalem and the north. However, the days do warm up if the sun is shining, especially in the desert regions, so it’s best to dress in layers. Most touring will still go on as planned if it’s raining, so please pack waterproof walking shoes and a good raincoat and consider bringing along a warmer hat and gloves for days with a lot of outdoor touring.

Typical winter weather by region:

• Jerusalem – chilly and damp during the day; cold at night.
• North – chilly and damp during the day, but pleasant in the sun; cold at night.
• Tel Aviv – chilly and damp during the day, but pleasant in the sun; chilly at night.
• Eilat and Desert – dry and pleasant during the day; cooler-to-cold at night.

Weather during transitional months (November, March-April) can be very difficult to predict, and you should expect a bit of everything.

October and May tend to be mild and pleasant, with plenty of warm sunshine.

While laundry services may be available while you’re traveling in Israel, they may be expensive and/or inconvenient. We therefore recommend packing enough clothing to last through your trip, including some basic items that can easily be washed by hand in your hotel room if necessary.

At many larger hotels, laundry services are available for those items you may wish to have professionally cleaned, but keep in mind that this tends to be quite expensive. We don’t recommend using public laundry facilities while you’re traveling in Israel.

Electrical outlets in Israel supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts (for reference, American and Canadian outlets supply electricity at 110 – 120 volts). If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220- to 240-volt electrical input or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then only a plug adapter is required. If you are plugging in an appliance that accepts 110 – 120 volts only, then you will require a voltage converter/transformer. Most cell phones, laptops, and other mobile devices are compatible with multiple voltages.

Free WIFI is widely available throughout much of Israel, though signal strength can be unpredictable. Additionally, if your party includes 7 or more travelers, your minibus or coach will be equipped with WIFI for use during travel times. Though not recommended, travelers can get by without purchasing local cellular service or getting an international plan from their home cellular providers. (You can use WhatsApp to message or call virtually anyone in Israel, so you can always reach your guide and Tour Specialist without having to make a phone call.)

We recommend arranging to have cellular service in Israel, even if it’s a limited plan. Your home cellular provider offers international plans, and this is typically the easiest route. We suggest you consider all your options a few weeks prior to your flight, so you know you’ve chosen the option that best meets your needs.