IsraelTravelBlog.com

Information, insights, advice, reviews, and recommendations about travel to and around Israel

Archives for April 2023

Recommended Reading Before Your Trip to Israel

by

Ready to plan your trip to Israel? That’s great news! We are here to help you do just that. And to further help you prepare for your life-changing, faith-elevating trip to Israel, here are a few books to consider reading before you arrive. 

The Christian Traveler’s Guide to the Holy Land

by Charles H. Dryer and Gregory A. Hatteberg

This is a resource that covers all of the Holy Land, including sites in Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. It includes a 40-day pre-trip Bible study as well, which many travelers may find helpful. Entries include both Old and New Testament sites, the vast majority of which are found in Israel. It’s an excellent introduction of the region from the Christian perspective. 

Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses

by Bruce Feiler

This book includes Biblical sites both within and outside of Israel, from the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The author talks about his personal experiences visiting each of the places referenced in these books, which Jesus would have learned about as a Jewish child growing up in Israel. It’s an excellent resource for those seeking to understand Jesus’ faith and the history he learned growing up in Israel. 

Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth

by Noa Tishby

There are plenty of high-level, academic books about Israel, Palestine, and the conflict in the region. However, those are often challenging to read all the way through. This book, written by an Israeli actress who is also an American film producer, explains the conflict and complexities in an approachable way for non-Israelis. It’s a good introduction for anyone who does not live with the conflict in their everyday life, which is anyone who is living in neither Israel nor the Palestinian Territories. 

Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories

by DK Eyewitness Travel

If you’re lookingfor short, concise information with lots of pictures to help give you a visual, this guidebook will provide that for you. It’s well-organized, giving readers both an overview of the sites and details where appropriate. Going beyond just the sites, this travel guide also explains some of Israel’s history, culture, food, and customs, as well as practical information such as language, money matters, safety tips, and religious holidays, which effect opening times for many businesses. 

The Bible

This one sounds obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning! There are many plans guiding readers through the entire Bible in a year, but if that’s a bit overwhelming, start with the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four perspectives of the life of Jesus will take you through his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection from the point of view of four out of the twelve disciples. 

As you read through the Bible to prepare for your trip, you’ll start to recognize place names: Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, etc. These are all places you can actually visit on your trip to Israel, and the Bible is the reason why we know so much about their significance. Does your Bible have footnotes? If so, each time you see a footnote in reference to scriptures in the Old Testament, go to that scripture and read it. This will give you a greater understanding of Jesus’ words and actions in the Gospels.

What to Pack for Your Trip to Israel

by

We are so glad you’ve decided to come to Israel with us! One of the most common concerns about travel in Israel is what to pack for the trip. Israel is in the Middle East, and in most of the country, it’s appropriate to dress more conservatively.But Israel is also the most progressive country in the Middle East, and practically anything goes in Tel Aviv!

Here are a few guidelines and suggestions to keep in mind when you’re packing. And as always, feel free to reach out with questions or concerns you may have. We are here to help you have your best possible trip!

General Guidelines:

Comfort is Key

Your trip to Israel will include plenty of time in the sunny outdoors, lots of walking on uneven ground, and quite a bit of standing. Comfortable clothing is essential, especially when it comes to footwear. If an article of clothing is too tight, hard to walk in, or gives you blisters, it’s not going to be comfortable on your trip. Pack with comfort in mind. 

Natural Fabrics are Helpful

Summers in Israel, and even late spring and early fall, can be quite hot. This is definitely true in the Negev Desert, so if you’re planning a day trip to the Dead Sea, Masada, or Eilat, be sure to keep this in mind. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton will help you stay comfortable, even in the heat. It’s also a good idea to stay covered in the sun, so consider bringing along some long sleeves and pants for your trip. 

Winters are Chilly

You may expect that summers in the Middle East would be hot, but you may be surprised that the winter, early spring, and late fall can be brisk! While it doesn’t get truly cold in most of the country, temperatures can dip into the 50s Fahrenheit (10 Celsius), so pack accordingly. Layers are a good idea.

Suggested Items:

Close-toed shoes

Your idea of comfortable may include sandals or even flip flops, but neither is ideal for a trip to Israel. As previously mentioned, there will be a lot of walking on uneven surfaces, but also opportunities to hike (whether you really intend to hike or not!). You can plan to walk around 15,000-20,000 steps per day, so make sure whatever shoes you bring are equal to the task.  

Jacket or Scarf

Whatever season you might be visiting, you’ll want to bring a jacket or a scarf with you. Nights can be chilly, especially in the desert areas, but it’s also helpful to have a jacket or scarf to cover your arms and shoulders when appropriate. They will also come in handy on your flights to and from Israel as well. 

Bathing Suit

This is something you might not think to bring with you to a conservative, Middle Eastern country, but you’ll want one! If you’re planning a trip to the Dead Sea, Eilat, or the beaches in and around Tel Aviv, you’ll be glad you brought a bathing suit. It doesn’t have to be ultra-conservative, but a modest cover-up is a good thing to pack as well. 

Water Shoes

If you’re planning a trip to the Dead Sea, water shoes will be an essential item to pack. The salt deposits and sand can be rough on your feet, and if you get a cut, there will be literal salt in your wound. Avoid this altogether and bring a pair of water shoes with you!

Pepto-bismol (or similar)

Israeli food is some of the best in the world. The ingredients are fresh and high-quality, but if you’re unfamiliar with the flavors and seasonings of Middle Eastern cuisine, your stomach might experience a bit of a shock. It never hurts to bring along some Pepto, Imodium, or your preferred stomach-settling medication, just in case!

Seven Things to Expect on Your First Trip to Israel

by

Israel is unlike any other travel destination on earth. Not only does it hold a cherished place in the hearts, histories, and beliefs of three of the world’s major religions, but visiting this tiny but beautiful country along the eastern Mediterranean coast is a top bucket list item for hundreds of millions of people across the world.

However, unlike other countries you and/or your loved ones may have visited before on your travels, Israel serves up unique and exciting surprises at every turn. Along those lines, here are seven things about traveling to Israel for the first time that are good to know about in advance of your journey.

 1. You will Do a Lot of Walking

What’s a lot of walking? Think 15,000-20,000 steps per day. You may think, “Well, it’s just walking. I can handle that.” And you certainly can. However, the terrain anywhere in Israel is not flat. There are cobblestones, uneven stairs, hills, etc., all of which will create more of a challenge than you may expect. Add to that the 300+ days a year of direct sunshine, and you’ve got a recipe for some exhausting touring days. Wear good walking shoes, and remember to hydrate!

 2. There is a Stark Contrast Between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Jerusalem is an undeniably holy city. It’s solemn, relatively quiet, and the definition of historic. It’s not a party city, it’s a reverent and conservative city. By contrast, Tel Aviv is bright, vibrant, and exciting. Tel Aviv is the place to go for an avant-garde art scene, fusion cuisine, beaches, nightlife, and watersports! It’s a bit of a shocking contradiction with just an hour’s drive between the two, but no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in one of these two, world-famous cities. 

 3. People at Home will Tell You it’s Not Safe (but they’re wrong)

It’s true that present-day Israel has been in the midst of conflict since its inception, but it’s not true to say that Israel is an unsafe place to visit. One thing to keep in mind when you hear the (sometimes) well-meaning safety concerns of others is that usually, the person saying it has never been to the country in question, and probably not even the region. Israel is just as safe as anywhere in the United States, and generally even safer than many large cities around the world.

Don’t let someone else’s unfounded concerns talk you out of your trip of a lifetime to Israel and the Holy Land. 

 4. Everything Stops for Shabbat (and various other holidays)

Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a day of prayer for the Jewish people. Practicing Jews are not allowed to work on Shabbat, which means that shops, restaurants, and other businesses will be closed throughout the country, particularly in Jerusalem and other more conservative areas. This is important for visitors because Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and lasts through Saturday. It takes some forethought and planning to be in the country on a Saturday. 

You can plan to be in Tel Aviv for Shabbat, where you will find more open restaurants and businesses than other cities in Israel. Or, you can go local and use Shabbat as a day of rest for yourself as well. 

 5. Some Restaurants will only Serve Kosher Meals

You may start to notice that some restaurants keep kosher, while others do not. For a non-Jew or non-practicing Jew, this doesn’t make much difference, but you might be curious. “Kosher” means that the food has been prepared according to Jewish law. Meat and milk products are not mixed together, meats from non-kosher foods (pork, shellfish, rabbit, etc.) are not consumed at all, and all meats that can be eaten are butchered in a certain way. Plan to have a kosher meal while you’re in Israel, and feel free to ask questions if you want to understand more.  

 6. You will Learn New Things about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

No matter how much you know about these three religions, there is a good chance that you’ll learn something new about one or all three while you’re in the Holy Land. The entire country holds special meaning to all three religions, but Jerusalem in particular is one of the holiest cities for each. As a result, there is a plethora of history to see, experience, observe, and learn about all three. 

 7. Your Visit will Grow Your Faith

If you’re religious, a trip to Israel is often intended to deepen one’s faith. This is one case, however, where reality exceeds expectation. You can read up on the sites, learn about the history, and look at photos all day long, but the actual experience of walking the same streets as Jesus, standing in the Garden of Gethsemane and reading about his prayer there in Matthew 26, and sailing on the Sea of Galilee where he walked on water will all move you in unexpected, life-changing ways. 

The miracles you read about in the Bible will take on new meaning, and you’ll go home with a fresh understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s a feeling you can’t quite have until you visit for yourself. 

Where is the “Holy Land?”

by

When someone says, “I visited the Holy Land,” what does that mean to you? Is it the same as what it means to them? People talk about “going to the Holy Land” as if everyone knows exactly what that encompasses, but in reality, people often have different ideas of what makes up the “Holy Land.” 

Most Christians referencing the “Holy Land” are exclusively talking about what is today Israel and Palestine, where Jesus’ ministry took place from baptism to resurrection. This reference isn’t incorrect—Israel and Palestine are home to the vast majority of holy sites in Christianity, as well as Judaism. However, if the “Holy Land” refers to all the places mentioned in the Bible, including the disciples’ mission work after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, it stretches far beyond Israel’s present-day borders. 

You can read in scripture about Biblical sites in Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. While this is not an exhaustive list, below are some of the highlights from each present-day country:

Egypt

The Nile

  • Where Moses was found floating in a basket, then adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:1-10)
  • The first plague, where Moses turned the Nile water into blood (Exodus 7:14-25)

The Exodus

  • God led the Israelites out of Egypt and away from slavery (Exodus 12)

Mount Sinai

  • Moses was given the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20)

Abu Serga Church in Coptic Cairo

  • One of the locations where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stayed after fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod (Matthew 2:13-15)

Alexandria

  • Mark Spreads the Gospel in Alexandria, Egypt, around 42 A.D. (Coptic Christian tradition and history of his death in Alexandria in 68 A.D.)

Greece

Athens

  • Paul preached on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-31)

Philippi

  • Philippi was the hometown of Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe (Acts 16:11-15)

Letters to Churches in Greece

  • Paul wrote letters to many churches in Greece; five of these letters make up the books of I and II Corinthians, Philippians, and I and II Thessalonians 

Island of Patmos

  • Island where John was exiled from Ephesus; while here he wrote the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9-11)

Israel

Bethlehem

  • David’s hometown, where he was a shepherd before defeating Goliath and eventually becoming King David (I Samuel 17:12-20)
  • The place where Jesus was born (Luke 2:1-21)

Galilee

  • Jesus walked on water on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21)
  • Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5)
  • The site of many miracles, including feeding the 5,000, the miraculous catch of fish, calming the storm, etc. (Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

Tel Aviv-Jaffa

  • Jonah fled God from the Port of Jaffa and was subsequently swallowed by a “big fish” (Book of Jonah)
  • Simon the Tanner’s house, where Peter saw a vision that led him to understand that the message of Christ was intended for all people, not only the Jews (Acts 10)

Jerusalem

  • God calls this “The city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel” (I Kings 11:32)
  • Solomon built the First Temple here (I Kings 6)
  • Second temple built here (Ezra 1:1-4; II Chronicles 36:22-23)
  • Jesus crucified and resurrected (Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
  • Jesus ascends to Heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-11)

Jericho

  • One of the world’s oldest cities is also the first city the Israelites attacked after entering Israel; they marched around it and blew trumpets to make the walls fall (Joshua 6)

Jordan River

  • Where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
  • Naaman was healed of leprosy after bathing in the Jordan River seven times (II Kings 5:1-14)
  • Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan River on dry land, and Elijah ascended to Heaven on the west side the Jordan River (II Kings 2:1-14)

Valley of Elah

  • Where the battle between David and Goliath took place (I Samuel 17)

Jordan

Bethany

  • Where the Israelites camped before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 3)

Jerash (Decapolis Region)

  • Jesus healed a deaf man and gained many followers (Mark 7:31-37)

Mount Nebo

  • Where Moses stood and looked at the Promised Land before his death on the site (Deuteronomy 32:48-52)

Turkey

Letters to Churches in Turkey

  • Paul wrote letters to many churches in Turkey; three of these letters make up the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians

Ephesus

  • Riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41)

Cave Churches

  • Early Christian churches can be found in caves in the Cappadocia region, many of which have maintained their original paint colors (early Christian history)