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DOCUMENTS
EU citizens don't need any visa, the
only issue is the Israel stamp on your passport that
can be a hassle for future traveling in some Arabic
countries as Syria; namely simply you'll be rejected.
The best is asking to not stamp your passport, and
they'll stamp a piece of paper instead. Obviously
if you are gonna to cross the border overland, you'll
get the entry stamp of the neighboring country anyway,
so it won't help that much avoiding the Israeli one.
MONEY
The currency is the New Israeli Shekel
(NIS) (1€= 5.6 NIS, 1$= 3.4 NIS). US$ seems still
to be the most convenient currency to be changed,
but also euros are well known.
HEALTH
I had the usual vaccinations: ephatite
A, B, typhus and tetanus. I hadn't any problem with
the food or the drink, anyway I never drank tap water.
GUIDE
BOOK
I used Lonely Planet (in italian 3rd
ed, translated from 5th ed, March 2007), as usual
it's a good support, but it lacks of detailed info
about the frequency of the buses and, sometimes having
just two buses per days you'll wish some words more.
GENERAL
TIPS
Freezing air condition
When taking buses don't forget having a sweater with
you (and not in the luggage in the trunk), since air
conditioning is always set for pinguins
Questioning at the airport
It's perfect normal to be questioned like hell at
the airport, both when landing and leaving, their
preferred sport is to try to make you fall in contradiction:
just keep the nerves down, the don't aim to you, it's
just the procedure. Of course Arabian evidences on
your passport won't help to fasten the all thing,
but I had the Somali visa and anyway they didn't imprisoned
me.
Photos of ultra-orthodox
Never try to take pictures of Haredim (ultra orthodox),
especially in Tsfat, they reject the technology and
don't seem to do exception for the cameras. The best
place where taking pics of Haredim with the black
dresses is at the Western wall in Jerusalem, however
remember that during Shabbat (friday- saturday) taking
pictures is forbidden.
The Shabbat
During the Jewish week end, called Shabbat (from Friday
14.00 to Saturday 17.00) moving get slooooower, since
all the buses and trains stop, but minibuses (driven
by Arabians) still run. Take it in account when planning
your itinerary.
Russian language
It seems amazing but in the northern part (Haifa)
Russian language could turn out more useful than english.
Also around the Dead Sea Russian is widely spoken.
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