#1 BE A CONSIDERATE TRAVELER
Remember you are traveling as a group and should always consider the comfort and well-being of the entire group. If you are late getting on the motorcoach everyone loses valuable time.
You should settle any personal incidental charges you may have (such as laundry, telephone, etc.) directly with the hotel the night before you checkout. This way you will not hold up the group at the last moment while you settle your personal bills.
If you must be absent from a day of touring for any reason, please notify your tour host or guide as soon as possible.
Please be prepared to rotate your seat on the motorcoach daily.
No smoking is allowed in hotel rooms, the dining rooms or on the motorcoach.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE
In Israel you will find that there are many hills and valleys and uneven pavements. You will be walking a lot on the tour and if you begin walking regularly now, you won’t have any trouble on the tour. Be sure you have comfortable walking shoes.
Don’t buy new shoes just before the tour- get the shoes early and wear them now so they will be “broken in” ahead of time.
ILLNESS
If you need immediate medical attention while abroad, contact the reception area of the hotel. A doctor or an emergency service will be called for you. You will find that most medical personnel speak English well. Your tour host/guide should also be notified.
You are responsible for any /all expenses incurred (medical treatment, transportation, quarantine accommodations, flight arrangements, etc.) due to illness or injury. It is recommended that you begin an insurance claim when seeking medical treatment, as most insurance companies will assist directly with logistics should you be required to separate from the group.
GOMEGA Travel & Tours will not provide reimbursement for any expenses or missed portions of the tour.
Reimbursement requests should be directed to your travel insurance company. GOMEGA Travel & Tours will be happy to assist you with any tour- related documentation to support your claim.
PREPARING FOR TRAVEL
Passport Requirements: An original, signed passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your intended return date is required to enter and depart Israel and or Jordan. Please ensure that your name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately. Please note that as the passenger, you are responsible for observing regulations and that non-compliance may result in travel being rejected. Tip: Keep a photocopy of your passport’s identification page stored separately from your passport. You should also keep a digital copy on your mobile device, and a copy with your emergency contact at home.
Visas: American citizens do not require a visa to enter Israel. If your tour is visiting Jordan as well, GOMEGA Travel & Tours will arrange for your visa. When entering Israel, you will receive an entry card. Hotels can ask for it to prove you are exempt from the VAT tax of 17% and to avoid that charge, you will need to be able to produce it. Also, if you make any purchases that qualify for a VAT refund during your visit, you will have to have that entry card to claim your refund upon departure. Be sure to keep it in your passport. Citizens from other countries may require a valid visa. These requirements change often, and therefore it is best to check with the Embassy of Israel or Consulate for the most up to date visa information.
Medications: Please remember to fill any prescriptions you may require and ensure you pack them in their original packaging.
Luggage: We assume you will be traveling with 1 checked and 1carry-on piece of luggage. Please attach the GOMEGA Travel & Tours luggage tag(s)on the handle of the suitcase(s) you will check. Please inform GOMEGA Travel & Tours if you will be traveling with additional luggage.
Lanyard: You need to wear your name tag each day of the tour as it will identify you at airports, hotels, and sites, as well as help us get to know one another
ON ARRIVAL
Our aim is to ensure that you experience fast, responsive and 24/7 support throughout your trip. As such, you will find all pertinent contact telephone numbers contained in your final travel documents. Please feel free to call our team should you have any questions or concerns.
If you booked a private airport transfer, you will be met by your driver, who will be holding up a sign with your name on it. If your flight is delayed or you miss a connection, please use the contact numbers provided in your final travel documents to alert us so that you will be met at your new arrival time.
Of course, if you have any questions about our in-destination support to your journey, please don’t hesitate to contact GOMEGA Travel & Tours.
INTERNATIONAL GROUP AIRFARE
You should arrive at the airport about 3 hours ahead of the departure time, to check-in. Group reservations do not allow passengers to access their booking via the airline website-this is due to confidential information of the other group passengers in the booking. Therefore, you must check in at the airport for your international flight. The airline is required to check your passport, visas (if needed), and other documents to board the plane. Some airlines now do this online, by asking you to upload proper documentation, but most still require checking-in at the airport especially for group reservations.
If your flights have not been booked through the GOMEGA Travel & Tours Air team, it is important that you let us know about any changes in your flight itinerary.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you have purchased a travel insurance policy through GOMEGA Travel & Tours, you will find documentation in an email from the travel insurance provider. You will need to print the policy and include it in your travel documents. For those passengers that did not purchase a travel insurance policy through GOMEGA Travel & Tours, please make sure to include your Confirmation of Coverage or Declaration of Coverage in your travel documents.
SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT
Depending on your citizenship, your government may offer a free travel registration service. American citizens can submit their travel plans online and in the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest, your government can provide you with necessary information or assistance. Here is the American link: https://step.state.gov/step/
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL
Payment Methods and Currency:
Make sure that your ATM and credit card(s) are active. It is always a great idea to alert your bank(s) and/or credit card companies about where and when you’ll be traveling to ensure your foreign transactions are not flagged for suspicious activity.
In Israel it is not necessary to change currency. In fact, it is better if you use American currency and avoid any exchange. Exchange rates can be high, and most shops would prefer to have the purchase made in US dollars. It’s a great idea to have several one-dollar bills and other small denominations for the duration of your tour. You will find change will be given most of the time in Israeli shekels.
Electricity and Voltage:
The electric current in Israel and Jordan is 230 Volts so you will need an adapter plug to operate and/or charge your electric items. The plugs are two round prongs (type C) as seen in the picture or 3 prong (type H) Most cell phones, tablets, laptops, and small gadgets do not require a converter in addition to the adapter plug.
Single voltage items such as curling irons, flat irons and electric razors typically require both a converter and adapter; however, it has been our experience that these do not work well with the change of electrical current, even if you have both the converter and adapter.
Cell Phones and Internet:
Always check with your cell phone provider to find out about roaming plans before you travel. Many hotels will offer free Wi-Fi which you can log on to use. In most populated areas you will be able to connect to either 3G, 4G or 5G networks, though in more remote areas your cell phone signal may be limited. Tip: The Country code for Israel is +972 and Jordan is +962.
SHOPPING
Although this is not a” shopping tour”, we understand the desire to purchase souvenirs. Time has been allotted for shopping. There will be street peddlers along the way as we tour. Avoid them. They are a hindrance to the group. Do not even say “NO” to them; ignore them completely. And never allow peddlers on the motorcoach.
Shopping is fun in Israel, but you must be careful with your money. Do not feel pressured to buy. Part of the fun of shopping in the Middle East is the custom of “bargaining” for an item. Never accept the first price that a peddler offers you. You should usually expect to pay about half of the asking price. There will be an opportunity to buy a DVD of the sites we will see in the Holy Land, as well as a book with color pictures and explanations of all the sites, and CDs of Israeli music. These will be available on the motorcoach, and you will need cash for these items. These items are excellent quality and are nice souvenirs of your trip. They are also good gifts to take to friends and family.
WATER
Tap water in Israel is safe. However, if you know that you have a sensitive digestive system, you may want to drink bottled water for the first few days while your system adjusts to a new place. For your convenience we will keep a supply of chilled bottled water on the motorcoach which can be purchased for $1.50 per bottle (however American coins are not accepted, so you can just pay $3 for two bottles. You do not have to take both at the same time – it is a “trust” system so you can get your second bottle later if you prefer). Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water are all safe to drink.
LUNCHES WHILE TOURING
Lunches are not included in the price of the program. The cost will average $15-20 per day and must be paid in cash. We will eat in a variety of restaurants so that you may enjoy the culinary flavors of the Middle East.
Money will be collected by your tour leader on the motorcoach before lunch, for restaurants that have one set price for lunch. We will make the arrangements ahead of time where possible and make one payment for the entire group instead of everyone paying separately.
CUSTOMS & CULTURAL NORMS
On Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath is observed. At the hotels where we will be staying there will be at least one elevator which will stop automatically on each floor from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. If you are in a hurry, you will want to avoid those elevators. You will find most stores close from Friday at noon until Sunday morning.
Clothing in Israel
Israel is a very casual country, so you will not need to take anything “dressy”. Men do not need jackets or ties. Focus your wardrobe on comfort and modesty.
During the late spring, summer and fall, the temperatures can be very warm so you should take lightweight, cotton clothing.
Keep in mind you must have your knees and shoulders covered to enter churches, synagogues, and mosques. No short shorts or plunging necklines or sleeveless shirts are allowed in places of worship. So, if you choose to wear shorts or sleeveless tops, you will need to always have something with you to cover your knees and shoulders when we visit those places.
The day you go to Masada and the Dead Sea, there will not be any places of worship, so you can wear shorts and sleeveless shirts that day if you like. If your group goes to the Temple Mount, women should not wear even a button up shirt unless it is buttoned all the way to the top.
Long sleeves and pants are required for both men and women at the Temple Mount. If you happen to travel during the warmer months, you may want to take a lightweight, long-sleeved jacket to wear just while you are on the Temple Mount rather than having to wear long sleeves all day.
Jerusalem is 2400 feet above sea level so the temperatures will be cooler there. Bring a sweater or light jacket even during the warm months – you may need it in the mornings and evenings. Be sure to pack a raincoat and/ or umbrella, as well as a warm coat if you will be visiting Israel during the winter months – November through mid -March.
LUGGAGE
Since you may be on the move quite frequently during your trip, our advice is to pack as lightly as possible and choose durable luggage that can withstand rigorous use. We recommend limiting your luggage to 1 piece of checked baggage and 1 piece of carry-on baggage per traveler. Please always consult with your airline carrier for detailed luggage requirements and luggage restrictions specific to your international and internal flights.
VALUABLES
No matter how safe a destination may be, tourists can be easily targeted for theft. As a result, and even with Israel & Jordan being a relatively safe country, we strongly urge you to leave your valuable belongings, including excess cash and jewelry, at home. Please review your personal insurance policy to make sure you are adequately covered for the belongings you do plan to take with you. We assume no responsibility for personal belongings left behind, although we will always do our best to help you recover them. Additionally, hotels will not compensate their travelers for theft from the hotel premises.
USEFUL APPS FOR YOUR TRIP
With growing technology comes an increase in user-friendly mobile apps to assist on your journey. Here are some apps we think you might find useful:
XE Currency Exchange App is a trusted resource for daily currency exchange rates around the globe. is a trusted resource for daily currency exchange rates around the globe.
The Google Translate App is always handy to help with new words and pronunciation.
The Weather Channel App is an excellent way to stay up to date with the weather forecast all over the world.
If you need more details or have any questions, please contact us.
