Israel is one of the most religious places in the world, and it is a diverse landscape of Biblical sites, mountains, deserts and greenery. It is a place with brimming technology in Tel Aviv, and it laid the foundation of three different religions: Jews, Muslims and Christians. This holy land dates back through the landmarks of some of the most significant historical events. Indian passport holders should have a visa if they wish to travel to Israel; without a visa, they will not be able to travel to Israel. The Israel Evisa requirements for Indians are that they should have an original passport valid for at least six months ahead of the date of travel, and it should be authentic and genuine.
Following are some things to know before travelling to Israel-
- Always carry electrical adapters with you.
You would not want to end up without a proper electrical device when travelling to Israel. The electrical outlets around Islam require around 3 round pegged prongs, and most people need to check out any Israel travel tips before they head out to the country. You should make sure you purchase one pack before your trip.
- Most restaurants offer ‘Kosher’ food.
Israelis follow some stringent rules regarding food, and most restaurants in Israel offer Kosher food, which means that the milk and meat products are not mixed. They also maintain the integrity of Kosher production methods. Kosher food means that the animal was killed in the most painless way and was killed according to Jewish law. The Jewish law also condemns eating dairy with meat. These laws are very strict about how one prepares, processes and inspect food. Even their supermarkets have Kosher food sections.
- Pack and wear modest food clothing.
If one is planning to visit a religious and orthodox spot such as Jerusalem, one should dress appropriately. Even if it is during summer, and you plan to visit the places such as the Western Wall or the spot where Jesus was crucified, you should wear T-shirts with sleeves which fall below the elbow. It is recommended to wear long skirts or pants while visiting such religious places. The people are orthodox, and they believe in modest clothing. Even if you forget to carry modest clothing, religious women hand it out near the Western Wall.
- Be prepared to be strictly interviewed at the airport.
We all are strangers to the fact that Israel has had many issues in the past, so the security here is very tight. If you are a tourist, you will most likely be interviewed before they let you enter. They will ask you a couple of questions such as what is the purpose of your trip, if it’s your first time in the country, they will further impose questions and ask what do you do for a living? Who are you going on this trip with and how are you related to them. The security check is comparatively easy to pass through. However, the interview is more extended, and it could take longer time than expected. You should ensure you answer all the questions straight up and without hesitation.
- Keep the paper slip you receive at the airport safely.
Many questions whether they will be banned from other countries once they visit Israel. Because of this issue, Israeli officials do not stamp your passport when you visit. They give you a paper visa to carry along with you. This paper visa is very convenient, and you should keep it handy. This way, you can avoid all the hassle and get through security seamlessly. This slip should, however, be kept safely as it is proof that you have entered the country after being appropriately checked. This slip is also to be shown at all the crossing points you encounter.
- Tel Aviv during the night.
Tel Aviv is a progressive and prosperous city famous for its nightlife. There are plenty of attractions you can see during the day. This city has countless bars and restaurants. This city comes alive at night and is likely to encounter patio spots.
- Be prepared for the Shabbat hours.
Israeli weekends start on Friday and the working days are from Sundays to Thursdays. One must keep in his mind that businesses and public transportation will not be running during the weekend. Shabbat begins precisely 18 minutes before sundown on Friday and finishes an hour after sunset on Saturdays. Everything will be closed by 4-5 pm, and it will only open on a Saturday evenings. Hence you should plan your trip accordingly.
- Make use of Monit Sheruts.
A Monit Sherut is a shared taxi which is a yellow or a white van and it can accommodate about 10 passengers at a time. These taxis travel between the cities and they drop people off at major hubs and central stations. These share cabs are a great way of saving money.