ISRAEL

Israel is bounded by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest. The country faces the Mediterranean Sea on the west and further south it is touched by the Red Sea.

The country total surface is 20,770 square kilometers.

The inhabitants are more than 7 millions.

The capital city of Israel is Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv, Haifa, Eilat.

Ben Guiron International Airport in Tel Aviv

Since 1800 BC the history of Israel has been intense and rich in important events. Being on the Israeli land is enough to be conquered by the intensity of its colors and atmospheres originated by the power of the land past. Since the monarchy period set up by Saul around 1000 BC the Israeli population has experienced periods of subjection to other civilizations, the Assyrians in 586 BC and the Roman Empire in 63 BC; the Israeli population was also victim of religious conflicts which brought since 638 AD to an alternation of Islamic or Christian governments. The conflicts which took place during the history of this extraordinary country originated events such as the destruction and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the first diaspora of its people. In 1839 Sir Moses Montefiore gave rise to the idea of an Hebrew state. In 1878 the first Hebrew colony was established and a strong nationalism started to spread among the local Arab people. On top of this situation, which was not really based on peaceful premises, came the questionable management of the territory carried out by the Great Britain after the Big War. After England refused to accept its government mandate in 1947, the country had to experience a period of fights aimed at proclaiming the cultural identity of the State of Israel and of the Palestinian forces; such period of conflicts is not yet finished, it is a constant turmoil which is currently facing a lack of talks between the Palestinian and the Israeli government.

The 29th April 2009 is the Independence Day in Israel (the day varies every year as a consequence in the changes of the Hebrew calendar).

Parliamentary Republic.

Arabic is the official language. English and Persian are also widespread.

In Israel the Jewish religion is the most professed (80%) followed by the Muslim religion (more than 15%). There are also Christian, Druze and Greek-Orthodox minorities.

The time zone is one hour ahead Italy.

For tourist stay periods shorter than 90 days Italian citizens need a passport with a six-month validity. days.

The country's monetary unit is the ILS, Israeli new shequel.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

The main international credit cards are accepted in the hotels and in the restaurants and can be used to withdraw money at the cash dispensers.

No vaccination is required to enter the country unless you arrive from yellow fever endemic areas.

In Israel the climate varies according to the different zones. There are, in fact, three climatic regions: in the Northern area of the country the climate is Mediterranean with dry hot summers and rainy winters; the coastal plain is featured, on the contrary, by hot and humid summers and cool winters whereas on the mountains summers are dry but winters can be really severe. The Israeli Southern area is featured by a dry and arid heat with a wide temperature excursion from the day to the night, which is typical of desert zones

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

Voltage is 220 volts. The sockets have three holes but in the hotels it is even possible to find two-hole sockets for European manufactured devices. It is anyway advisable to have an adaptor.

To call Italy from Israel just dial 0039, then the Italian area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call (Ex. 0039 02 593 ... to call a fixed net telephone number in Milan from Israel, 0039 328 494 ... to call a mobile phone). To call Israel from Italy just dial the international code 00972 followed by the area code without zero and by the number you wish to call. The GSM network is active but it is advisable to get informed about coverage and tariffs before the departure. Internet is widespread so it is not difficult to find a cyber café where to check or send e-mails.

There are no particular restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos with the exception for archeological sites and religious places where an authorization is required. As in any other country, it is advisable to politely ask local people for their permission before taking pictures of them.

Shopping in Israel is not a problem, you can really find everything: from diamonds to oriental carpets; from t-shirts to local antiques; from pottery to high fashion articles. Religious souvenirs are also present. The best place where to go shopping is for sure one of the several oriental street markets or bazaars in the old cities; as an alternative you can visit the huge malls such as the Malka Mall in Jerusalem, the biggest in the whole Middle East.

The traditional Israeli culinary art is much more diversified than you can imagine. The typical dishes are tasty and refined such as the "shawarma", lamb or turkey meat slowly roasted on a vertical spit and served with vegetables and potatoes; the "humus", mashed chick-peas with olive oil to be eaten inside a loaf of bread known as "pita". Not to be missed are the famous "falafel", small balls of chick-peas which are chopped with spices and served into the ever-present "pita". Above all in the tourist areas all restaurants offer international dishes: pasta, fish, meat, vegetables and desserts. And at the end a good espresso.

Since the ancient times the Israeli population has been extremely fond of music. Traces of the importance played by the psalmodic art already at the dawn of the Israeli culture are to be found in ancient bas-reliefs. Such cultural love, which has been handed down till the present days, has seen the birth of institutions such as the State Record Library created in 1964 at the National and University Library in Jerusalem; the aim of such institution is to preserve the thousands of records dating back to the beginning of the last century. The disaspora of the Hebrew population afflicted the State of Israel but at the same time it gave birth to several music trends arising from the melting of the Hebrews with all the countries where they lived during their pilgrimage. In recent times the typical Israeli sound has been enriched with contaminations deriving from other countries and with the latest trends of the rock and singer-songwriter music, as well as of the musiqah mizrachit, characterized by Arab and Middle Eastern tonalities.

The nightlife is astonishingly lively and also extremely fascinating. Israel is a country so rich in places where to spend some happy hours that it would result quite difficult to visit them all. The heart of the nightlife is usually to be found in the big cities and in the tourist areas: here, after the sunset, streets are lit by bright and dazzling neon lights, which give rise to the long entertaining night. In Jerusalem or in Tel Aviv, just to make an example, travelers may find pubs, bars with disco music and trendy discos where it is possible to dance up to the early lights of the dawn. Those who prefer something softer and more relaxing can choose to sip a drink near the seaside, in the bathing areas, or to drink a glass of wine in one of the several "wine-bars" of the country. Having fun in Israel is extremely natural; here nightlife lovers have too much to choose from.

The events held in the State of Israel are so many that listing them all would be impossible. In Jerusalem, for example, the beginning of the year is featured by an important event: the "World Jazz". January in Eilat is the month of the "International Belly Dancing Festival". The other events organized during the year are:

the "Red Sea International Classical Music Festival" held in Eilat in February;
the "World Jazz", an important event held in Jerusalem, and the "French Film Festival" in Tel Aviv are both scheduled in March;
the "Israel Festival" organized in Jerusalem starting from the 1st of May;
the "Caesarea Harbor Jazz Festival", one of the most famous festivals in Caesarea scheduled in June;
the "Jerusalem Film Festival", one of the most important film festivals in Israel, in organized in Jerusalem around mid July;
the "International Red Sea Jazz Festival" is an event held in Eilat in August;
the "Israel Fringe Theater Festival" in Acre and the "International Film Festival" in Haifa are both organized in September;
the "International Guitar Festival and the Israeli Folklore Evening for Tourists" is held in Tel Aviv in November;
the "International Theater Festival" is a social event organized both in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv in December.

During the religious periods there are many events and festivals which are organized all over the country.

There is a kind of cuisine called "kosher"? As the Hebrew eating rules forbid the use of some kind of foods such as pork meat and seafood and do not allow to serve the meat together with dairy products, there is a cuisine called "kosher" which complies with such prohibitions. Finding dishes typical of the Hebrew culinary tradition is very easy. All restaurants offering this kind of gastronomy usually display a warranty certificate released by the local rabbinate.

1)Jerusalem and, in particular, its old city;
2)Bethlehem Nazareth and Jericho;
3)Tel Aviv and the Roman ruins in Jaffa;
4)the natural Park in Nahal David;
5)the Negev Desert;
6)Caesarea with its Amphitheatre and the Crusader stronghold;
7)Acre or Acco, the old capital of the crusader kingdom;
8)Masnada with a wonderful Roman fortress;
9)Eilat, the most famous bathing resort in the country;
10)The Dead Sea, the most salted water basin in the world and the lowest point on the surface of the Earth: it is located 416 meters under the sea level.

1)Eilat is the right place to practice water sports such as snorkeling and diving;

2)the Lake Kinneret is the ideal place for surf, windsurf, kitesurf and waterski lovers;

3)the Mount Hermon, here skiing is possible during the winter season while hiking or riding are suggested in summer;

4)Safed - High Galilee - is the ideal base for an excursion in the Hula Nature Reserve;

5)The Hula Valley Nature Reserve is the ideal point where to watch a wild fauna counting millions of birds.

- Not to forget - A sweater can be useful above all during cold days or windy nights. In the summer do not forget a cap, your sunglasses and high-protection solar creams. It is always advisable to have an anti-mosquito repellent;

- Tips - Tips are not compulsory but beyond being highly appreciated, tipping a waiter is quite a widespread habit;

- Safety - Because of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict there are some common sense rules to be respected in order not to run risks and to create a safer personal condition. It would be advisable, above all for individual travelers, to record the data about your journey in the website: www.dovesiamonelmondo.it. Those who want to visit the areas bordering with the Gaza Bank or the Northern Region at the border with Lebanon, are advised to monitor the situation through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.viaggiaresicuri.mae.aci.it) in the section safety travels.

- Checks at the Airport - Both arriving and leaving the country the boarding and landing procedures and the custom controls are really very strict. In order to avoid long waiting times and queues at the check-in some airline companies allow the leaving passengers to consign the baggage and to receive the boarding card the day before the flight is scheduled.

Via Carducci, 19
20123 Milan - Italy
Phone: (+39) 02 804 905
Fax: (+39) 02 804 404
www.goisrael.it
www.israele-turismo.it

Via Michele Mercati,14 - Rome - Italy
Phone: (+39) 06 3619 8500
Fax: (+39) 06 3619 8555
E-mail: info-coor@roma.mfa.gov.il

http://roma.mfa.gov.il

Trade Tower Building, 21st Floor, - 25, Hamered St. - Tel Aviv
Phone: (+972) 3 5104 004
Fax: (+972) 3 5100 235
E-mail: info.telaviv@esteri.it

www.ambtelaviv.esteri.it/

For emergencies outside working hours and on Saturday and Sunday please call: (+972) 3 5495 3862.