Israel Travel

Israel Wonders , the Israel Ministry of Tourism site, lets you explore Israel virtually, plan itineraries, check out both Jewish and Christian themes, and see what events are coming up. You’ll also find information about accommodations and tours.

Frommer’s provides information on hotels, restaurants and attractions in Israel’s wine country. Also get a list of special events happening in Israel or check out the message board.

The Dead Sea is not only a popular source of skin care products, it’s a natural wonder and worthwhile destination, where floating in the salt-infused brine and covering yourself in mud are choice activities. The official site can help you plan an excursion, find a travel agent, and explore the possibilities of Dead Sea travel.

Gems in Israel highlights some less conventional travel and tourism spots across the country. This page is a collection of articles about Israel’s wine industry, and the wineries in Golan.

Galilee Development Authority has tourism information about visiting the region of Galilee. Galilee is a wonderland for those who love the outdoors; activities include white water rafting in the Jordan River, mountain biking on nearby trails, parasailing in the Mediterranean, and rock climbing in the mountains.

Israel Nature & National Parks Protection Authority has information about Massada National Park, home of the famous historic and archaeological site of Mount Massada. You'll find a comprehensive history of the Mount, as well as visitor resources.

Trekker , an Israeli tourism site, has information about the Mount of Olives, located outside of Jerusalem. The site is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Read about the history of the Mount and what’s there now.

BiblePlaces.com features Mt. Zion, the southwestern hill of Jerusalem and a holy spot for Jews, Christians and Muslims. This is a Christian Web site, so it only explains Mt. Zion’s relevance to Christianity. Mt. Zion is also important to Jews and Muslims, as it’s the burial place of King David.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has information about the Kotel, or Western Wall, probably the holiest site for Jews in Israel. Learn about the Wall, see the WebCam, take a virtual tour, or research how to plan a Bar Mitzvah at the Wall.

Inisrael.com has 3-D panoramic virtual tours of various sites around the city, including Mary Magdalene Church, Damascus Gate and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Scroll around with your mouse to feel like you’re there, and actually turning.

The U.S Department of State country specific information for Israel relays entry and exit requirements, health and safety advice, and advisories and warnings for travel in Israel that is essential reading before you plan your trip.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides health information for travelers to Israel, including information on diseases and vaccinations, as well as any health-related travel advisories that may be in effect.

The BBC has a page titled “Middle East Crisis” that collects all the news and updates on events in the Middle East. If you’re considering a trip to Israel and want to decide if it’s a good idea, or generate an itinerary, visit the BBC to determine what’s safe.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides comprehensive coverage of Israel’s history including biblical times, foreign domination and the formation of the state of Israel. Click on a category for visual resources and additional details.

The Huntington Jewish Center offers this aesthetically lacking but factually accurate calendar of Jewish holidays for the next four years. As many places in Israel will close for these holidays, they’re worth noting before you plan a trip.

Milingua has extensive, free online Hebrew lessons. There are 20 lessons in all, each with audio components, as well as a Hebrew dictionary and lessons for kids.

The Israel Airports Authority hosts the Ben-Gurion Homepage that has everything you’ll need to know about the airport. Look for passenger information, maps of the airport, a link for customs and frequently asked questions.

Kayak consolidates flight information and fares from hundreds of individual airlines and online travel agents (like CheapTickets and Orbitz). Enter your flight preferences to get a list of possibilities. To learn exactly which airlines and agents Kayak covers visit the "Providers" page.

Orbitz has a clean look and simple navigation, and offers solid prices on airfare, accommodations, car rentals, cruises, bus trips and rail passes. When comparing hotel rates they provide a handy map so you can easily reference the locations. A cool feature on Orbitz lets you explore their many package deals by destination or activity.

El Al ’s official site can help you book a flight, and learn about new benefits like self check-in online, bringing your bike on the plane for free, or special travel deals just for North Americans. Most importantly, you can check for schedules changes; El Al frequently changes its schedule as a safety precaution, so checking the schedule online is advised. As the national airline of Israel, El Al doesn’t fly on Fridays, in observation of the Jewish Sabbath.

Israir Airlines is another Israel-based airline but with a focus on discounts. Search for flights on the homepage, and also find discounts on hotels and transportation within the country.

Inisrael.com offers a list of airport transportation options and the phone numbers you need. The site includes taxis, Sheruts, buses, trains and rental cars that can get you into Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other destinations.

Israel Railways has a line to and from Ben Gurion. Click the “Ben Gurion Airport Line” box on the homepage for schedules and information.

Birthright Israel will pay for you to go on a 10-day trip to Israel if you are Jewish, between the ages of 18 and 26, and have never been to Israel.

The Israel Hotel Association helps market hotels in Israel and ensure their professionalism. Search for a hotel using the clickable map, get a brief description of the region you choose, and learn about package deals. Note that the “For a reservation choose a hotel” search feature doesn’t work.

Inisrael.com has a comprehensive hotel directory. Choose a region to get a list of hotels with links to their Web sites and book your stay directly through the hotel’s secure connection. Or check out the list of “Special Deals” on the right sidebar.

Israel Tourism Guide has a list of rural accommodations in Israel complete with descriptions, phone numbers, Web sites and e-mail addresses. Also check out its list of Israel’s campgrounds and Israel hostels.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism lists more than 40 campsites. Choose campgrounds from the “All Types” dropdown menu near the top of the screen and click “Search” to find them. You’ll get descriptions, contact information and links to their Web sites.

Zimmeril offers resources for staying on a Kibbutz, an Israeli communal settlement. The site is most useful for finding rural cabins and bed and breakfasts to stay in; just be prepared for lots of dizzying, animated graphics.

The Hagoshrim Hotel is a Kibbutz hotel located near the Golan Heights on a nature reserve in the tributaries of the Jordan River. More rural than an average hotel but a more comfortable option than camping out, the Hagoshrim Hotel is a good choice if you want the best of both worlds.

Five Star Alliance lists seven luxury hotels in Israel, for those who like to travel in style. Learn more about the hotels, check availability for your desired dates, and book your stay.

United Tours , a popular tourism company, promises to get you all over Israel by bus. Use the site’s map of Israel to select a place you’d like to visit, and learn about the bus tour offered. The site has an order form so you can book your tours.

IsraLimo provides a number of chauffeur services in Israel, for a little extra money. If you’re planning on taking cabs anyway, consider utilizing this site; at least you know what you’re paying, and what you’re paying for, in advance.

The Israel Science and Technology Homepage has a list of Israeli car rental companies. Look for phone numbers and links to Web sites.

Avis is one of the top car rental companies in Israel. Research cars and rates, and make your reservation online.

Israel Travel Net arranges for you to rent through Budget rental car agency. Car models with prices are listed clearly. Select your preferred vehicle and you’ll be linked to a booking page. Car rentals are available for packages of five or more days, or rent by the day.

Google Maps has terrain, satellite and road maps of the world. Type “Israel” in the “search maps” feature to access different maps of Israel. You can also “Get Directions” between locales within Israel.

Drive-Israel.com offers advice on how to plan a driving trip through Israel. Find excursions and places to stay, and plan a custom car trip based on your interests—a great way to create an itinerary.

Israel Railways is a growing corporation offering passenger and freight service for travel in Israel. Find information about the company, schedules and fares.

The Israel Airports Authority has information on the airport in Eilat, the southern-most city in Israel and about six hours by car or bus from everywhere else.