Free time and Down time
Our IsraelontheHouse itinerary is jam packed from morning till night. There will certainly be some down time on the trip (especially during journeys between different parts of the country and sites) and we suggest that you use this time to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries. You will have 2 Free nights out. During your free nights out, your friends and family are more than welcome to come and hang out with you at your group’s designated area.
Family visits
We have an action packed itinerary and we are constantly on the move. However, during those evenings when your program finishes early, you may invite your family / friends to visit you at your hotel (with permission from your tourguide). You may also invite your friends / family to join you on your free nights out (see above). In accordance with Taglit-Birthright rules, you are not allowed to leave your group under any circumstances.
Electrical appliances
If you plan on bringing electrical applicances, please keep in mind that Israel uses a 230 volt electrical current. Therefore you may need to bring a voltage converter for certain applicances (laptops usually have this built in). You will also need an adapter to plug items into the wall (usually a two circular prong).
Money, currency and customary tips in Israel
The currency in Israel is the Shekel. Click here to review current exchange rates. Most places accept American credit-cards and ATMs are widely available, however, we recommend bringing some cash with you to exchange upon arrival as some smaller / remote areas will not have these services. Spending money: you will be provided with two meals a day (breakfast and dinner). Lunch is on your own and is usually a quick and inexpensive stopover to buy a sandwich, salad, chips etc. You may also want to purchase souveigners. Tips: It is customary in Israel to tip your tourguide and bus driver at the end of the program. The proferssional staff on the trip work round the clock to ensure the success of the program. We recommend participants each bring $70 which will then be divided between your tourguide / busdriver /security guard and medic. All together, we recommend bringing around $250-$300 to include spending money, souveigners and tip.
Prescription Medications and Vaccinations
You do not need any special vaccinations for visiting Israel. However, we do recommend you have an up-to-date tetnis shot. If you take any prescription medications you MUST make your counselors aware of these. We encourage you to include them on your carryon luggage together with your prescription.
Special Dietary requirements
All meals provided by Sachlav- Israel on the House and on the plane are strictly kosher under the hechsher of the Rabbanute in Israel. If you have any special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, lactose intolerant etc, please ensure you make your counselors aware of these. To order a special meal for the plane, please send an email to theteam@israelonthehouse.com. If you do have a special diet, we suggest packing some snacks for the plane in the event the airline does not provide the special meal we have requested.
Water
Israeli tap water is perfectly safe to drink. However, for those who preferred bottled water, your tourbus is stocked with large bottles of refrigerated mineral water that can be purchased at an extremely low price. We strongly suggest carrying a bottle of water to all activities as the weather can be extremely hot and the risk of dehydration (especially during the summer) is incredibly high.
Valuables
We encourage participants to leave expensive / valuable items at home. Any personal items that you choose to bring are your liability and we highly recommend you take out travel insurance to cover any valuable personal belongings.
Internet and Personal Laptops
Wifi is available on all our busses and depending on your location throughout the trip, there will be access to the internet via the hotel computers. We advise participants not to bring personal computers as you will be extremely busy from morning until the night and will have extremely little time to use these. They are not only very heavy, but are extremely valuable and we will not take any liability for loss or damage to such items.
Shabbat & Jewish Holidays
Shabbat is a perfect time to rest and reflect on your experiences so far. Sachlav | IsraelontheHouse ensure that nothing in the program will force or encourage participants to violate the rules of Shabbat or any Jewish holidays that fall within the trip. We do not travel or participate in any activities which violate the laws of Shabbat. However we do expect participants to be respectful of other individuals' beliefs and levels of observance.
Trip Rules
Of course with every program comes a set of rules that are common for all Taglit-Birthright Israel trips which must be followed very carefully.
- Be on time for and participate in all program activities
- Listen to and respect your counselors and tour guide
- No illegal drugs/ drunkenness
- No drunkeness or excessive alcohol consumption
- No leaving the group without unauthorized permission
- No violent behavior or physical or verbal abuse of any kind
- No rudeness or bullying of other participants