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We have always wanted to travel to Israel. My husband is currently on a work assignment here in Europe which makes us closer to travel to Israel and less expensive than from the U.S. My concern is safety. Does anyone here have any advice or thoughts? We are traveling with a child. Has anyone especially an american traveled there recently and would like to share their experience?
Thanks,
I just came back from there after spending about three weeks in Israel. As the high holy days come to an end on the 10th the country is basically in off season mode. I rented a Dmax and was able to travel the entire country without incident. The only place, I'd be wary of is near the Syrian border due to some civil war spill over, within the West Back near East Jerusalem and slightly Beer Sheva. Past those current hotspots I felt pretty safe travelling there. The only thing you may want to advise the child about is the numerous soldiers who carry with them their machine guns nearly everywhere. That it is a required tool to carry with them and you will see them on the buses or shopping in the market.
There is no problem traveling with a child in Israel. Israel is a relatively safe country (the crime rate is relatively low). Israelis are very welcoming to families with children. I would suggest staying away from the areas close to the border with Gaza (meaning the Ashkelon and Sderot areas) as those are the ones prone to missile attacks from Gaza. I wouldn't worry as much about the Syrian border area there has only been one (or perhaps 2) incident(s) of stray missiles crossing the border due to the Syrian civil war.
There are many great areas to visit in Israel depending on your interests and religion. I would suggest as must sees visiting Tel Aviv-Jaffa (including a visit to the Diaspora Museum in the Ramat Aviv suburb and a visit to the renovated port area of Jaffa), Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Metzada (where you can take a scenic flight above the area from the lowest airfield below sea level on Earth). I would also suggest the Baha'i Temple Gardens in Haifa if you have the time to do this.
If you are interested in nature underwater you can head to Eilat to visit its aquarium and underwater observatory with coral reef. (A great thing for a child.)
Another thing to do with a child is to visit the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem.
Great replies. Thank you. We want to see as much as we possibly can. I know it's going to be a very wonderful experience emotionally and physically to feel and see the country. I think we would be staying in Eliat, but will need to set up some sort of touring. I would imagine 7 days wouldn't really cover it all?!
Great replies. Thank you. We want to see as much as we possibly can. I know it's going to be a very wonderful experience emotionally and physically to feel and see the country. I think we would be staying in Eliat, but will need to set up some sort of touring. I would imagine 7 days wouldn't really cover it all?!
7 days is really not enough to see all Israel has to offer. If you are staying in Eilat, I assume that you will fly to the center of the country in order to do some touring at least in Jerusalem & Tel Aviv.
Israel is safe, but don't forget to request another passport from the State Department when you get back. By having an Israeli stamp, you will have automatically blocked your self from visiting pretty much any Arab country.
It works the other way too. The Israeli's may not let you in if you have visa stamps from any of their neighbours.
Israel is safe, but don't forget to request another passport from the State Department when you get back. By having an Israeli stamp, you will have automatically blocked your self from visiting pretty much any Arab country.
It works the other way too. The Israeli's may not let you in if you have visa stamps from any of their neighbours.
Israel has peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. So I don't think having an Israeli stamp in one's passport would prevent them from traveling to these countries or the other way around.
Israel has peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. So I don't think having an Israeli stamp in one's passport would prevent them from traveling to these countries or the other way around.
No, but it will stop you from going to Saudi, Dubai, or any of the other Emirates.
Israel is safe, but don't forget to request another passport from the State Department when you get back. By having an Israeli stamp, you will have automatically blocked your self from visiting pretty much any Arab country.
It works the other way too. The Israeli's may not let you in if you have visa stamps from any of their neighbours.
Its not a book that is ordered, its a page that is ordered. Or upon arrival to Israel, you can request external stamped pages upon entry. Also if you intend to visit Arab countries, make sure to check your luggage (and passport cover) after your trip to Israel for Inspection stickers and peel them off.
Unless you're flying into Lebanon, Syria or Iran (and maybe Egypt soon) it doesn't matter.
As to the second comment Israel will ask a few questions, But I've never had an issue in Israel with my UAE/Saudi Arabia/Jordan stamps.
Also I advise you to get a passport card as international ID so you can leave your passport in the hotel safe.
No, but it will stop you from going to Saudi, Dubai, or any of the other Emirates.
Saudia Arabia, Dubai and the Emirates are not next door neighbors to Israel.
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