The Mediterranean shoreline and the Sea of Galilee are ideal for swimming, surfing, sailing and water skiing. The Tel Aviv marina offers yachting as well as sailing.

Skin and aqualung diving are especially popular along the Gulfof Eilat, where the season extends throughout the year. The area is usually free of large and strong waves; currents and tides are moderate, with variations of up to 80 cm between high and low tides. These variations do not affect the diver's movement. Visibility is generally excellent, ranging from 15 to 40 meters and even more. Water temperatures range from 21 °C in February to 27 °C in August. A dozen diving schools serve the Red Sea. Prices are comparable to similar undertakings elsewhere in the world.

Apart from diving in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean also offers the possibility of combining diving with archaeological exploration. Underwater Roman ruins are amongst the destinations offered by the diving schools in Ahziv, Acco, Ashkelon and Caesarea.

The Mediterranean has two good diving seasons: autumn and spring. Visibility on good days averages 10 meters, with calm waters. Water temperatures range from 16 °C in February to 29 °C in August.

Basketball

Basketball fans should not miss the chance of attending a game. Few players can match the standards reached by this sport as Israel is as leading basketball nation.

Golf

The Caesarea Golf Club, 40 minutes by car from Tel Aviv or Haifa, welcomes tourists. The full-size 18‑hole course is open all year and a driving range is available. Details:

Archeology

Those who enjoy physical work and who also take an interest in archaeology can spend a day or several weeks assisting Jerusalem University in its excavations. Experience or background knowledge in archaeology is not necessary. The digs take place under expert supervision at a number of locations throughout the country. Go in search of Roman ruins in the Old Town of Jerusalem, for example, or look for remains from Biblical times at Hazor in Galilee. Those interested can apply each spring to obtain an up-to-date list of current archaeological projects, possible locations and work conditions.

Information concerning participation in excavations can be obtained from the Israel Antiquities Authority, PO Box 586, Jerusalem 91004, tel: 5602627, 292628.

Kibbutzim

Voluntary work is also accepted in other spheres: young people up to 32 years of age can 'help out' in a kibbutz or a moshav at virtually any time. Food and accommodation are free, working clothes are provided and pocket money is often also included.

If you plan to work in a kibbutz, a minimum period of commitment is a precondition, usually at least four weeks. It is also necessary to submit a negative HIV test result with your application. The working week averages 36 hours. Travel costs are borne by the applicant.

Getting There

By air

Ben-Gurion International Airport is situated in Lydda near the Mediterranean coast, 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv, 50 km west of Jerusalem and 110 km southeast of Haifa, and is the main hub for international air traffic.

About half the international flights in and out of Ben-Gurion International Airport are operated by the Israeli government-owned El Al Israel Airlines, which carries more than 2 million passengers a year. The airport is also served by many other major airlines, including British Airways and TWA. Charter aircraft mostly uses Eilat’s temporary airport at Uvda.

Luggage checks are always very thorough. The Israelis do not rely on radar luggage checks but search all items by hand – one reason why El Al maintained such a good safety record in times of terrorist activity. It is therefore recommended that you arrive at the airport in good time.

By sea

Since 1993 it has also been possible to enter Israel by sea. Israel's main ports are Haifa and Ashdod. Official ports of entry for foreign yachts and boats also include Eilat and the Tel Aviv Marina. The Stability Line and Sol Line offer sailings from Europe to Haifa port and many Mediterranean cruises include Israel in their itinerary. Between June and September the Arcadia Line operates sailings from Limassol, Rhodes and Piraeus to Haifa.

Overland

A 'green card' insurance certificate is required for cars temporarily imported into Israel. There are few border-crossing points where one can enter Israel from the surrounding Arab countries. From Jordan, the main routes are via the AIlenby Bridge near Jericho or the border crossing point at Eilat, which was opened in 1994. The Damiya Bridge, between Bet Shean and Nablus, has also been opened up to general traffic. For other points of entry from Jordan, check the latest details with Israel's Ministry of Tourism. From Egypt, one can enter the country along the common frontier on the Sinai Peninsula at Netafim, Nizzana and Taba. Near Rafiah there is a crossing point into the new autonomous region of the Gaza Strip, through which it is possible to continue overland to Israel.

Getting Around By air

Inland Hights in small and medium-sized propeller aircraft can be booked through Arkia Airways. The airports served are Beersheba, Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem, Rosh Pina, Sodom and Tel Aviv.

By car

Driving in Israel is easy and convenient, as the road network is comprehensive and well maintained. The only difficult aspect, as elsewhere in the world, is the parking situation in the town centers. Traffic regulations differ only minimally from those prevailing in Europe. It is advisable; however, to pay attention as infringements can result in a heavy fine. The main rules to remember are that speed limits are in general 40–50 kph in the built-up areas, 80 kph on country roads and 90 kph on motorways. Parking spaces are marked by blue-and-white pavement markings; prohibited parking by red-and-white ones. To assist orientation most road and information signs are written in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English.

Car rental is relatively expensive, and fuel is not exactly cheap. Parking is restricted at all times of day and night. Cars, however, provide independence from public transport, which does not run from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years; a national driver's license is sufficient if you aren't staying in the country for more than one year.

Public transport

Buses are infinitely superior to all other means of public transport, including trains. For this reason, every town has its own bus station. Egged, the government-run bus company runs timetable services with its blue vehicles to almost all towns in the country and to Cairo. Tel Aviv is also served by the Dan bus service. All bus companies offer inexpensive rover and tour tickets.

Israel also offers an unusual form of transport for short distances: a synthesis between taxi and bus. Sherut taxis are multiple-occupancy taxis which run along specific routes and which do not set out until all seats have been taken. Depending upon the distance traveled, each passenger contributes to the cost.

Compared with the comprehensive network served by the buses and multiple-occupancy taxis, the train link between Tel Aviv and Nahariya-Haifa seems very modest.

Fads for the Visitor

Visas

The only requirement for entry is a passport valid for at least six months. Tourists are permitted to stay for up to three months in Israel without further formalities. For longer periods the Ministry of the Interior readily grants residence permits.

If you want to continue your journey from Israel through an Arab country, you should insist that your date of entry into Israel is not stamped into your passport but on a separate form. With the exception of Egypt and Jordan, most Arab countries refuse entry to tourists who have visited Israel. Should you wish to travel on to Egypt or Jordan, make sure you obtain a visa in advance from the embassy in Tel Aviv. Visas for southern Sinai can be obtained in Taba.

Customs

Apart from items for personal use, visitors may import duty free one liter of spirits, up to two liter’s of wine, 250 cigarettes, 250 ml perfume, 10 films and gifts to a total value of US$125. Items such as video recorders of all kinds, computers or diving equipment must be declared. If these are intended for personal use, no duty will be charged but a deposit linked to the value of the goods in question must be paid.

The shekel and the Agorot are the official units of currency.

There is no limit to the amounts of foreign currencies, which may be imported, but Israeli shekels may be imported up to a maximum value of only US$500. In view of the currency losses resulting from the considerably less favorable exchange rate offered outside Israel, it is unwise to export shekels. Before leaving the country, however, only a maximum, again, of the equivalent of US$500 may be changed back into foreign currency without a receipt. If receipts are presented, however, unlimited amounts of NIS can be changed. The moral: keep currency receipts.

Credit cards are widely used and accepted. Traveler’s checks will also be accepted without difficulty.

Foreign currency can be changed in any bank and at the specially designated bureau de change, as well as in most hotels.

Tipping

There are two attitudes to tipping in Israel. Firstly an appropriate tip is given for good service. Included in this category is the obligatory tip for porters. The second variation is that based on the Arab tradition: guests hoping for particularly friendly service during their stay offer the tip upon arrival, thus opening up the prospect of an equally high tip upon departure. Sherut taxis are not tipped; cab drivers don't need to be, but it will be appreciated.

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