Popular Misconceptions
Isn't Israel dangerous?
Absolutely not! Yes Israel has seen its share of war. But in the last 35 years there has not been a major conflict inside Israel and when there has been unrest, there has usually been fair warning and the unrest was confined to certain avoidable areas. Today a security barrier separates most of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip from Israel, and leaving politics aside we can all agree that Israel, while it has always been relatively safe compared to most western nations of the world is now one of the safest places to travel. We take every precaution necessary to keep you and your family safe at all times, checking with the authorities daily and making changes to the itinerary when needed. Any of our clients will tell you that not once did they feel threatened during their stay with us here in Israel. As no place in the world is absolutely safe and secure, here in Israel we take security more seriously than anyone else.
Isn't it always extremely hot there in the desert?
Only about half of Israel is in fact desert, and its not your typical desert. In Israel's desert it gets very cold at night in the fall and winter and there can be flash floods which cause beautiful giant desert waterfalls. The rest of the country gets rain in the winter and even snow in Jerusalem, Tzfat and the Golan Heights. There are more species of birds in the world in Israel during the migration season than any other place in the world! Springtime brings the lush grassland and multicolored wildflowers that cover the rolling hillsides and mountain peaks. There is something for everyone in Israel, even a ski resort!
But I can't drink the water or eat the food!
Not only can you drink the water right from the tap, but in Israel you can enjoy some of the finest cuisine and wines that can be found anywhere in the world. The dining and levels of hotels are world class. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the ethnic eateries of Israel. Israel is a nation of immigrants and their generations which have preserved their heritage, especially in their culinary delights! Enjoy Morocan, Tunisian, Yeminite, Eastern European, Kurdish, Turkish or French cuisine all a taxi ride away or short walk from your hotel in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa or Tiberias.
Don't I have to get shots against tropical diseases?
No you don't. You'll find that Israel is one of the most modern, western places that you will ever visit, with access to the classical Middle East just around the corner of your hotel.
But they don't speak English there!
Israel was under British rule between 1917 and 1948, and English became one of three official languages along with Hebrew and Arabic. Most people in Israel speak conversational English as they learn in school from the third grade. Every road and tourist sign in the country must be written in all three languages by law.
