Jerusalem’s Old City: A Confluence of Faiths

Worry-Free Cancellation

Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travellers a full cash refund for the price of the tour right up to the day before departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you’re protected.

Tour Coverage

Our travel protection plan covers you on tour. You’re covered if you must stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss, or delay on tour for 12 hours or more.

Travel Protection is just $499 per person.

A double room has either one large bed or two smaller ones. Double rooms are perfect for couples or travelling with a companion and wishing to share a room. There are plenty of double rooms available on our tours.

A single or solo room has only one bed and may be smaller. These rooms are first-come, first-served, as most properties have only a certain amount available.

A triple room usually consists of a standard double room with two beds. Depending on the room size and local fire codes, a cot or fold-up bed may be added. Triples are first-come, first-served, as they are also very limited. If you booked a triple and only a double and single room is available at a hotel, we will assess appropriate charges for the single and double accommodations.

We will forward your request to the hotel and do our best to accommodate your needs; however, please know that we cannot make any guarantees. 

On every tour, we look to provide the highest quality accommodations in the best location. If you’re visiting a city, we want you in the heart of it. In certain countries, the hotel rooms may be smaller than standard hotel rooms in North America.

Here are a few details to keep in mind:

Individual hotels set check-in times that can vary, but most hotels offer afternoon check-ins. You may have to wait before entering your room, depending on your arrival time. Some hotels may be willing to store your luggage in a secure location until your room is ready. In these instances, the hotel is not responsible for lost or stolen items and may charge for this service.

Please observe checkout times at all properties. Hotels designate these as well.

Some hotels require a credit card imprint or passport information upon check-in to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. You will be responsible for all incidental costs during your stay and must pay for them at checkout.

Hotel membership programs are not applicable.

We offer full-service transfers from start to finish. So, when you arrive at your destination airport, we transfer you to your first hotel on the tour.

Our air-inclusive Iconic Israel tour package includes this service.

We set meeting locations and times to accommodate your transfer arrival and departure schedules, which we’ll provide in your documents packet.

If you decide to arrange your own transportation to the hotel, please check in with your Tour Manager once you arrive.

Your comfort is important to us. With that in mind, we charter coaches for The Iconic Israel Tour which are temperature-controlled and have toilet facilities on board. However, in certain countries, coaches with toilet facilities may not be available, or they are for emergency use only. If this is the case, please be assured that they make frequent stops along the touring route for your comfort and convenience.

Change your seat, change your view! At least once a day, the Tour Manager will ask all guests to change seats. They ensure that every guest has an opportunity to enjoy a variety of views as they travel and a chance to get to know each other better. In fairness to all, there will be no exceptions to this policy.

At the beginning of your tour, your Tour Manager will distribute a personal radio and headset. You should wear them on sightseeing tours to ensure you can hear your guides clearly. Please bring them with you every day. Your Tour Manager will collect them at the end of your tour, typically on your last evening. You are responsible for returning these devices. We may charge a replacement if they are lost.

Thank you for choosing to travel with us and allowing us to guide you along this adventure! From the moment you step out your door, we strive to provide a comprehensive, stress-free, and unforgettable travel experience. To that end, we include the following features with your tour: motor coach transportation, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (porterage), select meals, admission to attractions as outlined in your itinerary, and gratuities for bellhops, door attendants, and wait staff.

The food people eat is a window into their history, traditions, and values, and sharing food brings people together. One of the many beautiful aspects of travel is to experience as much of the regional cuisine as possible. Your tour includes many meals as outlined on your itinerary. Our team has carefully chosen restaurants that feature local ingredients and offer regional flavours.

Meals Not Included on Your Iconic Israel Tour Itinerary

For meals not included in your itinerary, your Tour Manager will happily recommend eateries and local businesses that best fit your taste and needs.

The average price for meals in this region ranges from 15 to 25 US Dollars for lunch and 25 to 35 US Dollars for dinner. They include gratuity on the bill. If not, a standard tip is 10-15%.

Water

The water is safe to drink throughout most of Israel, with the Dead Sea being the only exception. You should drink bottled water during this part of your tour.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout each day of your tour to stay hydrated.

Food Allergies and Diet Restrictions

Please let your Tour Manager know of any food allergies or dietary needs you may have at the beginning of your tour.

Most restaurants in Israel are Kosher. Breakfasts are generally buffets and do not include breakfast meats.

The Food: Iconic Israel Tour

You’re in for a treat as you explore the many delicious flavours of Israel.

Israeli food is similar to Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine. Common ingredients include lentils, nuts, raw vegetables, lamb, and beef.

Dairy products like goat cheese and various yogurts make their way onto many dishes here.

Traditional Mediterranean spices are used more notably in salads and spreads.

Familiar dishes of Israeli cuisine include falafel, hummus, couscous, fish, chicken, and turkey.

Dessert, Fruit Drinks, and Coffee in Iconic Israel

For dessert in Israel, fruit salad, honey cake, and wonder cake — a non-dairy chocolate cake – are common. Perhaps the most popular desserts are the famous rugelach – a sweet dough rolled with sweet fillings – or baklava, a crunchy pastry containing nuts and honey.

Fruit drinks are popular in Israel as the produce is grown locally and incredibly fresh. Typical beverages include mint tea, lemonade, egg cream, and fruit shakes.

Coffee lovers will enjoy Israel’s Turkish-style cup of java with its sweet notes of cardamom and caramel.

Here is a list of entities we recommend you contact before you depart on The Iconic Israel Tour:

1. Your cell phone/mobile carrier if you plan to use your device. You will want to confirm you have access to the area(s) you will visit and enquire about any charges you incur.
2. Your credit card company for any card(s) you plan to use. Ensure the card company knows when and where you will be travelling to avoid declined charges.
3. Your bank so that you can use your ATM/debit card worry-free. If you travel to another country, your bank can tell you if your card will work at the ATMs to dispense local currency, including your PIN. Also, indicate if you plan to use your debit card as a credit card if your card has that option. Your bank will advise you of any charges for each transaction as well.

Other Tips

Leave a copy of your itinerary, hotel list (included in your tour documents bundle), and a contact number with a designated person in case an emergency arises while you’re away and someone needs to reach you.

We recommend you leave a copy of your passport at home in a secure location and bring an additional copy as a precaution.
During your flight, stand up, walk around as much as possible, and drink plenty of water. These simple suggestions will help you stay comfortable, particularly during long flights.

One of the best parts of travelling is returning home with souvenirs that reflect where you’ve just been.

In Israel, religious items make popular souvenirs that are not hard to find in the “Holy Land.”

Many travellers love to collect beautiful glass-made products, ceramics, and silver in Israel.

Olive wood carvings are extremely popular here.

For those who love beautiful jewels and jewellery, Israel is one of the world’s leading diamond manufacturing and trading centres.
If you’d like to bring home a taste of Israel, olive oil and honey are renowned products in this area.

If you purchase DVDs or other electronic equipment, check to be sure it will be compatible with your PC or other home equipment.

Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, you’ll find streets lined with shops devoted to one particular item: spices, clothing, fabrics, furniture, original gift items, and accessories.

Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, the “Old City,” discover souvenirs like artifacts, wooden ornaments, seashells, leather and straw goods, blown glass, and clothing.

The highest elevation encountered on this tour is 2,900 feet in Jerusalem.

Here are a few of our suggestions:

Tour Manager: To express appreciation for your Tour Manager’s excellent service delivery, 5-8 US Dollars (or equivalent in local currency) per person for each travel day is customary. (When to tip: at the end of your tour.)

Motor Coach Driver: To express appreciation for a job well done, 3-5 US Dollars (or equivalent in local currency) per person for each travel day is customary. (When to tip: at the end of your tour or time with your driver.)

Money Exchange

You may exchange money at airports, banks, exchange bureaus, and most hotels. There is a commission charge to exchange your money. Hotels usually offer a better currency exchange rate than airports.

Credit Cards

We recommend carrying only a few major credit cards. Credit card purchases often provide an additional guarantee on your purchase (check with your specific credit card company for details and fees). It is advisable to contact any credit card company you intend to utilize while on tour before you depart to notify them where you will be travelling, to avoid any rejection of services. 

US Dollars & Local Currency

In Israel, local vendors may accept US dollars. We suggest you bring small bills of both US dollars and local currency. We recommend you exchange money upon arrival at your destination, according to your spending needs. Travel dollar cards provide you with added security. They can be obtained through your bank or local travel agencies, although they sometimes are only sometimes accepted in Israel.

The currency in Israel is the New Shekel.

Optional Tours for Purchase with Iconic Israel Tour

Optional tours may be available to purchase; please note that credit cards must have an expiration date greater than 30 days from the start of the tour.

Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please let your Client Care agent know when you book your tour. Please note we cannot guarantee your request as many hotels prohibit smoking in rooms and on property.

Please be mindful of other locations where smoking is not allowed. These include the motor coach, dining venues, and any other restricted areas on tour. Guests are responsible for any fines they incur for failing to comply with smoking regulations.