What you need to bring
Essentials
Bathing Suit
Good walking shoes
Hat and Sunglasses
Light Jacket
Sunscreen
Ladies: Carpris or Past the Knee Skirts (see good to know section below)
Ladies: Scarf or Light sweater to cover shoulders (see good to know section below)
Good To Know
Memorial Day Siren – As the siren rings, each person must stop and stand up – if you are visiting during April 17-18 Memorial Day Yom Hazikaron, or April 11-12 Holocaust Remembrance day.
Cover up at Holy Sites – Israel is full of holy sites, shoulders and knees should be covered. As a sign of respect it is imperative to dress modestly.
The Dead sea –> shave 2 or 3 days prior – the overly salted water and mineral rich mud, while a relief to eczema, psoriasis and acne, will sting and burn all the “places you shave & wax” if recently done.
Be respectful of Orthodox Jewish Laws – Orthodox Jews follow extremely strict religious and social observances, such as ones that restrict physical contact of any kind between men and women, including accidental contact, such as bumping into one another on while in the shops or the street.
Tip your restaurant waitstaff – this is the only income (wage) they receive, their employer does not pay them.
Don’t smoke on Saturday – if you must smoke, do so in private and far from visual and nasal range of an Orthodox Jew, as well as public places and observe prohibited smoking signs at all times.
Don’t wander off the paths – as there are still landmines from previous wars in many areas, especially at parks, desert, and large open rural areas.
