Items to Bring to Israel; More than Just Socks and Toothpaste

If you’re traveling to Tel Aviv, and spending time in Israel, you must adhere to the following list and make sure to bring each item to ensure a happy, worry-free and meaningful trip!

Coast of Caesarea, one point on a map of places to visit

First and foremost, bring things to protect you from the harsh Mediterranean sun:

1. Sunblock – Whatever SPF suits you at home, take it up a notch when traveling to Israel. Aside from the strength of the sun, the cost of sunblock in Israel borders on ludicrous. Believe me, when a friend leaves their visit, I politely beg for whatever they have left.

A Beautiful Start to a Day in Tel Aviv

2. A hat – Forget about your cute hairdos. After one day of your long luscious curls cascading down your back, you’ll be flopping your hair on a bun atop your head or into a braid you will find yourself remembering how to make, so slap a hat on your head and protect yourself from the heat.

Sunglasses: check. Hot necks: 75% chance of yes.

3. With the heat comes mosquitoes. You can’t avoid them. Bug Repellent is only one form of defense. Assume one of these demons will find it’s sucker in your tasty foreign blood. Bring anti-itch topical cream, and don’t buy the mild version. In fact, taking an allergy pill(over the counter is strong enough) helps combat the insanity of mosquito bites here.

Next, what to wear:

1. Israel has a lot of outdoor excursion opportunities and you should dress accordingly: tennis shoes, loose-fitting clothing, sweat-absorbent clothes.

2. This is not to say that you should leave all your nicest clothes at home. By all means, nights in Tel Aviv were made to party. If you’re a lady, I’d leave your heels at home. The fashion might be for short girls to wear heels, but girls of average height(5’4 and above) usually wear flats. However, if you are set on heels, by all means, don’t let me stop you.

3. And if you’re planning on attending synagogue, or any holy site, be sure to bring a cardigan to cover your arms past your elbows and a skirt that reaches past your knees.

4. Bring more underwear than you think you’ll need. It’s hot; you can’t wear the same pair all day long.

Money:

1. On my first trip abroad without my parents(to Australia) my parents insisted on traveler’s checks. Upon arrival in Israel, convert the American money you have new Israeli shekels. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, *American Express*, etc. without worry about a large conversion fee and one can take shekels out an ATM found on many street corners.

Other:

Sun Going Down

Most importantly, if you’re coming to Israel(or the Middle East) for the first time, bring an open mind. It’s different here, not better and certainly not worse, but different. Most people who visit Israel think it’s going to be sand and camels, katyushkas and soldiers with guns. It’s nothing like that. Yes, there is sand, and I have a camel living very near to my own home, rockets are fired and most Israelis 18-22 are serving in the army and are armed. But, Israel is so much more than that. And when you come here, you will see how amazing the Holy Land is, and how important it is to preserve it as a homeland for Jews all over the world. Bring your optimism, bring your appetite, bring your patience, bring your sorrow, bring your joy, bring your laughter, bring your tears, bring your heart and bring your soul. You’ll need them all.