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2010 Itinerary
For the very best in Jordan and Israel travel in 2010, trust Tauck!
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land transportation, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. The departure taxes levied by israel and Jordan and the Jordan visa fee are included. Transportation is included from Ben Gurion International Airport, located midway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to InterContinental David Tel Aviv, provided we have received accurate international flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation is also included from Le Méridien Amman to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman when you choose to depart. Transfers to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot, where available, and are not recommended for comfort. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will do all we can to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may consider “adjacent” to be across the hall.
Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Israel and Jordan is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff, and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish us to arrange additional nights for you, please view our hotel selections listed under Extend This Journey on this webpage and then discuss your request with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the details provided under Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
- Pack some basic clothing in your carry-on bag
- Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
- Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
- Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
- Be sure to place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
- File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
- Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
- Be certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuities to the Tauck Director and drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – If you are traveling from the U.S., beginning in 2010, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program will require that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith; not John Thomas Smith, not Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your photo ID.
If you make your air travel arrangements through Tauck, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site, www.tsa.gov, by clicking here.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and civic holidays locally observed.
In Israel, the religious and civic holidays for 2010 are:
| Feb 28 | Purim (Tel Aviv) |
(school holiday; optional paid leave) |
|
|
Mar 30- |
Pesach | (Passover) | |
| Apr 19 | Yom Ha'Atzmaut | (Israel Independence Day) | |
| May 19-20 | Shavuot | (Pentecost) | |
| Sep 9-10 | Rosh Hashanah | (New Year) | |
| Sep 18 | Yom Kippur | (Day of Atonement) | |
| Oct 1 | Simchat Torah | (Rejoining of the Law) | |
| Sep 23-29 | Sukkot | (Tabernacles) | |
| Dec 2-9 | Chanukah | (Festival of Lights) |
Note: Only the first and last days of Passover and Sukkot are national holidays, but there may be some disruption on intermediate dates; many shops and businesses may open but close early. The festival of Chanukah is a holiday period, but it is not a national holiday - businesses remain open. Jewish festivals always commence on the evenings before the dates given above.
In Jordan, the religious and civic holidays for 2010 are:
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | (Ras Assanah al-Miladi) | |
| Feb 26 | Muhammad's Birth | (Mawlid al-Nabi) | |
| Apr 4 | Easter Sunday | (Eid Al Fiseh Al Atheem, Al Eid Al Kbeer) | |
| Same for Western and Eastern Christian Churches in 2010) | |||
| May 1 | Labor Day | (Eid el-Ommal) | |
| May 25 | Independence Day | (Eid al-Istiklaal) | |
| Sep 10 | Little Feast | (Eid al-Fitr) | |
| End of Ramadan | |||
| Nov 16 | Big Feast | (Eid al-Adha) | |
| Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. | |||
| Dec 7 | New Year | (Ras Assanah Al Hijri) | |
| Islamic New Year | |||
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day | (Eid Al Milad Al Majeed, Al Eid Il Sagheer) | |
| Same day of celebration for Western and Eastern Christian Churches every year |
The Jewish religious day is Saturday (Shabbat) and begins at nightfall on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Most public services and shops close early on Friday as a result. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations. Thus, depending on the district, the day of rest falls on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times – The tour begins at 7:00 PM at the InterContinental David Tel Aviv on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends when you check out of Le Méridien Amman on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow a minimum 3 hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Travel Document Requirements –
If you are a U.S. citizen, you require a passport with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the completion of the tour. However, you do not require a visa to visit Israel for a short stay of 3 months or less. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Israel and of Jordan to determine what travel documentation you will need for entry into Israel and Jordan.
All guests are required to provide their passport information to Tauck at time of booking.
On Day 9, the tour will cross the Israel border with Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein crossing/North Border, which is located 56mi (90 km) north of Amman close to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). Your coach will arrive at the Israel border where all guests will disembark the coach to have their passports stamped – the exit fee will have been prepaid by Tauck. After processing, all guests will re-board the Israeli coach, which will then proceed across the border to the Jordan side. Once the coach is on the Jordan side, all guests will again disembark the coach and proceed to the terminal building while all luggage is transferred from our Israeli coach to our Jordanian coach. The Tauck Director, along with our Jordanian guide, will use a passport manifest to pay the visa fees for all guests, and then lead you through immigration and the security checkpoint. Passports will then be individually stamped and all guests will board the Jordanian coach. Upon exit, you may or may not have to take luggage off the coach to be scanned. The entire process will take just over an hour.
We strongly recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Security Screening for U.S. citizens
You are advised that all persons applying for entry to Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza are subject to security and police record checks by the Government of Israel, and may be denied entry or exit without explanation. U.S. citizens whom Israeli authorities suspect of being of Arab or Muslim origin are likely to face additional, often time-consuming, and probing questioning by immigration and border authorities, or may even be denied entry into Israel.
Israeli-Americans: The Government of Israel considers U.S. citizens who also hold Israeli citizenship or have a claim to dual nationality to be Israeli citizens for immigration and other legal purposes. For example, a U.S. citizen child of an Israeli parent will be considered an Israeli citizen by Israeli immigration officials and Israeli law will apply to the child's travel to, and departure from, Israel. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of Israel must enter and depart Israel using their current Israeli passport. Israeli citizens are currently not permitted to enter Gaza and are generally restricted from traveling to parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control. Contact the Israeli Ministry of Interior or your nearest Israeli Embassy or Consulate for more information on citizenship and travel restrictions for Israeli citizens.
Palestinian-Americans: U.S. citizens who have a Palestinian Authority ID number or who are considered by the Government of Israel to have residency status in the West Bank or Gaza are advised to read this section very carefully. It is possible that Israeli authorities would consider as Palestinian anyone who has a Palestinian Identification number, was born in the West Bank or Gaza, or was born in the United States but has parents or grandparents who were born or lived in the West Bank or Gaza. Any such U.S. citizens may be required to travel to Israel using their Palestinian Authority passport, regardless of whether they hold U.S. citizenship. Without the Palestinian Authority passport, these Americans may be barred from entering or exiting Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, or they may face serious delays at the ports of entry.
Individuals who hold a Palestinian Authority ID, as well as persons judged by Israeli authorities to have claim to a Palestinian Authority ID by virtue of ancestry, will be considered subject to Israeli law and to regulations that Israel applies to residents of the West Bank and Gaza, regardless of whether they also hold U.S. citizenship. In most cases, such individuals will be required by Israeli authorities to enter the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge (also known as King Hussein Bridge) border crossing with Jordan, rather than entering Israel via Ben Gurion International Airport unless they obtain a transit permit for that purpose in advance. Even if they have entered Israel via Ben Gurion Airport, they may be required to depart via the Allenby Bridge. Upon arrival at any of the Ports of Entry, such persons may wish to consider asking Israeli immigration authorities from where they will be required to depart.
Back-to-Back Tours
Israel and Jordan is designed to finish one day before the start of our tour, Egypt: Jewels along the Nile. We have determined that traveling from Israel to Egypt is a less cumbersome and problematic process for travel documentation than travelling in the other direction. Based on the design of our itineraries (hotels, cultural aspects, etc), we feel you will have the best travel experience if you join the Egypt: Jewels along the Nile tour after completing the Israel and Jordan tour.
Travel with Children –
Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All activities are available for children 8 years of age or older. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. if you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Air Conditioning – All hotels and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort.
ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of both sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
In Jordan, credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Please note that many smaller shops still prefer cash payment in the Jordanian currency, and it’s essential for shopping in the local souks.
Clothing and Packing – Your journey through Israel and Jordan is casual. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Comfortable, cotton clothing is suggested. For travel from February through early June and late September through November, you will need a light jacket or fleece, a light sweater and a rain poncho. No special attire is required for dining, although you may wish to dress more formally for fine dining experiences in metropolitan areas.
Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes have good ankle support, as we visit some ancient sites where paths and stairs may be uneven and unpaved.
In Jerusalem, you should dress appropriately when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.
Jordan is primarily a Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected. Muslim women’s clothing often covers their arms, legs and hair. Western women are not subject to these customs, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women in the old part of Amman (Downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex, and would be out of place in the downtown Amman area. Topless sunbathing is prohibited and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are acceptable at hotel pools.
Valet laundry services are available at all the hotels.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to Israel and Jordan:
- Comfortable, cotton clothing
- Shorts and long pants
- Short and long sleeve shirts
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Swimwear
- Gym wear
- A light sweater or jacket
- Lightweight waterproof slicker
- Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock
- Collapsible umbrella
- Pre-moistened towelettes
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
Elevation – Elevations on this tour are:
| Tel Aviv | 150 ft | (46 m) | |
| Haifa | 1700 ft | (518 m) | |
| Jerusalem | 2723 ft | (830 m) | |
| Dead Sea | -1230 ft | (-375 m) | |
| ( the lowest spot on Earth) | |||
| Petra | 1900 ft | (579 m) | |
| Amman | 2200-3000 ft | (671-914 m) (hill city) |
Health – Israel and Jordan is an active tour. You should be in good health, able to climb into and out of a small boat and walk reasonable distances over unpaved and uneven terrain. Many of our walking excursions are in and around ancient sites and old city quarters.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this tour. We also regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Throughout the tour, we will provide you with clean and safe drinking water.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
We strongly suggest that you have adequate health insurance when traveling abroad for these reasons:
- U.S. Social Security Medicare Program participants will not receive coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the U.S.
- Many U.S. health insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas. Those that provide "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad may not pay for your medical evacuation back to the U.S., which can easily cost $10,000 USD and up depending on your location and medical condition.
- Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service.
- Uninsured patients may be refused service.
- Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service.
- Uninsured patients may be refused service.
- Countries with socialized medicine may not provide full services to non-residents.
- Payment of hospital and other expenses abroad is the responsibility of the traveler.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Israel and of Jordan to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions –
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage – General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, or when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
If your U.S. cell phone or hand held wireless device is programmed for international service, it will work automatically in Israel. Alternatively, cell phones can be rented as soon as you arrive in Israel. To use one of the many public phones in Israel, you will need to buy a “Telecart” magnetic card. These are readily available at newsstands, supermarkets, post offices or at your hotel’s front desk.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Israel and Jordan.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency of Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), which is divided into 100 agorot. However, the Bank of Israel has done away with anything smaller that a 5 agorot coin; therefore, prices will be rounded up when you pay in coin, but will be exact if charged. The bills you will see commonly in circulation are the 200-shekel bill (orange-red), 100-shekel bill (brown), 50-shekel bill (purple) and the 20-shekel bill (green). The new 20-shekel bill is made out of plastic. Eventually, all Israeli bills will be made this way. Plastic bills are supposed to be harder to counterfeit and last longer than paper ones. They are also hard to keep folded and keep popping out of your wallet, so keep an eye on them! The coins in circulation include the 1, 2, 5 and 10-shekel coins, plus the 5, 10 and 50-agorot coins. Shekel coins are made of a nickel alloy and increase in size as they go up in value. Be careful not to confuse the 1 and 2 shekel coins, as they are not that different in size.
The local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD or JD), which is often called the “jaydee”. There are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50-JD notes. The dinar is divided onto 100 piastres (pronounced “pee-asters”) of 1000 fils (pronounced “fills”). The fils is the unit most commonly used and you will usually see prices written as 4,750 (which is 4 JD and 750 fils). The government is in the process of phasing out fils coinage. Older coins say fils; newer coins of the same size say the equivalent number of piastres. The older fils coins do not have numerals on them. The value is written in English script but can be very difficult to read. Learn the sizes. The newer piastre coins do have Arabic numerals (that is the number as written by Arabs), plus the value spelled out in English. This will help you learn the Arabic numerals for 1, 5 and 0. Coins come in 1 dinar, 1/2 dinar, 1/4 dinar, 100 fils (10 piastres), 50 fils (5 piastres), 25 fils (2.5 piastres), and 10 fils (1 piastre). Paper money comes in 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinar denominations. They vary in size and color, but it is possible to mix up the 1 and 10 if you are not careful. Currency can be exchanged at major banks, exchange booths and at most hotels. Street moneychangers are best avoided. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank.
To obtain the latest currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, oanda.com, by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Currently, Israel levies a 16.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on consumer goods and services; Jordan levies a 13% Vat. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back the equivalent of $800 USD in goods duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own resident country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in Israel and Jordan is 220/230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If you bring electrical devices that do not conform to this standard, then you will need to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Laptops are always dual-voltage so all you will need is a European-style two-pin converter plug that will work in Israel.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
InterContinental David - Wireless access / $22 USD Initial Fee
Colony Haifa - Complimentary wireless access throughout hotel
David Citadel - High-speed access
Mövenpick Dead Sea - Wireless access
Mövenpick Petra - Wireless access
Le Méridien Amman - High-speed and wireless access
Internet access fees are subject to change without notice.
Time Zones – Israel and Jordan are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March to late September, Israel switches to Daylight Savings Time (DST), and is 3 hours ahead; Jordan switches to DST from late March to late October. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.
Weather –
In Israel, from December through February, the average temperature in Tel Aviv ranges from 41-65
°F (5-18 °C), although it may get colder around the Jerusalem. From March through April, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer. From June through August/September, the weather is hot and humid. Temperatures range from 75-95 °F (24-35 °C). On very hot days in Tel Aviv, which occur in August, temperatures may rise to 108 °F (42 °C) mixed with 95% humidity. In Jerusalem, those days are as hot, but without the humidity, and in Eilat temperature may even climb to 122 °F (50 °C), but without the humidity. From September through November, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer.
Jordan is approximately 90% desert, with an annual rainfall below 8 in (203 mm) and falling as low as 1-2 in (25-50 mm) in some places. Jordan is a very sunny country with average daily sunshine hours ranging from six to seven hours per day in winter and as many as twelve to thirteen hours per day in the summer. Although summer temperatures are high in the desert, the heat is usually moderated by low humidity and a stiff daytime breeze while the nights are cool and pleasant. You should expect hot and dry summers with cool evenings.
| CLIMATE CHART | ||||||||
| Temperature | ||||||||
| Tel Aviv | Haifa | |||||||
| Israel | Israel | |||||||
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Celsius | |||||
| High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | |
| Jan | 63 | 50 | 17 | 10 | 63 | 51 | 17 | 11 |
| Feb | 63 | 50 | 17 | 10 | 63 | 50 | 17 | 10 |
| Mar | 67 | 53 | 19 | 12 | 68 | 53 | 20 | 12 |
| Apr | 73 | 59 | 23 | 15 | 73 | 58 | 23 | 14 |
| May | 76 | 64 | 24 | 18 | 78 | 64 | 26 | 18 |
| Jun | 81 | 70 | 27 | 21 | 83 | 70 | 28 | 21 |
| Jul | 84 | 74 | 29 | 23 | 87 | 74 | 31 | 23 |
| Aug | 86 | 75 | 30 | 24 | 88 | 76 | 31 | 24 |
| Sep | 85 | 73 | 29 | 23 | 85 | 73 | 29 | 23 |
| Oct | 81 | 67 | 27 | 19 | 82 | 67 | 28 | 19 |
| Nov | 75 | 60 | 24 | 16 | 75 | 60 | 24 | 16 |
| Dec | 67 | 53 | 19 | 12 | 66 | 53 | 19 | 12 |
| Dead Sea | Petra | |||||||
| Jordan | Jordan | |||||||
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Celsius | |||||
| High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | |
| Jan | 54 | 41 | 12 | 5 | 56 | 36 | 13 | 2 |
| Feb | 55 | 41 | 13 | 5 | 59 | 37 | 15 | 3 |
| Mar | 60 | 45 | 16 | 7 | 65 | 42 | 18 | 6 |
| Apr | 70 | 51 | 21 | 11 | 76 | 50 | 24 | 10 |
| May | 78 | 56 | 26 | 13 | 84 | 57 | 29 | 14 |
| Jun | 82 | 61 | 28 | 16 | 90 | 61 | 32 | 16 |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 29 | 18 | 93 | 65 | 34 | 18 |
| Aug | 85 | 65 | 29 | 18 | 94 | 64 | 34 | 18 |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 28 | 17 | 90 | 61 | 32 | 16 |
| Oct | 77 | 59 | 25 | 15 | 81 | 54 | 27 | 12 |
| Nov | 67 | 51 | 19 | 11 | 69 | 45 | 21 | 7 |
| Dec | 57 | 44 | 14 | 7 | 59 | 38 | 15 | 3 |
| Rainfall | ||||
| Tel Aviv | Haifa | |||
| Israel | Israel | |||
| Inches | Millimeters | Inches | Millimeters | |
| Jan | 3.3 | 84 | 4.2 | 105 |
| Feb | 2.7 | 67 | 3.5 | 88 |
| Mar | 1.5 | 38 | 2.0 | 51 |
| Apr | 0.1 | 2 | 0.6 | 16 |
| May | 0.0 | 1 | 0.1 | 4 |
| Jun | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Jul | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Aug | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Sep | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Oct | 0.9 | 22 | 0.7 | 17 |
| Nov | 1.3 | 32 | 2.6 | 65 |
| Dec | 2.9 | 75 | 3.4 | 86 |
| 320 | 432 | |||
| Dead Sea | Petra | |||
| Jordan | Jordan | |||
| Inches | Millimeters | Inches | Millimeters | |
| Jan | 4.0 | 101 | 0.2 | 5 |
| Feb | 3.7 | 94 | 0.2 | 4 |
| Mar | 2.4 | 62 | 0.2 | 4 |
| Apr | 0.4 | 11 | 0.1 | 1 |
| May | 0.2 | 5 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Jun | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Jul | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Aug | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Sep | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Oct | 0.3 | 7 | 0.1 | 4 |
| Nov | 1.6 | 41 | 0.1 | 3 |
| Dec | 3.7 | 94 | 0.1 | 2 |
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have the cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
$600 per person (the cost of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$1,250 per person
7-1 days before departure
$2,000 per person
Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.
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