Packing

Obviously, you should pack conservatively for such a far trip, and if you do forget something, it’s pretty easy to buy it in Israel (though  prices  may be higher).  Airlines are now charging more for baggage in excess of the weight limits, so beware!  On my last warm-weather trip, I got my main bag down to 42 lbs. (19 kgs).  I’m a congenital excess packer – if I can do it, you can.  - 10 - n terms of weather, Israel really only has two seasons.  The summer is from April to October, and it is warm to hot and sunny everyday, and almost never rains.  Sometime in October or November, the “winter” begins with the arrival of the rains (very welcome in this parched land), and this lasts until sometime in March or early April.  In October 2006, we had a surprising amount of rain, unusual for that time of year, but we still were able to do and see nearly

everything we wanted.  If you are watching costs, November  can be  a less expensive time to visit, but the weather can be unpredictable.   On two November trips, I had flawless weather, and even unusually warm on my last one, but in November 1993 I had quite a bit more rain, including major blocks over several days and temperatures in the 50s F (low teens C).  In November, take light sweaters and a light jacket, but remember to take hats for the sun, which can still be intense.  March can also be quite nice, with wildflowers blooming after the winter rains.  If you go in December through February, know that the weather can be quite cool, wet, and  even nasty.  Snow is quite rare (and only in the higher elevations, such as Jerusalem), but temperatures in the 40s F (single digits Celsius) with rain are common.  From May through midOctober, rain will not be a problem.  I have made three trips in late June, and it can be hot, but not generally brutally so.  May is a wonderful time to go, unless, like my friend Louis, you have allergies to olive tree pollen, because they’re in full bloom.  Temperatures are generally in the 70s F (high 20s C) every day except occasional heat waves, and the evenings are just delightful.  The temperatures were also quite nice in October, though more variable.  Even in the summer, we have sometimes needed a light jacket for evenings in Jerusalem, which remained lovely.  July and August will be quite hot, even brutally so, and more crowded, because that is when families travel.   The climate is basically the same as Southern California.   At the Dead Sea or Eilat, though, it is hot year around, and in the summer, extremely hot, like Arizona. Even in the summer, do not pack too many pairs of shorts – at most holy places neither women nor men can gain admittance in shorts.  Overall Israelis wear shorts less often than Americans, particularly women.  It’s not inappropriate outside of religious sites, but the shorts-and-sneakers look may identify you as American if you care about that.  On my most recent trip, I showed up looking like that, and an Israeli friend said  – with a smile  – “could you look any more American!”   On days when you will be touring religious sites, legs  and shoulders  must be covered (men and women).  For women, skirts  below the knee  or  long  slacks are required, especially at Muslim sites.  A shawl or light shirt or jacket that can be thrown over a sleeveless

blouse or dress will  also work.  Capris are fine if they go to at least mid-calf.  But in secular areas, less conservative attire is perfectly fine.  In Tel Aviv, almost anything goes!