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Travel Note

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Travel Note

Where am I flying to?

The best airport depends on your departure location and travel preferences: 📍 Tel Aviv: Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) Distance to Nazareth: 1.5–2 hours by car (~110 km) Best for: Most international travelers, as TLV offers the most direct flight options from the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Transportation: Rental cars, taxis, shared shuttles, or buses are available. 📍 Amman: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) Distance to Nazareth: 2.5–3 hours by car (including border crossing) Best for: Guests coming from the Middle East, Europe, or Australia who may find better flight options into Jordan. Transportation: Travelers need to cross into Israel via the Sheikh Hussein Bridge or Allenby Bridge (border regulations vary). ⚠️ Important Note for Arab Travelers: Unfortunately, travelers of Arab backgrounds, especially Lebanese and Palestinians, should expect additional questioning, delays, and at times, discriminatory treatment at both Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and border crossings from Jordan.

Travel Note

Where are We staying?

We have organized a hotel blocks at: 📍 Ramada Olivie Hotel (Just Outside Downtown Nazareth) This hotel is spacious and can accommodate everyone. Located just outside the main downtown area, offering modern amenities, spa, restaurant, salon and pool. Room block details will be shared soon

Travel Note

Holy Land Tours | August 1-4

Our local family is organizing Holy Land tours from August 1-4, visiting some of the most significant Christian and holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. If you're interested in joining, please reach out to Phill for more details! Example Sites Included in the Tour: 📍 Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre – The site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Via Dolorosa – The path Jesus walked carrying the cross. Mount of Olives & Garden of Gethsemane – Where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Church of All Nations (Gethsemane) – Built next to the rock where Jesus is believed to have prayed before his betrayal. Western Wall – A sacred site for prayer, near the ancient Temple Mount. Dome of the Rock – An iconic Islamic shrine on the Temple Mount, believed to be where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac. 📍 Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity – The birthplace of Jesus Christ. Shepherds’ Field – Where angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. Milk Grotto – A site linked to the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. 📍 Nazareth: Basilica of the Annunciation – Where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. St. Joseph’s Church – Built over what is believed to be Joseph’s workshop. Mary’s Well – A historic spring associated with the Virgin Mary. If you're interested in joining, reach out to Phill for more details on itinerary, transport, and accommodations!

Travel Note

Do I need a Visa?

As of January 1, 2025, Israel has implemented a new entry requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries. If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia you must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before your trip. Key Details: Application Process: Submit your ETA-IL application through the official Israeli government website. Ensure the URL ends with ".gov.il" to confirm its authenticity. Fee: The application fee is 25 Israeli Shekels (approximately $7 USD). Be cautious of third-party websites that may charge higher fees. Processing Time: It's recommended to apply at least 72 hours before your departure to allow sufficient processing time. Most applications are processed within this timeframe (Usually within the hour) Validity: Once approved, the ETA-IL is valid for multiple entries over two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Without an approved ETA-IL, you will not be permitted to board your flight to Israel. Therefore, it's essential to complete this process before your travel. For more information and to apply, visit the official ETA-IL website:

Travel Note

What should I expect at airport security and immigration?

Travelers entering Israel should expect strict security checks at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and land border crossings. At Ben Gurion Airport: Security screening may include detailed questioning about your travel plans, accommodations, and any connections to Arab countries. If you have an Arabic name, or have previously visited Lebanon or other Middle Eastern countries, you may face additional questioning and longer wait times. Expect to be asked about your family background, work, and multi-generational heritage. Israeli authorities often conduct thorough interviews, especially for travelers with Arab or Palestinian ties. They will likely ask you the same questions multiple times in different ways. As frustrating as it is, remain calm and patient—this is a common tactic used to verify consistency in your answers. At Jordan-Israel Border Crossings: The Sheikh Hussein Bridge and Allenby Bridge crossings can take time due to extensive questioning and security checks. Travelers with Arabic backgrounds may experience longer processing times. Expect to be asked about your work, your reasons for visiting, your parents, grandparents, and extended family. General Tips: Be polite, patient, and prepared with details about your itinerary. Carry printed confirmations of your hotel bookings, event invitations, and return tickets. Avoid carrying political materials, religious texts, or anything that might raise security concerns. Expect repetition—officials may ask you the same question in different ways to test your consistency. Stick to simple, direct answers.

Travel Note

How do I get around?

Wedding & Event Transportation For complete flexibility we do suggest you rent a car, however parking can be challenging in the old city. We are organizing transport buses for all wedding events to ensure easy access for guests. Whether you're staying at the modern hotel outside downtown or the historic property in the Old City, transportation will be arranged to and from the venues. If you're staying in the Old City, please note that you may need to walk a few minutes to reach the nearest pickup point and there does tend to be a lot of traffic in the area.

Travel Note

Do you also want to visit Lebanon?

Lebanon Will Deny Entry if They Know You Have Been to Israel Israel no longer stamps passports, however if any evidence of travel to Israel is found, Lebanese authorities will refuse entry outright. This applies even if you only visited Palestinian territories via Israel. Israel Does Not Automatically Ban Travelers Who Have Been to Lebanon While travelers with Lebanese stamps may face heavy questioning at Israeli airports or border crossings, entry is not automatically denied. You may be asked about the purpose of your visit to Lebanon, but it is still possible to enter. If you must visit both during this trip: Fly into Lebanon first, then travel from Lebanon to a third country (For example, Jordan). You must enter that third country (Get your passport stamped) Important Warnings You cannot travel directly between Israel and Lebanon—there is no border crossing, and you must fly via a third country. Be prepared for extensive questioning in Israel if you have a Lebanese stamp in your passport. If you have dual citizenship, using separate passports might help, but Israeli border officials may still ask about your travel history. Bottom Line ✔️ Enter Lebanon first to avoid being denied entry. ✔️ Fly to Israel from a third country (Airports in Amman, Istanbul, Cairo, Dubai, are best.). ✔️ Expect lots questioning in Israel but know that entry is still possible. ❌ Do not visit Israel first if you plan to go to Lebanon later on the same trip (Or you could get deported like Phillip once was)

Travel Note

What's the weather like?

Nazareth in early August is typically hot and dry, with plenty of sunshine. Expect daytime temperatures around 30-35°C (86-95°F) and warm evenings around 20-25°C (68-77°F). Humidity levels are moderate, and rain is very rare during this time of year. ☀️ What to Pack: Light, breathable clothing A keffiyeh Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen An umbrella (It won't rain, but Phill will appreciate it) A light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings Our wedding reception venue is outdoors at night - so dress up accordingly.

Travel Note

Can I drink tap water in Nazareth?

Yes, tap water in Nazareth is safe to drink. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may prefer to drink bottled water, as some visitors find the water’s mineral content different from what they’re used to. Bottled water is widely available at hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Travel Note

Is it safe to travel to Nazareth?

Yes, and getting safer every day! Jokes aside, Nazareth has remained quite safe and well-protected over the past two years, even during regional tensions. As a Palestinian Christian town within Israel, it has not been a target. The worse does seem to be behind us, and while we can’t predict the future, we will share updates if anything changes. Your safety and comfort come first, and we completely understand any concerns.

Travel Note

Phill, What has travel there been like recently?

I've mostly been booking return (round-trip) tickets to London, Rome, Athens, or Dubai then booking regional carriers into Tel Aviv. However, direct flights from international carriers are starting to resume in February/March. I’ve flown in and out of Tel Aviv over the past year (5 separate trips) and haven’t had any major issues—though I was held for questioning once for about three hours. In March, I’ll be visiting again for Marleen's birthday but I'll be trying the route of flying into Amman and driving to the border. I’ll update the website if I experience anything different! It's all very exciting!

Travel Note

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