What to Expect
Morris Murdock will handle most of the tour preparations for you, however there are still a few things you should know and some details to take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the information below to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.

Airline Information
Group Air Tickets
Where group flights are offered, tickets will be issued approximately 30 days prior to departure. Morris Murdock Escorted Tours can assist with domestic flights from your home city to the designated international gateway city. Electronic tickets will be issued where possible.

Air Tickets Purchased Independently of the Tour
We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since departure times and flights can change. Tours may also be cancelled due to low enrollments. Morris Murdock Escorted Tours does not accept liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with a tour. We recommend that you check with us prior to purchasing any airline tickets.

Seat Assignments:
We understand that your seat assignment is an important part of your tour experience. Each airline has a different policy regarding pre-assigned seat assignments and we are bound by their rules. Morris Murdock Escorted Tours will advise the airlines of your seating preference and will do all possible to secure your seat request. Please understand that in cases where pre-assigned seats are not available, seats will be assigned at the airport. We recommend arriving at the airport early to ensure the best seat selection.

Frequent Flyers:
We will be happy to add your frequent flyer number to any airline reservation created by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours. Please understand that we are unable to assist with securing reservations for free or reduced cost frequent flyer tickets. Please contact your individual airline for assistance.
Airline seat assignments and flight schedules are subject to change without notice.

Baggage
Most airlines, for both domestic and international flights, now charge additional fees for checking bags. These charges are not included in the tour price and are the traveler's responsibility. Baggage handling is normally included in the tour price.

Transfers
Some tours do not include group air service. In cases where the tour is designated as “Land Only”, the tour begins at the airport of the arrival city and ends at the airport of the departure city. Individual flight schedules should be coordinated to arrive and depart in connection with the group transfer to and from the hotel. The time of this transfer will be provided at a later date. Transfers at other times will require an additional charge. Please contact us at 800-809-9910 for assistance.

Passport Information
All participants traveling outside of the USA must be in possession of a valid passport during time of travel. Your passport number, date, place of issue, and birth date is now required by many foreign governments, airlines and trains, and may be required to confirm services.
Names on your airline tickets must match the first and last name listed on your passport. Your passport must be valid for six months after your return to the U.S.
If you need assistance obtaining or renewing your passport, please click here http://www.us.cibt.com/home.aspx?loggedin=45217-1027200963347
At no time will Morris Murdock Escorted Tours be responsible in the event you fail to obtain a passport or valid visa and are unable to travel as a result of it.

Money

The form of currency in Israel is the Shekel. You will find that prices are about the same as they are in the USA. You can buy many small souvenirs with American dollars ($1's, $5's). In fact, we suggest you bring small bills with which to bargain. You can purchase food with American money; however, we suggest you convert some money into shekels. Restaurants tend to charge a little more if you use dollars. 

Traveler's checks and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are accepted in Israel at souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Tipping

Tipping is expected, and not an option in Israel. Salaries are low and taxes are high (as much as 40% of their salary). You have pre-paid your tips. It is not necessary to tip the porters or the headwaiters at the hotels. If you would like to tip a little extra, you may do so at your discretion.

ATM's are widely available and may provide a more favorable exchange rate than banks.

Weather

Communication

Internet service is widely available in your hotels and at internet cafes throughout the country.  A nominal fee will be charged for usage.

Please check with your cell-phone provider for information on roaming charges.  Depending on the type of cell phone you have, you may be able to purchase a local SIM card to insert into your cell phone and make calls at a much lower rate.

Electricity

The electric current in Israel is 220 Volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. You will need an adapter. Most Israeli sockets take the standard Middle East two pronged (round) adapters. If your appliance, hair dryer, iron or electric shaver does not convert from 110 to 220 volts, you will need a converter as well. Converters and/or transformers can be purchased at a variety of stores.  It is wise to make sure when purchasing a converter that the number of watts on your appliance matches the number of watts on your converter.

Time Zone

The time in Israel is 8 hours ahead of Mountain Time.

Customs

Your duty-free exemption is $800 if you are a returning U.S. resident and the items you acquired abroad accompany you. Articles imported in excess of your exemptions will be subject to duty. If your purchases and acquisitions exceed the allowable duty-free exemption plus $1,000, you must itemize in writing these purchases/acquisitions on the back of the declaration form. Sales slips, invoices, or other evidence of purchase will be helpful when you complete your Customs declaration.

 

Gifts mailed to people in the United States from abroad may be received by them free of duty if the value of the gift does not exceed $100. Gifts for more than one person can be consolidated into one package. Each recipient's name must be clearly marked on the package to be eligible for this waiver. Non-gift purchases mailed to the United States will pass duty-free if their value does not exceed $200. The outer wrapping must be marked with: the fair retail value of the contents; the contents' identity (e.g., shirts, belts, watch, figurines, etc.); and whether the package is a gift ($100 exemption) or for personal use ($200 exemption).

 

NOTE: Duty owed on a mailed package must be paid after it arrives in the United States. No matter what a shop owner abroad may tell you, you cannot prepay duty.

 

Health Standards

Sanitation standards are much higher than in any other Middle Eastern country, and no shots are required.  However, please check with your medical provider for special needs. The water is safe to drink, and medical facilities, while not quite up to United States standards, are more than adequate.  The government requires that at least one pharmacy in each neighborhood be open or on call at all times; a list is published weekly in the English-language “Jerusalem Post.”  Medication is allowed to be brought into the country; however, all medication should be properly labeled and in their pharmacy bottles if possible.