Posts from — January 2008

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Following celebrities usually means following them “around the Hollywood scene” but in this case, actress Jamie Lynn Sigler from HBO’s “The Sopranos” means following her all the way to Israel for her very own birthright trip! Recently, this acclaimed star took the trip of a lifetime and experience Israel firsthand. What’s great is that this was also an opportunity for her to connect with others about her Jewish heritage and start some great friendships in the process.

Now ‘joining the army’ might be a bit much, but she did get to ‘do it all’ complete with the famous camel ride and roast lamb. Now if she could just use her celebrity status to promote her birthright trip and allow others to experience the feelings she felt, that would really be something.

So on a personal level, we see that she got to have her heritage become real to her, actually being there, and coming to grips with history. Even more, having only a general view of conflict in that area, now she can say that she has personally witnessed the people and the lives they lead every day.

This trip allowed her to be moved in a way that she never though possible. In addition to opening up a new world to her, she was impressed and inspired forever.

Read more.

I’ve been to Israel about ten times, and each time was different. Sure, there is a feeling of wariness brought on by all of the publicity in the media regarding the conflict in Israel between the Jews and the Palestinians, but I never felt threatened during any of my visits.

About that media, interestingly enough, I just looked on CNN’s world headlines, and the “top world stories” today are about Kenya, Sri Lanka, Australia, China, the Arabs, Peshawar, and Colombia. I had to dig way down into the Middle East section to find that “at least 17 die in Gaza violence.” The conflict between the Israeli government and the Palestinians still runs strong, but since it’s old news, no one pays attention.

If you are planning to visit Israel, pay attention. Stay away from areas of unrest (the Gaza strip along the Mediterranean coast in the south and the West Bank areas, especially), and you should have no trouble at all. Israel needs tourism to survive, and tour operators go to great lengths to protect their trade and those who visit Israel.

(The first rule of staying safe is: Don’t stand out. Try not to look like a tourist. (The typical American tourist wears shorts, t-shirts, and baseball hats. Comfortable, casual, and even trendy clothing is not a problem in Israel, but men and women almost never wear shorts or baseball hats. If you want to blend in, stay casual, but choose jeans or pants, long sleeve shirts, and full, long skirts for women. This will allow you easy entrance into the religious sites, and if the material is light cotton, it will keep you cool and protected from the sun in the summer). It might help to check out some photos of what the locals are wearing these days. And by all means, don’t hang your camera around your neck. Keep it in a shopping bag (everyone shops).

(Of course, if you are in a tour group, you’re going to stand out.) Even so, the safest way to visit Israel is in a tour group. (You have safety in numbers, so don’t wander off.) Often vendors will try to get you to come into their shops when a tour is walking through an area. If you stop, you can quickly get left behind, and not know which way they went. Your tour guide will often let you shop in a certain area, and have everyone meet at a specific location at a certain time. Follow the guide’s directions. Some tourists are happy to stay in the group and are too timid and afraid they’ll get lost if they strike out on their own. Other tourists with a healthy dose of wanderlust will want to explore on their own, which is ok to do, even in Israel, if they follow a few rules of common sense)

If you are (traveling) on your own, don’t attract attention. Never drive a rental car into one of the areas of unrest. Study a map, and know the areas to avoid, especially if you are on your own.

Learn a few local words, and use them sparingly. Or better yet, don’t say anything if you can’t tell the difference between a Jew and an Arab. Saying “Shalom,” to an Arab will not help you blend in.

Put the phone number for the local embassy (U.S., if you are American) in your phone’s speed dial. Be sure to have the number for Jerusalem’s U.S. consulate or Tel Aviv.

1 - Argentina - Buenos Aires is a popular vacation spot for many around the world. The ambiance of the French atmosphere combines with the sultry sounds and moves of the tango in this coastal capital city.

2 - Australia - No world traveler’s journey is complete without a trip to Sydney, the largest city in Australia. Known for its friendly people and distinctive skyline, Sydney is a destination that is hard to pass up. Attractively, it is known as a year-round destination because the climate is temperate, even in the winter.

3 - China - China’s tourism has been a boon for a country rich in tradition and culture. Said to overtake France as the #1 world travel destination by the year 2014, China is starting to get noticed by many. Having the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing to look forward to, prospective visitors are advised to confirm plans early in the season.

4 - Czech Republic - Prague, the “golden city,” is a highlight to many travelers of Europe and beyond; the reasons are beautifully and romantically obvious. There are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs in the city. Upon arrival to this destination, Prague’s integrated transport system brings riders to within a five-minute walk to any feature within the central city, reliably and cheaply.

5 - Germany - Berlin is classic Germany at its best. Known to air and land travelers as a hub location, this intellectually stimulating and artistic locale is worth more than a mere lay-over visit. And when the sun goes down, dances and parties of all kinds begin to “rev up,” belying the conventionality seen by daylight.

6 - India - the subcontinent of India is full of adventure. The Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is a must see on anyone’s travel to-do list. Nature tourism meets and exceeds expectations here- expect to enjoy waterfalls, preserves, and amazing animals, large and small.

7 - Israel - Classic and appealing, Jerusalem is loved around the globe for its old and new alike. Here, an enduring and monumental culture makes ancient history alive again. Modernity Areas such as Haifa are also gaining in popularity, according to the Jerusalem Post.

8 - Morocco - Casablanca which was also made popular by the movie with the same name boasts some very impressive architectural sights. Marrakech, also known as the city of gold, deserves attention for its handicrafts and bazaars that make local artifacts available to anyone willing to bargain a price. And don’t forget to sample coffee from the many cafes.

9 - Spain - if you’re looking for that classic European style, few cities compare to Barcelona, a Mediterranean coast destination and a designated world-class city. For those in search of beaches and parks, please revel in the abundance of well-maintained choices to choose among here. Catalan, the language and culture of Barcelona, is finding its revival under friendly auspices, and harks back historically more than 2000 years.

10 - Vietnam - Hanoi allows the traveler to explore the old and new side by side. Food and flavor tempt the most discerning palate to sample a friendly central mix of Asian cuisine while the historical influence of the French permit the flourish of luxury hotel standards to befit anyone who enjoys a measure of relaxation.