Israel’s Archaeological Treasures
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
As reported in the major Hebrew language newspaper Haaretz, a British tourist working in an archaeological dig in Jerusalem on Sunday unearthed a treasure of 264 gold coins from 1,300 years ago. Israel leads the world with the highest per capita rate of archaeological excavations and expeditions.
The Lands of the Bible have attracted the attention of visitors interested in archaeology for more than two hundred years. Israel’s archaeological riches from the Neolithic Revolution and the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Classical and Medieval Periods are showcased in Jerusalem’s archaeological sites, the outstanding museums and the major Christian, Jewish, and Islamic holy places. (more…)

Money can be exchanged at any of the street exchange bureaux, ATMs or any of Israel’s major banks (i.e.- Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount bank, FIBI and Hamizrahi). You may change dollars into shekels legally by going to a bank, or by patronizing a money changer located throughout the main shopping areas of the large cities. Another convenient option: you can withdraw up to 1,000 shekel a day from the ATM’s (in Israel they are outside most major bank branches throughout the country) with a credit card or ATM card. It’s a good idea to have some cash on hand before you arrive — we suggest about $100 worth, depending on the cost of transportation and how soon you think you’ll be able to reach an ATM. You can either bring U.S. dollars to use at the airport’s exchange bureau, or change your money before you even leave home.
