Commercial Resources
Travel Agents
Several travel agents in East Jerusalem and the West Bank have some experience in alternative travel but you will still have to demand the kinds of speakers, visits, etc. that you want from some of them. Many of the ones below are run by Christians.
Albina Tours
Tel: +972-2-628-3397; Fax: +972-2-628-1215;
Email: albina@netvision.net.il
Works with McCabe in the United Kingdon for church travel.
Alternative Tourism Group
Tel: +972-2-277-2151; Fax: +972-2-277-2211;
Email: atg@p-ol.com
Located in Beit Sahour, West Bank and can arrange home stays
Guiding Star Agency
Tel: +972-2-627-3150; Fax: +972-2-637-3147;
Email: guidingstar@guidingstar.ltd.com
Also works with youth conferences
Near East Travel (also known as NET):
Tel: +972-2-628-2515; Fax: +972-2-628-2415;
Email: net@netvision.net.il
Largest agent in area
Shepherd’s Tours
Tel: +972-2-628-4121; Fax: +972-2-628-0251;
Email: shepherd@baraka.org
Works with several groups in Palestine as official travel agent for conferences
Sinbad Tours
Tel: +972-2-627-2165; Fax: +972-2-627-2169;
Email: sinbad@palnet.com
Has a staff member who specializes in arranging alternatives
United Travel
Tel: +972-2-627-1247; Fax: +972-2-583-6190;
Email: unidas@palnet.com
Universal Tourist Agency
Tel: +972-2-628-4383; Fax: +972-2-626-4448;
Email: uta@palnet.com
For advice on how to work with your travel agent go to page on Travel Agents.
Hotels
Lists of hotels in East Jerusalem and the West Bank can be accessed through www.Palestinehotels.com. Some of these hotels, especially outside of Jerusalem were destroyed by the Israelis, but are still listed, so check carefully. They do not include all of the church-related hostels which can be found on the Christian Information Center website. To access information on Christian guesthouses, sign on to www.cicts.org; click on Christian guesthouses (under living section).
In Jerusalem:
St. George’s Anglican Guest House
Nablus Road 20
Jerusalem
Tel: +972-2-628-3302
Fax: +972-2-628-2253
Reservations: stgeorges.gh@j-diocese.org
Restaurants
There is no complete list of restaurants on websites although there is an excellant list in the book, Passia Diary. The diary is published every year and is available in Palestinian bookstores in East Jerusalem. The Lonely Planet Guide to Israel and Palestineavailable in Palestinian bookstores in East Jerusalem. Some favorites include:
In Jerusalem:
Antonio’s at the Ambassador Hotel in Sheikh Jarrah
Italian and French menu plus an Arab menu. Good Sunday buffet and a great view from windows and outside..
Armenian Tavern in the Old City on Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate Road
Armenian food. Compare to Arab food.
Askadinya on Shimon Hatzadik in Sheikh Jarrah
Interesting variations on Palestinian food.
Az-Zahra in hotel on Az-Zahra Street
Arab food but not touristy
Kan Zaman in the Jerusalem Hotel off Nablus Road
In the garden courtyard in the summer and in a cozy basement in the winter. This is where you go to meet your friends and hang around.
