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 in travel section.

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)

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.  Some of my personal 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.

Askandinya 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.