The Best Time to Visit Israel

孫華林 選編

Spring is the ideal time to visit Israel in many ways. Prices are still relatively low， and the massive crowds that come with school groups haven't yet arrived. The weather in late spring is temperate， as well， generally between 13℃ and 21℃ during the day， and no lower than 7℃ in the evening. There is rain， but it's rarely more than a shower. The situation in the autumn is much the same， with temperatures creeping slightly higher， and less rain.

Summer in Israel can be quite hot， and it's the peak season， since this is when younger people in school from around the world make their trip to Israel. As a result， airfare and hotels are more expensive， and attractions are more crowded. Yet， some parts of the country go below freezing in the winter. Rain is common， and snow comes along with frigid temperatures as well. Crowds tend to be at their lowest point during the winter， however， making this a good time for budget travel.

September and October bring the religious festivals of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur， and Israel comes to a virtual standstill. Rosh Hashana， the Jewish New Year， lasts two days， while Yom Kippur lasts one. Both involve a great deal of preparation， however， and the country is flooded with people coming from around the world to celebrate the holy days in Israel. Visiting the country during this time is generally more expensive and crowded. Most non-religious tourists stay away during this time.

The final consideration when determining when to visit Israel is the state of security. Depending on where you plan on visiting， this may be more or less of an issue. Although the situation in Israel is relatively stable， at times it flares up to a point where certain regions may not be safe to visit. When planning a trip—and before leaving—it is important to check with the US State Department to see whether they have issued any travel advisories （勸告）.

根據短文內容，選擇最佳答案。

1. Which of the following is NOT discussed in the first paragraph？

A. The prices. ? B. The attractions. ? ? C. The weather. ? ? D. The tourists.

2. Why is summer the peak season？

A. Because school students flow in at this time of the year.

B. Because airfare and hotels are on larger discounts.

C. Because attractions become more beautiful with wet weather.

D. Because many people rush to Israel for religious reason.

3. For which of the following groups is winter the best time to visit Israel？

A. Those who are fond of winter sports.

B. Those who care more for safety.

C. Those who hope to celebrate the holy days in Israel.

D. Those who intend to spend as little money as possible.

4. Which can replace the underlined word “security” in the last paragraph？

A. health ? ? B. mind ? ? C. safety ? ? D. economy

5. What is advised to do before leaving for Israel？

A. To apply for a passport. ? B. To buy an insurance.

C. To book hotels and air tickets. ? D. To refer to the US State Department.