JoyceL

I've been having a very difficult time putting together an itinerary for an upcoming trip to Israel. Please let me know if you have any suggestions:

Day 1, arrive early evening, take sherut to Jerusalem

Day 2, Jerusalem
Day 3, Jerusalem
Day 4, Jerusalem (morning tour to Bethlehem, if possible)

Day 5, Masada and Dead Sea tour

Day 6, Jerusalem and travel to Eilat

Day 7, Petra (maybe stay overnight)

Day 8, Petra and/or Eilat; later=fly to Tel Aviv

Day 9, tour to Cesaera/Akko/Rosh Hanrika

Day 10, rent car + visit Galilee area

Day 11, more Galilee sights

Day 12, more Galilee sights; night=return car to Tel Aviv

Day 13, Tel Aviv: see a little of the city. At about 2am leave for airport + return home

This itinerary gives me only 2 and a half days for Jerusalem. Would this be enough for seeing the main sights there?

P_M

I assume you are flying to Eilat? Your time there is a little short especially if you are going to include Petra. I would choose one or the other. I've been to all the places you named except Eilat and Petra, so I hope someone can help with that choice if you must choose.

2.5 days isn't a huge amount of time in Jerusalem but you can see most of the highlights in that time.

PS I'm scheduled to visit Petra in early December, I can tell you all about it then if it isn't too late.

JoyceL

I haven't decided yet how I'll be getting to Eilat. My initial plan was to fly, but flying doesn't seem to save me much in the way of time, since I'll be coming from Jerusalem.

I'd been vacillating between driving and taking a bus. But I recently discovered a 3rd possible option, which is to take an all-day Negev tour that at the end of the tour lets me transfer to Eilat. I haven't yet confirmed whether this is possible.

My trip is in March. Please post your Petra experience. I would be very interested in hearing about it. Thanks.

alros

Hi
The itinerary is a bit tight but seems mostly doable though a bit hurried. Two and a half days in Jerusalem is the minimum for seeing glimpses of both the old and new cities. You can do Petra in a day trip from Eilat but an overnight is nicer. <a href="http://desertecotours.com/English/jo...ours.asp" target="_blank">Desert Eco Tours</a> is an adventure tour company with a good reputation and they have one and two day tours to Petra and a variety of other interesting tours. I have been to Petra on a four day Jordan tour which was great. We devoted a day to Petra which was enough to see it but I think two days would be great and there is also Wadi Rum in that area, perhaps you can do that too. <a href="http://isram.com" target="_blank">Isram</a> is a well known operator with tours in Israel and Jordan as well. For short day tours to Masada, to Petra and one similar to the one you plan for Cesaera/Akko/Rosh Hanrika take a look at <a href="http://www.vh-cms.com/sites/HarimEnglish/site.php" target="_blank">Bein Harim</a>.

I was recently in Israel for a visit-mostly to see family but T toured a bit too. I have some reccomendations and pics in the short blog of my visit at <a href="<a href="http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...pod.html" target="_blank">Travelpod</a> though most are for Tel Aviv, which I think you are giving too little time.

Enjoy and good luck

sandi

It's been years, but is there transport from Masada down to Eilat? Bus? There must be tours from Eilat to Masada and the bus has to return, maybe you can get a one/way and avoid returning to JER. If so, then you can have a third day in JER. Ask!

While we did 1/day only in Petra, it would be nice to overnight and see both sunset and sunrise.

korindan

This itinerary seems rather reasonable, but please do whatever you can not to return from the Dead See to Jerusalem--once you're at the Dead Sea you are already half-way to Eilat.
Three tays in the Galilee is quite a suitable amount of time; it's recommended to plan this part and see Nazerath and other Christian sites around the Galilee Sea, and it's possible to make it to go up the Golan Heights. The distance from the Galilee back to Tel-Aviv is 2-2.5 hours.

Weezie

To me, choosing between Petra and Eilat is a no brainer--go to PETRA!. Eilat is a beach experience, Petra is an unbelievable wonder of the world. I spent an overnight then a day and it was not enough time for me. There is a lot of walking and you will need time to soak it all in. Plan it so that you enter Petra in the early morning so that you see the play of the morning light on the buildings. This place is amazing!

circusliz

I was in Israel last December, and my recommendation is to skip Eilat and spend as much time as possible in Petra. Eilat is really only good for 2 things: snorkeling in the Red Sea and desert hiking. The mountains and coral reefs there are fabulous, so if you're into trekking then keep Eilat on your itinerary. But if you're more into archeology/history, spead as much time in Petra as possible.

In Tel Aviv you must visit the Carmel market, and you must go to Dr. Shakshuka's (in Jaffa)for dinner.

sandi

>>Day 5, Masada and Dead Sea tour

Day 6, Jerusalem and travel to Eilat

Day 7, Petra (maybe stay overnight)

Day 8, Petra and/or Eilat; later=fly to Tel Aviv<<

As others have mentioned, try to avoid returning to Jerusalem after Masada. Check for some transport from Masada to Eilat which is the easiest border crossing.

No doubt you'll arrive too late to cross the border same day, so o/n in Eilat. Next morning get to the border for crossing and private guide or tour bus (prearranged) to get to Petra. On the return (do try to o/n in Petra to give yourself 1.5/days here) have to go via Eilat to catch flight to TLV.

JoyceL

Thank you for all the comments.

I fully agree with the suggestions to travel to Masada and the Dead Sea from Eilat. The problem is finding a company that will provide this service. I've found some companies that may provide an Eilat dropoff after a tour to the Negev, but no companies seem to provide an Eilat dropoff after a tour to Masada and the Dead Sea.

Mamamia

...Why not RENT A CAR and do all your trips with your own car? That way you drive down to the Dead Sea, stay there for the night (one of the hotels, or in Kibbutz Ein Gedi's hostel) and keep on south to Eilat... You won't be able to cross into Jordan (Petra) with your rented car, though...

Also, where are you going to stay for the nights? If you go up to Rosh Hanikra, you're ALREADY up north, sure makes sense to stay in the Galillee and keep on your tour there.

Elzeth

We recently spent one week in Jordan and one week in Israel. Both countries should be experienced and do not wary yourself out wanting to see every sight. You need at least two days at Petra and arrange to take a camel or donkey to see all the sights. If you're not very fit, you will battle with the long distances and climbing. It is a sight to see. Go to Wadi Rum and spend time in the desert. Contact Atlas Tours in Jordan: [email protected]
Jerusalem and the Sea of Galilee were the highlights on our Israel tour. See the old city and market at Nazareth. Tel Aviv is like any other city. You might want to spend a day at Jaffa. If you rent a car, make sure that you know which roads to take. You can end up in very funny areas.
Enjoy your holiday - wish we could go back.