mcmench

My husband and I love to travel, and we don't really like organized tours, but planning our upcoming adventure in Israel and Jordan has definitely been a major challenge! I've already made hotel reservations for every night except one, but they could always be changed. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Here is our itinerary.:

Sept. 5, 2014 (Friday)- arrive Ben Gurion @ 10AM, rent car, hotel in T.A. "Sea Executive Suites". Spend the day exploring Jaffa and T.A. (This hotel does not have parking included, but it's on the beach and it's relatively inexpensive. I've been searching online for where the closest lot is, and the cost for 24 hrs., but can't find anything.)

Sept. 6 - drive north, visit Caesarea, Haifa. Spend night at "Akkotel-Boutique".

Sept. 7- drive inland, (should we visit Nazareth on the way?), spend three nights at "Arbel Guest House" near Tiberias. Plan to visit Golan Hts, Safed, Sea of Galilee and Christian pilgrimage sights during those three days. (Should we hire a guide?)

Sept. 10- drive south, check into "Ein Gedi Kibbutz". Visit Dead Sea area, go to bed early!

Sept. 11- sunrise at Masada! Then drive south, drop off car in Eilat. (Or drop off the next day because business closes at 5 PM). Spend night at "Dan Panorama Eilat".

Sept. 12- cross border into Jordan. Spend one night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum. (THIS IS THE ONLY NIGHT WE DON'T HAVE RESERVATIONS YET!) Ride a camel, etc.

Sept. 13 - travel to Petra (?mode of transportation?) Two nights at "Petra Moon Hotel".

Sept. 15 - travel back to Aqaba (how?), cross into Israel, to airport, fly to Ben Gurion (should I buy our tickets ahead of time?), travel to Jerusalem. Four night at "Jerusalem Hotel". Plan to hire a tour guide for two days for the old city, Bethlehem, maybe Hebron, Ramallah. (Thinking of Green Olive Tours, though I've emailed Sam Salem for info too).

Sept. 19- fly back to USA

We have not figured out when we will visit Qumran and Jericho; on Sept. 10 as we drive south from the Galilee to Dead Sea area, or as a day trip from Jerusalem? We don't know the logistics of driving in that area with a rental car, either. Will there be an issue driving through the P.A. with an Israeli rental car???

Thank you! Any suggestions are welcome!

mbgg

You should email the hotel and ask for their parking recommendations. There is a nice parking lot under the Opera Tower building - the grey building with the sloping roof in this photo:
http://goo.gl/maps/aAKMi
The entrance is on HaYarden Street, south of Trumpeldor (access from Herbert Samuel):
http://goo.gl/maps/EfcRI

Sept 6: You will probably arrive in Akko too late to do any sightseeing, therefore .....

Sept 7: You should spend the entire morning in Akko touring the underground Crusader city, the market, the Old City, etc. Go for hummus at "Sa'id".

Sept 10: On the way to the Dead Sea you can stop at Bet Shean National Park and/or the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Both are much more interesting than Qumran (don't bother will a special trip to the Dead Sea just to see it).

traveling12345

the Opera house parking costs about 7$ per day, the parking in TLV vary from 7$ per day to 7$ per hour...

basingstoke2

IMO you are trying to cram to much into your limited time. You will be seeing at least as much highway as sites. On your arrival day you will have only a half day and the evening to "explore" TA and Jaffa. If you leave early, you will have about the same time to see Ceasarea and Haifa. In both cases you will be getting merely a taste of these places if that. I do not see time for meals on the road or at destinations considering how little time you have to be there. I suggest you resist the natural urge to cover as much ground as possible and concentrate on fewer places. Your time in Jerusalem is good.

jacketwatch

Our time in Israel was enhanced immeasurably by a liscensed guide. It's like having a history prof with you. They are costly but well worth it in my opinion

gpotvin

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