AB18

Can you please help me plan a trip for 2 weeks in October. I am interested in sighseeing and well as just relaxing by the sea for a few days. Is it better to rent a car or take one day trips. If it is what city would you recomend as a base? How easy is to navigate between the cities. Any help and advise will be greatly appreciated

Zohar

The Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) starts Oct 2, ending Oct 10. You should spend some of this time in Jerusalem, esepcially the orthodox Jewish quarters of Meah Shearim and Geulah to see local customs. Friday night Oct 9 is The Rejoicing of the Torah- a very happy occasion marked in synagogues.Jerusalem is the capital of Israel as well as a Holy City-lots to see and do. Jerusalem is quite central to be used as a base: West to Tel Aviv and the coast- East to the Dead Sea, North to Galilee, South to the desert and Eilat.Roads are good and signposted in English too.Israelis drive on the right, usually too fast.Parking in the big cities can be hard to find and is metered. For relaxing by the sea in October I suggest Eilat on the Red Sea- as the Mediterranean might be cooling off. Get a good road map, make sure you do NOT stray into Palestinian territories .(Gaza is off limits-too dangerous.)Tel Aviv has a great night life: bars, restaurants, theatre, concerts etc.
The country is very small and the landscape changes quickly as one goes through it.You can travel by bus to most parts(check EGGED bus company). The railway service from Tel Aviv to Haifa is fast, to Jerusalem is slow but scenic.

Hotels range from modest youth hostels to deluxe 5 stars. Israeli food is cosmopolitan- you will find a broad range of cuisines.And try the wines!Have a great time!

pinman

May I suggest that you contact best guide I know of if you want to really see Israel - Pamela Levene. This special lady is an accredited guide with much experience and, after studying for years, incredibly knowledgeable. What Pamela doesn't know, isn't worth knowing!
Israel is a wonderful country, rich in stories and wonder - but it comes alive and is so much better when seen through the eyes of Pamela Levene.
Contact Pamela on: [email protected]

AlexA

For a trip of 2 weeks, you will want to break it down to staying in 3 or 4 places.
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Eilat or the Dead sea, and somewhere in the north. The country is small, but traffic can be bad and there's no reason to have to spend so much time traveling each day. Depending on your interests, religious sites, archaeology, arts and culture, flora and fauna, you will adjust how many days in each place. When you are in Jerusalem, for example, you can go places on your own walking or by bus or taxi. Same in Tel Aviv though there is not really much to see right in Tel Aviv. Then you can rent a car to get to some of the national parks and to get to your destination in the north, You will need a car to get around the north. If you spend some time in Eilat, you may fly there and will not need to do anything but relax!
Ther is good bus service all over the country,but as Zohar pointed out, the trains really only work well from Tel Aviv to Haifa and other cities in the center of the country where you are unlikely to want to go anyway
About Sukkot: If you are coming during the holiday understand that hotels will be more expensive and harder to get reservations. There are special events going on at parks and sites, but they also get very crowded with vacationers

dutyfree

Pinman has been a Fodors member for a year and has only posted twice-both about using Pam Levene? Suspicious?

AB18

Thanks a lot for you help and suggestion. I will arrive October 9, its the last day of Sukkot. What airline would you recomend for flying from Eilat to Tel Aviv? Can somebody recomend a hotel on the Red Sea on Eilat?

AlexA

Arkia is the main airline that flies internally in Israel. You will usually get a better deal if you buy a hotel/flight package. If you are coming to Israel on El Al, see if they offer add on packages to Eilat too.
Isrotel is a local chain that has several hotels in Eilat. Different styles for different people--families, sport,some with more luxury. There are some other high end hotels too. See what fits your budget and requirements

Zohar

http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/

This is a very useful website for planning your trip to Israel

ann_nyc

It's worth while doing a bit of thinking to clarify what kind of sightseeing is important to you. Some people are more interested in history, and others want to see more of current culture. Some want to concentrate on Biblical sites, while others feel that 20th century history is more relevant to them.

I visited Israel over 20 years ago, and remember it as being a wonderful trip. There is lots to see!