We're going to Jordan and Israel

Old Jan 27th, 2014, 05:32 AM
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We're going to Jordan and Israel

Hi!
We thinking about taking a trip to Jordan. We have booked flight to Aqaba. And our plan is to see Wadi Rum and Petra (we have booked a tour with a Bedouin in Wadi Rum). Then we're heading up to the Dead Sea, and then see Jerash before we're crossing the border in to Israel. Here we thinking about visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem before we go to Tel Aviv for our flight back home.

Are the things we should think about? Things we should have in mind? Some tips you like to share? We are traveling in the Easter, so it may be a little chaos, but thats ok!
How is the border crossing between Jordan and Israel? And are there some other places worth visiting/seeing? Some good markets f.ex?

And do someone know what we can do with our luggage while we are in Petra? We shall not stay at a hotel nearby :/

We also have a stopover in Istanbul on our way home. Something worth to see or do?
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Old Jan 27th, 2014, 05:44 AM
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You are "thinking" of visiting Jerusalem ??? It's one of the most interesting cities in the world !!! How many days will you be in Israel ?

I assume that you will be crossing at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge. This is the most problematic crossing and there are often long delays there. From the Bridge you take a shared taxi "sherut" to Jerusalem.
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Old Jan 27th, 2014, 05:47 AM
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Also note that April 15 to 21 is the Passover holiday. Will you be in Israel during this week ?
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Old Jan 27th, 2014, 06:49 AM
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"We shall not stay at a hotel nearby :/"

Big mistake. In my view Petra deserves three nights/two full days, although I suppose you could get by with two nights if you got there early. There is much more to see than just the iconic Treasury, including good hikes past beautifully patterned rocks. You should also make sure you are there on one of the nights when you can go in after dark.

For a visual explanation, see: http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/C...etra/i-QZV8FHW

"We also have a stopover in Istanbul on our way home. Something worth to see or do?"

More than enough for a week. If you just want a top ten list, consult a guidebook.
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Old Jan 27th, 2014, 03:54 PM
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How long a trip are you planning? Sounds to me like its no more than 10 days.
If so, I would suggest that you consider not going to the Dead Sea and Jerash. Instead, after visiting Petra and Wadi Rum go back to Aqaba and cross the border into Israel. You might also
want to consider skipping Wadi Rum . IMHO, it was not all that interesting or exciting.
In any event, fly to Tel Aviv directing from Eilat and then go to Jerusalem. Spend at least 5-6 days and, if you still have time, go to Tel Aviv.
Actually, if you only have a week in Israel, I would suggest that you spend your time in Jerusalem and possibly northern Israel.
Keep researching this most wonderful and exciting area. Don't make any hasty decisions.
You do not have to cover all the bases.
If you have a long (at least 8 hours) layover in Istanbul, you might want to consider contacting a Guide to pick you up at the airport. Alternatively, grab a taxi, or arrange for a car to meet you upon arrival in Istanbul, and go to the Old City, Read a good guide book and decide what interests you the most.
Good luck.
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Old Jan 27th, 2014, 10:57 PM
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I'm sorry, my English is not very good. But I meant that we shall go to Jerusalem.

The places I have mentioned are the places we want to see. And I know us and how we like to do things, and how efficient we are. So we shall do this in 10 days.
Maybe it's too many places in such a short time, but we can do it There's no need to advise us from doing so because we have done our research and it will go well.

The plan is to have a full day at all locations (maybe more at some). Amman and Tel Aviv will be given lower priority this time.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 03:10 AM
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Nobody is advising you against "doing so". However you neglected to provide basic information such as the number of days and the date of your arrival so it is not surprising that we drew incorrect conclusions from the limited description you provided.

It is good that you have "done your research" but that doesn't make you a greater expert than people who live here and are familiar with local conditions and restraints that you may not have discovered.

I suggest that you post your complete itinerary, including dates, so that we can contribute some positive criticism and help ensure that your vacation is a success.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 04:02 AM
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Have searched around a lot before we planned the itinerary, but that doesn't make me an expert - then I had not asked here

Is really just looking for tips and advice regarding how to get around in Jordan and Israel. Hire a driver? (and how does that work? How to find a driver?) Taxi? And how border crossing is (But have read a lot about that). And possibly if anyone has anything to recommend while we're in Aqaba for a whole day. Good markets f.ex?
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 05:02 AM
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Let me repeat : It is IMPOSSIBLE to give you any detailed advice unless you post the dates of your arrival & departure, and an outline of your proposed itinerary. How can we tell you how to "get around" unless we know where you are going ??? Sometimes the train is the best option, sometimes the bus and sometimes a taxi. It all depends on the specific trip and the day of the week.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 06:00 AM
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The fact that you "can" do something doesn't make it a good idea.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 11:12 AM
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I would stay overnight in Wadi Rum. There are a lot of stars in the ski. In Istanbul I would see the Blue Mosque. Watch out for pickpockets on the tram. We saw one.

Have a great trip.
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Old Jan 28th, 2014, 09:46 PM
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You say you are traveling around Easter - what this means is that you will be in Israel during an extremely busy and packed season - the best piece of advice anyone can give you right now is that if you have not already booked hotels please do so today. You will already find that it is not easy to find rooms in Jerusalem and if you don't want to be forced into a price range that is not what you wanted, you need to take care of this detail immediately.
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 12:09 AM
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We will spend the day and night in Wadi Rum, and hope for a clear starry night. I think that will be awesome
And the Blue Mosque are on our list Thanks for your tip

The Easter is our chance to do this, and we think the most important are to do the best out of it It will be busy, packed and chaotic in Jerusalem, but thats a part of an adventure. And not everything are a good idea, but it makes a good experience. We probably have much on our list for such a short time, but we make it the best - and we do not travel on a low budget (so this will maybe make the part of getting around a little easier).
The hotels are already booked, but thanks for your advice
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 12:31 AM
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If your hotels are booked, then you have an itinerary ! I don't understand why you refuse to post it. As I said above, it is impossible to give you any specific advice, comments, critique or information without knowing what you are planning to do every day.
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 03:48 AM
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When (almost) all you get is negative critique already before you have posted the itinerary it's not very tempting. We got short time and not everybody like to travel that way, but we don't mind It's so many tips and advice you can give without having the total itinerary when I have mentioned all the places.

But we arrive at the night 13.April and will just rest and use the day in Aqaba.
14.April: Wadi Rum (sleep in the desert)
15. April: Petra (hotel near Dead Sea)
16. Still at a hotel near the Dead Sea. And thinking to spend the day on a trip to Jerash and/or Amman.
17. Boarder crossing. Don't know how long time it will take, but booked hotel in Jerusalem.
18. Use the day in Jerusalem and maybe take a short trip to Bethlehem (depends on the time we have the day before).
19. Spend the time in Tel Aviv before our late flight to Istanbul.
20. Whole day in Istanbul.
21. The day we go home.
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 05:51 AM
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Thank you !

April 19 is a Saturday !! Do you know that there is no public transport in Israel on the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening? I assume that you are staying Friday night in Jerusalem and going to Tel-Aviv on Saturday morning; how are you going to do that ?? How will you get to the airport ??

The only way to get to Tel-Aviv on Saturday is using a "sherut" (shared taxi). These are 10 seat minibuses that leave when they fill up; they go from Zion Square to the Tel-Aviv Central Bus Station. You can take a local sherut (#4) from the Tel Aviv CBS to the beach area and center of town.

But Jerusalem is DEAD on Friday night, while in Tel-Aviv Friday is the big night for the pubs and clubs !! I suggest that you go down to Tel-Aviv late Friday PM (the last bus will leave about 16:30-17:00) and stay overnight there. On Saturday at 11 AM the city runs a free walking tour of the historic Bauhaus area.

You have to be at the airport THREE HOURS before departure. Do NOT arrive later. The first train to the airport leaves Tel-Aviv at 20:33 and arrives at the airport around 21:00. If you have to leave earlier then your only option is a taxi.

I apologize for ... insisting on helping you.
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 07:42 AM
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I can't tell for sure because I don't have the document on my computer, but I think we have booked hotel in Tel Aviv and shall go there late Friday

You say that there's no public transport from Friday evening to Saturday evening, but is it possible to get a taxi?
Is it easy to get a taxi from Tel Aviv to the airport?
We will be there in good time for our flight! Thanks for your tips!

Except for the "free walking tour" is there anything else to do in Tel Aviv? I must apologize, but do not know anything about Tel Aviv and what it has to offer? Are there some markets there?

Again, thanks!
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 08:37 AM
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All regular taxis and sherut taxis operate normally on Friday evening and Saturday. Buses and trains stop about 1-2 hours before the start of the Sabbath which is at 18:35 on April 19. Exact bus schedules won't be available until a week before but you can assume that the last bus to Tel Aviv will be around 17:00. Where are you staying in Tel-Aviv (there are 2 bus lines from J'm).

There is no problem getting a taxi to the airport. Call Hadar taxis at 03-971-1103 in the morning to book. They have the cheapest rates. However, if you can take the train if you don't have to be at the airport before 21:00.

All of the markets in Tel-Aviv are closed on Saturday. You can see details of the walking tour here:
http://www.visit-tel-aviv.com/free-w...s#.UuicZhD8JMw
The Tel-Aviv Art Museum is also open. You can walk around Old Jaffa, you can rent a bicycle and pedal along the beach boardwalk, you can walk around other old neighbourhoods.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2014, 05:53 AM
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OKay, thanks!

Don't remember the name at the hotel, but it's on Ha Yarkon st. in Tel Aviv.

Our flight from Tel Aviv leave at 21:20, so then we need to take a taxi to the airport?! And we will be there in good time!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2014, 06:10 AM
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Yes. You have to take a taxi to the airport at that hour. You should be at the airport by 18:20 so book the taxi for about 17:50 (there won't be much traffic). Hadar Taxis has the cheapest rates - about 110 NIS, including luggage (you don't have to tip). Call them in the morning to book - (03)971-1103. They are extremely reliable. You can leave your luggage at the hotel during the day.
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