adventures6

My family wants to take a vacation this August to an unforgettable location. My husband has been to Israel for work and thinks this would be a good trip for our family. How is this part of the world for family travel in August? Even though we'd love to visit Egypt, we are aware that it may be unwise at this time. But we would be interested in visiting Jordan and maybe ending our trip on an island in Greece. Any thougths?

adventures6

We are thinking of spending two weeks in Israel, a few days in Jordan and one week on a Greek Island. We could stay as late as the first week in September if it is better timing. My husband and I would be traveling with our four children (13-6 years old).

mbgg

What exactly is your question ? August is a hot month in Israel, as it is all over the Middle East and Mediterranean. But that doesn't deter the many tourists that come in the summer and everyone manages to cope. There is no specific reason not to come to Israel in August, it is the tourist season, but that is true of any other destination.

Two weeks is definitely sufficient to tour the country thoroughly. A rough itinerary would be: 4-5 days in Jerusalem, 1 day at the Dead Sea, 4-5 days in the Galilee and Golan, 2 days in the Negev on the way to Eilat and back (to go to Petra), 2-3 days in Tel-Aviv.

You will have no problem doing this on your own, although you might want to hire a private guide for a day or two in Jerusalem. You should rent a car when visiting the north and south of the country. You do not need a car in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv because of the parking and traffic problems. Public transport in the cities is cheap and efficient.

There are also a lot of activities suitable for children. For example, you can take part in an archaeological dig, ride camels, explore caves, etc.

adventures6

Thank you for your response. I will go ahead and start planning the details. For a family as large as ours what kind of accommodations do you suggest? Are there any events going on that time of year that we should plan on seeing? Other than seeing Petra are there any other activities we should do in Jordan? I love the activities you suggested. How do we take part in an archaeological dig?
What is the best way to find flights to Greece? Any airline recommendations?
What about flights from the US? Any tips there? Thank you.

mbgg

Accommodations: that depends on your budget. You should look for a holiday rental apartment when in Jerusalem. In the Galilee and the Negev there are a lot of bed & breakfasts in all the villages (called "zimmers" locally). Look at www.zimmeril.com . You can also try the youth hostels. There are open to everyone, have high standards and private ensuite rooms: www.iyha.org.il .

You should post your Jordan questions on the Jordan forum as I am not an expert. But speaking as a tourist that has visited there, you can take a jeep tour in Wadi Rum (where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed), and visit Jerash, Madaba and Mt. Nebo in the Amman area.

Flights: you will be traveling in the high season so tickets will not be cheap. Find a good travel agent and at the same time search Expedia, Travelocity and all other similar web sites to see if you can find even better deals by yourself.

Children's activities: if you are willing to post an email address here I can arrange to have a "Israel for Children" guide sent to you. Regarding the dig, google "dig for a day Bet Guvrin".

mbgg

Here are some web sites that can help you plan your vacation:
- National Parks:
http://tinyurl.com/pzx6u5x
- List of Museums:
http://ilmuseums.com/
- Govt tourism site:
http://www.goisrael.com
- "Time Out" Tel-Aviv magazine:
http://digital.timeout.co.il/english/

and here is the "Dig for a Day" web site:
http://www.archesem.com/dig.asp
There is also the "temple Mount Sifting Project" in Jerusalem:
http://templemount.wordpress.com/

adventures6

WOW! Thank you so much! This is perfect!

mbgg

Children's activities: if you are willing to post an email address here I can arrange to have a "Israel for Children" travel guide emailed to you.

Here is a link to a non-commercial travel guide written by an American tourist who visits Israel frequently:
http://amateurtraveler.com/travel-gu...el%20guide.pdf

FrankS

mbgg gave you some good info, I especially found the goisrael site helpful. I just wanted to clarify that Jordan will require more time, as mbgg showed the 2 days for Israel. You will probably need 2 nights in Eilat(1 there/1 back) then at least 2-3 nights in Jordan to see Petra, Mt Nebo Wadi Rum, Masada & Jaresh. Also getting to Eilat isnt easy, as its a flight or busride. If you use the bus buy your tix in advance and dont travel on the Sabbath. Overall, Jordan ended up taking 6 days for us.

btw: From Eilat, you can do a 2 day Cairo tour too

FrankS

That should read Madaba not Masada

thursdaysd

I would add more time to Jordan. You need three nights/two full days for Petra. Jerash is worth seeing, as are the mosaics at Madaba (not just the map that all the tour groups see). It may be cheaper to do the Dead Sea on the Jordan side.

adventures6

After thinking for some time on our trip we have decided that we would like to add Turkey to our travels instead of Greece. Is there anything I should be aware of in flying from Israel to Turkey for a vacation?

thursdaysd

Someone just posted a link saying you now need to get your visa online ahead of time instead of on arrival. Turkey is a great destination, do try to see more than Istanbul.

mbgg

I don't know what visa he is referring to. Anyway, there are several flights every day from TLV to Turkey and Turkish Airlines is very popular among Israelis. What specifically do you want to know ?

thursdaysd

"I don't know what visa he is referring to."

SHE is referring to a Turkish visa, as I would have thought was obvious. That's if you mean me.

Elkaz

I have been reading and lost track of days. How many days are you thinking of actually spending in Israel. There is loads to see and do here. In terms of Eilat, I would seriously rethink spending time there in August. It is very very hot during the day. ( easily over 100 EVERY day) There are beautiful beaches all over the Western coast of Israel. Petra too, is going to be brutal temperature wise in Israel. How will your kids deal with it. I know most would be complaining non-stop.

dutyfree

It is going to be extremely difficult traveling in August in regards to the heat there particularly in places like Wadi Rum and Petra? Our family went at Christmas time a few years ago and we thought that it was extremely hot then. Personally, I would be rethinking this traveling with children as the heat really takes it out of you and you cannot enjoy anything then.

sandi

Everywhere in the Middle East - Egypt, Jordan, Israel - during August will be hot, often up to 100-degrees +/-. If you wish to visit Jordan, fly down to Eilat where there are lots of hotels with pools (kids even yourselves), then arrange for 2/days minimum in Jordan (can cross at Aqaba for for Visa). While there are other areas of Jordan as mentioned, most of them other than for Petra and Wadi Rum are in the north and you might not want to venture that far and be outdoors with no cover at any of these sites. Most of the hotels near Petra also have pools.

Re comment 'dutyfree' while they had a hot Christmas a few years ago, this past year there was snow. But you'll be going in August so it will be hot regardless where you visit.

Turkey is fabulous (I personally feel moreso than even Greece), and lots of flights between TLV/IST where Visa (if US passports for sure) can be purchased on arrival. But when it comes to Turkey.... also a very large country and lots to see, you'll have to figure out how many actual days here and what areas are 'must sees.' IST alone can keep you busy for a week, but many also like to visit Ephesus which is about a 1/hr flight from IST.

How many total days have you allocated for this holiday; how many for each country? Remember to allow minimum 1/full day for transport between countries; also you're int'l air ticket can have you arriving one country and departing from another, i.e., visit/arrive TLV, spend time in Israel, visit Jordan, back to TLV for flight to IST, spend time here and departure for home from IST... called an 'open jaw' airline ticket... thus no backtracking.

thursdaysd

@sandi - did you not read my post above about Turkish visas? Your info is out of date. After April 10 visas will NOT be issued on arrival.

See: http://www.washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr...aspx?ID=202088