Stoppping first in Israel before joining cruise with my 78 yo mother. We arrive TLV afternoon of 10/22, leave on 7AM flight 10/25. Mom wants to see "the highlights"- which for her means the Temple MOunt, Wailing wall, some markets, Masada, visit to a kibbutz. Figure we'd have the 23 and 24th. Any suggestions on how to plan 2 "if this is Tuesday, this must be Ein Gedi" visit to Israel with her?
Guides/drivers/itineraries/tips etc.

Thanks

Steve,

You and your mom will be arriving in the middle of one-week long Succot holiday! (which means hotels in Tel Aviv/Jerusalem tend to get booked early, though most sights and shops should remain open.)

You'll probably need to spend one full day in Jerusalem (Temple Mount, Western Wall, Old City, Mahane Yehuda market). You should probably do this on 23rd Thursday, as you can't get to Temple Mount on Fridays and most Jewish sites/shops will start closing down early in the Friday afternoons. Western Wall would probably be crowded on Thursday on the other hand.

This will leave Ein gedi/Massada to Friday. If you're independent type, you can rent a car on your own. It's about 1.5-2hrs drive out of Jerusalem. It would be easier for your mom to take a cable car instead of actually climbing up Massada.

I'm not familiar with particular kibbutz to recommend. In any case, you'll need to stay close to Tel Aviv on Friday evening, as you have an early flight on Saturday.

Actually the holiday ends on the 21st and 22nd, so you should just miss it. You might still hit traffic on the 22nd. I would suggest staying in Jerusalem for the 3 nights unless you particularly want to see Tel Aviv. The airport is a bit closer to Tel Aviv (maybe 20 minutes from Tel Aviv and 40 minutes from Jerusalem) but you will have to be at the airport at about 4:30 so you won't sleep much that night anyway. Tel Aviv is livlier on a Friday night, but the wailing wall has a special atmosphere on a Friday night that may be interesting for you. I agree with W9london about your activities on the 2 days, but if you don't want to drive yourself to Masada on Friday you can try a tour. Have a look at United Tours..it says daily so that should fit the bill
http://www.unitedtours.co.il/asg/Item_230.html .
Have fun...

Managed to make some changes in our itinerary, so now, FOUR (hey, beats 2 1/2) days in Israel.

Arriving Mon early afternoon 10/20. Booked the Harmny Hotel near the Jaffa Gate. Figure that afternoon (Erev Shmini atzeret) we'll wander around old city. On Tues, figure we'll brave the holiday masses to watch Simchat torah celebrations near the wall.

On Wed, would like to arrange tour to Masada/Ein Gedi/Dead sea. Any recommendations for non-exhorbitant individual driver/guide, or group day tour with smallish groups?

Thurs, tunnel tour, Yad Vashem, other Jerusalem sights....

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?
ALL suggestions welcome!
sTEVE

Since 21 Oct is a holiday, expect most shops and restaurants in J'lem to be closed. (Also the night of 20 Oct after sunset.) Though it's a fun time to see simchat torah/shemini atzeret (which is combined in one day in Israel, as opposed to split over two days outside of Israel).