Driving in Israel
Nov 22nd, 2005, 05:53 PM
#22
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Eri, Thanks so much for the info & the offer of help. We will be going to Israel at the end of May. The only reason we had picked Kfar Blum was that my daughter & her husband stayed there for a couple of days last year and loved it. They also had dinner at Auberge Shulamit, which they also liked a lot. I'd also like to visit Tzfat, but it too may not be as I remembered it. It may be much quieter now and more religious with fewer art galleries than I remember. But my biggest concern about going to the Galil is that I don't want to short-change the time in Tel Aviv. Maybe I'm just romanticizing, but I really loved the year I spent there and want to have time to just stroll & soak up the atmosphere. We arrive on a Saturday & leave on Sunday (at the crack of dawn)a week later. So how is this:
Tel Aviv: Sat night, Sunday, & Monday
Galil: Tuesday & Wednesday
Jerusalem: Thursday, Friday & Saturday
I was doing the opposite itinerary to end up in Tel Aviv so we would be closer to BG airport for the dawn flight back to US on Sunday morning, but maybe the extra half hour or 45-minute drive doesn't really make a difference. Also, with this itinerary I suppose if we feel like we want more time in Tel Aviv we could go to the Galil for just one night. Any other recommendations for Kibbutzim to stay at in the Galil. My daughter has stayed at Ginnosar & Hagoshrim & liked them -- until she stayed at Kfar Blum which she thought was just great.
Tel Aviv: Sat night, Sunday, & Monday
Galil: Tuesday & Wednesday
Jerusalem: Thursday, Friday & Saturday
I was doing the opposite itinerary to end up in Tel Aviv so we would be closer to BG airport for the dawn flight back to US on Sunday morning, but maybe the extra half hour or 45-minute drive doesn't really make a difference. Also, with this itinerary I suppose if we feel like we want more time in Tel Aviv we could go to the Galil for just one night. Any other recommendations for Kibbutzim to stay at in the Galil. My daughter has stayed at Ginnosar & Hagoshrim & liked them -- until she stayed at Kfar Blum which she thought was just great.
Nov 23rd, 2005, 10:40 PM
#23
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CFW,
Now your plan sounds great. The end of May is a great time. The Israelis are not on vacation so nothing will be crowded. But it can get hot. You might encounter a HAMSIN - hot and dry since it the season for this kind of weather.
There are some gorgeous B&Bs all over the Galil. Most of them are NOT in kibbuzim! Would you like some suggestions? Let me know. But so no one will suspect that I have some commercial interest in it, you can e-mail me to [email protected] and I will gladly give you some names and addresses that my family tried and loved.
Now your plan sounds great. The end of May is a great time. The Israelis are not on vacation so nothing will be crowded. But it can get hot. You might encounter a HAMSIN - hot and dry since it the season for this kind of weather.
There are some gorgeous B&Bs all over the Galil. Most of them are NOT in kibbuzim! Would you like some suggestions? Let me know. But so no one will suspect that I have some commercial interest in it, you can e-mail me to [email protected] and I will gladly give you some names and addresses that my family tried and loved.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 10:11 AM
#24
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Some of the posts warn against driving in the south, but I am hoping to rent a car and drive from Jerusalem to Haifa, then to the Galilee area, and back to Jerusalem. Will that be a problem? I don't want to get lost!
Dec 3rd, 2005, 11:13 AM
#25
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No problem at all! The roads are good. The signs are clear and in Hebrew AND English. Just get a good map and be careful when you drive. The Israelis are wild drivers. Don't try to compete with them!
Dec 3rd, 2005, 02:46 PM
#26
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teachbio,
I was warning about driving in the south (Negev desert and along the Dead Sea) ONLY if there is rain forcasted.
Driving from Jerusalem to Haifa and the galillee is easy, as long as you're aware that you need to take the main highway (Rd. #1) towards Tel Aviv, and switch to toll Rd. 6 (going north) just before Ben-Gurion airport. Don't try any other way, certainly not thru the West Bank...
I was warning about driving in the south (Negev desert and along the Dead Sea) ONLY if there is rain forcasted.
Driving from Jerusalem to Haifa and the galillee is easy, as long as you're aware that you need to take the main highway (Rd. #1) towards Tel Aviv, and switch to toll Rd. 6 (going north) just before Ben-Gurion airport. Don't try any other way, certainly not thru the West Bank...
Dec 3rd, 2005, 06:16 PM
#27
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Then from Galilee back to Jerusalem I go back through Haifa and Tel Aviv?
My son is in graduate school there and has no fear. It is reassuring to hear from other adults who have done this, because we'd never know from the news what is safe and what isn't. Thanks to all.
Dec 4th, 2005, 10:37 PM
#29
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No, no, no! You don't go through Haifa when you travel from the Galil to Jerusalem. This is a long and boring road. It really depends where you are in the Galil. If you are on the Western Galil(north of Haifa along the sea) then you have to pass through Acre and Haifa. But the if you come from the Upper Galil you go from Rosh Pina, through Amiad Junction, to the west (right), then south to Golani Junction (left), go through the city of Afula, Megido Junction, Wadi Ara, get to toll road 6. This road merges after about 40 km with road 1 that brings you directly to Jerusalem. All that without enterin Haifa and Tel Aviv, no traffic problems, easy nice drive. I think I mentioned before that you should buy a good map in the first book store you find. I recommend the MAPA Road Atlas in English:
http://books.mapa.co.il/product.asp?ProdID=64
I use the Hebrew version and find it very reliable.
If you like, you can leave your e-mail address and I will gladly mail you my phone number here in Israel.
http://books.mapa.co.il/product.asp?ProdID=64
I use the Hebrew version and find it very reliable.
If you like, you can leave your e-mail address and I will gladly mail you my phone number here in Israel.
Feb 6th, 2006, 05:08 PM
#30
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Hi,
There is absolutely no reason to enter and drive through the West Bank. It's unnecessarily risky all-around, and probably slower. Do yourself a big favor and remain within Israeli territory. I have done the trip you describe several times, and it's pretty easy.
Good luck!
There is absolutely no reason to enter and drive through the West Bank. It's unnecessarily risky all-around, and probably slower. Do yourself a big favor and remain within Israeli territory. I have done the trip you describe several times, and it's pretty easy.
Good luck!
Feb 6th, 2006, 06:50 PM
#31
Just to report back (I know you were all dying to hear)- we took Rte 6 from Tiberias to the airport and it was incredibly easy and a very interesting drive. The rental car company (Eldan) charges you what I assume is a typical surcharge (30 or 40 NIS IIRC) and add the toll to your credit card once they receive it from the authorities. It's a little more expensive than not using the toll road, but beats the heck out of the trafficky "old" roads.
Directions off Rte 6 to the airport could use some improving, however.
Directions off Rte 6 to the airport could use some improving, however.
