We are taking a family trip to Israel beginning of July. On one leg of our trip we will be driving from Tiberias to the Dead Sea.We've asked many Israeli friends, including our Rabbi, and all assured us that driving through the Jordan Valley would be no big deal safety-wise; but I'm reading comments on this board that suggest otherwise.Opinions? Suggestions?

NO! NO! NO!
I am an Israeli. Living here most of my 65 years! Your Rabbi is not only mistaken, he is endagering you! I don't know any of my friends that would drive this route.

Some years ago it was no problem. I wouldn't do it now.

There were times when one could drive from Jerusalem to Beer Sheva thru Bethlehem and Hebron... Things changed.

There are many Israelis who DO use the Jordan valley road for commuting for work or business. There is an Egged bus route going thru there (I believe it's still operative, right, eri?).

BUT you're tourists, this is your vacation. Why take the chance, even if there is a 5% of trouble?

I'm also an Israeli and drive Route 90, the Jordan Valley Road, frequently - twice in the last week - in a car with friends, in vans and cars with tourists, on buses, whatever - in 26 years of driving that road, I've never had any problem whatsoever. I think the scare tactic is just that - a tactic. Drive it - it's beautiful, easy (except that it's 2 lanes, so be careful of the curves and little hills and passing) and makes the trip between Tiberias and the Dead Sea area much faster!

Oh and everyone I know who drives between the Dead Sea area and Tiberias uses that route regularly!

suzanne pomeranz, jerusalem, israel

Suzanne,
What and you friends do is your business. If you consider it safe as driving on any other road in Israel, good for you and I wish you and your friends safe trips on the road from the bottom of my heart. There is also no argument that it is a beautiful and interesting route. But all this said, if I were you I would not recommend to anyone to drive this route. Don't you feel any hesitation at all?
NJgirl,
Please don't take this route! You are coming to Israel to have a good time, to see the country. Please don't endager yourself and your family. I don't.

Rest assured, we ended up changing our plans for that leg of our trip. I just happened to read some newly posted reviews of the hotel we were to stay in at the Dead Sea, and they were atrocious (the Sheraton Moriah. So we will stay an extra day in Tiberias at The Scots Hotel and go directly to Jerusalem from there. Meanwhile, we will be driving through the South Bronx this weekend; arguably a much more actually dangerous place than the Jordan Valley.We like to live dangerously.

Last time we stayed at the Sheraton in Tiberias we were promised they would be renovating the place. Not. Now we stay at the Scots, despite it being considerably more expensive.

Try to find time to visit the beautiful Beit Gabriel community/arts center at the south end of the lake near Kibbutz Degania.

Don't miss the breakfast buffet at the Scots. It is simply the best I have ever seen.

I have 3 hungry teenagers, and that reputed breakfast buffet was one of the major selling points for The Scots! Thanks for hot tip Gardyloo. That sounds right up our alley.

NJgirl626, don't drive directly to Jerusalem without staying at least couple hours in the Dead Sea, including going into the sea! There is no place in the world like the Dead Sea! You DO NOT wonna miss it!

NJgirl - after reading your post about driving through the South Bronx, I just HAD to send a reply. Having grown up in the NORTH Bronx, I know exactly what you mean!! I now live in Israel though and I can concur with what eri has written about not driving through the Jordan Valley. However, I also concur VERY much with Mamamia in saying you should really spend some time at the Dead Sea.

There are some nice hotels there, Sheraton is NOT one of them. But I would recommend, for instance, a nice and small hotel called HOD HAMIDBAR which I have been to many times. If you have never been to the Dead Sea, it is really a unique experience. If you don't want to actually spend a night there, some of the hotels have a "day-spa" package where you get to use the hotel's spa and pool, with access to the Dead Sea itself also, and then in the late afternoon you can drive to your hotel wherever it is.

If you need any other information or advice, let me know.

NJ,
Mamamia and flame are so right! Dipping in the Dead Sea is such a unique experience don't give it up just for an additional breakfast in Tiberias. Your kids will LOVE it! They will remember this experience more than the meal. As flame pointed, there are some pretty nice hotels there and you can also consider the guest house in Kibbutz Ein Gedi (the new wing). Ein Gedi has its own beach (accross the road from the kibbutz), the whole kibbutz is considered a botanucal garden and in the morning you could take an easy hike to the beatiful natural reserve of Ein Gedi. If you are lucky (and we usually are) you will encounter small herds of ibexes which is, of course an exciting site.
You can resd more about this guest house here: http://www.ngedi.com/guest_house.htm
By the way, most hotels and guest houses in Israel serve a pretty amazing breakfat!

I read somewhere that there are organized day trips from Jerusalem (we'll be there our last 4 days), that go to Masada and then the Dead Sea. I realize that it isn't the ideal way to experience it, but I would like to have something to look forward to on our future trips!

Few more notes about Sheraton hotels:

The Sheraton chain is kind of unreliable as a name-brand, with a huge fluctuations between their hotel qualities.

You can stay at the Sheraton towers in Tel Aviv and have a really great time, and then just couple blocks down the road (actually it's up north) another Sheraton (Moriah) which is very mediocre...

And then the Sheraton Plaza in Jerusalem has got many very BAD reviews.

We stayed at a run-down Sheraton in Philadelphia 4 years ago. But then there is a really nice one in Madison, WI... I believe the same applies to anywhere else in the world.... Sheraton does not have strict enough quality control system to maintain a consistent level of quality (unlike Hilton for instance!)

eri and Flame123 - I'd like to know when you last (if ever) drove on Route 90 from the Dead Sea to Tiberias.... all the tour groups, all the people I know, lots of tourist and many others use it regularly. It is absolutely safe - frankly, a lot safer than Wadi Ara... and a whole lot safer than the Ayalon Freeway on a busy day!

And no, I don't feel any hesitation at all suggesting that anyone drive that route. I also ride the city buses in Jerusalem and all over the country - how else do you think I get from one place to another in the town where I've lived for the past 26 years? I think you guys are letting the scare tactics of the media and others get the better of your senses! I'm a whole lot more fearful on the highways in the United States when I go there to visit!

If your reasons are political, say so, but don't cover it up by suggesting that safety is the issue. That road is and has been all along perfectly safe!

Oh, and Mamamia - there isn't any "trouble" on Route 90 - not any more than on any other road in Israel...

NJgirl626 - if you drive in New York (any part), you'll be fine... have a wonderful visit!

suzanne pomeranz, jerusalem, israel