Egypt and Israel in 2012?
 

Hi Fodorites,
We've recently been bitten by the travel bug and we're trying to figure out our next "Big trip" (just finished 2.5 weeks in Northern Italy)

We're seriously considering a trip to Egypt and Israel for a week in 2012 (we need some time to plan and save up money).

Has anyone done a trip like this, and if so, do you have any recommendations regarding: planning, scheduling, sightseeing, etc? We're especially interested in WHEN to go (it would have to be during a school holiday as I am a teacher), how to find the best deals on tickets, and how to get around once we get there. We only speak English: will this limit our enjoyment of the trip very much?

I've heard that it's easier to go from Egypt to Israel than Israel to Egypt- is this true?

We really want to see: the pyramids (would LOVE to ride a camel...!), the dead sea, Jerusalem, and other historic sites but we'd love some guidance. What would YOU all recommend seeing and doing?

Keep in mind that we're budget-minded. We can't afford an extravagant trip; but our needs are simple: a clean, safe hotel to sleep in is all we really ask. We don't need luxury accommodations!

If you only have a week, choose either Israel or Egypt.
Get yourself a good guidebook and study; you have lots of time.
After you have "educated" yourself, come back to Fodors.

Good luck

As JerryS, with only 1/week... choose one country. Trying to do both is way too hectic and too much time spent in transit. Doing so, will only allow you to visit Cairo and Jerusalem, while both countries have so much more to offer.

Good guidebooks for each country will be your best friend and bear in mind that your school holidays often conflict with busy times in both countries, when prices "may" be at peak.

So do your research and then come back for detailed input.

I triple say what they said. You can't do both in one week. One week is not enough for Egypt alone, in my opinion, if you really want to see anyting more than the real basics. One or the other or give yourself 3 weeks.

Is there anything limiting you to one week other than costs?
While I've never been to Egypt, one week is really way too short to really enjoy all of the amazing things that Israel has to offer, and I'd imagine Egypt as well.

Either way, all of the school vacations except Thanksgiving (by which I mean Christmas, Spring and Summer) are big tourist seasons, so it will be more crowded, but don't let that stop you! Israel is a mind-blowingly beautiful country.

As far as your requests go, you can ride a camel in either country. Pyramids is one, Jerusalem is the other. Historical sites is a pretty vague description but they are definitely found in both.

Again, I don't know about Egypt, but in Israel, the major cities and tourist sites are very accesible to people who speak only English. The more off the beaten track you go, the less English you'll find. That being said- you have so much time before you travel! Maybe you'd want to learn some simple phrases for the country you decide to visit. (In Israel, Hebrew will serve you better than Arabic; In Egypt, you'll want those phrases to be in Egyptian Arabic)

Good luck!

First of all, I agree that a week it's too short for both countries.
Second, hotels in Israel are not cheap, so try to find an appartment in Tel - Aviv or Jerusalem. You can use public transportation (not on saturday).
The must see places are Jerusalem, Galilee, Dead sea.
By the way, Dead sea is one of the finalists in the new7wonders competition, so vote on the web http://www.votedeadsea.com for Dead Sea!