First Time in Israel Tour Suggestions
 

Hi everyone,

I am 35 years old, jewish, and will be in Israel for a week staying in Tel Aviv. I would like to take tours from Tel Aviv on a daily basis. Since it's my first time, I need some help wih itinerary and what are the must do tours. I saw many listed online, many in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Dead Sea, Nazareth and Galilee, Haifa, etc. etc. Which tours are must see for a first timer? Also, any tour agency recommendations?

Thank you!

One week is not enough to do more than scratch the surface of Israel. If at all possible I would urge you to change your hotel reservation so that you have 1/2 your time in Tel Avi and 1/2 in Jerusalem. You are going to be doing lots of travel, and wasting lots of time if you stay the entire time in Jerusalem.

The Dead Sea and Masada are day trips from Jerusalem.
As a first timer and someone who is jewish I would skip Bethlehem and Nazareth.
From Tel Aviv you can take a day trip to the NOrth. You then need a full day to go South. That leaves the balance for Jerusalem.

Thank you Elkaz! I really appreciate your response. I think spending a couple of nights in Jerusalem is doable. I will look to do that.
What are your thoughts on below itinerary?

Day 1 Tel Aviv
Day 2 Jerusalem - Old and New
Day 3 Jerusalem - another tour maybe Old City Markets and Roof Tops
Day 4 Massada and Dead Sea
Day 5 Ceasarea, Haifa. Acre and Rosh Hanikra
Day 6 Nazareth, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee OR Galilee and Golan
Day 7 Tour of Negev Desert
Day 8 Tel Aviv
Day 9 Go home

Bookmarking

Hi,

For me, Israel highlights always include:
1. Jerusalem
2. Tel Aviv

and then it really depends on what you would like to see. Israel has so many beautiful landscapes and places to visit that what you should really ask yourself is:
What type of things do I enjoy seeing and visiting?

If you like to travel to religious sites then:
Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem are a must.

If you are the outdoor type then:
The Golan Heights, Galilee, The Dead Sea and Masada could be straight down your alley, depending on the topography you prefer.

If you are a sea person you could visit:
Eilat, The Dead Sea, Netanya

A good thing to do is call up a touring agency and see what they recommend. You can learn more about pricing that way and have the option to get a guided tour.

Personally I always call this company:
http://www.genesis-boutique-travel.com

They have a selection of tours throughout Israel and can be very helpful.

Here's some of their tour selection:
Jerusalem: http://www.genesis-boutique-travel.c...ur-old-and-new

The Dead Sea and Masada:
http://www.genesis-boutique-travel.c...nd-qumran-tour

Eilat:
http://www.genesis-boutique-travel.com/eilat-tours

Take a look and I hope I've been helpful.

It is hard to totally evaluate your itinerary without knowing the DAYS of the week you are planning on doing this. -since there is no public transportation on late Friday and Saturday.

That being said, Day 5 and Day 6 would be impossible with public transportation. Day 5 would be almost impossible even with a rental car. The distance is too great to do all that.

A few points:
No reason to go to Tel Aviv on day 1 if you are going back there at the end. Go straight to Jerusalem from the airport and spend the first few nights there. Look for a two day tour of the north that will pick you up in Jerusalem and drop you in Tel Aviv at the end. Then you will sleep day 5 in the north and not go back and forth. I would stay the last last few nights in Tel Aviv and skip the day tour of the Negev - unless there is something special you want to do there. You will have had a taste of the desert landscapes with the Dead Sea and Masada. Enjoy!