Hi,
I need some help planning my first trip to Israel. I have 8 1/2 days.
I am planning to stay first 5 nights in TLV and do 1 day trips ( 1- TLV, day 2&3- Jerusalem, day 4-Masada/Dead Sea).
Then I am planning to rent a car and move to Haifa, Stay 4 nights in Haifa and travel 1-day trips to North (Tiberias/Hamad Gader/Zefat,Rosh Ha Nigra, Golan ) returning every night to Haifa. In this case I don't need to get in and out of the hotel every night. I was considering not to rent a car, but I was told that all organized tours start from TLV, and very few from Haifa.
Does this plan make sense- to stay in Haifa and do 1 day trips? Any faults?
Please advise.... Thanks!

Personally I would switch hotels at least some of the days - you have nice accommodation options at the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tiberias and many Zimmers at the Golan Heights (very beautiful, great views, and some nature).

Elad.

I would recommend renting a car and driving to Tiberias to start:
Tiberias - 3 nights (tour Galil and Tzfat, etc)
Haifa - 1 night
Drive to Rosh Haniqura spend the night in Haifa - tour Haifa next day and drive to Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv - 2 nights (tour Jaffa or drive to Caesseria)
Jerusalem- 2 nights - drop off your car in Jerusalem and stay last two and 1/2 days. There is so much to do and see in Jerusalem.
Or you can concentrate on the Tel Aviv area- then use Jerusalem as your next base so you can get to Masada for the day.
I was in Israel this summer and spent almost three weeks - the trip had to be changed mid-way 'cause the war broke out. Masada is wonderful but I would try to get to the north- it is really beautiful and they need the tourist support right now.
Have a great and safe trip. You will love Israel. Tel Aviv is totally cool but Jerusalem is magical.

Thanks a lot!

just curious Lizg1...what did you decide to do?

I didn't want to move in an out of the hotel every night. It's a lot of hassle and takes time...
So, I am planning only 2 hotels:
5 nights in TA (to see TA, Jerusalem, Masada/Dead Sea)
4 nights in Haifa - rent a car and travel north/Galilee/Golan Heights for 1 day trips coming back to Haifa for overnight.
This way I would not have move in and out of hotel every night and also spend time with my friends in Haifa.
Does it make sense? Any hidden problems in this plan?

Masada is much closer to Jerusalem than to Tel Aviv so your going back and forth in the same direction...
Since you asked for an opinion I really would suggest staying in Jerusalem 2 or 3 nights because there is just so much to see and then you can do a day trip to Masada from Jerusalem- then Tel Aviv 2 nights and then on to Haifa. I really loved Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, too - but Tel Aviv reminded me of South Beach in Miami minus the Cuban flavor.