My husband and I will be going to Israel this October for a family wedding in Jeruslam. We have never been to Israel and would like to take this opportunity to see as much as we can during this short trip. The couple were just engaged last weekend so this is very short notice for the trip. And we are limited in how long we can stay due to work commitments. So, all that being said - here is my first try at an itinerary. I would really appreciate comments and advice. I should also let you know that we travel a lot and prefer independent travel. And while not exactly young anymore (50's) we are both fit and extremely active.

Day 1 - arrive late afternoon in Jerusalem (Mt. Zion Hotel)
Day 2 - tour Old City - Would there be value in hiring a guide for part of this day? Or between group tours at some sights (the Kotel) and guide books - are we okay on our own? Would like to cover a lot of ground this day
Day 3 - Yad Vashem and possibly Israel Musesum - wedding that night
Day 4 - City of David, other sights in Jersusalem. we might have not gotten to . Would like to visit Bethlem as well.
Day 5 - full day tour with guide- Masada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi and back to Jerusalem.
Day 6. - pick up rental car and drive to Haifa. Husband loves all things navy so Haifa is a must see. Stay in Hairfa overnight. Suggestions for hotel?
Day 7 - Drive to Caesarea, Acco? other suggestions in the area? then on to Tel Aviv
Day 8 - Tel Aviv - Carlton Hotel
Day 9 - Home late that evening

I did want to get to Petra, but I don't think we can work that out.
Comments and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Susan

You really should take a guide in the old city of Jerusalem. They can show you things you might miss by yourself, and save you time moving from place to place.

Also, I think you should realize that your full day in Haifa will be at the expense of quite a bit of the North which is a shame to miss. Safed, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan etc. is all worth seeing.

Otherwise you seem to have most things covered for such a short stay.

First of all - mazal tov - it's wonderful you are coming to Israel and for a wonderful family event.

It's true that a week will not allow you to see everything you want, but you will be amazed at what can be done in a week. You have made a great start at planning and your itinerary looks good.

You can see almost any place in Israel on your own and with a good guide book - supplement that with the brochures available at most sites, audio guides in some and you will be fine. That said, in order to maximize your time, especially in Jerusalem, and get the most out of your day you would do well with a guide. There is so much to see and do just in the Old City, so much history, so many stories, anecdotes, extras that a guide will give you that you just won't get on your own. Even though getting lost is sometimes half the fun, with a guide you won't get lost and the Old City is indeed a maze of many small and narrow streets and alleys.

Day 3 - you can definitely do both Israel Museum and Yad VaShem in one day. You don't mention the day of the week - on Tuesdays the Israel Museum doesn't open till 4 pm.

I would definitely make sure to see the City of David - it is an amazing, ever changing place. There are archaeological digs going on there constantly, always new finding and new areas opened for visitors. Check their tour schedule closer to your arrival, they have regularly scheduled tours in English a few times a day for a small addition to the admission. Their guides are extremely well trained and excellent.

Your best bet for Bethlehem is to sign up with one of the companies that offer regular tours there. It is a half day tour and will be the easiest way to include that.

If you are limiting yourself to coastal sites and skipping the Kinneret and Galilee then I would make sure to drive a bit farther north to Rosh HaNikra - beautiful view, interesting caves, well worth the trip. Make sure you visit the Navy Museum on the southern outskirts of Haifa - your husband will love it.
Caesarea and Akko will be a full day. Once in Tel Aviv visit some of the older neighborhoods, see old Jaffa. For more Tel Aviv info check out: http://www.visit-tlv.com/default.asp -- this the municipal tourism office site, lots of helpful information.

But most important - have a great time!!

Here is the link to the Haifa tourism web site:
http://www.tour-haifa.co.il/eng/
If you look at the list of museums -
http://www.tour-haifa.co.il/eng/modu...ategory.php/21
you will see that in addition to the Naval Museum that Oreet recommended there is also the National Maritime Museum (these two museums are a short walk apart). I also recommend the Bahai Gardens tour:
http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/

Thank you all for your help and advice. This is great. I do have a question about a private guide in the Old City. I am now convinced that we should use a guide but do you think half a day is sufficient with the guide? My husband I could do some of the sights on our own. Or are we being silly and should just go for a guide for that full day? We are limited for time.

And Oreet - unfortunately I was planning on visiting the Israel Musesum on a Tuesday! We have the wedding that evening so I am not sure if we can fit it in if the Museum does not open until 4. I am hoping that we can! Otherwise I can shift around the schedule and maybe visit the City of David that day and the Israel Museum the following day.

And while I am asking questions - for a hotel in Jerusalem I am deciding between the David Citadel and Mount Zion. I know that they are very different properties but both look good to me. My concern with Mount Zion is the location. We would like to be near restaurants, cafes, any nightlife or shops ect in the evening and I am not sure that the Mount Zion is in the best location for that. What do you think?

Thanks again,
Susan

Regarding the Israel Museum - I have not been yet since they re-opened (after a 3 year overhaul and major expansion) a week and a half ago - however, I have heard rave reviews from everyone who has been there. If possible, I would suggest rearranging your itinerary to make it there.

If you want to be close by and in the middle of things than the David Citadel is more centrally located. If you prefer the charm and character of the Mt. Zion Hotel it is not a big deal to take a taxi downtown from there in the evenings.

Regarding a private guide. The difference in cost between hiring a guide for a full day or a half day is marginal. The reason being that a half day tour does not leave the guide enough leeway to schedule the other half of the day. Many don't even have a different rate. So if cost is the question, it won't be much (or any) of a difference, and you can benefit from the personal attention and individual guiding for a full day.

There's so much to see and appreciate in the Old City, it's best to be with a guide, than your nose in a guidebook and miss lots. Besides the fact that the guide are really good, they also know how to get around the place rather than getting lost. We did only half-day as we had to meet my sister for lunch, but returned a few days later (on our own) to try to catch up on what we missed the first time. While we did fine on our own, it was better with a guide. I go for one for the entire day.

You can do the Museum, Shrine of the Book and Yad Vashem on your own, but would give yourself more than a few hours; switch Tue with Wed or go to Bethlehem Tue.

No matter, you'll still only get a taste, but better some than none.

The visit to Masada is a full day, where you can go with private guide or small group (only 6/paxs total) and was ideal.

When driving to Haifa, you pass Caesarea on the way. Overnight Haifa and next day you can visit Acco and even Safed. This will be a long day, so would o/n Safed or Haifa then return to TLV next morning. As you have a late departure, you'd still have 1.5/dys in TLV.

I vote for a guide for at least one full day in Jerusalem, perhaps two days. A guide can also help you arrange a Bethlehem visit, dropping you off on the Israel side, fixing you up with a Bethlehem guide to meet you on the other side of the border crossing, and meeting you again upon your return.

This is not what most people say, but I was not blown away by my visit to Masada, and since you are pressed for time you may want to save it for another trip (or go there and skip Bethlehem).
I'm willing to bet this will not be your only trip to Israel.

We are thinking about going to Israel in October or November. We also like to travel independently but we have used a guide on previous trips. Can anyone recommend a guide? We would like to travel to different parts of Israel and perhaps Petra.

Thanks.

Mollybee

I recommend starting a new topic ....