AlexA

Fodor's 2011 Israel guidebook is great -- and I'm quoted in it
But a 2011 guidebook typically has information compiled in 2010, and I don't think any printed guidebook is up to date enough for specific sites' hours. It is great for an overview of the country , places you want to see, itineraries.

JC98

Thanks, all, for the info! Is the road to Dead Sea pretty straight forward? Is it safe to go to Bethelem?

Which car rental company you recommend?

Also, is it safe for a young woman to walk around sightseeing by herself?

JC98

Please critique this itinerary that does not include Petra.

* 1/27 (Fri) Arrive TLV airport at 2 p.m. Rent a car and drive to the Dead Sea. Overnight in Ein Bokek. How long is the drive from the airport? Stay at Le Meridien hotel -- are their saunas and pools free to guests? Any treatments you'll recommend?

* 1/28 (Sat) Float in the Dead Sea--is the beach/water in Ein Bokek good? Afternoon, see Masada--maybe cable up and hike down? Hike in Ein Gedi. Overnight in Le Meridien Hotel.

* 1/29 (Sun) From Ein Bokek, drive to Galilee and then to Haifa. How long does this take? What stops to see along the way? Overnight in Haifa.

* 1/30 (Mon) Haifa

* 1/31 - 2/1(Tue, Wed) Tel-Aviv

* 2/2 - 2/4 (Thurs, Fri, Sat) Jerusalem. Any other side trips?

* 2/4 (Sat) 9:40 p.m. international flight out


Please suggest your favorite activities and sights.

Thanks for your help!

Elkaz

Questions first

a. Yes the road to the Dead Sea is pretty straight forward.

b. Yes it is safe to go to Bethlehem. Take either a group tour or go by yourself via an Arab bus available at the Arab bus station near the Damascus Gate of the Old City. You can not drive an Israeli rental to Bethlehem. ( or any other place under the Palestinian Authority ( PA)

c. I always use Eldan, they are the largest and I feel the best. Book online for the best price and periodically go back and check your prices since prices do sometimes decrease. You then go to your first reservation, cancel it and make a new one. ( they do NOT ask for a credit card in advance)

d. It is definitely safe for a young women to walk around alone. The "worst" that can happen is that in certain places you may get catcalls.



NOW Your Itinerary

By the time you get though customs and get your rental car it will be dark. I do not think it is a good idea for you to travel in the dark, as you don't know where you are going.

I would go first to Tel Aviv ( no car) Spend a few days there. Then I would Rent a car and go North to the Galilee.

Finally, drive down to Masada and spend your time there and from Masada drive up to Jerusalem, return the car and spend your time in Jerusalem.

mbgg

I understand that you have to be based in Haifa on 1/30, 1/31 and 2/1.

I think this would be easier
1/27 - arrive , go to Jerusalem
1/28 - Jerusalem
1/29 - Jerusalem. Drive to Haifa in evening
1/30 to 2/1 - based in Haifa: see Haifa, Akko, Nazareth, etc,
2/2 - drive to Dead Sea via Bet Shean. Hike Ein Gedi (note winter hours). Overnight Dead Sea
2/3 - Massada / swim /spa. Drive to Jerusalem.
2/4 - Jerusalem. Drive to airport.

Note:
- Ein Gedi winter hours: open to 4PM, last entrance at 3 PM. I recommend entering the Reserve no later than 2PM, so if you want to see Bet Shean on the way you have to get an early start.
- you have to arrive at the airport terminal at 6:40 PM (3 hrs before flight), so get to car return about 6 PM, i.e. depart Jerusalem about 5:15PM.

JC98

Thanks, Elkaz and mbgg, for your helpful suggestions.

Regarding the itinerary, I was trying to avoid Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and big cities in general on the weekend, as they will be too quiet because of Sabbath, Muslim and Christian observances. I was trying to spend the weekend in nature instead.

Or you think it won't affect my sightseeing and enjoyment to spend the weekend in Jerusalem, etc.?

Thanks

mbgg

I don't think it makes a difference. Everything is open on Friday and a lot is open on Saturday. e.g. all National Parks. You have to check the websites. Your visit is short so you will have no problem finding things to do every day. So you should arrange your itinerary for convenience; both Elkaz and I think that the initial drive to the Dead Sea is not advisable.

Here are some more links:
- Sandeman's free Jerusalem tour (a good introduction to the Old City):
http://www.newjerusalemtours.com/dai...free-tour.html
- Bahai Gardens tour (Haifa):
http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/
- Akko Old City:
http://www.akko.org.il/english/Visit...er/default.asp

JC98

Thanks, mbgg, for the other links. The free walking tour sounds great. Are there free tours in other cities too? I took one in Munich last year and it was surprisingly good, and the guide received very good tips that day.

My concern is about staying in Jerusalem (not national parks) on Fri night and Sat, as I hear most shops, restaurants and places are closed, including public transportation. I want to feel the pulse of the place I'm visiting, not a dead quiet place. Or you don't think it's too bad, and I can still see Christian and Muslim sights on Sat?

An option for Sat if I stay in Jerusalem is to take the 3 hours free walking tour in the morning, then go to Mount Olive and see Christian sights (hopefully they won't be closed), and then go to the Muslim Quarter (ok for non-Muslims to enter?). By sundown on Sat, hopefully the city comes back to life.

The other option is to drive out to the Dead Sea on Sat and spend a night there.

JC98

Also, are non-Jews allowed to enter synagogues? Can we attend a Shabbath service in a synagogue?

I'm planning to meet up with an old college friend who's now raising a family and working in Jerusalem. We haven't been in contact for many years, but from our recent email contact, she said she would love to meet up. She's Orthodox Jew, so is it proper to ask her to dine with us at a Kosher restaurant? What gift to bring?

It'd be awesome if we could observe Shabbath with her, but afraid we'd be imposing ourselves. She did invite us to stay at her place, but we probably won't.

Thanks for your advice

mbgg

Synagogues are open to everyone, however you must respect the particular customs of any individual synagogue. I would definitely avoid the ultra-orthodox ones. What I recommend is a conservative or reform synagogue where men and women sit together and the congregation is generally very welcoming to outsiders. There are many such "Anglo-ex-pat" synagogues in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem in general is 'dead' on Friday evenings but much is open on Saturdays - the Old City, except for sites in the Jewish Quarter. So it is a good idea to see sites in the New City on Friday and the Old City on Saturday.

You can invite your friend to dine at a kosher restaurant, but I suggest letting her pick the location. Unfortunately there are different levels of "kosher" and depending on her level of observance some restaurants may not be kosher enough for her.

The city of Tel-Aviv also sponsors a series of free walking tours:
http://www.visit-tlv.com/?CategoryID=191

Many sites provide audio-guides for their visitors, e.g. Yad VaShem, Massada, Akko, etc.

JerryS

A small note concerning the so-called "free" tours.
Yes, there is no charge and no requirement for tipping the Guide. However, it is customary to tip the Guide and I suggest that if you are happy with the tour and Guide, you tip generously. Unfortunately, many only tip the equivalent of a few dollars or not at all.
FYI, we found Sandeman's free Jerusalem tour to be excellent.
Have a great visit to this magnificent country.

Elkaz

Assuming your friend is the same sex as you are, there is no reason for you not to go to her Orthodox synagogue with her. To go, you need to make sure you have a skirt that covers your knees, and a blouse that covers the elbows and a neckline that is not too low. Note: there are some Orthodox synagogues where the sleeve length can be slightly shorter-ASK you friend.

BTW if she invited you to stay for the Sabbath--why not. Israelis work 6 day weeks and this may be the best day for her to really visit with you. Just be respectful, ask what you can and can't do and don't touch anything in her Kosher kitchen without asking. ( it is easy to mix up the meat and dairy stuff, if you are not familiar with her layout--and "touch" doesn't mean you hand can do harm--it can NOT)

Also, if she has kids, I would privately ask her to okay the amount of questions she wants asked in front of them. You may have questions that she would be happy to answer, but prefer her kids don't hear!

JC98

Feeling nervous about going to Israel now, because of the rising tensions in the area and today's cyberattacks on the stock exchange and El Al -- the airline I'm flying on!! Hope the attacks remain in cyberspace only.

Also, the U.S. State Department had warnings about US government personnel going to Jerusalem on Fri, Sat and Sun. Maybe we should avoid Jerusalem on the weekend as well, and head out of town to be a bit safer?

In terms of where to stay in Jerusalem, we're thinking of the Dan Panorama or staying at a B&B in the Old City. Any preference from Fodorites? The reason for Dan Panorama is hopefully we can use the sauna and spa, but from their website I'm afraid they might be closed in the winter, or they meant on the rooftop pool?

Thanks

Oreet

I would ignore the US State Dept warnings - they are always extreme and out of touch with reality - have been since forever. The warnings to US government personnel are excessive and unrealistic. The Old City of Jerusalem has more security than almost anyplace in the world, much of it you will never notice, but it is there and it is safe. Just use basic common sense and have a great time.

If you want to get a sense of what Jerusalem is and get a feeling of the spiritual in Jerusalem then definitely spend the weekend there.

My guess is that the spa and sauna at the Dan Panorama are open in the winter, it's only the rooftop pool that's closed.
Staying in the Old City is a different experience but the Old City pretty much shuts down at night so there will not be much going on around you and that includes coffee shops, etc. The Dan Panorama, on the other hand will enable you to go out and walk around, experience Jerusalem - especially after Shabbat when the city wakes up again.

JC98

Thanks, Oreet, for the very helpful response. That makes me feel better.

We'd probably stay just outside the Old City.

About the Dan Panorama, there are many negative reviews on tripadvisor about its rooms--the standard rooms are outdated, motel-like rooms. Is it same with your experience? Since we're staying there for the 1st 3 days --our intro to Israel--we want somewhere more comfortable. The other choice is the Harmony Boutique Hotel--ranked #1 on tripadvisor.

Any other hotels close to the Old City that you'd recommend? Our criteria: Under $150, 10-15 minutes walk to Old City, close to restaurants that are open at night, safe, free parking. (Dan Panorama and Harmony both have free parking, but very limited. Any experience with parking here? Where else to park if they're full?)

When we land at the airport, we're thinking of renting a car and driving to Jerusalem City Center--is it ok to drive into the city or it will be too crazy? The weekly rate seems cheaper than individual day rates.

Thanks

mbgg

You don't need a car when in Jerusalem: it is a liability because of the parking and traffic problems. A hotel in the center of town will be within walking distance of most major sites. Taxis and public transport are inexpensive and efficient.

To get from the airport to your hotel - use the "sherut" (shared taxi) service. These are 10 passenger minibuses that take you to your destination in Jerusalem and cost about 60 NIS per person. Go straight through the arrivals hall, out the main doors and follow the signs to the Nesher Jerusalem sherut. If you are the last people let off you will get a nice tour of the city

JC98

Thanks, Oreet, for the very helpful response. That makes me feel better.

We'd probably stay just outside the Old City.

About the Dan Panorama, there are many negative reviews on tripadvisor about its rooms--the standard rooms are outdated, motel-like rooms. Is it same with your experience? Since we're staying there for the 1st 3 days --our intro to Israel--we want somewhere more comfortable. The other choice is the Harmony Boutique Hotel--ranked #1 on tripadvisor.

Any other hotels close to the Old City that you'd recommend? Our criteria: Under $150, 10-15 minutes walk to Old City, close to restaurants that are open at night, safe, free parking. (Dan Panorama and Harmony both have free parking, but very limited. Any experience with parking here? Where else to park if they're full?)

When we land at the airport, we're thinking of renting a car and driving to Jerusalem City Center--is it ok to drive into the city or it will be too crazy? The weekly rate seems cheaper than individual day rates.

If we don't drive, how much is taxi from airport to city center? Is it convenient to take a sherut? Is it too time consuming? Does it go to everyone's hotel or stop at a central location?

Thanks

JC98

Oops, looks like I just reposted part of my reply. Thanks mbgg. So the sherut will go to everyone's stop? Afraid it will waste too much time?

JC98

Also, we're thinking of just driving to the hotel, park the car for all 3 days, and only take it out to go to Haifa on Sun. The rate is cheap if we rent for the entire week, and it saves us some taxi money from airport too.

So, if we do this, will it not be too bad to drive into Jerusalem?

Otherwise, take a taxi or sherut to Jerusalem. When we leave for Haifa on Sun, rent a car from city center. But that also involves driving thru the city to get out.

mbgg

The problem is where to park the car in Jerusalem for three days if your hotel doesn't provide parking. There are indoor parking lots in the center of Jerusalem, but since I live in Tel-Aviv I am not familiar with the options and cost. The best solution is to book a hotel with free parking for guests.

Getting in and out of the city isn't really a problem - it's driving around the various neighbourhoods to go from one site to the next that can be complicated.

Yes, the sherut takes everyone to their individual destination. I understand that at the airport they try to arrange it so that the people in each sherut go to the same part of town. In any case, I doubt if you will waste more than 30 minutes maximum. The sherut is a very popular service and everyone uses it, including locals.