Tips for Israel
 

We have friends getting married in Tel Aviv in early July. We'd like to take the opportunity to plan a 10-14 day trip to Israel (+ Petra in Jordan?)

We've never been to this region and we'd love to hear your tips, "must-sees", cautionary advice, etc.

About us: we are a couple in our mid-30s. We LOVE good food and leisurely travel with lots of time to soak in the local culture. No pushy, rushed tours for us! We don't mind a little walking, but we're not exactly athletic- day-long hikes, camping, biking, etc. are really not our thing. My husband loves museums and history, and I love shopping and people-watching. We like a laid-back, relaxing vacation with lots of photo-ops and new experiences. We're on a budget (cheap flights and public transportation are a plus!), but we don't mind splurging every now and then (we love a nice B&B!)

Here are some web sites that you should look at before coming back with some specific questions.

A non-commercial travel guide written by a frequent American visitor to Israel:
http://amateurtraveler.com/travel-gu...el%20guide.pdf

The Govt tourism web site:
http://www.goisrael.com

National Parks web site:
http://tinyurl.com/mnevevl

"Time Out" Tel Aviv magazine:
http://digital.timeout.co.il/Timeout.../91/index.html

List of museums:
http://ilmuseums.com/

Thanks for the links, mbgg!

We used trains and busses and got around pretty well for the few days we had. We really enjoyed Caesarea and Acre. If your DH enjoys ruins and Roman history, Caesarea should be interesting.
It is perhaps a bit far for you and maybe there are just as interesting places nearer to your location, but Acre is ancient with narrow streets and a very Arabic feeling. It is small and makes a nice day of walking and exploring.

Sounds very fun! I wish you all the best for planning such amazing journey. Hope you guys will have excellent time in Israel.

Must visit: http://www.goisrael.com

Must Visit: http://tinyurl.com/mnevevl

Thanks.

Thanks for the great ideas, everyone!

You indicated that you are planning on getting married. Is that all set up already. I do not know if you can come and easily get married with out advance planning. Are you Jewish or Christian. Don't forget there are no civil marriages in Israel.

The OP indicates that THEIR FRIENDS are getting married, not them. They're seeking a workable itinerary that would work for them during about 2/weeks in-country.

There is so much to see/do at every level and price, best you use the links above or as you should do regardless where traveling, buy (or lend from library) a guidebook to determine from details what places would best work for your holiday.

Israel is a small country for self-drive (with English signage), good public transit most areas, where you can spend a few days up northeast (Caeserea, Acra, Haifa) - the Golan (northwest), the Galilee, in/near Tel Aviv, and know that Jerusalem never is boring... besides everything that is unearthed in the country, almost daily.

Yup- it's our friends' wedding! :)

We'd prefer public transportation, whenever possible. We'll definitely get a guidebook to take with us so we can refer back to it as needed. (Especially in areas where our phones might not work- we don't have great plans for international travel...)