basingstoke2

If so, I would like to know your experience. Are there any agencies that in your experience are reliable? We are considering a visit for the month of October with a monthly apartment budget that I would not like to exceed $1500. Any part of the country is fine with the exception of Tel-Aviv or orthodox neighborhoods.

AlexA

I haven't done this, but I'd be interested in finding out what you find out.
October this year includes Sukkot when many people come to visit. Hotel prices are high then so I'm not sure what you might find for only $1500 per month. I know you're not interested in Tel Aviv, but just for comparison realize that small apartments in Tel Aviv , even walkups, rent for around $1000 per month to residents. I assume something larger and on a secondary market would be quite a bit higher, even without the intervening holiday.

basingstoke2

AlexA - that is one of the reasons that I want to avoid Tel Aviv, aside from the traffic. Actually I would prefer something more in the nature of a small town. I spent a lot of time in Israel about 40 years ago, so my interest is in revisiting old haunts etc., and I pretty much remember my way around. I did find several properties rented by owner that might do but I would like to learn of some reliable agencies.

basingstoke2

anyone?

mbgg

Could you narrow down the preferred area, e.g. Galilee, Center, Negev, etc ? Will you be renting a car ? If not, you will find it much more convenient to be in one of the cities.
Israel has changed a lot in the last 40 years, particularly Tel-Aviv. National Geographic and Lonely Planet recently selected it as one of their top travel destination recommendations.
There is no point in saving $100 on accommodation while spending $100 on transportation.

basingstoke2

mbgg - thanks for the reply. Yes we would plan on a car and really, we are not too particular as to the part of the country, even the Galilee - it is not that big of a country, but I probably would not prefer Bersheva or Tiberius as a base. We have already seen it all, including parts that were returned to Egypt so we just want to revisit some favorites and those are scattered in different parts of the country. However, a place like Ein Kerem would suit us (or at least it would have when I was last there). Back then I spent most of my time in Jerusalem (Neve Granot), Jaffa, and Kiryat Yam which is near Haifa.

Elkaz

If you were last in Israel 40 years ago there is nothing to revisit. You will find the names of places are the same but everything else is different. To really appreciate Israel you should really be planning a trip as a first timer. Also, due to the holidays rental apartments will be expensive all over the country. There is lots of internal tourism as well as foreigners coming. You picked a very expensive time to visit.

basingstoke2

Elkaz - when do you recommend?. The summer does not work for us. Springtime perhaps? I was thinking October because I recall that the rainy season began soon after. I look forward to seeing the changes.

sandi

<i>"If you were last in Israel 40 years ago there is nothing to revisit."</I>

As my sister who travels to/from a few times a year, mentioned to me 10/years ago, "if you don't visit now (my previous visit had been 8/years earlier), except for Old Jerusalem, Israel is/will look much like most anywhere in the US."

Nothing wrong with that, but that comment was 10/years ago, so as Elkaz mentions... plan the visit as a first-timer!

... and yes, apartments can be very expensive. Don't know where you live, but if you can get any of the "Jewish" newspapers (they're in English) thumb thru their advertising sections for "rentals."

AlexA

basingstoke2 , springtime is also great, but you run into Passover and that too will have a bearing on prices of rentals. Isn't that always the problem--when the weather is good, that's when people want to travel

You need to look at exact dates of holidays and work around them . It's not that "October" or "April" are so busy and expensive, it's the holidays and days surrounding them , So after Sukkot (which ends October 21st) demand slows down.

Yes, of course it can rain starting even in October and throughout the winter, easily until March. But the summer is so hot (and doesn't work for you) and what would normal be "shoulder seasons" for travel in other parts of the world, is exactly when the holidays are in full swing in Israel.

If you can come (and be return home) before Rosh Hashana, after Sukkot, before or after Passover, you have the best chances of good weather.

sandi

I actually last visited during Jan/Feb and while it's often cold, can rain and even snow especially in Jerusalem, we had beautiful weather. Temps in low 70s daytime and cool evenings. You never know.

Yes, look at dates before/between/after Jewish Holidays and remember "weather is weather, whether it will or whether it won't." These days you have to prepare for everything most anywhere you travel and remember another, while Israel may seem to be in the middle of the desert... it's not; they have stores/malls so "go shopping" for anything you might need.