Israel

pixie76

I am going to Israel in a fortnight & wondered if anyone had any hints/tips/recommendations? I am staying in Tel Aviv but am going to the dead sea & to visit the wailing wall.

vegasvisitor

Sorry, I know nothing about Israel as a destination, but I suggest you ask them not to stamp your passport at immigration. Can cause you problems if visiting other countries using that passport.

Mr_Wang

Israel is an amazing, beautiful and relaxed country.

I crossed into Israel from Jordan and they said they only stamp passports now and not paper like they used to.

The country is well connected through the national bus company 'egged' and almost everywhere is easily reachable.
The dead sea is stunning and easily reached independently from Jerusalem. Just don't shave your legs or anything a day or two before you go since it stings like crazy.
Also my daughter (I am male) complained after about 5 minutes that it was seriously stinging her 'bits' and so she couldn't go in again.

Jerusalem for all its history is unnervingly peaceful, and very well connected by a modern (only opened last year actually) tram system.
The Old City is probably the single most amazing place I have ever been, I am not religious, but is there any where on earth of such a size with such a significant meaning for such a large amount of people? Probably not, early morning walks around the walls of the city are breathtaking.

Israel in terms of costs is very expensive. From food, to accommodation and even to travel. My advice would be to bail Tel Aviv asap and head to Jerusalem, from there experience the old City and Bethlehem if time allows. Take an Egged day return to the dead sea, but make sure all your accommodation is booked prior to leaving the UK. Otherwise you will get stung.

And don't under any circumstances be tempted to head to Jordan - The most awful country on the face of the planet.

aaroncaz

When you are in Tel Aviv you can cheaply eat from the Hacarmel Market off Allenby St, the fresh pitta bread, homous is the best I have ever tasted, plus there are little Kebab( Shashlik) cafes or Falafel Cafes which are cheap to eat in. Israel is an amazing place, enjoy.

melly1980

pixie76 wrote: »

I am going to Israel in a fortnight & wondered if anyone had any hints/tips/recommendations? .

wear a flak jacket and dont travel on buses

Shalva

How long are you going for? April 6th is the begining of Passover so places will be pretty busy with vacationing Isralies....... In Tel Aviv it wont be too much of a problem but in other places Passover means no bread ,flour products and beer! In the old city of Jerusalem you can buy from Arab traders......

you need to remember that public transport stops from friday afternoon until sat.evening because of Shabbat but that sunday is a regular day.....

Plenty of places to eat cheaply -as already said the Carmel market in Tel Aviv,and surrounding markets, "Nahalat Benyamin" for example.....

Its warming up here now so the beach is an option too.....

As well as the old city in Jerusalem .try and go to the "Mahane Yehuda" market .....its been greatly renovated the last few years and is well worth a visit...

BusinessStudent

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Israel is an amazing, beautiful and relaxed country.

I crossed into Israel from Jordan and they said they only stamp passports now and not paper like they used to.

The country is well connected through the national bus company 'egged' and almost everywhere is easily reachable.
The dead sea is stunning and easily reached independently from Jerusalem. Just don't shave your legs or anything a day or two before you go since it stings like crazy.
Also my daughter (I am male) complained after about 5 minutes that it was seriously stinging her 'bits' and so she couldn't go in again.

Jerusalem for all its history is unnervingly peaceful, and very well connected by a modern (only opened last year actually) tram system.
The Old City is probably the single most amazing place I have ever been, I am not religious, but is there any where on earth of such a size with such a significant meaning for such a large amount of people? Probably not, early morning walks around the walls of the city are breathtaking.

Israel in terms of costs is very expensive. From food, to accommodation and even to travel. My advice would be to bail Tel Aviv asap and head to Jerusalem, from there experience the old City and Bethlehem if time allows. Take an Egged day return to the dead sea, but make sure all your accommodation is booked prior to leaving the UK. Otherwise you will get stung.

And don't under any circumstances be tempted to head to Jordan - The most awful country on the face of the planet.

Good advice there.

I recently travelled to Amman, Jordan in January after taking advantage of the £100 bargain fares from easyjet. I have to say that Amman certainly did not wow me. Prehaps if I had visited Petra I then might have been impressed but then again there is no way on earth that I was going to pay the £50+ fee for Petra.

Check out http://www.newtelavivtours.com/daily-tours/ and http://www.toursinenglish.com/

miss_edith

I've been to Jordan twice and loved it. I stayed in Madaba instead of Amman, then travelled around to Petra (worth the money on a multi-day ticket), Wadi Rum, Aquaba and the Crusader castles. I couldn't find a bad word to say about the place!

plumber_carl

As said do not let them stamp your pass port,,, theres a Lott of countries who will not allow you in,,, meaning a new pass port

bylromarha

Love Israel.

Jerusalem is hectic but beautiful - make sure you have lightweight cardi and a scarf at all times to cover your head and shoulders. The greek orthodox church have taken over lots of the religious sites - lots of bling! But the garden tomb is worth a visit, very serene and much more of a reflective religious site than a in your face one.

If you can face it, visit Yad Vashem in Jerusalem - holocaust museum which is one of those place you have to go to.

Don't miss Galilee - serene beautiful place - church of the beatitudes has stunning views.

And if you're going to the dead sea, don't miss Masada - take the cable car!

And if you're allowed into Bethlehem, I had great hilarity eating at the Christmas Tree Restaurant in Bethlehem!!!!

tessie_bear

hi...i was also going to suggest Galilee....a boat ride on there is lovely...also try and eat St Peters fish...scary looking but nice
Church of the nativity is great as is Masada, the dead sea the panoramic view of Jerusalem

have a hat and a light scarf to cover up in churches...hope u have a great time