Israel

puffinmuffin

Just walking the streets of Jerusalem is a fascinating experience. I am not at all religious but was quite affected by it all. Sorry if you know this but make sure you have something to cover your shoulders at the Wailing Wall, they were turning people away for this.
I went on a day trip from Jerusalem which took in Masada, the Dead Sea and Jericho and another into the West Bank with a Palestinian company which was interesting (it was important to me to see both sides).
I wasn't worried about the passport stamp as i don't plan to visit any of the countries with the policy, will be worth checking.

dtm953

There is endless stuff to see in Israel, ancient, modern, religious, scientific, nature, cities different cultures and societies.

If you've no idea what you would like to see I really recommend popping in to your library and borrowing (or browsing) a travel guide to make a few priorities of your own.

Though Tel Aviv is only 100 years old (the Old City of Jaffa a little more historic) there is so much to do just in the city, great museums, culture, architecture etc but you also miss out on the rest of the country! As previous poster has said there are always places to get cheap food like falafel.

My favourite thing is to go on a hiking trip in the North of the country or in the desert but you'll need a local or a kind tourist official employee to help you on your way and it's probably not something you'll have time for

welda

Mr_Wang wrote: »

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

I have to say I couldn't meet nicer people than the Jordanians. Far easier than the Israelis I met at Eilat.

Go to Jordan, visit Wadi Rum, Petra, safari deep into the Negev with the bedouin. Bedou's are not so pretentious as the Isrealis!

regards

Mr_Wang

welda wrote: »

I have to say I couldn't meet nicer people than the Jordanians. Far easier than the Israelis I met at Eilat.

Go to Jordan, visit Wadi Rum, Petra, safari deep into the Negev with the bedouin. Bedou's are not so pretentious as the Isrealis!

regards

I'm afraid I have to disagree, I found the Jordanians to be the most dishonest people I have ever met. At every turn there was a scam, and though I thought Petra was amazing is it really justified cost wise?

Read more about what I thought and did in Jordan/Israel here:
http://thesummerholidayofalifetime.blogspot.co.uk/2011_09_01_archive.html

DKLS

welda wrote: »

I have to say I couldn't meet nicer people than the Jordanians. Far easier than the Israelis I met at Eilat.

Go to Jordan, visit Wadi Rum, Petra, safari deep into the Negev with the bedouin. Bedou's are not so pretentious as the Isrealis!

regards

Couldn't agree more, I went to Jordan twice last year
, the first a work trip to our Amman office, I enjoyed it so much I took the wife back for two weeks, beautiful country, amazing friendly, proper 5* hotel for 3* money, we didnt encounter any scams on the go.

There is an old saying amongst travellers " at the heart of any trouble you will find either a Brit or an Israeli" it's true for a reason

I lived in Israel for a year and it's a beautiful place, especially the old town of tel aviv -Jaffa. Great place to body surf and enjoy the culture, I would recommend tel aviv over the rest of Israel.

Jerusalem is a tad weird, erm it attracts nut jobs of all denominations!
Eilat is like a sunny Jewish Blackpool.

If you do go enjoy the cheap felafal and wash it down with a goldstar beers.

Brings back happy memories of dating a young lady in the IDF, gorgeous brunette in uniform and armed to the teeth

SallyD

You can easily share a salad - they are huge! Transport great but you must pre-book accommodation because of the festivities. There is an international youth hostel and don't think Kibbutz guest houses are cheap because they certainly are not. I visited the Dead Sea when it was pretty windy - that salt hurts. Enjoy your trip.

mrs_lds

which is the cheapest airline from stansted to get to tel aviv

BusinessStudent

mrs_lds wrote: »

which is the cheapest airline from stansted to get to tel aviv

You cannot fly directly from Stansted to Tel Aviv. Air Berlin do fly indirect although there is a 20 hour layover :eek:

If you can get to Luton airport then easyjet have direct flights to Tel Aviv.

uknick

Resurrecting old thread to save starting new one.

We're going to Israel early April, hopefully avoiding the religious festivals. Recommendations for hotels in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will be most welcome.

Also, recommendations for tours to Nazareth/Galilee from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv also welcome.

Matryoshka

I'm going in May. Enjoyed reading this thread. Lots of tips, thanks