Israel Travel Tips Needed

May 13, 2008 6:37 AM

I'm traveling to Israel next month for a family wedding. Most of the hotels and transportation are taken care of but I looking for other sidetrips/places that are worth visiting.

Details - Me, wife and baby (10 weeks). My wife and I are pretty seasoned travellers but are English speaking only. All of our hotels are prepaid so any deviations from the plan will waste money. At the same time, money isn't a huge issue as this will be a once-in-a-long-time trip for us.

Day 1 questions. We'll be pretty much on our own in the Netanya area. We'll probably stick close to the hotel after the long flight. Is there anytime in the immediate area worth seeing?

Jerusalem questions. We've basically got 36 hours there. We get in Wednesday morning and leave Thursday night. I realize there are a lot of things to see there but would a trip to Bethlehem be realistic? I've heard horror stories about some people trying to get there and others say it's very easy. Anyone with any advice there?

After seeing the Dead Sea and Massada, we're heading down to BeerSheva. Is Eilat and the Red Sea worth the extra couple hours to drive down and spend the night - and then snorkel in the Red Sea? I'd love to see Petra but that will have to wait until the next trip - circa 2025.

Thanks in advance.

posted by tickettrader to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

I dont know if there is much near Netanya, but you can always just hit the beach. Also, if you have a car, nothing is far in Israel.

I haven't been to Bethlehem, but wouldn't advise it, mainly because i assume there will be roadblocks. You may also have problems taking a rental car in. There are tours that you can do there which might be the way to go if you really want.

I always find Eilat kitchy, and promise myself i will never go back. Dead Sea and Masada are worthwhile though.

enjoy your trip!!
posted by chromatist at 7:05 AM on May 13, 2008

Netanya isn't too far from Caesarea, which is worth a trip if you have the energy. Otherwise, just relax at the beach.

I would focus on Jerusalem while you're there, rather than trying to go to Bethlehem; there could be roadblocks and other hassles, and Jerusalem offers so much on its own.

Yes, Eilat is kitschy, but the snorkeling is great. There's also some gorgeous hiking just north of there; I have a memory of hiking through desert hills until we suddenly found ourselves staring out at the sea. If you want an alternative to Eilat and the Red Sea, go to Mitzpe Ramon - it's beautiful, quiet, and not nearly as far south.
posted by bassjump at 8:01 AM on May 13, 2008

Jerusalem questions. We've basically got 36 hours there. We get in Wednesday morning and leave Thursday night. I realize there are a lot of things to see there but would a trip to Bethlehem be realistic? I've heard horror stories about some people trying to get there and others say it's very easy. Anyone with any advice there?

This past January I spent a few days in Jerusalem, and two days touring the West Bank. I went through the security barriers, i.e., "The Wall", on foot, and caught a taxi once I was in Palestine. There are taxi drivers in Jerusalem who can take you into the Palestinian territories from your hotel, and there are also bus tours that can take you there. You could also take a rental car but I don't recommend it.

Obviously there's a bit of risk heading into the West Bank, especially if tensions rise, but my current reading of the situation is pretty calm.


After seeing the Dead Sea and Massada, we're heading down to BeerSheva. Is Eilat and the Red Sea worth the extra couple hours to drive down and spend the night - and then snorkel in the Red Sea? I'd love to see Petra but that will have to wait until the next trip - circa 2025.

The Red Sea is simply amazing. I did most of my dives in the North Red Sea out of an Egyptian port, but my experience there was great. I'm born and raised in Hawaii, I've snorkeled both around the islands and in the Caribbean, and the visibility and sea life in the Red Sea was a level above. If you're feeling a little more adventurous (and spendy), hire on to a dive boat for a day, and take an SCUBA dive. I recommend getting at least a confined water certification ahead of time, which you can probably get done in a larger city's swimming pool.
posted by onalark at 8:05 AM on May 13, 2008

If you've got two days in Jerusalem, it would be realistic to spend a day and a half touring the Old City, and a half-day tour of Bethlehem. If you've got a tight reservation, I would get on a tour bus with fixed times on your first day. The likelihood of a bus-load of foreign tourists getting stuck in the West Bank for the night is pretty low.
posted by onalark at 8:09 AM on May 13, 2008

I went for a wedding in 2005 and we couldn't get a taxi to take us to Bethlehem, so I'd be wary of going on my own, either. The Holocaust museum was really worth an afternoon, if you're interested. I thought the Dead Sea was a lot of fun, though maybe not for the baby. Masada was the hottest place on earth I've ever been (this was in June too, so leave the baby with someone else for this jaunt, I'd say). We actually went north to Galillee and Safed, but since Safed was hit with rockets in 2006, I don't know how it's recovered.
posted by xo at 8:10 AM on May 13, 2008

While you're near the Dead Sea go to Ein Gedi, a series of clear water pools. They're beautiful and you can take a hike from one to the other, ending in a cave-like pool that overlooks the Judean desert.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:11 AM on May 13, 2008

i know there are no israelis in this thread since no one is mentioning tel aviv :)

netanya is nice but it's a suburb. you might as well go down to tel aviv for the day and do a little shopping, a little lunching. it's not a beautiful city necessarily but it's got more character than netanya and it's definitely worth your time. the beach is the nicest beach you'll find in any major city on the mediterranean, but you're going to be in netanya so you don't need beach. while in tel aviv, head to jaffa. it's beautiful. it's right there. the old city is gorgeous to explore. go to the pita bakery on the outskirts and have pita like you've never ever had in america. you could eat an entire bag with nothing on it.

i agree with masada and ein gedi, both worth it. there is nothing like it in the states (assuming you're from the states). and i would almost suggest going with a tour guide because otherwise you will not get as much out of the ruins.

bethlehem - do not go there in your own car. just don't. take a tour, that's what they're there for. i will mention, however, that most christian friends end up being slightly let down by bethlehem. they expect it to look like, say, rome. and it's not. on the other hand, other friends have been very moved. just something to keep in mind when making the decision whether to go or not. but do go on an organized tour, just so you have someone who can point out the significant historical details.

there is easily 36 hours worth of amazing things to see in jerusalem without trying to cram bethlehem into your trip. so, think about it.

tour guides in israel have to go through a ridiculous amount of training before they can get a license so they actually do know their shit. (but bring a good guidebook to back you up) they also have the connections to take you in the right door or to the right guard etc.

you realize there is NOTHING in beer sheva, right? i did my master's there. two and a half very, very long years (and i was only there once or twice a week) no seriously, there is nothing there - except good ice cream.

no, seriously, nothing.

i hate eilat. can't help you there. don't think eilat is worth it. the only times i was ever in eilat when i lived there was to go to the sinai - now, that would be worth it, but you can't just hop over the border any more.

agree with mitzpe/maktesh ramon. gorgeous and quiet.

my final recommendation, again, is get a tour guide since money isn't an obstacle. it will be worth it, especially with a young child. you will love the experience of travelling with a small child in israel, since the country revolves around children. you will never feel uncomfortable. someone will give you a seat, help you get the stroller on the bus, play with the kid if they're standing near them. they will also of course be uncontrollably in your business and asking a lot of personal questions, but it's also one of the delights of israel.

nisia tova (bon voyage)
posted by micawber at 11:29 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

I completely agree with everything micawber said. Lived there in the 80's so my info's a little outdated but Beersheva is a bore.

Spend time in J'salem, you could easily spend a day just in the old city. I loved spending time in Ein Gedi if you're going to Masada. Beautiful hikes. Not sure if you're into art, but the artist colony in Tzfat was wonderful, at least the last time I was there (1989). Tel Aviv is fun but I was a teenager and so, the clubs were hopping but I imaging the shopping and food is much better than in was back then. Eilat's not worth it. Casinos and other tourist trap.

Have fun!
posted by Sophie1 at 12:50 PM on May 13, 2008

I'm shocked that nobody has mentioned this, but Eilat in June will likely be 100 degrees plus. Your 10 week old baby will have a tough time leaving the hotel room. Beersheva and the Negev will also be very hot during the summer.

Why not replace the southern part of the country by either spending time in the Galilee and the beautiful, rugged Golan Heights? There are some terrific bed and breakfasts around, wineries, great scenery, history, and plenty to do--from Akko and Caeserea to the Sea of Galilee. (Tiberias also tends to be hot during the summer, but Tzfat is very nice.)
posted by j1950 at 6:12 PM on May 13, 2008

Thanks for all the great advice. I think I got more out of your responses than I did from my guide books. Ein Gedi sounds like something we need to see. Unfortunately Beersheva is where we're staying for the pre-wedding festivities. We'll just have to make it fun. :-)
posted by tickettrader at 7:23 PM on May 13, 2008

If you like rugged terrain, I highly second the visit to Makhtesh Ramon, which is just south of Ber Sheva. it's the world's largest erosion crater, and a must see.
posted by dhruva at 10:29 PM on May 13, 2008

If you're going to Ein Gedi, leave the baby with a friend or relative. Then you two can also enjoy the nearby Dead Sea. It will be better for all involved.

I live in Jerusalem, and would be happy to meet you to direct you to some highlights - my email's in the profile.

Tel Aviv is the large 'cosmopolitan' city - cool if you're into that, but Paris and London do it better, I'm sure.

If you can find the time, I would also encourage you to head up north to the gorgeous Galilee and the Golan Heights. The former obviously has lots of Christian interest sites, if that's your bag. If you get up there (and remember, this is a pretty tiny country), I'd second Caesaria and also encourage you to check out Tzefat (aka Tsefat aka Tsfat, etc).

Nthing the rec to hire a tour guide.

For better or for worse, 2025 is getting closer every day. You'll be back soon enough :)
posted by prophetsearcher at 2:09 PM on May 14, 2008