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Israel itinerary- suggestions

Replies: 9 - Last Post: Sep 5, 2012 1:17 PM Last Post By: Shuffaluff

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octoberwedding

octoberwedding avatar

Jul 30, 2012 5:58 PM
Posts:  4

Israel itinerary- suggestions

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping to go to Israel and am wondering about possible itineraries. I'm thinking that I will be in the country for ~10 days. I would like to spend some time in Jeruselem, Masada/Dead Sea, go down to Eilat for some diving, maybe the Negev somewhere as well as Galilee if possible. I would be flying in and out of Tel Aviv and likely will arrive on a Friday so would need to stay there over Shabbat.

Thank you!

Shuffaluff

Shuffaluff avatar

Jul 30, 2012 8:29 PM
Posts:  1,386

1

will arrive on a Friday so would need to stay there over Shabbat.
Not at all, unless you specifically want to. The Nesher shuttle (search the forum) goes 24/7 to Jerusalem, and will drop you anywhere in Jerusalem. The cost is around 60 shekels. The only way to get to Tel Aviv from the airport on Shabbat is a taxi (there is no sherut), which will cost you a lot more than that.

Go to Tel Aviv first if you want to, but not because you think there is no alternative.

alhaderech

alhaderech avatar

Jul 30, 2012 10:39 PM
Posts:  115

2

An itinerary could be put together easily. When are you planning on coming. Eilat is brutally hot in the summer months. ( It is currently over 100 F.) While 10 days is a decent amount of time, what you are planning is very hectic. Consider--you have 4 places listed. You can easily spend 10 days in Jerusalem. Exactly what do you want to do and see. Going to and from Eilat, unless you fly is a whole day in and of itself. More information from you will make it easier to help plan an itinerary.

amirico

amirico avatar

Jul 30, 2012 11:54 PM
Posts:  368

3

You have to fill in the blanks for us:
When are you arriving (Month of the year and time of day)?
Is renting a car for 3-4 days an option?
Is this your first time in Israel?
Are you skipping Tel Aviv intentionally?

The places you mention can be done in 10 days. Answer the questions and we'll help you sort it out.

davetheguide

davetheguide avatar

Jul 31, 2012 7:02 AM
Posts:  114

4

Amirico is correct. We need more answers from you.

For the time being, I'm going to assume this will be your first visit to Israel, that you're willing to rent a car for driving outside the two big cities and that you have a bit of flexibility in terms of the number of days you'll be touring.

A typical structure could look like this (starting with Tel Aviv and ending in Jerusalem):
2 nights Tel Aviv
2 nights Galilee kibbutz guesthouse
1 night Dead Sea region
2 nights Eilat
4 nights Jerusalem

An 11-night program is slightly longer than you had indicated you'd like to spend here, but if you insist on including Eilat in the itinerary, I can't really see how you could do it in less time.

a1

a1 avatar

Jul 31, 2012 10:13 PM
Posts:  668

5

I don't see any reason for going to Eilat if this is your first trip - unless it is very important to you to go diving while in Israel. However, adding Eilat means subtracting other places, if you have only 10 days. You'll have to prioritize.

laketraveller

laketraveller avatar

Aug 1, 2012 5:17 AM
Posts:  5,467

6

I agree with a1.

It's your trip and you should do what is important to you, but consider that there are thousands of resorts throughout the world where you can dive. Eilat is a touristy, concrete jungle just the same as any other.

There are many places throughout Israel which are unique in the world. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to explore the unique places because you're spending your limited time in a place like Eilat.

catw

catw avatar

Aug 2, 2012 6:58 AM
Posts:  1,466

7

I also suggets you skip ugly Eilat and spend time in Tel Aviv instead.

If you're into diving, plan another trip to Sinai's Dahab.

octoberwedding

octoberwedding avatar

Sep 5, 2012 6:15 AM
Posts:  4

8

Thanks everyone for their insights. I'm looking to go next spring-after Passover sometime but before it gets too hot. I think I'll bypass Eilat for this trip as I've already been diving in Dahab a few years ago. Since I'll be travelling on my own, I was going to try and take public transport as much as possible and rent a car when needed, perhaps in Galilee etc. An ~11 day itinerary is doable as well. Any other suggestions would be most welcome!

Shuffaluff

Shuffaluff avatar

Sep 5, 2012 1:17 PM
Posts:  1,386

9

Any other suggestions would be most welcome!
What are your interests? Religion (which one?), history (which period?), museums, hiking, architecture, old buildings, nature, food, nightlife....
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