1

For a taste of the outdoors (taking into account the limitations you'll have), I suggest you choose from the following hikes:
Upper Galilee:
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=8
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=111
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=48
Sea of Galilee Area:
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=17
The Golan:
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=98
http://www.tiuli.com/track_info.asp?lng=eng&track_id=124 or other variations of the Zavitan Stream. These are water themed hikes. If you're not into this, there are other recommendations.
These are off course hikes. There are also other outdoor possibilities such as the Hula Lake (bird watching) and numerous historical sites.
In the south, the best option is Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea. You can get a map and info at the entrance and you can walk for an hour or an entire day.
It'll be a relatively warm November weekend with these temps(c): Galilee 20, Sea of Galilee 27, Golan 24, Dead Sea 30.
Are these 4-5 day the full extent of your time in Israel or will you be staying in Jerusalem after dropping off the car? Will you be going down to the Dead Sea area later on?

2

I trust amirico's hike recommendation -

I will just add that Tiberias, where you plan to spend the night, is quite the dump. I'm always struck at how a place with so much potential, which lies on a mountain that descends into a valley with a beautiful lake can be so nasty and disgusting...

I think it's probably best to enjoy vistas of Lake Galilee (the Kineret) from the Arbel cliff and from the churches around Capernaum and Mt. Beatitudes...

3

Use the car to travel in the north (Galilee and Golan), as well as to the Dead Sea and Masada. You do not need (or want) the car in the big cities.

4

Following yarden's remark, having a car puts in a position to choose one of countless beautiful rural places to sleep in the north, from budget to luxury: Kibbutzim guesthouses, privately owned cabins (aka Zimmerim) or field schools (http://teva.org.il/english/fieldschools).
My hiking recommendations are based on the assumption you'd like to do some walking. There are also outdoor settings which do not involve much walking:
http://www.israeltraveler.org/en/site/banias-nature-reserve
http://www.this-is-galilee.com/nimrod-fortress.html
http://www.this-is-galilee.com/gamla.html

5

Thanks for the replies. I'll have one car rental for the north, then 2 or 3 car free days for Jerusalem and Bethlehem, then another car for 5 days for the south to be picked up in Jerusalem and dropped off at TLV before my flight. I've already been to Jerusalem so won't need much time there this time.

For the south I was thinking Ein Gedi, then the SPNI south of Eilat, and Mitzpe Ramon. Also have already been to Masada.

6

Questions about the fine print in the rental agreement:

"Cross border is NOT PERMITTED. Vehicles may NOT be driven into any of the following areas- Palestinian Authority areas, Gaza Strip, West Bank, or Taba & Sinai. Although these areas are clearly marked with barriers at the city entrances, the authorities may not bar all vehicles. If these borders are crossed, the insurance coverages will be invalid and you will be responsible for all damages and or losses."

Some time ago I had a rental and remember reading this. But aren't there certain main roads through the West Bank that are permitted with a rental?

"If CDW and TP are declined it is MANDATORY to purchase Third Party (public) Liability insurance (3PL). Third party liability is not covered by rates. Damage Responsibility: All vehicles =Full Value. CDW Non Waiverable Responsibility: Vehicle Group(s)A, B, C, D, E = USD 500.00; F, G = USD 600.00; K, L, M = USD 800.00; J, O = USD 1200.00; P = USD 700.00. "

This was not in the online reservation form and there was no option to purchase it. When I called Budget in the US to ask them if special insurance was required in Israel they said no.

7

JonMW,
You are allowed to drive your rental in the West Bank except for Palestinian Authority areas.
In practical terms, that means that you CAN drive on roads like 443, 1 (from Jerusalem east towards the Dead Sea) and 90 (along the Jordan River Valley) but not into Palestinian cities such as Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, etc.

8

Thanks. That's what I seem to remember.

Unfortunately this could all be for naught as I'm supposed to depart for Tel Aviv tomorrow and heavily leaning towards canceling the trip.

9

Regarding the places you plan on visiting, there is minimal affect on tel aviv and absolutely zero effect on the north, east and far south (sde boker, mitzpe ramon, eilat) of the country. You could leave tel aviv for the end of your visit and decide by then if you'd like to spend time there.

10

I've been to Tel Aviv so might spend my last night at a friend's in Netanya, drop off the car, then take the train to TLV the following morning.

Probably spend most of the day agonizing over whether to go or not.