Abigail
Hong Kong
My boyfriend and I are heading to Israel in the fall for a month. We're pretty adventurous and love being outdoors and with the local culture. Where should we visit in Israel and what is it there that we should see?
Preparing to visit Israel means preparing to come to a country that has the whole spectrum of experiences to offer: On one hand there is Tel Aviv, 'The Mediterranean Capital of Cool', a 24 hours dynamic city, few cities on the globe can compete with it's night life, beaches, culture, gay openness. While on the other, pure virgin nature with all it's beauty diversity and serenity.
Although the country is tiny, we may discuss three main areas you may want to cover:
Landing at Tel Aviv will be at Ben Gurion International Airport (Ben Gurion Airport) or (what looks like) inter galactic terminal. I guess the cheapest way from airport to town will be by train. It leaves from Ben Gurion terminal to a terminal in center of Tel Aviv, from there by taxi to your hotel.
Accommodation in Tel Aviv: You will off course land at Tel Aviv, the business and cultural center of Israel. You have all the range of accommodation options, from Gordon Inn to elegant hotels to pick from. My suggestion, whatever you may chose, make sure it's between Ben Yehuda St and the beach (Ben Yehuda street and the beach). This means that you will stay within a short walking distance from the beach (for morning jogging, evening promenade, or just sitting on the beach with a beer anytime...)
A look from Tel Aviv towards Yafo St at sunset.
Transportation while in Tel Aviv - cycling! Friendliest, easiest way through town will be using bikes for rent. You will find them all over town, they are green...
Destinations in Tel Aviv: We've already mentioned the beach. You can still go to the beach and swim until end of October. Beside the points of interest you must have thought of, I'll just mention a few you don't want to miss:
Navigation while driving through the country - Waze! In case you don't know WAZE yet, it's the best navigation application you may find, and of course it was developed by Israelis.
Jerusalem: Beside anything you may plan there, my suggestion will be of course Old City. You will find yourself in an endless busy, bustling, colorful 'souk', market. Interesting by itself, but then do not miss the main attractions:
All of the sites are within walking distance one from the other, can be done within one day. For lunch, just ask the local guys in old city to direct you to Abu Shukri Restaurant hummus place or to Lina hummus place. They are about the best you may get in Jerusalem! A word of warning, at times things tend to be a bit unrestful in the Old City. Make sure you consult with the people at your hotel before going there.
North Israel: There is a lot to see and do all over the country, impossible to mention all in one post, therefore I'll stick to some of the highlights. We'll go from south to north, and west to east:
South Israel: South Israel is the absolute arid contrast to North Israel. You will have to make your strategic choice in planning which you prefer to see first, what do you want your last impression to be...
Wadi Nahal Perazim. South of the Dead Sea, the nearest you will get to landing on the moon :-) Highly recommended! Getting there: By car from the Arava Highway, between kilometres 193 and 194, turn onto a dirt road, which leads to the Ami'az St Plain, there are signs to Nachal Perazim or the Flour Cave (the cave might be closed, yet the walk through Nachal Perazim is an experience you don't want to miss). In case you are staying at Shkedi's just ask the owner, he'll be happy to instruct you. If you don’t want to go it alone, try any one of the tour companies in the area. This will save you time and the anxiety of perhaps getting lost in this great expanse of frizzling heat.
When: Not in winter, as there can be flash floods. In the early summer or late summer, and best not at mid day, to avoid the heat. Try timing your visit so you can see a unique desert sunset.
Cost: Free entrance.
At either you'll get great leads for trekking and hiking around. By all means worth the trip and a couple of days stay that will make the whole visit to Israel worthwhile.
Eilat: The southern touristic center of Israel, on the Red Sea. To mention few of the main attractions:
I personally find Eilat awfully touristic, so I'll just leave this section for others to complete. Otherwise, at ANY hotel you may stay in Eilat you'll get full info about touristic attractions in town and around + booking at the reception.
Post by Meir Jacob, founder of Trips for Photographers
Mentioned in this answer:
Hi Abigali,
If you plan a month in Israel I will recommend you to travel from north to south or south to north , this will be the best way and you will save time and money
The main interesting cities for travelers are
Do you plan to stay in hotels ?