Israel

[jordan whitehead]

any tips? must see? hotels?

[Tyler Rico]

talk to zach

he was just there within the last year iirc

[zachary l a n g]

I have no idea what your budget is like, but I stayed here in Jerusalem and thought it was very nice (over priced, probably, but a great convenient location)

http://www.thedavidcitadel.com/

in Tel Aviv I stayed at the Dan Hotel...I'd avoid it. The people were nice and helpful and the hotel was clean, but man alive did it need a renovation. That being said however, if you get a good deal its very convenient to lots of sites and the beach.

http://www.danhotels.com/hotelHomepage. ... 4Aodnmugog

I stayed here in "safed" - no idea why they spell it like that in English -
http://english.rimonim.com/ruth-rimonim ... 4Aod302ong

Food was good at the hotel. The rooms were average. But I had a huge patio overlooking Mt. Meron that was amazing. The hotel is sort of like a complex of buildings, not a traditional hotel. I was there for two nights I think. I was nice to see, but if you have limited time you could pass. Nice artist colony and some cool old Synagogues.

Food wise, I just really ate wherever I was. Didn't do any great, fancy meals.

[zachary l a n g]

as far as must see, at the western wall, there is a tunnel tour that is short, but very interesting.

I found the Diaspora museum boring and not worth the drive

Yad Vashem is an absolute must in my book.

Beit Shean was spectacular (as long as you like ruins)

Masada, again fascinating, but more ruins....I recommend going and if able walking up

If you can get there safely, Hebron and the cave of the Machpelah is fascinating. I say safely b/c it isn't a good area at all - a lot of Israeli-arab conflict going on there. We took an armored bus. I honestly felt safe the whole time but some people in our group didn't go.

If it needs to be said, I love Israel and were it not for family ties and friends, I'd move there in a heartbeat. I was offered a job and it was very tempting.

[jordan whitehead]

thanks ZBL. will explore most of those. Will pass on the armored bus however. Not sure the wife or kids will be into that.

[zachary l a n g]

I don't know how you feel about religion in general, but another thing that was spectacular, in my opinion was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Obviously, I am Jewish, but whether you believe it all, none of it, whatever, that was fascinating. If you are going to go, get a guide book or something ahead of time. There are no official guides there and once you're there, you're sort of on your own. I found an Israeli Arab who worked security at the US consulate, we got to speaking and he volunteered to take me around the church and gave me a tour. If that hadn't happened, I would have missed a lot of the small facts about the church.

(at first, I thought he was pulling my leg, but he had pics of him with Carter, Clinton, and many other politicians)

[Jason Grenf e l l - Gardner]

Ok, so my "must-see" may be a bit less holy for some, but if you're going to be in Tel Aviv and if you like hoummus/foul, the absolute best place in the entire world is Ali's hoummus. Ali Karavan's also known as Abu-Hassan has a line from the morning for their amazing hoummous foul. It is 100% worth the short ride from Tel Aviv.

Only open from morning until early lunch - once the hoummous is gone, it's gone.

http://www.telavivguide.net/Restaurants ... li-Karavan)_2005090813/

[zachary l a n g]

It's in Jaffa - fun to walk around there too, so it wouldn't be a trip just for Hummus, you get to see Jaffa


*edit: I guess there are a few now

[jordan whitehead]

FYI, we are going during pesach. we will be still be there for 3 days after it ends.

[Dan Hammer]

Be smart. Use a guide. Best $$$ we ever spent. I just so happen to have a recommendation.

[Jason Grenf e l l - Gardner]

It's in Jaffa - fun to walk around there too, so it wouldn't be a trip just for Hummus, you get to see Jaffa


*edit: I guess there are a few now

Apologies - Zachary's right - it's in Jaffa and that is also worth a visit. Although, I'm sure we all agree that there's nothing wrong with a trip just for hoummous.

[zachary l a n g]

Be smart. Use a guide. Best $$$ we ever spent. I just so happen to have a recommendation.

Excellent advice - we used one when we were first in Jerusalem and the rest of the trip. When we came back to Jerusalem for a few days, we were on our own.

Another good thing about the guides is they can get you into places that you normally may not be able to go and they know alot of people (huge tourism network) and may be able to get you tickets to sold out things, etc.

[jordan whitehead]

big fan of guides ever since we went to Pompeii. would have been clueless there without one.

[adam landa]

Jordan

Been awhile since I've been (but 50/50 that I may have an opportunity to go this year). I would add the Dead Sea to your list of must sees/dos. I would also echo a visit to Tzefat (Safed). It is a beautiful city to walk around and is also great for souvenirs. They are very well known for candle making. Beautiful.

Adam

[zachary l a n g]

If you go to Masada, plan a stop at the dead sea on that day - very convenient from one to the other

[Ken V]

If you go to Masada, plan a stop at the dead sea on that day - very convenient from one to the other

+1 on the Dead Sea, an amazing experience for many reasons.

Just be careful. It is incredibly easy to get sunburned at the Dead Sea. I missed Masada because I wasn't allowed out during the day for 2 days, and I don't burn easily.

[zachary l a n g]

Rinse your hair well too otherwise it'll look like you have dandruff once the water evaporates! ;)

[Howard Cooper]

My wife and I will be going to Israel in mid-February. We will be on a tour, so most of our days will be spoken for. However, we are free for two Shabats - one in Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem. With a lot closed on these days, what would you suggest doing?

Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for dinner. We are free a bunch of nights for dinner, I think 2 in Tel Aviv and 3 in Jerusalem. I think one night in Jerusalem I would like to eat at the King David Hotel, just to get there (we are staying at the Inbal in Jerusalem and the Carlton Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv).

Has anyone been to Yoetzer's Wine Bar in Jaffa? Supposed to have a great Burgundy list, but some say it is great and others overpriced. Any experiences? Thanks. If it is good, we thought it might be a good place for the Saturday night we are in Tel Aviv.

[Barry L i p t o n]

Yes, been to Yoetzer's. List was picked over when I was there. Even if not. Great list for Israel, not great for me. Give me a day or so, and I can give plenty of restaurant recommendations.

I thought my trip was perfect. Two nights Tel Aviv by the beach, Two nights dead Sea, three nights Jerusalem, three nights Haifa as a base to explore the north (Haifa, Acco, Caesearia). If you have Starwood points, highly recommend the Sheraton in Tel Aviv (the one by the beach). Le Meridien Dead Sea can also be done on points, I found it fine but the rooms are variable (and the food dreadful).

More tips later.

[Barry L i p t o n]

Re: guides;

I think 1 in 4 guides are good. That being said, a good guide is amazing.

Jerusalem

Old City

I strongly recommend entering through the Zion gate. It's the beautiful part of the old city. I entered through the Jaffa gate, following Frommers suggesion, climbed to the suggested roof for the view,, and was astounded at the vacant derelict lot filled with trash. Also, felt like I was back in the Cairo Bazaar, with just a different group of hawkers. Initially, I was very disappointed. But I kept being lured back, and went in/out a different gate each time. It's a small place but each quarter is a different experience.

Yad Vashem is a must see. Incredibly well done. Can't put it into words.

The Israel Museum is a must see. Even more impressive (to me) than the Dead Sea scrolls was the Archaelogical Galleries. The dead sea scrolls were a 10, so imagine how good those galleries are -- 40,000 years or more of history. Stuff from when Egypt wasn't yet Egypt. Stuff from when the first Israelites appeared. Stuff way before that. The good thing is it's open at night. We were there for three polus hours and felt like we could have done more.

The main food market is very interesting, but surprisingly, the quality of the fruits and veg wasn't high. Get spice mixes as a souvenir - unusual, delicious, and eminently portable.

It's way out of town, but the Chagall museums at the chapel in the Hadassah hospital was very impressive. It's way out of the center of town, only do it if you are headed west and have a car with Nav system. Then it's a pain to find it in the hospital, (and you are in a hospital!) but it's worth it.

Arcadia was the best restaurant I ate at in the Middle East; just amazingly good. Not the same level of polish as the Ledbury (I ate there on the same trip), but the food was worthy of being in the same discussion. Very good wine list (for Israel), especially for Chablis IIRC.

The other restaurants in Jerusalem were somewhat disappointing.

[jordan whitehead]

If you have Starwood points, highly recommend the Sheraton in Tel Aviv (the one by the beach). Le Meridien Dead Sea can also be done on points, I found it fine but the rooms are variable (and the food dreadful).

no awards were available for either during pesach. Le Meridien wants $500/nt

[Barry L i p t o n]

I'd be surprised if you can find anything for Passover. Did you try Ein Gedi? More rustic, but supposedly beautiful; also convenient to Masada.

[jordan whitehead]

so the f*ckin airline cancelled one of my flights. They were stupid enough to put us on a connection that leaves 30 minutes before we are supposed to arrive. No interest in spending the night in the dump of a hotel connected to Amman airport. Looking to rebook and of course all flights are more expensive now. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something and we shouldn't go.

[Peter C.]

so the f*ckin airline cancelled one of my flights. They were stupid enough to put us on a connection that leaves 30 minutes before we are supposed to arrive. No interest in spending the night in the dump of a hotel connected to Amman airport. Looking to rebook and of course all flights are more expensive now. Maybe some is trying to tell me something and we shouldn't go.

I hear Egypt is nice this time of year.

[jordan whitehead]

well we rebooked. this time with BA. Flying out of Logan instead of JFK. We were driving to JFK anyway and Logan isn't that much farther. Unfortunately could only get steerage both ways.

[Howard Roselinsky]

Jordan,

Just a couple of other ideas, do not know how much you have planned already....

You and your family can do an archeological dig through Archeological Seminars, it requires a car or cab, but you get to dig in some caves 1 hour south of Jerusalem in a National Park. My family and I found pottery from the time of the Hasmoneans.

When in Jerusalem most restaurants book quickly for dinner during Passover, so make a reservation. Also, many of the "happening" restaurants are on Emek Refaiim in Jerusalem. We had some great meals that week with interesting wine.

Great wine shop with helpful staff in the center of town on Yael Solomon.

If you are interested in outdoor activities, both Jeep offroading south of Jerusalem, or kayaking in the North (about 1 hour north of Tzfat (Safed)) are fun.

Let me know, if you want any more info.

Howard

[Dave Kaplan]

If you like nature, there is a place around 50 miles south of Beer-Sheva called Makhtesh Ramon. It is a gigantic, 100+ square mile, subsisidence crater (not an impact crater) of magnificient beauty. Rather reminds me of the Grand Canyon.
The astonishing thing is that very few people know about. Undoubtedly, this is only because it is out of the way and not promoted at all. Otherwise it would be swarming with tourists. Unfortunately, the pictures I have found do not even remotely convey the stunning beauty of the place. I was there in the 1990s and now wish I had spent more than my one day with a guide.
Here is the Wikipedia link which provides some info about its formation, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhtesh_Ramon

[Barry L i p t o n]

Restaurant Roundup;

Tel Aviv

Margaret Thayer - highly rated seafood restaurant, very disappointing.

Abu Hassan - excellent humus place, quite the scene, line out the door at all times, they only have hummus, salad, fries, fallafel balls and pita.

Catit - Excellent modern israeli restaurant, great service, elegant (and pricey)

Fallafel Frishman/Sabich Frishman - great fallafel and sabich sandwhich shop near the beach. Sabich is an Iraqi sandwich made of fried eggplant and hard boiled egg and salads and sauce

Jerusalem

Arcadia - Best meal of the trip by far, best restaurant in the country per the critics. Good wine list, an absolute must.

Canela - good but not special. But as Jersusalem is pretty disappointing for fish eaters (much frozen fish), this is a good choice. Very good service.

Akko
Uri Buri is a famous fish restaurant, and it was my second best meal of the trip. Fantastic fresh fish.

Haifa

Hanamal 24 - very good restaurant and one of the best fine dining places in the country. Great atmosphere once you get inside the place (it's in a funny area near the port).

If you are staying in Haifa in Carmel Central, there is a group of inexpensive places near the funicular station on Hanassi street. The ice cream place, pizza place and corned beef place are all on the same block (or two). I don't remember the names, but you'll recognize it if you are up there. The pizza is Israel looked pretty sad for the most part, but this place looked great, so I tried it. It was excellent-- Roman style with a thin crisp crust. Corned beef and ice cream places were also excellent.

Enjoy!

[Peter C.]

well we rebooked. this time with BA. Flying out of Logan instead of JFK. We were driving to JFK anyway and Logan isn't that much farther. Unfortunately could only get steerage both ways.

4 hour drive!

[jordan whitehead]

well we rebooked. this time with BA. Flying out of Logan instead of JFK. We were driving to JFK anyway and Logan isn't that much farther. Unfortunately could only get steerage both ways.

4 hour drive!

6+ hr drive.

ring and run at the Czyryca household.

[Andrew Gelb]

I will be visiting Tel Aviv on business at the end of March, my first trip to Israel! I will have a driver (armed apparently) available at all times, and most evenings will be with colleagues, or local business associates. However, I intend to leave myself two full free days before I leave for home; likely a day trip in Jerusalem and an open day in Tel Aviv.

The suggestions above are wonderful, however, I would love to learn about any particularly good local guides for my day in Jerusalem and any other ideas on how to best spend my limited time.

Thanks very much!

Cheers,
Andrew

[jordan whitehead]

Andrew

I can put you in touch with a great guide in jerusalem. He is friends with the family we went to Israel with. Spent a whole day on a walking tour starting at the mount of olives, through the old city, ending at the Rabin center.

PM me if you choose

[bradkaplan]

Thought I'd share a note from my parents who were just there: "Wow! Machneyuda Restaurant at the shuk! Just got home from a fabulous middle eastern meal from this place we found last year - I think I would pay you to come here and eat at the bar so you could watch one of the 3 chefs cook, and get tidbits from the chef, trying as many dishes as possible! We had an unbelievable polenta dish, covered in mushrooms, shaved parmesan, asparagus,and truffle oil. As well as a gift from the chef of a mid.eastern Dish called a sharshuka, or something,think it is eggplant that tastes like chopped beef in a yogurt sauce with pine nuts, tomatoes, etc., loved it! Then black risotto w shrimp and caulif, and a crab in some incredible stew sauce with potatoes and garlic cloves and cheese toast. Very,very messy, but a wow dish. And you would enjoy the bar scene. Great funky decor, young israeli crowd. Don't know why the tourists have not found it, perhaps because you can not easily get a quick reservation."

[Howard Cooper]

I will be visiting Tel Aviv on business at the end of March, my first trip to Israel! I will have a driver (armed apparently) available at all times, and most evenings will be with colleagues, or local business associates. However, I intend to leave myself two full free days before I leave for home; likely a day trip in Jerusalem and an open day in Tel Aviv.

The suggestions above are wonderful, however, I would love to learn about any particularly good local guides for my day in Jerusalem and any other ideas on how to best spend my limited time.

Thanks very much!

Cheers,
Andrew

On Saturday morning in Tel Aviv, there is a free talking tour of the Bauhaus architecture. This is the person who led it http://www.yonawise.net/tours.html I don't think all of her tours are free, but the one we went on was and she was quite good. It was really interesting.

Places to see IMHO not mentioned above (I think) would include Independence Hall in Tel Aviv (which was extremely moving), the Israeli Museum in Jerusalem (this is spectacular and in a class with the British Museum in London - for example, there is one archeological reference to King David, it is there), and the Cardo in Jerusalem (a Roman shopping district that has been restored and is now a modern shopping area).

But, also, just walk around Tel Aviv. It is really a spectacular place. The energy, the sense of life there, is truly inspiring. I loved it and cannot wait to go back.

[Andrew Gelb]

Howard:

Thank you very much! While most of my time will be on "business," I am looking forward very much to a few free days exploring the places you mention.

Cheers,
Andrew