I’m thinking of going to Israel this summer. I’ve never been and am wondering if it is the right time to go (if there ever is a right time). What would be an ideal period of time to spend in Israel to feel as if I’ve been and have not had to rush around trying to cram it all in? I’m thinking of AirBnB rather than hotels. Which area(s) should I stay?
Thanks!
July in Israel can be VERY hot, so be prepared. I prefer March or November. We arranged a vacation with a bunch of our friends (all different religions) to Israel a few years ago and spent 12 days, including a day in Petra, Jordan. It was perfect. Everyone felt they saw Israel from the North to the South, but also left with a good feeling, wanting to come back. You could spend longer, but with a good guide/itinerary, that would give you a good feel for the country.
Yes, it will be hot in summer. Tour in the early morning or evening and rest/swim in the afternoon.
Jerusalem of course is a must. Get a tour guide for the Old City and view the various quarters of the city, observing important places for multiple religions. There also is a cool little museum on the Green Line that teaches about the 1967 war.
Tel Aviv contrasts nicely with Jerusalem. It is thoroughly modern and vibrant.
The Dead Sea is a surreal experience, and you can visit Masada en route.
The Galilee can be fun, especially for the Christians in your party.
Safed is beautiful and has cooler weather and lots of artisans.
The Golan Heights is the nicest, lushest geographic part of Israel. Special experience: stand on a hill on the former Syrian battlements overlooking Lake Kinneret.
Haifa and Akko and Caesarea can be stopping points in one day en route from the Galilee to Tel Aviv or vice versa.
Eilat is really out of the way, so I might leave it off a short trip, but it would provide a different sort of tourist experience, with snorkeling, etc.
Minus the southern desert and Eilat, 11 days is enough.
Stay at some hotels (like the Dan hotels) that offer a full Israeli breakfast; that is quite the experience, a do-not-miss meal like tea in England. In the Dead Sea area, the Ein Gedi Kibbutz is really nice and you can look out over the gorge and view native wildlife hyrax and ibex— so awesome!
@canamar @TheGreyKing Thank you both for the wonderful advice and tips. Visiting the Kibbutz gave me an idea, maybe we can stay on one for a night or tw. My DS and I are leaning very heavily to making the trip in a few weeks from now. We’ll definitely try to brace ourselves for the heat!!!
Plan for heat - lots of water and a hat. For my first visit earlier this year, we did a bus tour (never my preference, but it got us to all of the highlights with little hassle and lots of good commentary). Even if you don’t take the bus tour, take a look at their websites for ideas of places to visit if you’re driving.
Just found this thread. We leave shortly for Israel. Any other pointers?
I have been to Israel several times and toured around in conjunction with family bar mitzvahs and weddings. For the first trip we traveled with a personal guide and that was a good plan. The tour guide told us many things that we might not have realized or known on our own. Tour guides are very well trained as it is a profession. Our guide was arranged specially by DH’s cousin who at the time worked for an educational tour company. He was from Chicago and a Harvard grad. I can tell you exactly when this was, it was June 2007 as he asked about what we saw happening for the 2008 election and we both said Hilary as who really had heard much about Obama at that point. For example when we were with him at the Israel Museum (redone and expanded since our first trip) he told us that all the information in the display panels about the Dead Sea Scrolls were incorrect and in need of updates as there had been much further development and discovery about the Dead Sea Scrolls since they were installed. He also took us to a vantage point in East Jerusalem for outstanding views.
After that time with the guide, we did everything on our own. Agree about the summer being really hot and uncomfortable. At Masada by late morning, it was too hot for me to do too much other than hover in whatever shady spots I could find and Ein Gedi was all dried up. Try to stay in hotels with pools as when you come back at the end of the day it is nice to be able to relax and have a swim before dinner plans for the evening. I have stayed at the Dan in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and the one in Jerusalem has a rooftop pool, very pleasant. We do however prefer the Mount Zion Hotel which is very charming although you do need to walk up a big hill to get to the Old City. It has a lovely outdoor pool and garden area and incredible views.
Many of the museums you need to pre-register for a tour with an English language guide not wander on your own. I know that we had this type of experience at the Begin Museum in Jerusalem and I am pretty sure at the Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv.
When we were in Jerusalem in addition to the Old City and Yad Vashem we went on our own to see the Chagall windows in the chapel at Hadassah Hospital, very special experience as DH and I were there alone. We also went to Kennedy Grove a forested around with trees planted in memory of JFK and we were there when Ted Kennedy had just passed so we did stop at the tree he had planted in his brother’s memory. Also the Mount Herzl Cemetery is very moving.
I really want to see Israel. The history and the people. But part of me doesn’t want to expose my wife and daughter to the unique risks in the region. Am I over thinking this or is there a way to go that is inherently safer?
Tours led by ex police or military? Perhaps acting as a body guard of sorts as well?
If your tour guide is Israeli, they’re ex military.
I have never felt uncomfortable anywhere or anytime when I have been in Israel. As with anyplace in the world you need to be smart about your surroundings. You do have to go through metal detectors and security, bags inspected that sort of thing. Plus wherever I have flown to Israel from you do go through double security for example the security at the departing airport plus extra Israeli security which is why you are told to arrive early for your flight.
@stradmom Yes I am aware of compulsory military service for citizens. There’s a difference between my niece or nephew who are air force computer specialists and Mossad. You knew what I meant. Helpful would have been a bit kinder.
Our tour guide has taken this group several times before, and is ex-military (as is the group we are going with - the group is a US war veteran group). The tour group got very large (like around 60) several of whom are not young (the youngest in the group are in their 50s). I know I am stressing about the tight connection, but some of these people are worrying about where they will eat!
They had to request a larger bus b/c of the size of the group. Am thinking that makes us a bit of a target 
@privatebanker I’m sorry that my comment that was intended to be helpful and reassuring was perceived as being unkind. I hope you enjoy your trip and have a safe and meaningful journey.
@stradmom Thx. Maybe I was being a little sensitive. I really want to go to Israel in my life. But with rocket attack’s and etc don’t mind for me. I’ve been there and done thst. Just the wife and teen daughter. Any ideas of tour companies based on security or companies that offer personal security out of Jerusalem
This isn’t helping my worries, folks!
Is prior military service a typical requirement for a tour guide in Israel?
@ucbalumnus All citizens at 18 have to devote a few years to the military. All men and women. She was joking a little.
@ucbalumnus if the tour guide is an adult Israeli citizen, he or she has done required military service. It’s not a choice. It’s required.
The ultra orthodox do not have to serve in the military. They can volunteer, but they do not have to.
Israeli military service is not mandatory for Arab citizens of Israel – about 20% of the Israeli population.