The first time, we made an advance reservation once we got to Jerusalem (we were there several days). The second time, we called that afternoon and were able to get a reservation for that night.
I wore a skirt most of the time I was in Jerusalem, but particularly at the Wall and any other places of holy significance (Jewish, Muslim or Christian). OTOH, noone will care what you wear at the Israel Museum or the Old Quarter shops.
@Countingrown- Ive got one skirt packed, but a few pr of leggings , pants and tunics. Two of the tunics look like dresses. will that be ok?
The women stationed outside the kotel will give you something to wear if you so choose. It’s definitely not necessary to pack a long skirt unless it’s something you already own and like wearing. CountingDown is right that it’s perfectly fine to wear pants. Will you look like a tourist? You’re probably going to look like a tourist no matter how you dress unless you want to dress full on Haredi. (Not my choice, personally.) Sadly, I agree about bringing the tallit. The situation has gotten out of control and that’s all I will say about that. Like you, I always bring a scarf or sweater because I’m so often cold but it’s helpful to have when going into a church, synagogue, or mosque. If you go up to the Temple Mount/Al Aksa Mosque, it does not matter what you are wearing, the guys at the entrance are going to give you coverings anyway. They were very polite about it but also politely insistent.
@jym626 you have a great itinerary lined up! Enjoy! I assume you will be taken to the shuk in Jerusalem; it’s an experience! At night it’s transformed into a nightlife restaurant scene with some great eateries-also a great experience. In Tel Aviv, Jaffa has great nightlife and awesome food. If you get a chance, stop by Nachalat Binyamin. It’s an arts and crafts market that is only open on certain days, not too far from Shuk HaCarmel. I love Nahariya! I wonder if it’s still as charming as it was when last I visited, many many years ago.
When you return, please fill us in on how things went!
Great info, everyone! Thanks @3girls3cats!
@privatebanker. I have been there with my family and my kids in 8th grade. My niece was one of the editors of the Jerusalem Post. Before going I used to text her about what is going on there and she would ask me how the South\west side of Chicago was going for me… Hmmmm… Good point.
Once I got there I have never felt safer. You won’t be in areas like Gaza. Tel Aviv is like New York as an example. People couldn’t be nicer. What you see on American tv is not what is going on in Israel.
All I can say is Masada is a must. We went with our shul and between our guide and our Rabbi giving explanation to sites we visited it was amazing. My son is doing a study abroad in France this summer then flying to Israel for an engineering internship. I wouldn’t have him go to either if I thought there were issues.
Treat it just like a destination for a vacation and have a great time. The amount of religious history for all is really amazing.
@jym626. Sounds like an amazing trip. Please report back and let us know how it went. Safe travels.
Will do! We are a large group with some older folks, so not sure how efficient they will be at getting on the bus. May effect the stuff we get to see… And DH gas some relatives there, so I wonder if we may bail on some things to see family.
@Knowsstuff Thanks. That’s what I thought but I wouldn’t say that I honestly have any desire to go to difficult neighborhoods for a family vacation. But I get the point for sure. I am going to go.
@privatebanker. I was apprehensive when I went the first time. It wasn’t anything like what I portrayed it to be. Just being in Jerusalem and the old city and being in a place that all religions have a stake in was very cool. Learning about everyone’s history and how it relates to Jerusalem is awe aspiring.
Can’t wait to hear from the OP and their families experience.
The food is amazing bc it’s so fresh. Don’t be surprised if some of the best restaurants are located in gas stations and strip malls. The heat in summer is indescribable, so plan for water intake, lots of museums, and daytime rest. You’ll find it’s much safer than you imagine, with sensible checks for weapons in all public places. It is a different world. Try to travel up north. It’s a very small country, so you’ll be able to see a lot. Enjoy every minute!
Spoke to the Prime Minister tonight. She said yes and we are booking trip this weekend. Very excited.
Going to an Israeli inspired cafe in Cleveland Circle (Boston) tomorrow to celebrate. Roasted Israeli artichoke and hummus platter with warm fluffy pita. Can’t wait. They even have their own store roasted Israeli coffee beans for the espresso!
And get to see d for the first time in while and get her off campus for a few hours. What a great Saturday for us!
Wow. That was a fast turnaround? Love to hear the details once you plan it and enjoy Saturday with your daughter.
@Knowsstuff, as a parent of an American twenty-something working in Tel Aviv during the last Gaza war, I beg to differ somewhat. Yes, native Israelis take it all in stride (our cousin’s biggest concern was being able to carry both her 10 month old twins to the shelter if she was home alone), but being on Skype with my D in Tel Aviv as Iron Dome exploded missiles flying over Tel Aviv (she sent pictures) and hearing the air raid signals blare for her to go to the shelter made me pretty nervous. Even though I agree that what we see here on television is not how life is on a daily basis far away from the most “hot” conflict zones (Gaza and the Golan right now), it’s not unusual for a prospective visitor to be concerned, in my opinion. That said, @privatebanker, as someone who has family living there but never felt any great pull to visit, it was an amazingly moving experience. Well worth the minimal risk that you will be impacted by the conflict that seems to flare and subside with regularity.
@Knowsstuff I know it seems that way
We’ve been talking about it for a long time. And about adult oriented vacations in general. We’ve had a lot of school tour type vacations and doing break with family as our basic travel for 18 years. My wife wants to explore befor we can’t. And she’s been quite ill and is now better.
Israel and Africa have been considered a bit more seriously the past few years. But almost all vacations have seemed to be around d and her school breaks. And summer is not a time to travel where I live, it’s time for boating and otidoor stuff here. So this thread helped me bring it to a head. Wife was always into it. It was me being a bit overly worried about safety issues.
We usually book a flight that locks down a time frame and then build the itinerary form their. It’s a mental commitment thing. But tix are always refundable.
Bringing a long skirt is a great idea. You will be modest for whenever that is necessary. It will be better than a tunic. Maybe something to cover your arms, too? But there are (were?) women next to the Wall who will offer cover ups. I don’t remember if there were cover ups offered at churches and mosques.
I was in Israel for the Gaza conflict. I followed the locals’ lead. Was I scared? That may be too strong a word, but I was concerned. We did not cut our trip short, however.
Is Tel Aviv or areas outside of the holy city more open to western style dress for my wife. She is prepared for the sacred sites but what is like elsewhere. Should this more conservative style of dress extend more broadly. She wants to pack appropriately.
My D and I did not feel the need to dress any differently than we did at home anywhere but in the old City (location of most of the sacred sites) and at the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. We were there in June and August and it was deadly hot. Sleeveless dresses and shorts ruled the day.
@runnersmom Thanks! That’s really helpful. We are pretty casual and nice jeans and golf shirt for me and boho chic type top for Mrs banker. But want to be mindful of the culture and not screaming out American tourist.
FWIW, the dress at our cousin’s wedding in Israel seemed to be dressy for the women, jeans for most of the men…it was different, let me tell you! The groom wore a suit (bought for the occasion and not likely worn since, I’m sure) and had stripped down to a tech-style running t-shirt by the time we got to dessert. Other than the ultra-orthodox areas and the sites where it is respectful to follow tradition, Israel is a VERY informal country.
Don’t worry; you can’t “accidentally” wander into a very religious enclave. And with the exception of the higly religious, Israelis dress very casually. Women quite body conscious, and men nearly always in jeans. For a female, a large lightweight scarf is sufficient for modesty and easy to carry in a bag when not needed (most of the time).