Just came back from a wonderful visit to the holy-land!! Here are my tips…
FLY direct with El Al. No better or worse than any of the other carriers, but they do fly direct and they were the cheapest ($1,100) – they tend to offer upgrades at the gate for a standard $700 if available
TRANSFER to Jerusalem for a shuttle bus outside the station for 62 shekels. Cabs are 4 times this price. If going to Tel Aviv, then cab is probably easiest and quickest at around 150 shekels
CAR RENTAL is quite cheap. Standard car is around $25 per day. Insurance is not usually covered by credit cards and will cost a further $20 per day. Gas is expensive. London prices, at 7.50 shekels per litre.
JERUSALEM
STAY at the Mount Zion. Pretty dated inside, but great views and lovely pool. Decent breakfast for around $260 per night. There are other hotels, but they all seemed to be a lot more expensive
EAT and hang out in the German Colony along Emek Refa’im. Also the restaurants around Nahalat Shiva and Feingold Courtyard, such as Adom. The Colony is also supposed to be a cool hangout
SEE the Old City, obviously. The Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters. There is a very good free tour if you ask in the tourist office near the Jaffa gate.
TOUR the tunnels by the wall – you need to book in advance. Dome of the Rock is only available for viewing at certain hours so check ahead. And a lot is closed on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday daytime).
VISIT Yad Vashem – the Holocaust memorial. Free access and very insightful
DEAD SEA
STAY nowhere! Really tough, cause the hotels are all really poor. We used points to stay at Le Meridien, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You can probably visit over 2 days and one night
EATing is tough too. We actually went on a random 30min drive to Arad, to a football themed bar called Muza that had a fun atmosphere and good food
SEE the Dead Sea. Best to go to Mineral beach, where they have vats of the mud to cake yourself in – a lot of fun. 50 shekel entry and much nicer beach and amenities than elsewhere.
CLIMB Mount Masada for sunrise. It takes an hour to get up and 40mins to come down. It gets very hot, so dress appropriately and bring lots of water. 25 shekels entry
HIKE to Ein Gedi. Not sure there is any need to do more than the 40min hike to the main waterfall which is fun and very refreshing
MITSPE RAMON
STAY at the Beershet. Simply amazing hotel with cracking views. A little on the pricey side. Another option is Chez Eugene. Ecletic and well designed hotel, but with no views. Cost is $180 for a basic room or $280 for a room with your own terrace and hot tub.
EAT at Chez Eugene. Unbelieveable restaurant
VISIT the crater. Some jaw dropping views and you can take a jeep tour into it or go star gazing at night. There’s also a llama farm which is fun to visit and you can go wine tasting and do archery if you so desire
ALSO go to Sde Boker to Ben Gurion’s house to learn about his vision for Israel – about a 20min drive north of Mitspe Ramon
TEL AVIV
STAY at the Hotel Gilgal if you want something basic but efficient. Some people call it a fancy youth hostel!! For $170 per night, you can’t complain. Excellent location, simple but comfortable rooms, friendly staff, but poor breakfasts. The David Intercontinental is nice, but twice the price. Most of the other hotels in Tel Aviv are dated and overpriced
EAT at one of the many wonderful restaurants in Tel Aviv. So many to list. The Social Club is excellent. For more local food check out Dr Shakshuka in Jaffa. Old Man by the Sea is also a great experience
VISIT the beach! Great sand and fun atmosphere. You can rent beds and umbrellas for 12 and 6 shekels respectively
PARTY either in the port (Namal) or Clara’s
