Time to start thinking about postponing our November trip. Becky's a bit nervous, and being in London during this last episode didn't help.

So I'm thinking maybe we go instead during their spring break, which means we'll be there during Passover. Do things completely shut down for the first two days? Do restaurants close the entire time (some of our kosher establishments here do that)?

Our other option would be to pushi it off until the end of June (but I keep thinking - heat). Any suggestions?

Hi Kim

My instinctive reaction here is that, unless you particularly want to experience being in Israel at Passover, you should probably pick some other time. (Of course, I have never been in Israel at Passover, so I may be way off here.)

As for closing down, I assume it's the same as for Shabbat. But remember that in Israel, hag is only one day, not two. So that would be the one day at the beginning, and then the one day at the end.

June hot? Yes. So minimize Tel Aviv and increase Jerusalem and the Galil. I wouldn't even consider Eilat at that time.

See, I always thought they lost the extra day at the end, never new at the beginning too. Personally, I like the November idea, maybe switching Eilat for Galil; now I'm just trying to come up with alternatives.

Kim - I would also add that a trip to Israel during Passover may preclude the chance to find pitas and other favorites made with flours at favorite restaurants. Also, maybe certain restaurants may close during the holiday, sometimes for the week. Maybe Jabo or Ssteve could weigh in here...

Agree that by June you will be dealing with extreme heat, everywhere in the country. My SIL live in the North; we've been there 4 times in the summer, and each time, extremely hot during the day, cool at night.

BTW, if things stay quiet, we are considering a late winter/early spring trip there too, to cheer up my SIL.

Terry

You know what, I really just want to go this November and I'm afraid if we push it off to next November, the girls won't get that week off again, plus with Becky starting high school, I'm a little more hesitant to pull her. What I really need to do is work on Chris for a trip in December; that's when I went and it was great.

The best seasons to visit Israel is spring and autumn.Winter is a good option as well. Most of the winter the temperatures are fine, but it may rain. In April, depends on the year, it can be hot. February and March are better.
Generally, most of the shops (90%) are closed on the weekend. The weekend starts on Friday afternoon, till Saturday evening (sunset)
In Passover you have two holidays one at the beginning and one at the end. Those holidays are much like the weekend. This year (2007) the first holiday is on Tuesday, April 3, which means that shops will close down on Monday late noon. The second holiday is on Monday April 9, this may cause a bit of a problem being close to the weekend. Shops would probably be open for half a day on Sunday. Even though most places are closed you can always find opened places. You may have problems to find food which is not kosher for Passover, like bread and beer and the roads can be crowded since everybody is on vacation. Personally I prefer November.

Thanks Bracha - and welcome to SlowTalk!

Yeah, I'm thinking we really need to try to go this November. Hopefully, Beck will feel better about things when she gets home next week.

Hi Kim
I agree that the best time is to come in November. Great weather, not too hot. The bird migration in the north (Hula Valley)will be in full force and the sight of 60,000 cranes is an experience!
During Passover the school kids are on vacation and many people have the Passover week off work. Because of this many Israelis travel abroad during this time.
The weather is pretty good at that time of the year, all the spring flowers are out.
Re food during Passover week..just depends where you are.In the Tel Aviv area most of the restaurants are open. You would not get bread in a hotel but many non kosher restuarants (and there are plenty outside of Jerusalem) bake their own bread during that time, have pitas etc.
I don't know how strictly you keep kosher. You can get pitas in almost every Arab restaurant.
There are pros and cons for any time of the year, I think you just have to decide which time suits you as a family the best and go for it.
I would never suggest to anyone to come here in the summer months though. The end of June is definitely a cut off line, in fact I would say don't come from Mid June to October!!!
Jabo

Okay - so the current thinking is either November, or December - Passover and June are definitely out. Thanks for the insights.

I agree with everybody. If you're nervous about Nasrallah, I think you're better off coming earlier (November) rather than later (April). Both sides want a breather, and historically, there have never been wars here in the winter. Usually between June and October.

quote:

Both sides want a breather, and historically, there have never been wars here in the winter. Usually between June and October.

Then our temple's trip in March could be safe? My husband and I are hesitant- even though most of the country has been safe. Our rabbi is plunging ahead with the planning.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzaluna:

Then our temple's trip in March could be safe? My husband and I are hesitant- even though most of the country has been safe. Our rabbi is plunging ahead with the planning.

...could be safe???" Of course it "could" be safe. The question is - "will" it be safe. Nobody knows for sure, although I honestly believe that March should be quiet, unless President Bush decides to bomb Iran.

quote:

Then our temple's trip in March could be safe?

A lot safer than some neighborhoods of Milwaukee, and definitely way safer than parts of Chicago and Detroit. Just be careful when in moving vehicles, some of those drivers are quite dangerous.

You are so right! I certainly worry more about being involved in a car accident than war or terror attacks. I face those drivers everyday - you need at least 6 eyes in your head and really good intuition to know what some of them are going to do.I describe Israeli drivers as having "pedestrian mentality" They behave as if they were pedestrians... stopping and starting wherever they want, no need to signal.Overtaking any way they want.
My husband and I were once complimented on being brave for renting cars in Italy and asked if we weren't worried about the roads and the drivers there.... our reply, after driving in Israel you can drive anywhere (hmmm I hear Cairo is worse)
Jabo

See, now I took the

quote:

Then our temple's trip in March could be safe?

comment to mean, that the trip is safe, in that they will still be able to go; not relating to the safety of the travelers once they arrive.

Well, Becky has left the decision of going or postponing to us, more shortly.

Wow, Kim. That's a tough decision. Things are indeed quieter now. Not an easy call.

We are considering visiting my SIL maybe late this winter - she's pretty down and out about the recent war, and needs some cheering up. But I'm still not too anxious to go north. Thinking maybe Jerusalem or Eilat. We will see.

Terry

Terry, if we do go, and you would like to send a care package to your sister in-law, let me know. We did decide, that if we go, we're still going to go north.

Awfully nice of you. Thanks.

Terry

Kim wrote:

quote:

We did decide, that if we go, we're still going to go north.

Will you still plan to stay at the HaGoshrim guesthouse? I LOVED that place, although it was a while ago that we stayed there (mid 90's).

Well, change of plans, after determining the location of HaGoshrim, we're thinking Eilat again . Decision this week.

Well, actually Kim, if you are going in November Eilat may make more sense, as it may be rainy up there in the Galil...

On the average there are 50 rain days in Israel.
If you are a slow traveler and in no hurry, rain here and there shouldn’t bother you.

By the way there are few more places in Israel other then Eilat or Galil...

quote:

By the way there are few more places in Israel other then Eilat or Galil...

Yes, I know that. We're also staying in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; the question is dealing with two extra nights. Unfortunately though, this won't be a "slow" trip.

Hagoshrim is nice, but also consider Vered Hagalil Ranch http://www.veredhagalil.com/default_en.asp
It is one of our favorite places in the country
Jabo