Well, not really "B" list but we're heading back, and have done some (not all) of the first trip things, so what would you recommend for a second visit?
Plus, any hiking you'd recommend? We're hoping to return to Ein Gedi but anything else?
I love archeology and history, so anything along those lines (unusual sites that aren't on the main radar)?
The girls love to shop - new hip places for young adults? How about leather shops (for mom)?
We haven't even booked our hotels yet - so it's an open slate - just looking for some inspiration.
In Jerusalem, try the Emek Refaim, as in my little travel note on cafés. Nice streets for walking and browsing.
What about checking out the day hikes with SPNI, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Here's a link to the US website. (I may have directed you here before, not sure.)
Have you been to the City of David (Jerusalem) excavations? Very interesting, just the other side of Robinson's Arch, if I recall.
And in Tel Aviv, if the weather is decent, it's lovely to sit along the northerly promenade at one of the restaurants. (And shops there for the girls as well, I believe.)
The girls love to shop - new hip places for young adults? How about leather shops (for mom)?
If it's about fashion and window shopping, the places I've seen are :
1) In Tel Aviv : Shenkin street, Neve Zedek (Shabazi st. and the area), Bugrashov st., Kikar HaMedina (high prices), Dizengoff st., and a newer spot that's become hot the last year or so that's called Gan HaHashmal (http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/tel-aviv-renaissance/1). But the scene in Tel Aviv is dynamic and full of surprises : we came across a new boutique in July just up the street from the flea market in Jaffa, opened by an enterprising young woman. Of course all the major malls can have a few good shops.
2) In Jerusalem you have the pedestrian area and its surroundings in the center of town that includes Ben Yehuda st. and Nachlat Shiva, plus a new smaller one just outside the Bezalel Academy of Arts, also in the center. And of course Emek Refaim, which I believe you are familiar with. The Jerusalem Mall in Malcha has its appeal for some.
If I have even the faintest idea of where young women can shop, it's only because I receive trip reports from my two daughters who are currently living in Tel Aviv.... ;-)
Posts: 171 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
Originally posted by Kim: Well, not really "B" list but we're heading back, and have done some (not all) of the first trip things, so what would you recommend for a second visit?
Plus, any hiking you'd recommend? We're hoping to return to Ein Gedi but anything else?
I love archeology and history, so anything along those lines (unusual sites that aren't on the main radar)?
How are you planning the trip this time around? Deciding on the areas of travel and then looking for the interesting spots, or the other way around?
The further south you go, the less you have to worry about rain spoiling any outdoor activities. So the Judean desert, the Negev, the Arava and the Eilat area are all good prospects for any hiking or archeological sightseeing. Have you been to Timna Park near Eilat? A beautiful combination of granite and sandstone formations, plus a few interesting historical sites.
If you do decide on regions first, I can help you with info about the lesser known spots - many of these places don't appear on the radar of English speakers (as you saw in the case of the Haifa Holiday of Holidays).
Posts: 171 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
Kim, Haifa is well worth a bit of your time. For anyone with an interest in contemporary art, a visit to the Co-Existance Center in Wadi Nisnas and a guided tour of the Jewish-Arab outdoor art installations is fabulous. (Holiday of Holidays is amazing) The Hecht Museum of Archeology at the University is great. Baha'i Gardens are lovely, though admittance and tours are limited. Beautiful neighborhoods like the German Colony for strolling, fun beaches with cafes, a very vibrant place. Great shopping at Ein Hod artist's village outside town, easy side trips to the Zikhron Yaakov wine area, Caesaria, the Carmel Nature Reserve, Rosh ha Niqra, Acco.
If you are up north, we went to the printmaking center at Kibbutz Cabri. It was very interesting and there are artists in residence working there. They also have a really, really good restaurant there called Adelina. Everyone loved it. One of the best meals I had in Israel.
And, I know I am biased, but I have to say the Israel Museum! Everyone thinks it is closed during the campus renewal, but it is not. There are still shows on view and the Rockefeller is in East Jerusalem, not at the main campus, so that is open as well.
Kim, not sure if you've already been to Tel Dan, but it's definitely worth the trip up to the Northern Galilee. There are many trails, many ruins and excavations, lots of water and springs, a really lovely day.
In the north also, Nimrod's Castle, in the Golan Heights, is a worthwhile exploration. Much of this old fortress is preserved/restored, and the views of the Northern Galilee are gorgeous. You can really appreciate this castle's strategic location in history, and the Golan Heights are so worth exploring while you are there.
In completely the opposite direction, I would strongly suggest a visit to Beit She'an. You could spend many hours here, too, exploring this old Roman city (incredible ruins), and there's a tel at the end of the main street that you can climb up for some panoramic views of the valley and the Jordanian mountains.
Okay, I realize that I've got to get my trip report finished for Israel! Can't wait for my next trip back.
Below is a giant spreading tree in Tel Dan. I totally forget what kind of tree it is, but it was so welcoming - we sat under it for a delightful respite.
OMG ---- Tel Dan and Beit Shean are both wonderful. I just happened to visit Tel Dan (amazing) the week they found the "Beth David" inscription in 1993.
However --- I am just thinking that I might save those for a warmer and drier time of the year, and head south this time.
Thanks all. We visited Bet Shean during our last visit - loved it.
Kelly, we also spent some time at the Israel Museum as it was close to our hotel and open on Shabbat.
Joe, the girls want to do some hiking and shopping and probably wouldn't mind a little pool time (so Eilat is on the radar). They've also requested a return to the Dead Sea, Masada and Ein Gedi. So I'm trying to get together some things to do and back into where we'll stay. Hoping though to use some Hilton points for either/both Tel Aviv and Eilat.
I'm leaning towards heading south - but we'll see.
I've recently started following this travel writer's blog. She posted today a link to her blog posts on her travels to Israel. They look good and may include some items that would be interesting to you and your family.
Our local Jewish gazette featured an article about Beit Shean at night. I know you were there last time, but it does look really cool all lit up. Not sure if it would "over the top" or just great thing to experience.
That's a wonderful blog, Marta. Makes me want to go back...
If you do decide to go southward, there is an interesting initiative developed by Bedouin women in the village of Lakia (not far from Be'er Sheva) that might interest you. Look at the catalog on the menu - they also make jewelry that can be seen here.
Posts: 171 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
I just booked my ticket May 2-12, 2010. I'll be there for work for most of the trip, including an overnight to Petra.
I was thinking of going to Bethlehem one morning. Has anyone ever gone? Would you advise for or against? I am catholic and would like to see the church of the nativity. Have to decide between that or hiring the private guide I used last time, to take me to see more things around Jerusalem.
Kelly, what a great time to be in Israel, early May.
As for Bethlehem: We were there ages ago, either in '69 or '78. So I can't advise you as to how hard or easy it is to visit. And I am not Christian, so it's different for me.
However: I will say that we were kind of dis-impressed if that's a word. The whole piazza there was full of sellers of really tacky souvenirs, and the entry to the church itself is a very low doorway, and not at all what one might think.
As my visit was at least thirty years ago, maybe there's been work done in the interim. And surely someone here has more recent information. But if it were I, I'd hire the guide to go around Jerusalem again. There's always something more to see ---- old and new.
Like Marian, my visit was twenty+ years ago and I too was not impressed. We had talked about going last time we were there (3 years ago) but our guide advised against it for three of us. He did offer to arrange a guide to take Chris though. This time he may do that.
Care to share the name of the guide you used? We may want to hire him for some of the days we're there.
Sounds like the consensus is to skip Bethlehem. I may just do that. It seems like a real chore to go there. We shall see. Have to read more and I have plenty of time since it is months away.
Kim: I used Judy Goldman. She is a former Canadian, been in Israel for many years. She was fantastic. She really brought both history and the biblical stories to life and organized our day around what I was interested in. She is also one of the co-authors of the Fodor's Israel guide. That is how I found her. I randomly emailed her and she said she was free the day I was hoping to do a tour. I have given her info to several people that have all used her and were all very happy.
Judy Stacey Goldman Licensed Tour Guide Phone from abroad: 972-2-624-5827 Cell in Israel: 050-543-3270
I was in Israel in 1983, but that's such a long time ago. That said, I agree on skipping Bethlehem. Underwhelmed by it.
My son, who is an archaeologist, was in Israel last year on vacation, not a dig. He has a lot of archaeologist friends who have been on excavations there. If there's a specific interest you have, I'll drop him an email to see if he has any insider info.
Just drop me an email and let me know your interests. He's currently working on a dig just outside Boston.
Kelly --- Have you visited the relatively recent excavations at the City of David? It's quite a major archaeological "park" now, quite close the the just the other side of Robinson's Arch. I didn't get to spend much time there last visit; too many days spent visiting friends and drinking coffee.
You probably know this already from people at work, but it will likely be quite warm daytime in Jerusalem when you are there; I would do my archaeological sightseeing early in the day.
Marian: That looks interesting. I'll add it to my list. Since I have so little time to myself I will have to really think carefully about what I want to see. And after being there for work for 9 days with many, many donors I don't know how much energy I will have left.
The itinerary for the December Haifa Festival of Festivals has been published - unfortunately, the organizers have not put out an English version of the program (in spite of the fact that they have a tab for it in the site's menu). If this is still relevant, I can send anyone info. This is a colorful event, with most activities on the weekends of the whole month, including concerts, theater, markets, an antique show, and more.
Posts: 171 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
You are going to be traveling soon - Have you firmed up your plans?
I came across a couple of other recommendations I thought I would mention. Museum of History of Tel Aviv is opening this month. It also mentioned visiting Mitzpe Ramon which was mentioned on the your other thread. I'm of course attracted to the desert. The Ramon Crater definitely looks interesting.
In the end, I had just left so much to the last minute that it was getting scary (as far as getting hotel reservations/guides - whatever) but I think we finally have our plan worked out.
We doing two nights in the Dead Sea area (Hod Hotel) when we first arrive, then three nights in Jerusalem (Prima Royale - we wanted the Harmony but couldn't get rooms), and then because of a special deal, we're got five nights at the Tel Aviv Hilton using points. We were originally going to stay in Haifa one night but the way it kept working out, we would have been in Tel Aviv for a night, then Haifa then back to Tel Aviv, which was crazy - so we re-adjusted our expectations and things to do and decided to have a bit more free time and stay in Tel Aviv for all five nights.
Definitely hoping to check out the Tel Aviv farmer's market - we'll be there Friday and Tuesday but I don't think we arrive on Friday until later in the day, so it will probably be Tuesday.
Unfortunately, we're not going to make it down to the Negev this trip (again) - one of these days though.
Okay - need to go through all the other good suggestions and figure things out.
In Jerusalem : Shmil BaMaabada - fine food and atmosphere, reasonably priced.
If you go to the Machane Yehuda market, there's a new place that opened not long ago that is getting very good reviews called "Machaneyuda" - haven't been there yet, and can't find an English link for you. The market also has a few other small restaurants and coffee shops.
In Tel Aviv :
a nice small place for typical Mid-east meals and snacking are Aba Gil, an organic hummus joint
Asif - tasty and reasonably priced for the quality
Kim when we stayed at the Dead Sea, my SIL and I enjoyed a half day of spa treatments. They're really big at the Dead Sea resorts, due to the great mineral-rich "mud" there. I thought the prices were extremely reasonable, the treatments amazing. Wish I could remember where we stayed, but I'm drawing a blank.
Interestingly, we found many Russian immigrants in the area, so we actually encountered some communication problems. Fortunately, SIL/BIL are Israeli, and all the Russians speak Hebrew also.
Because the English site of this festival is usually non-existent, thought I'd post it here while it exists, for anyone's future reference. Haifa's Festival of Festivals, an annual co-celebration of the three religions.
Posts: 171 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
