I am going to Israel in July, I just found out, so I have to ask Amy and others where they think that I should go!! I am only going for a week and staying with a family friend that has a car so I can get around easily.
Besides the obvious hot spots (and spa spots at the dead sea where I will definitely go!!) Any other advice on where I should go and and where I should avoid since my time is short. I am open to everything!
She's in Tel Aviv...not my first choice, but a good base since its a small country. She plans on taking her 3 kids (and me) to see the basics since its been 5 years since her kids have been, but her mother (their grandmother) lives there.
My travel buddy, Dean-a photographer, is meeting me there (so expect great photos from me when I get back!) and we will venture off to Tiberias and Golan Heights and relax at a spa in the dead sea...ahhhh
On my list is: Haifa, Masada, and of course Jerusalem.I think that my husband is ok with me going for 8 days, maybe 9 days. I go to the travel agent tomorrow!!
I love history, architecture, pottery, ruins, and flea markets....any ideas?!!!
Great, Riana! Like Amy, I ask what your particular interests are.
One caution --- Israel is UNBELIEVABLY hot in July; I know, I've been there twice at that time. You might want to head up into the Galilee rather than down to the Dead Sea. Also I would avoid Tiberias, which is very very hot at that time. Safad is cooler and beautiful. If you go to Massada you need to start climbing at sunup. Also the beaches north of Haifa are great. Be aware that Tel Aviv is steamy in July.
Do not even think about going to Eilat. I was there in June over 30 years ago, and still remember the heat!
If you want a spa, there is at least one wonderful spa in northern Israel; I can get the name if you want. I think this may be the one, but I will check with my friend if you are interested.
Jerusalem is usually somewhat cooler, being higher. It's an easy ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as Israel is only about the size of NJ.
As for ruins --- if it is safe, go to Megiddo. I volunteered there one summer and it is amazing. But it's five years since I have been, and I'm not sure of security in that area now. Beit Sh'ean is interesting, but to be avoided in July as it is in a valley. There are some ruins to be seen at Ashkelon as well. IMHO, Caesarea is a bit commercial, but that's just me and anyway, I am not particularly interested in "Crusader" ruins.
What is your particular interest in Haifa? (Sorry, Amy.) It would not be on my short list for a brief visit.
M
You must eat watermelon with salty bulgarian cheese; then you will be like an Israeli!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marian,
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
As Marian says, it will be unbelievably hot, which will somewhat drive your visit.
I've only spent a short time in Tel Aviv. If you like markets, spend a morning at the Carmel Market, especially on a Tuesday or Friday, when neighboring Nahlat Binyamin has an outdoor crafts market. Also wonderful is old Yafo (Jaffa) with restored buildings, galleries, and nice restaurants. Be sure to get to the amazing Abu Lafia bakery near the clock tower.
Haifa is very spread out, climbing up and down Mount Carmel. Interesting neighborhoods to walk are the restored German Colony, with small shops and restaurants; the Carmel Center neighborhood, especially the view from the Promenade; and my favorite, Wadi Nisnas. Wadi Nisnas is an integrated Arab-Jewish neighborhood where every year an outdoor art exhibit is staged--and then the work is left to decorate the neighborhood. You can take a tour with the Co-Existance Visitor's Center. Great museums include the Hecht Archeology Museum up at the University; the Tikotim Museum of Japanese Art; and the Baha'i Garden Shrine. (Be sure to reserve a tour for the Garden). There's some lovely cafes down on the beach, at Bat Galim, the bottom of the arial tram. Outside Haifa, nice destinations are Ein Hod artist's village; Acre (Akko); and I think Caesarea is worth visiting simply for the stunning location of the Aquaduct and Ampitheatre against the Mediteranean Sea. You may be told to go visit the Druze villages--I spent a wonderful day in one in the company of the family of a newly-elected official in the village government, a friend of a friend. I think that without that personal touch, a visit wouldn't be more than a shopping expedition. On the other hand, I think I'd make the drive simply for some kenafe (sweetened goat cheese, wrapped in shredded filo and drenched in honey), good Arab coffee, and the great textiles in the shop in Daliat-El-Carmel.
Oh, my. I'll be back later for recommendations for the Galilee and Jerusalem. I thnk I'm going to get out my precious Israeli za'atar and bake some fresh pita for supper...
You gals are wonderful!! My head is now spinning with ideas...I also asked my mom to send me a guide book and any fiction that is related.
Luckily, I am used to extreme heat as I have spent every summer in a particular hot spot for up to 3 months: the last two years in the south of France where it was 45 celcuis for weeks at a time and over 40 for 40 days, then 4 years ago I spent 2 months in Marrakesh in June and July, now THAT is hot...oh, and Thailand in June and July the year before that, 100 F and 100 percent humidity. I think that I like to torture myself.
I love middle eastern food in general and make Falafel at home, and I am a cheese addict, so the whole foodie experience is also high, high a top my list.
Thanks again, and Amy, when you think of more let me know, I am copying all of it down and sending it to Dean as well!!!
Oh, Marian, I've recently discovered Bulgarian Feta cheese, and I love it. I'll try it with watermelon sometime this summer. Is there a correct etiquette for eating the two of them together?
Charity
Posts: 1486 | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: 11 May 2003
Riana, I'll post the notes for Jerusalem and the Galilee tonight. In the meantime, how about some music? Idan Rachel Project (Israeli rock with Ethiopian influences)
Charity, I don't know if there is an etiquette. I just remember a funny incident about a dozen years ago, when my husband and I were eating at one of the cafes on the Jaffa waterfront with Israeli cousins. We all ordered watermelon (avati'ach) and the waiters were discussing (in Hebrew) which ones of us were Israeli and should therefore get the g'vina (cheese) and which ones were American, and should not.
Watermelon is very, very big in Israel. The seedless variety popular now was developed there. In happier times, my husband and I watched at the Good Fence as watermelon was unloaded from Israeli trucks, taken through to Lebanon by neutrals, then loaded onto Lebanese trucks for the journey north.
M
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
Hi -- I just returned from Zefat and here are some ideas of you choose to stay there:
Zefat (also known as Safad, or Safat) is a good choice for a moderate climate. Its hot in the day time, but does cool off at night. I found it hotter in Rome than in Zefat.
If you stay in Zefat, check out 7 Grains Bakery for fresh pastry and bread (open every day except Saturday).
The Moshav Simsala ( not sure of spelling) is north west of Tiberas and was a lovely place to visit and a had cute little tea room. Its a vegetarian moshav and has several cafes and b&b.
Places to visit in the north include the sites around lake Kinnerett such as Capernam, Mount of the Beautitudes, visit the artist quarter in Zefat and the Rosh Haniqra grottos.
Don't know if you've gone to Israel yet, but I have to butt in here and say that if you do go to Safed (Z'fat) you MUST stay in the Rimonim which is an old Turkish caravanserai. Haven't stayed there in 10 years, but it's a lovely place with a pool, and great views, and gardens and lovely music at night (at least last time I checked).
M
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
In Jerusalem, near Ben Yehuda Street--Guilda Ceramics Co-Op Gallery, 27 Yoel Solomon Street (at the bottom of the street) has lovely local ceramics, and very reasonable prices. The unusual hamsas are beautiful, and make great gifts. For jewelry, go to Mira, in the Cardo. She carries the best stuff, and her prices reflect it. Still reasonable, for what you're getting.
In Haifa, Sara Papo's shop in the Dan Carmel Hotel is well worth the trip. She carries all the major Israeli jewelers, at very good prices. Tell Sara you're a friend of one of the Boston teachers.
I just read the correspondence about Israel. As an Israeli who lives in Israel, i found it very interesting. I assume that Rianna is alerady back, but I want to add some recommendations for future travellers. OK, so here are some places that you all missed (or I failed to find): Neve Zedek in Tel-Aviv is a nice restored old neighborhood, with restaurants, art galleries, interesting shops and a Dance Theater (Suzan Dellal center). The center of Tel Aviv (Around Rotchild av.and Yavne st.) has many old buildings that were carefully restored.I love to walk there and look at the buildings. The area also has many restaurants. For those who are interested in ceramics, there is a beautiful galley next to the Opera House in Hamelech Shaul st. The gallery is within the Opera complex, near the entrance to the theater. Did anybody mention the Flea Marekt in Jaffa? And old Jaffa ? About an hour drive south of Tel Aviv, near Kiryat Gat, youcan find Beit Govrin and MAresha. Read about it in: http://www.parks.org.il . You can find there many other ideas.
Posts: 9 | Location: israel | Registered: 08 July 2005
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I will see what else I can find here (as some English books are hard to find in Paris)
