Going to Israel? An 18-Night Itinerary for Your Use

I have prepared two different (Very different in many ways.) itineraries for our May trip to Israel. This itinerary is for 18 nights. Israel is seven hours ahead of the United States. As of now a single shekel equals $3.96.

We are renting a car, which will cost us about $900. That is a few steps up from the smallest car. We were told it would fit four and luggage. Our budge not figuring out the cost of a car or airfare is $6,000 for the following trip. If you do not have frequent flyer miles the airfare will be in the $1,300 range.

Day 1 Tel Aviv Assuming you will arrive in Tel Aviv in the early afternoon then you might want to walk around Old Jaffa in the afternoon. You could choose Cinema Hotel for $188.00 a night. This is located at 1 Zemenhoff Street in Tel Aviv.

Day 2 Tel Aviv Go to the Ayolan Institute (It is an arms factory.) in Rehobeth. It is open from 8:30 to 4:00 with the last tour at 3:00p.m. Make sure you make reservations beforehand. You may also want to go to either the Diaspora Museum where you will need at least three hours and is open from 10:00 to 6:00 or Eretz Israel Museum, which is open from 10:00 to 4:00.

Day 3 Leave Tel Aviv and go to Haifa Tel Aviv to Haifa is 60 miles or 90 kilometers. You might want to stay at The Colony Hotel at 28 Ben Gurion Boulevard. This will cost you about $185.00 a night. Check into the hotel (It is best not to leave suitcases in the car.) and then head to Ein Hod, Tel Megiddo and Caesarea, where you might want to have dinner.

Day 4 Haifa Go to Ha Geteot, (Getto Fighter's House), which is open 9:00 to 1:00 only. Then head to Acco where there are several sights to see including the Gurday Bazaar.

Day 5 You will be leaving Haifa for Tiberias but go to the Bahai Gardens first. It is open from 9:00 to 12:00. Haifa to Tiberias takes about 1 ½ hours. Go to your hotel, which might be Caesar Primier, and then head to and walk around Svat.

Day 6 Tiberias At 9:00 join the free tour of the city which starts at the Sheraton Moria Hotel. You might want to go zip lining in Tiberias or visit a kibbutz. At night consider going on the Lido Cruise (phone number in Israel is 04/672-1538), for which you will need a reservation. Consider eating at Decks before the cruise.

Day 7 You will leave Tiberius and arrive in Jerusalem for 6 nights. You might want to stay at the Dan Boutique. If you get Frommer's Guide Book you will find a great walking tour of the Market area.

Day 8 Jerusalem Go on the Hop On/Hop Off Bus. It will pick you up at King David Hotel. You might want to consider visiting the Hadassah Hospital if for no other reason to see the Chagall windows.

Day 9 Jerusalem Go to the Tower of David and the Old City Market. Visit Vad Yashim and either plan on being there at night or go back for the sound and light show at 9:30p.m.

Day 10 Jerusalem Go to Masada and the Dead Sea. Make sure to bring a bathing suit, footwear you can wear on the hot beach, towels, sunscreen and a hat.

Day 11 Jerusalem Using the book you already have, Frommer's, do the driving tour of of the city on page 230. Go to the Western Wall and the tunnels. You will need a reservation to tour the tunnels.

Day 12 Jerusalem Go to the Israel Museum, which is open from 10:00 to 5:00, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Mount of Olives.

Day 13 leave Jerusalem but before you arrive in Eilat go to the Knesset and take a free tour at around 8:30a.m. Stay at Dan Panorama for one night, which will cost you $150.00.

Day 14 You will go to Eilat and arrive in Petra, Jordan. The hotel above should be able to make the arrangements to get there. You will be paying to get over the border but we thought it would be a nice addition to the trip. Stay at the Crown Plaza for $148.00 in Petra. There is so much to do in Petra. We would be going through a canyon, perhaps to Wadi Rum, and take a camel ride.

Day 15 Petra Have fun on a 4x4 jeep ride or take advantage of a day of R and R!

Day 16 You will go back to the Dan Panorama Hotel in Eilat. Note that the rates vary and you may pay as much as $230 a night. Go to a Bedouin Market.

Day 16 Eilat Go to the Coral Beach Nature Ranch, where you can snorkel. You may also want to get on camels here at the Camel Ranch phone number 08-637-0022.

Day 17 Eilat Spend the day at Park Timnan.

Day 18 Leave Eilat and stay in Tel Aviv for your last night in Israel.

We got the name of the following guide through friends. We don't know him. David Leshnick, 5 Boaz Street in Jerusalem. www.leshnick@netvision.net. Phone number 011 972 267 11184 cell is 050 588 8661.

Please note that for pennies you can call Israel via Skype!