Israel Trip Tips

There are a host of reasons why Israel is such a popular destination for travelers and not just Jews, but people with all kinds of religious beliefs. My first trip to Israel was one of my most remarkable travel experiences, and I have traveled extensively around the world. I would like to share some information that might assist others in their plans for a trip to Israel.

Here are some of the truly first rate places offering uniquely enjoyable experiences that deserve your attention.

Neot Kedumim, is the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, located halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This unique recreation of the physical setting of the Bible in all its depth and detail allows visitors to see life as it was lived by people 3,000 years ago. More than a "garden" showing various trees and plants, Neot Kedumim provides a unique view of natural environmental assets that make Israel very special. The guide was marvelous and we could pick some ripe figs and see many other foods growing.

No trip to Israel should omit a visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the Jewish people's living memorial to the Holocaust. It succeeds in safeguarding the memory of the past and imparting its meaning for future generations. It was established in 1953, as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust. A strong emotional response to what you see and hear is inevitable no matter how much you think you know about the Holocaust.

Ein Gedi is a most remarkable oasis in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada; all of which should be on your itinerary. It is a nature reserve and national park. This oasis offers the opportunity to take a dip into the natural spring water and even enjoy standing beneath a waterfall. In addition to amazing lush vegetation, we saw a herd of wild Ibexes roaming around the steep hill above the spring we enjoyed.

No one should miss a visit to Massada, which is situated on the top of a mountain with steep sides and a flat top like a parapet overlooking the desert panorama to the west and the Dead Sea to the east. The site celebrates the defenders of Massada and their battle against the conquering Romans. There is a two-minute cable car ride to the top which most people should use rather than trying to walk up the mountain on a twisting trail.

Kibbutz Malkiya is somewhat out of the way, but a visit there provided perhaps the highlight of the trip. It is located near the Lebanese border where the Israel Defense Force is actively engaged. The Kibbutz was established in 1949, is home to several hundred people and operates a wonderful agricultural area. The man who manages it and served as our tour guide was one of the most impressive human beings I have ever met.

The night time multimedia presentation at The City of David in Jerusalem should not be missed. What you see and hear is a beautiful and informative show worthy of Las Vegas or Broadway in its sophistication. You will leave refreshed and totally impressed.

Here are some more detailed reviews that could be very helpful.

What a treat that our first night in Israel was spent at the Carlton in Tel Aviv. While the outside of the building may look ordinary, the lobby and rooms are superb. All service was excellent. Best of all, however, was the breakfast buffet, which is held in a separate building a short distance away and sitting on the shoreline with a magnificent view of the Mediterranean with spacious seating. And what an unbelievable selection of the finest foods, far better than two other hotels we stayed at in other cities in Israel. Champagne was available and just about anything you could imagine. To my surprise while the Carlton offered dates, a big local crop, the other hotels did not. The selection of fruits and cheeses was also superior. I cannot imagine any other Israel Hotel offering a better breakfast buffet, especially with the great service and scenic views. Another benefit of the Carlton is its location on the promenade that runs a long distance by the water. This provides easy access to the beach just a few minutes walk away, and the promenade provides a great venue for walking, especially at night when a multitude of night spots and eateries attract lots of people. There are many hotels in the same vicinity along the promenade, but I doubt the their buffet breakfasts can beat that of the Carlton.

Jerusalem is one of the most fascinating cities on the planet. And because it is hilly it is a difficult city to walk around, which makes The David Citadel Hotel very attractive because of its downtown location. It is a new and very pretty hotel both outside and inside. It is across the street from a large shopping mall filled with many alluring stores. It is also a relatively easy walk to an old mainstream street known for its shopping attractions, as well as a host of other big time historic, cultural and religious attractions. But the big disappointment was the food and service in eating venues. Israel is well known for offering fabulous breakfast buffets. But my experience and that of others in my touring group was that the breakfast buffet here does not compare well to other four or five star hotels in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A dinner and lunch were even more disappointing with mediocre food and absolutely terrible wait service. My advice to others planning visits to Jerusalem is to try one of the other four or five star hotels. Another smaller annoyance was that CNN was not offered on the TV system, only Fox News. Another complaint is that the outside pool was way too small with too few seating options; every time I looked I decided it was too crowded to use.

On a first trip to Israel the two nights at Nof Ginosar on the shore of the Sea of Galilee was a huge disappointment. No one who cares about promoting tourism in Israel should ever recommend this hotel. From the buffet breakfast to dinner the food was exactly what gives institutional food its deserved bad reputation. Rarely in my life have I had a hard time eating, but this place offered overly salty, poor tasting, unattractive food that caused me to leave the table feeling ill. The dining hall was very large which added to the feeling that this could also have served as a school or prison cafeteria. There was nothing appealing about the room, food or limited service. In the bathroom there were no bars of soap. Halls and elevators were mostly dirty. If any tour you consider has this hotel on the itinerary, reconsider taking it. It is a very long walk to the beach, where the rocky ground beneath the water makes water shoes really useful; and you have to go through the bother of getting tickets for towels at the front desk.

The last event on our ten-day trip itinerary in Israel was dinner at The Ticho House in Jerusalum. A friend from Israel had warned me not to expect terrific food in Israel, our first trip there. Generally, there was some truth to this. But the big exception definitely was dinner at The Ticho House. Not only was the food magnificent in every respect, quality, taste and appearance, but the outdoor garden setting was truly superb. From the salad, diverse appetizers, bread and fish main dish to finally four different pies for desert the dinner kept on providing joy. Any trip to Jerusalem should definitely include dinner at this landmark restaurant. Considering that just about everything is very expensive from an American perspective, this expensive dinner is worth the price.

My recommendation: Go to Israel.