Planning Israel vacation - help

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5893

I am in love with E"Y. DH has never been there. I always dreamed of making aliya, he doesn't get why people want to. We FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY have the opportunity to take a real vacation (someone gave us frequent flyer miles, I am graduating so can leave without work on my head, and have break from work too!) and even though DH would be very happy to sit at home with some sforim and keep the savings but he's willing to humor me this one time...

I'm happy to spend time visiting old friends and just walking through Yerushalayim...
All of DH's friends are back home and he isn't really interested in finding new ones.
He's also not a huge fan of what most people would consider "fun" (which is fine, I'm not that type either -- we're both pretty laid back. But it makes vacation planning difficult.)

How can I give him a good time and a really good taste of kedushas E"Y?
(He's not a big fan of visiting kevarim and stuff either. Like we could do some of that but neither of us is really interested in spending our whole vacation hopping around to say tehillim in different places)

Museums are OK, if they're good and kosher (hashkafa-wise)
Nature hikes/activities also good.
Trying to keep expenses down though I do realize vacation of this kind is going to cost us (I have never, but I mean NEVER, had a real vacation before so I'm clueless)

I haven't booked tickets yet but I'm thinking the vacation would be about 2 weeks -- I would love to stay longer but I don't know how much vacation DH can handle.

Besides for ideas of what to do, any idea how much I should expect to spend on this? Not counting airfare. We have a place to stay with relatives in the Yerushalayim area but might want to stay overnight up north or something.

Posted: Wed, Feb 24 2010, 3:12 am Post subject:

1. Do Tzfat. There are a couple of kevarim and you can stay at Ascent's hostel for not too much money. Also, of course, is the artist's quarter and you can hike on Har Meron.

2. Teveria. Once you're up north do a day in Teveria/Har Tavor/Kinneret area. Gorgeous (it's the lower Galilee). You can also go further north if you want; you'll be in wine & chocolate country.

3. I don't know what "kosher" means for you and museums. In Jerusalem there are a ton of things to do, not including the kotel, the tunnels, or any of the side trips to Chevron/Betlechem.

4. Also lots of nature sites & outdoor/archeological museums.

5. Spend a few days going south; I'd skip staying overnight at the Dead Sea (too expensive), but I'd consider Ein Gedi (hostel). Also in the area is Masada. You can keep going to Eilat & Beersheva too.
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Emmanuel Tzvi: 26 Shevat 5766
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Dvir Aharon: 10 Tammuz 5772

Posted: Wed, Feb 24 2010, 3:26 am Post subject:

And even if you dont "do" kvarim - a visit to Maarat Hamschpela and kever Rachel are a must. They are part of our history. Think of it as visiting family Smile

And up north - maybe take a tzimmer - in pastoral surroundings and get to do some nature stuff.

What month are you coming ?

Can you take heat ?
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Hila
Certified doula/birth assistant
In Israel, Ima to 4 kids and 1 dil and two sils
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Senior Member Joined: Feb 06 2008 Posts: 184

double message whoops

Senior Member Joined: Feb 06 2008 Posts: 184

Yad Vashem (holocaust museum) is really good. What about dead sea/ein gedi/masada? You can cheat and take the tram up to masada and have a tour because the history is amazing at masada. Also I would REALLY reccomend taking the segway tour along the tayelet in Yerushalayim- its so much fun! You need reservations- look it up by googling segway tour ir david

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20496

Everything depends on when you are coming. If you are flying with FF miles, you may not be able to get summer tickets. If you can come April/May then the weather will be absolutely amazing, prices should be lower, and there will be less crowds wherever you go.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 29 2007 Posts: 12057

I wanna got to E"Y!

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20496

Come on, we're waiting for you.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 29 2007 Posts: 12057

I really wish. Not happening right now though.

Gold Member Joined: Apr 23 2007 Posts: 2419

My sister and brother in law came this summer for a few weeks. My brother in law set up a chavrusah in advance and learned every morning in the Mir. Then the afternoon was famiy time (they have 3 kids)--as in trips etc.

Maybe something like that would work for you guys. If your Dh would like to be learning and you want to wander/visit anyway and then the afternoons/evenings can be for your trips.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5893

Thanks for the suggestions, keep em coming!

Summer/bein hazmanim is the only time we have available to go, even though it's more expensive and busier tourist season (not to mention hot and dry!). Must take advantage, don't know when I'll have another chance. It's OK with FF miles, done it before.

Marion, do you have any more specifics about what you suggested? Or know where/how I can find out more?

Anybody have general tips on how to plan a trip like this? I'm really such a homebody, I have no idea where to start... Never taken a hike without a camp/school group! Can you do it alone or need a group?

OP, maybe I skipped but how long will you be there? Also I assume it's just you and DH, no children?

Another vote for Ein Gedi--you can do it as a day trip out of Jerusalem. If indeed you're planning to go to Masada, it's better to stay Ein Gedi overnight and leave VERY early so that you can get to the top in time for sunrise (also avoids being there in the middle of the day). It's personal liking, but I like winery tour in Zichron Yakov and walking along the beach and Roman walls in Herzliya (nice hotels around, water seemed too choppy so more for surfing).

For museums, definitely Yad Vashem. Within Jerusalem I also liked the botanical garden. Also I strongly recommend Beit hatftzot (Diaspora Museum) in Tel Aviv.

North--Tzfat and Kinneret are lovely though personally I thought Tzfat in the middle of summer was somewhat overcrowded and commercialised. It's probably easier if you rent a car to get around up north.

Just an idea, you can volunteer to help in soup kitchens (cooking, packing, serving etc). Hazon Yeshaya definitely accepts volunteers but you should call ahead to let them know. I'm sure there are many others like Meir Panim, Yad Sarah, Ezrat Avot just top of my head.

The trip is definitely doable without guides. Though I have a very good friend of mine in J'lem who is an excellent guide. PM me if you're interested.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Posts: 1506

My DD is also going and I would love to share with her
your ideas. Please post them when you have them ready.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 03 2006 Posts: 1149