Middle East - Two days in Tel Aviv - an intensive tour needed

hey folks,

I will be in Israel for business early August and planning to stay in Tel Aviv for two additional nights to travel around (THU->SAT). I'm after an intensive itinerary (no problem to nearly avoid sleep :)) - would you know a tour-guide who could take me around Tel Aviv / Jerusalem / Haifa and other significant places? Is there anybody you would suggest?

On the other hand - what are your favorite places in Israel which are rather off-the-beaten track? Any hidden cafes, clubs, restaurants?

All inputs are welcome - would be great to create a very packed agenda.

Thanks in advance!
mfk

One thing that might enhance your experience is sharing what you are looking for.

An observant Christian looking to see the Holy Land is very different than an observant Jew wanting to see Eretz Yosroel. And some one who is just in Israel, no major compelling religious pulls will be interested in seeing something else.

Many visitors are once in a life time training with a high tech company.
I may have an "American" licensed guide who has lived there for 17 years who would be suited for one of these trips. Let us all know or shoot me a PM.

hey there,

One thing that might enhance your experience is sharing what you are looking for.

An observant Christian looking to see the Holy Land is very different than an observant Jew wanting to see Eretz Yosroel. And some one who is just in Israel, no major compelling religious pulls will be interested in seeing something else.

Many visitors are once in a life time training with a high tech company.
I may have an "American" licensed guide who has lived there for 17 years who would be suited for one of these trips. Let us all know or shoot me a PM.

first of all - thanks for cooling me down - great questions to ask.

So - I'm neither Christian (although based in Poland) nor Jewish so not really after very intensive religious tour. I am aware that many of the tourist-spots are related to one of three biggest religions but not sure I want to go only after that.

Looks like I have 1.5 days free (THU afternoon + whole FRI). It would be great to see:
- Jerusalem with really key Christian.Jewish-related spots (Old/New Testament) + Yad Vashem
- Dead Sea and Mezadah (apologies for a potentailly flawed spelling here)
- whatever the guide considers as a "must see for everyone".
- Will use THU night and SAT morning for TLV walk and clubbing
I am aware that this sounds like a stretch, but well, you live only once.

I'm also (so called?) "nuclear tourist" - been to New Mexico/Hiroshima/Nagasaki/Chernobyl and few other places BUT I bet it would be pretty much unwise to get anywhere close to Dimona / Negev. So will definitely skip it.

Your proposal around an experienced tour guide who would advise how to combine all above (and make it happen with me) sounds very interesting. Let me know how we proceed!

On the high-tech company + once-a-lifetime visit: I wouldn't be surprised if I'm one of those folks in that very company :)

Thanks in advance - happy to talk publicly - nothing to hide!
mfk

Glad I found this post. My wife and I will be going for a week next year and were wondering about guides as well. Though we are catholic we don't want a "christian" tour only. Looking forward to responses!

Michal, I answered your private message prior to reading your post here.

I will speak to my friend and get back to you soon.

On a side not, I will be there from August 10 to the 30. (no, I have a job there already, thank you)

By the way, why anyone is interested in traveling all the way to the middle of the Negev to see a textile plant is beyond me.

Now not far from there is the Big Crater and the Little Crater. Pretty cool geological formations, best known for the striking colored sand. Maybe your next trip.

I highly recommend going to the Golan Heights and seeing the "Rain Forest" there. It's quite amazing and lush. Also while up that way you can stop at Coffee Anon. It's a mountaintop food and drink stop with a joke name after the former UN Secretary General.

As the entire country is the size of the state of NJ you can do quite a bit when mainlining redbull drinks.
The dead sea and a sunrise high up Masada is quite amazing also. Any time after 9am and you're looking at 43C+ temperatures.
Do the half day at Jerusalem and pic another sector of the country for the next full day. Either Golan Heights, Dead Sea-Masada or Red Sea.

No sleep? No problem. Get a guide that will take you to Massada to watch the sunrise around 5AM (check the time). If you are a good walker then give an hour to walk to the top so get there at 4AM? About 3 hours from Tel Aviv, maybe less. You'll be done with Massada by 8AM so you have some time to float in the Dead Sea until 9:30. By 11 you can be at Yad Vashem if it is open on Friday. By 2 get to the Old City and by 6 start heading back to Tel Aviv. On the way to Tel Aviv stop in Abu Ghosh for some great meat and humous.

mainlining redbull drinks.
I'd focus more on the espresso in Israel, its quite good, far better than most dreck you get in the US.

in TLV, make sure you see the Old City hall (Bialik square), GEt a felafel at Hakosem, and walk down rothschild blvd, into neve tzedek and into Jaffa. You can do that all in about 4 hours, provided you don't stop... Take a pit stop at EspressoBar on Rothschild & Hertzl, and one of any number of places in Neve Tzedek.

I wouldn't bother trying to go to Dimona, there isn't much to see that you could get anywhere close to...

hey there,

Thumper - looking forward for info from you. Got a backup option via my company links, so no issue if this doesn't work. Really appreciate it. I'll be in Israel from 1st to 6th of August.

armattheus/yosithezet - I have no problem with this one (actually very tempting). Question is, if my guide will be able to survive? Maybe (just maybe) we do the opposite direction? But do I want to have my back fried ... Golan Heights will be an option #2 (if I have more time somehow).

I'd focus more on the espresso in Israel, its quite good, far better than most dreck you get in the US.
echo that - you have to really know your places (Dolores, Duboce, few spots at Divisadero).

in TLV, make sure you see the Old City hall (Bialik square), GEt a felafel at Hakosem, and walk down rothschild blvd, into neve tzedek and into Jaffa. You can do that all in about 4 hours, provided you don't stop... Take a pit stop at EspressoBar on Rothschild & Hertzl, and one of any number of places in Neve Tzedek.
You made my day - is it a good walk for Saturday morning or am I dreaming?

cheers!
mfk

ps. Dimona is a no-go - I would like to skip longer coversations with "somebody" when departing from Israel.

armattheus/yosithezet - I have no problem with this one (actually very tempting). Question is, if my guide will be able to survive? Maybe (just maybe) we do the opposite direction? But do I want to have my back fried ... Golan Heights will be an option #2 (if I have more time somehow).

Forget about the Golan. You'll spend 8 hours just driving to see some nature. Next trip. Israel is close to Poland.

As for reversing the direction, remember that Friday is a short day in Israel, especially in Jerusalem. Yad Vashem is open until 8PM on Thursday but closes at 2PM on Fridays. Also remember that you want to get to the top of Massada before the sun comes out and starts heating things up.

You made my day - is it a good walk for Saturday morning or am I dreaming?
Sure it is, minus HaKosem (which is Kosher and thus closed saturday, it is the best felafel in the world IMHO)...

Now, do you mean saturday at like 3-4 AM (it will be very crowded on Rothschild..) or 9-11A (it will be lighter than 3A...)..

As for reversing the direction, remember that Friday is a short day in Israel, especially in Jerusalem. Yad Vashem is open until 8PM on Thursday but closes at 2PM on Fridays. Also remember that you want to get to the top of Massada before the sun comes out and starts heating things up.
Fully understand but looks like I will have to suffer some heat as it's easier to do than be in two places at once. Once in a life-time.

Sure it is, minus HaKosem (which is Kosher and thus closed saturday, it is the best felafel in the world IMHO)...

Now, do you mean saturday at like 3-4 AM (it will be very crowded on Rothschild..) or 9-11A (it will be lighter than 3A...)..
definitely 8/9AM -> 1PM max - need to catch a flight at 4PM.
Am I still OK?

mfk

Are you in C/F? You won't need more than 2 hours @ LLBG.

Have breakfast at EspressoBar Rothschild, or Cafe Cremieux...
Ali Caravan Hummus is probably open on saturday, never been (its a bit touristy) but its supposed to be excellent.

Are you in C/F? You won't need more than 2 hours @ LLBG..

I'm Star Alliance Gold (Senator) - does that help? I will have a "Security Letter" with me.

Thx for your ideas
mfk

I'm Star Alliance Gold (Senator) - does that help? I will have a "Security Letter" with me.
And flying LH I presume?you shouldn't have a problem w/2 hours. The airport is easy to navigate in general, however, LH/OS/LO checkin is on the arrivals level, the premium security interviews are on the far right. Once you check-in you have to schlep back upstairs to go thru the WTMD security and passport. The Dan lounge is nice but it doesn't need that much time...

Pick up some Margalit or Castel Wine (some of the best in Israel) at the duty free...

I am on a cruise to israel early aug and am looking for a tour co with small group tours
i am on the ship overnight
got a price on a private tour but it was OTT.

any ideas of good companies to ask.

hey team

just want to thank all of those who helped me in the past month. I had a great time in Israel, great sightseeing, relax etc etc. Needed some rest over the weekend but it was worth it.

Thanks a ton and I will be back there soon!

best
mfk

Hey there,

I am on a cruise to israel early aug and am looking for a tour co with small group tours
i am on the ship overnight
got a price on a private tour but it was OTT.

any ideas of good companies to ask.

I got a personal, very good, almost-whole day trip in Jerusalem with a VERY knowledgable and experienced tour guide for ~270USD. We visited places you normally don't go, I ate in the places w/o any tourists (thank God it was a Ramadan, so we got a chance to get into the place). I know - it wasn't cheap but definitely worth it (in my opinion).
PM me if you'd like to get a contact details.

mfk