If you’d like to get the most out of a place, it is imperative that you’re doing research on the places that you intend to visit. The same will apply when you plan to tour Israel. Even though it is a small country, there is plenty to do even if you’re traveling as a family. You just need to make sure that you’re planning the visit in advance so that you’re not being disappointed. Here are some tips that will come in handy if you intend to visit Israel.
Weekdays Outside the City and Weekends in the City
Shavei Israel suggests that as a traveler, it is important to know that the rest of the world is working.
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean that the mood is the same for everyone. That is why you might not find the city appealing during the weekday. You can go outside the city so that you’re using the time wisely. You’re likely to spend 20% less on accommodation because it will be cheaper and you’ll be doing something fun when the rest of the people are working. You can decide to visit the cities during the weekend when everyone is in a relaxed mood.
Another thing you should keep note is that there will be no public transport from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. Make sure that you’re traveling before then if you’ll be depending on public transport. This is because the Israelis are strict with keeping the Sabbath. You can learn more about it by checking out Christians for Israel.
Jewish Holidays
You should have the Jewish holidays in mind when planning your trip. Jews from around the world will want to visit the country whenever there is a major holiday. You could be facing a logistic nightmare as all hotels are likely to be booked and you’ll not have a good time when in the country. There will be no public transport and all the shops will be closed in observance of the Jewish holiday. It is therefore important to research the trip before making a decision on the dates as you’d not want to go through the experience unless you’re visiting Israel because of the Jewish holidays.
Prepare to Spend
Israel might seem like a cheap country but it isn’t. You can expect to pay up to $400 for a basic room. The same amount can get you a 5-star hotel in Las Vegas. If you’re looking for a cheaper accommodation alternative, you can opt for a hostel or Airbnb. The prices for restaurants are worse and you’re better off eating street food because it is just as good or even better and you get to save a lot of money. Street food in Israel is healthy unlike what you’d find in Western countries. You can also book early if you intend to save on flights and hotel bookings.
Don’t Focus on the City
There is a lot more to see than what is in the city. Did you know that half of Israel is actually a desert called the Negev? It is not a known place and that is why a lot of tourists don’t even think about when they’re visiting Israel. It should be on your bucket list because there is plenty to see. You should visit around winter because that is when you can see everything the way it is intended. You should be looking for a tour company that will take you around to all the important tourist destinations when you’re visiting Israel.
Small Size
You should take advantage of the small size of the country to go to every corner. If you get bored with Tel Aviv, Jerusalem is just one hour away. You need to make sure that you’re having reliable transport, especially if you intend to move around on Friday and Saturday. If the winter cold is too much for you, there is the option of driving towards the Red Sea. You can accomplish all this in a week if your main purpose for going to Israel is to tour.
Plan Your Trip
Before you get on the plane, make sure that you’re planning everything out. You don’t want to be overwhelmed when you finally land. The places you intend to visit will primarily depend on your interests. You should hire a car when you’re in the city as you’re likely to regret the decision. The public transport is enough to get you to most places and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be using it.
