Going to Israel... sites to see?

My wife and I are making our first trip to Israel next month (and leaving the kids behind :slight_smile: ). Needless to say, we are both very excited about this.

I’m looking for recommendations on places to go and things to see. Of course, we intend to see the kotel (Western Wall). No doubt, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law there will have suggestions as well. Can anyone here recommend anyplace else?

Thanks.

Zev Steinhardt

My husband and I went last year. Go snorkeling in Eilat - it’s absolutely gorgeous and worth the trip. Hiking in the Banyas is also nice. Hmm, what else? We rented a car and drove north - I don’t know if that’s such an advisable thing now, though. We spent a few days around Tiveria - again, a very beautiful area. We also did the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and Yad VaShem. I went to Ein Gedi a few years ago, which was pretty cool. I’m told Masada is really something to see at sunrise, but I’ve never been there myself. Have fun!

Also, try Cesarea Philippi on the coast south of Acre (Akko?). Cool old Roman ruins. The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth was much nicer than the Holy Sepulchre or the one in Bethlehem.

Too much history! Being an admirer of the Knight Templars, I would have to walk around in there, knowing I was standing in the same room as some of the original Crusaders!

Acre is very pretty, and the West Bank is beautiful this time of year!!! :smiley:

O

Vidi Vici Veni!

Thanks, Oicu812, but the DOTR is off-limits to me. As an Orthodox Jew, going on the Temple Mount itself is out for religious reasons. The Wall is the closest I could get. I will check out Acre, however.

Zev Steinhardt

Zev, definitely go to Tzefat (Safed) and nearby Meron. It’s better around Lag B’Omer time, but still plenty of history. The Banyass is beautiful, but I’m not sure how it is at this time of year.

In Jerusalem itself, try to get a tour under the Kosel, also visit the Temple Institute - that’s where they’re making vessels in preparation for the Third Temple - and check out the model of Roman-era Jerusalem at the Holyland hotel.

Zev, absolutely do the sunrise hike to Masada. My next-to-last weekened in Israel, a couple friends and I did a tiul of Masada, the Dead Sea, and Ein Gedi, and it’s one of my most treasured memories. Do not miss Ein Gedi! It is a perfect, perfect place.

If you like museums, put aside at least half a day for the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. It’s also very near the Knesset, if you are interested in taking a tour. Beit HaTfutzot at the University of Tel Aviv is very interesting, too.

Make sure you go to Mahane Yehuda (the Jewish shuk) in Jerusalem. The best veggies in the world, and hot pita just out of the oven. (Everything there is kosher, too.) Check out the little shop called Marzipan, they make the most fantastic rugelach.

Go to Tzippori. It’s a fabulous archaeological site in the Galilee with the most amazing mosaics. The Galilee is just a wonderful place; if you’re interested in Christian history at all, try to visit Nazareth. On that line, it is always worth a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. It is an extremely interesting place. I see that someone has said thet the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth is nicer than the CotHS, but I would disagree - it’s just a lot newer. The CotHS is loaded with history. The CotA is tidier, but it was only built in the 1950s.

I would not bother spending much time in either Tel Aviv or Haifa. Neither is a particularly attractive or interesting city.

yeah, CotHS is loaded with history and interesting for that, but I found it really, hmm tacky/gaudy. the CotA is nicer and tidier. both worth a vist, IMO. also, the view from the mt. of olives is breathtaking.

Well, of course it’s tacky and gaudy. That’s the way the Orthodox Church likes to do things. I think it’s pretty neat anyway. All the incense and shiny silver stuff, it’s good ambience. Besides, a Greek Orthodox monk once pulled my friend and me into a little room (the monk break room?) and showed us a piece of the True Cross, in a frame. Despite our skepticism (and inherent Jewishness), we thought that was pretty cool.