BootsnAll Travel Community

Had a great time. Most of the two weeks I spent in Tel Aviv in Momo's Hostel (recommended!), close to everything and especially the beach. It was hot hot and humid. Next time I will go in the spring or fall, it was so hot. Take the train from the airport to TA and a taxi from there if you have bags. Had no problem speaking English everywhere, although my basic Hebrew helped, especially with taxi drivers. I stay cheap (hostel at 25$ a night) so I can travel more then once a year, but take tours. Last time I did the Dead Sea/Masada and Jerusalem tour with Rent-a-Guide in "Business Class" for 85$ for the day in a small group, rather than on a bus with 50 people. This year I did Caesaeria, Acre and Rosh Hanikrah. The guide Ada is very well informed and a great communicator! She is highly recommended. Tel Aviv has a lot of great restaurants (check out Time Out Tel Aviv in English).
Also did three days Jerusalem. This time I went up to the Temple Mount but was disappointed to find that the Dome of the Rock is today an active mosque and closed to non-Muslim visitors. Also, I found about the Kotel Tunnel after I arrived, but wasn't able to get tickets. Next time. Big run around and total mess at the ticket booth at the Kotel. Calling for tickets, they didn't pick up the phone. Got through once, but in the end they hung up on me. Guess it wasn't meant to be, this time around anyway.