Travel across Israel with the Experts!

Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

Where to go for new impressions and emotions? - To Italy! Mountains, sea, lakes, architecture, food, shopping, entertainment - those are what you will find in this country. Travel is transformation, travel is the best thing you can do for yourself, travel is life! Don't wait - travel now!

A Few Words about Israel

It is downright impossible to find a place on Earth that would be steeped in legends and Biblical stories as much as Israel. Jesus Christ, King David, St John the Baptist, Herod the villain, wise King Solomon – all of them walked this land.

Israel is known not only for its holy sites but also for the breath of antiquity, rich culture and developed tourism industry.

The Dead Sea, for instance, is famous all over the world for the unique qualities of oxygen- and bromine-rich air as well as for the water containing virtually all the elements of the periodic table.

The cleanest air, healing springs and Dead Sea mud – this is heaven for your health!

Best Places to Visit

Natural Landmarks and Lakes

Natural Landmarks and Lakes

Beit Guvrin Caves (Maresha City)

Beit Guvrin Caves (Maresha City)

These caves are a part of the nature reserve. Today, it spans a huge number of caves and tombs. The first caves were cut out right from the chalk rocks. In the past, every cave had its own purpose. Most of them were, at different times, populated by various peoples who believed themselves legitimate residents of the land.

The River Jordan

The River Jordan

This place is indeed unique and unbelievably beautiful. Various species of fish live freely in the waters of the river. Catfish are especially abundant in the Jordan since the locals never draw them out: this type of fish is not considered kosher by the Israeli people. Travelers walking along the river bank often see nutrias swim up to people without fear and beg for treats.

The Oasis of Ein Gedi (the Judean Desert)

The Oasis of Ein Gedi (the Judean Desert)

The oasis formed in the desert due to a natural phenomenon. Rainwater from the Judean Mountains started seeping through the limestone soil. As a result, there appeared a spring surrounded with greenery. Those who have tried the local water point out its pleasant taste and crystal purity.

Lake Tiberias

Lake Tiberias

A large freshwater lake in the north of Israel; the source of drinking water in the region. Has great historical, industrial and recreational significance. Was mentioned in the Bible multiple times; remains a pilgrimage site. Along the shoreline, one can find numerous recreation areas, beaches, spa and mud baths. This is also a place of active commercial fishing.

Sights

Sights

Caesaria National Park

Caesaria National Park

When speaking of Caesaria today, some people imply the seaside town with a developed tourism infrastructure while others refer to the National Park with an impressive collection of archaeological monuments. Remarkably, both parties are right.

Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem)

Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem)

This mosque is one of the most important symbols of Islam and a revered Muslim shrine. The mosque is huge; it comprises spacious inner halls capable of accommodating up to 5 thousand visitors at a time. Unlike the majority of Muslim temples, it sets no confession limitations: anyone can enter the mosque if their clothes are modest and cover the arms and legs.

The Old City of Jaffa

The Old City of Jaffa

Many historians believe Jaffa to be the most beautiful architectural monument of the famous Tel Aviv. Every year, it is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists who have chosen Israel as their vacation spot. Jaffa leaves an impression that lasts for a lifetime. In the past, this city served as a port of Israel. Today, it is considered a popular resort and the art center of Tel Aviv.

The Room of the Last Supper (Mount Zion, Jerusalem)

The Room of the Last Supper (Mount Zion, Jerusalem)

The Room of the Last Supper may be found in a Gothic building situated on Mount Zion. It is easily accessible, and anyone can visit this tourist destination in Israel. The Room is located on the second floor. On the first floor, there is the Tomb of King David. The building itself was erected as far back as the 12th century.

Cities

Cities

Eilat

Eilat

A resort city on the shores of the Red Sea. The tourism infrastructure of Eilat is well-developed and works all the year round. Numerous hotels of various comfort levels, sport and amusement centers, the colorful underwater world of the coast – all these turned the city into one of the most popular vacation spots in the country and in the world.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a city of cafes and restaurants, night clubs and prestigious hotels, picturesque beaches and colored doors, with expensive yachts shining white on the shoreline. Today, Jaffa, the former vital Mediterranean port, is a district in Tel Aviv. This is a historic monument and a cultural center steeped in legends and memories, winding in ancient streets and binding people's souls to this place.

Acre

Acre

The ancient city of Acre lies to the north of Haifa. The Acre Fortress, the Knights' Halls and Al-Jazzar Mosque still remember the crusaders' times and are included into the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.

Haifa

Haifa

Haifa is another seaside city; an industrial and scientific center of the country. Here stands the famous Mount Carmel hosting one of the country's largest nature reserves on its slopes. Here, one can also find the legendary, ladder-like Baha'i Gardens. Haifa comprises numerous museums including the Museum of Art, the National Maritime Museum and the huge excavation area of Tel Shikmona where the ancient Jewish settlements have been found.

Children's Entertainment

Children's Entertainment

The Underwater Observatory

The Underwater Observatory

The Underwater Observatory is a peculiar window enabling people to watch the dwellers of the Red Sea. The complex itself was created in a coral reef located several meters from the shoreline. The Underwater Observatory knows how to amaze its visitors. Its guests are always fascinated by the gigantic aquarium, an exact replica of the real-life sea bottom.

Baha'i Gardens in Haifa

Baha'i Gardens in Haifa

This is a grandiose park and garden complex comprising a huge variety of plants and their decorative uses. Nineteen garden terraces decorated with landscape compositions, descend from the majestic Baha'i temple to the coastline. Baha'i Gardens are included into the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.

Kings' City Amusement Park

Kings' City Amusement Park

An amusement complex in Eilat. A palatial building that impresses both with its area and the number of attractions. The main theme of the park is based on the biblical plots of the Old Testament. Inside, one can find Ancient Egypt and the real waterfalls.

Ramat Gan Safari

Ramat Gan Safari

Ramat Gan Safari has the largest collection of animals in the Middle East. Its uniqueness is ensured by the extensive grazing in the African territories. Today, Safari spans an area of about 1,000 dunams. It has gathered the largest collection of animals in the Middle East and is unique due to the huge herds grazing in the African park.

Museums

Museums

Israel National Museum of Science, or Madatech

Israel National Museum of Science, or Madatech

The Israel National Museum was founded in 1980s in a historic building erected in 1912. Earlier, this building accommodated the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The museum exposition spans several halls each presenting various physical phenomena.

Israel Museum

Israel Museum

Over 500,000 exhibits! The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is famous for the huge collection of archaeological treasures, objects of Judaica and ethnography as well as masterpieces of the Jewish and world art. It has everything from the Billy Rose Art Garden with sculptures by Rodin and Picasso to the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Ticho House

Ticho House

The serene and peaceful Ticho House is a perfect place to feel the atmosphere of Old Jerusalem while perusing the creative works of Anna Ticho, Israel's favorite painter. The museum occupies the former house of the painter and her husband, Doctor Abraham Ticho. This is one of the branches of Israel Museum. Today, it offers a full-scale exhibition and organizes concerts and lectures. At the museum, one can also find a popular restaurant.

The Diaspora Museum – Museum of the Jewish People

The Diaspora Museum – Museum of the Jewish People

Get acquainted with the continuous story of the Jewish people in this unique museum. Using wall paintings, reconstructions, dioramas, audiovisual displays, documentaries and interactive multimedia presentations, the Diaspora Museum fascinates its visitors with the story of the Jewish people, the essence of the Jewish culture, faith, predestination and contribution to the humanity's common heritage made by the world's Jews.

Advice from the Expert

Ashley Matthews

Tips

In Israel, it is customary to commend hotel staff, guides and drivers in the amount of: $2 a day for guides, $1 a day for drivers, and $1 a day for hotel staff. At restaurants, visitors are supposed to leave 10% of the bill as tips.

Ashley Matthews

Almost All Establishments and Banks Are Closed on Weekends

Weekends in Israel are also called Shabbat. Working during Shabbat is prohibited by the Torah. This is why the majority of shops, restaurants, and other establishments in Israel are closed on these days.

Ashley Matthews

Do Not Let Children Drive Electric Vehicles

The use of electric bikes/scooters by children under 16 is punishable by a fine of 1,000 shekels.

Ashley Matthews

Do Not Rush to Exchange Currency at the Airport

It is not recommended to exchange currency at the airport or at hotels: the fees there are high. Currency exchange offices offer the most convenient rates. They do not charge fees and they can be trusted.

Airports in the Country

Ovda Airport in Eilat

Ovda Airport in Eilat

Situated inside the very city. There are only a few minutes of walking between the space-efficient terminal and the center of Eilat with its hotels, malls, and the seaside. At present, the authorities are planning to relocate the airport to the outside of the city; work is underway in the Ovda Air Base 25km to the north of Eilat. With time, the military will be transferred from the air base to give way to the international airport of Eilat.

Haifa Airport

Haifa Airport

Situated 5km from the city center and adjacent to the sea port. City bus 58 follows this route. At present, the airport is used for domestic flights to Eilat. It also serves charter flights to the neighboring Cyprus, Jordan and Turkey.

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport

Passengers departing or arriving by domestic flights at Ben Gurion Airport should know that the Ben Gurion domestic terminal is located rather far (about four kilometers) from the international terminal, the point of public transport departure for different cities. Free shuttle buses run between the terminals.

Rosh Pina Airport

Rosh Pina Airport

Rosh Pina Airport is situated in Israel and serves Rosh Pina City. Rosh Pina Airport is located 2 kilometers from the city center. The city of Rosh Pina has no other airports. Rosh Pina Airport serves domestic flights only. For domestic flights, passenger registration and cargo handling usually start 2 hours and end 40 minutes before the departure.

Best Hotels

The Effendi Hotel Akko

Louis HaTshi'i St, Acre
Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

The hotel consists of restored houses built in place of ancient buildings which once were palaces of the Ottoman rulers. Even though the rooms at the hotel are contemporary, they preserve the charm and features of the original ancient cultures. In the rooms, there are king-size beds, bathrooms decorated with marble, and exquisite bedding. We've had a rest befitting true sultans!

Beresheet Mitzpe Ramon Hotel

1 דרך בראשית, Mitzpe Ramon, 80600
Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

A magnificent view of the 24-mile crater! The hotel consists of two-storey private villas designed to overlook as much of the desert as possible and blend into the surroundings. All rooms have separate entrances, and ours even had a pool!

The American Colony Hotel

Louis Vincent St 1, Jerusalem
Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

A very charming hotel with a beautiful courtyard, a pool, a very nice gym and amazingly competent and friendly staff. This was definitely a 5-star experience. I strongly recommend it. Thank you!

Dan Eilat Hotel

Eilat, 88101
Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

Rooms are clean, staff is considerate and helpful. Breakfasts are varied, a wide selection of dishes. We've been to many Eilat hotels, Dan is one of the best in Eilat.

Approximate Itinerary:

Day 1

Arrival in Tel Aviv

Car rental (price for 5 days: approximately $580)

Check-in at the hotel, overnight stay Renaissance Tel Aviv Hotel
1 night, 1 adult $330
Taxes included
Breakfast included

Day 2

10:00

Breakfast at the hotel

11:00

Walk through the Old City of Jaffa

12:30

Shopping at the Shuk HaCarmel Market

14:30

Lunch at Mashya (average check: $60-70)

15:30

Walk along the Tayelet, Tel Aviv Promenade

16:30

Ride to the Old Port of Tel Aviv

17:30

Picnic in the Yarkon Park

18:30

Tour of the Yitzhak Rabin Center

19:00

Dinner at OCD Restaurant (average check: $100-150)

20:00

Return to the hotel, overnight stay Renaissance Tel Aviv Hotel
1 night, 1 adult $330
Taxes included
Breakfast included

Day 3

10:00

Breakfast at the hotel

11:00

Ride to Eilat

14:55

Arrival

15:00

Lunch at Les Sardines (average check: $60-70)

16:00

Cruise across the Gulf of Eilat (price: from $25)

18:00

Dinner at 9 Beach Eilat (average check: $30-40)

19:00

Check-in at the hotel, overnight stay Dan Eilat Hotel
1 night, 1 adult $383
Taxes included
Breakfast included

Day 4

10:00

Breakfast at the hotel

11:00

Ride to Ein Bokek

13:20

Arrival

13:30

Lunch at Ein Bokek Restaurant (average check: $60-70)

14:30

Beach vacation on the Dead Sea on Ein Bokek Beach

16:00

Short trekking of the Bokek River

18:00

Dinner at Hordus (average check: $40-50)

19:00

Check-in at the hotel, overnight stay Daniel Dead Sea Hotel
1 night, 1 adult $226
Taxes included
Breakfast included

Day 5

10:00

Breakfast at the hotel

11:00

Ride to Jerusalem

12:33

Arrival

12:40

Walking tour of the Old City

14:00

Lunch at The Eucalyptus
(average check: $70-80)

15:00

Visit to the Wailing Wall and Mahane Yehuda Market

16:30

Tour of Hezekiah's Tunnel

17:30

Dinner at Rooftop Restaurant
(average check: $50-60)

18:30

Tour of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center Museum

19:45

Check-in at the hotel, overnight stay The American Colony Hotel
1 night, 1 adult $330
Taxes included
Breakfast included

Day 6

Breakfast at the hotel

Return of the rental car

Departure

The Country's 5 Jewels

Ashley Matthews

Ashley Matthews

Masada Fortress

Masada Fortress

This is a mighty, ancient defensive fortification on the top of an impregnable rock in the Judean desert. In the ancient times, it was used as a fortress and a fortified residence of the ruler and his family. In the ruins, one can find numerous old buildings of high historic value.

The Negev Desert

The Negev Desert

An extensive desert that occupies almost one half of Israel. It comprises archaeological excavation areas, monasteries, unique natural landmarks. The Central Negev Mountains are especially popular with tourists.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea

This waterbody is famous for its unique features: it is almost 500 meters lower than the global sea level, and its waters contain useful microelements from the springs opening onto its very bottom. This is why along the shoreline, there are numerous health centers offering treatment with thermo-mineral water.

The Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

The Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

This is a set of solution caves with grottoes and tunnels, located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a natural attraction that fascinates many tourists with its unusual beauty. Inside the grottoes, one can find lighted pedestrian pathways. The entire route stretches for about 600 meters.

Makhtesh Ramon

Makhtesh Ramon

What is it like, standing on the edge of the world's largest erosion crater? Makhtesh Ramon is a geological phenomenon: it was created by neither meteorites nor volcanoes. In reality, this otherworldly hollow appeared about 200 million years ago due to winds and rainfalls.

Cuisine

Hummus

Hummus

This is a snack in the form of golden-colored paste seasoned with olive oil. Hummus is sold with pita bread wrapped in paper for convenience. This type of food may serve as an appetizer before lunch or dinner or as the main dish.

Falafel

Falafel

An inexperienced tourist may easily mistake these for meatballs but in fact, falafel is made of mashed beans fried to a golden crisp. This is delicious!

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

A restaurant of haute cuisine by Israel's best chef, my idol, Meir Adoni. Contemporary Mediterranean food, head-spinning combinations of flavors, a riot of color and texture. A luxury atmosphere and a magnificent view of the city. At Carlton Hotel on the quay.

HaSalon

HaSalon

The restaurant of Eyal Shani, a culinary genius. Unmatched, high-league culinary surrealism. Very authentic, unlike any other restaurant, with dishes of unforgettable taste and presentation. In the western part of Tel Aviv.

FAQs

01

When is the beach season in Israel?

02

What food is kosher?

03

What do I need to rent a car in Tel Aviv?

04

What currency should I bring?

Emergency telephones

Police: 100

Fire Service: 102

Consulate: 02-630-4000

What we propose

Ashley Matthews

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