Thinking about Israel June/July?

Question

I am trying to decide whether to go to Israel for a visit end of June for three weeks with my two young adult children. I am interested in biblical sites and would like to hear from those who have been and any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks

Answer 1

Sounds like a great time to visit, but it will be hot then.

I would recommend visiting non-religious sites as well since there's plenty of fascinating historical sites there.

It's a very safe place, very friendly (don't be alarmed if you see people talking in loud voices at each other- people there are very direct and wear their emotions on their sleeves). Most everyone speaks very good English and many signs and menus are in English.

If you have three weeks in Israel, then here is my suggested itinerary:
Days 1-3 (Mediterranean Coast)

-Caesaria- ancient Roman port with very well preserved
ruins (great place for lunch or dinner- many water-side restaurants- (3hrs-0.5 day)
-Haifa- go to top of Mt. Carmel for spectacular views of Haifa Bay and go to Bahaii Gardens, which are one of the most spectacular gardens in the world (be sure to book an admission in advance)- (~3hrs)
-Acco- fascinating Crusader/Turkish port city with very exotic, Oriental feel- enjoy wandering the streets and be sure to visit the Knights' Hall and the Old Prison and the Last Hammam- (at least half a day)
-Rosh HaNikra- northernmost point on Israel's coast offers stunning views of the coast- be sure to descend into the breathtaking grottos (<1hr - 2hrs)
-if you will have a car, then I recommend staying in the resort city of Netanya, which has spectacular beaches; if not, then you will want to stay in Haifa (try to find a hotel on top of Mt Carmel with views of the Sea- it's worth the cost)

Days 4-7 (the Gallilee and the Golan Heights)
-Tzfat- the town in the mountains in which Kaballah was founded- beautiful old streets- great shopping- (up to half a day)
-Nazareth, Capernaum, etc- (up to half a day)
-the Jordan River- site of baptisms- (up to 1-2 hours, depending on what you do there)
-go swimming in the Sea of Galilee- it's beautiful and the water is sweet
-Tzipori- Roman city that is incredibly well preserved (up to half a day)
-the Banias and Tel Dan- two divine natural parks that offer great (but liesurely) hikes at the base of the Golan Heights near Qiryat Shmona (up to half a day)
-the Golan Heights- very interesting and beautiful place, I highly recommend visiting Migdal Nimrod, a Turkish fortress built into the side of a mountain and offers commanding views of northenr Israel (at least a few hours)
-I recommend staying in Tiberias moreso than Nazareth since it's better connected to national public transport links

Days 7-10 (Jerusalem):
-the Old City (Church of Holy Sepluchre is amazing), Yad Vashem, the Israeli Supreme Court (interesting tours), Mea Shearim (ultra ultra ultra religious neighborhood- be sure to dress very modestly and not to take pictures), David's Citadel, Ein Kerem, Ben Yehuda street,so much to see in Jerusalem

Days 11-13 (Dead Sea----verrry verrrry hot during the day, exceeding 40C)
-Masada- ancient Jewish fortress on top of a bute (visit early in the morning, as it becomes unbearable during the day)-(up to 3-4 hours)
-Ein Gedi- beautiful desert oasis
-floating in the Dead Sea and getting a mud/mineral bath

Days 14-17 (Eilat)
-go scubadiving and snorkeling or go swimming with the dolphins- beautiful marine life/coral reefs
-stop at Ein Ovdat along the way for an incredible hike (about 2hr hike in a lush, verdent desert canyon)

Days 18-21 (Tel Aviv- return to modernity)
-the beaches are fantastic
-go to Jaffo (beautiful, romantic 4000yr old port south of T-A where many artists have set up galleries and where Napolean once built a small palace)- in the market , you might find some hidden treasures amid a lot of junk (i found a beautiful hand-painted hookah there for about $7)
-go to Neve Tzedek- a beautiful neighborhood in south T-A that has great culture, galleries, and wonderful restaurants/cafes)
-Eretz Yisrael museum, Diaspora museum and T-A art museum are worth a look too

Answer 2

It is stable because the government is so fragmented that it is an unmoving bureaucracy (much like the United States government). No matter what party assumes power, the extreme parties on the right and left still have enough influence so that no radical change can come about. This is why Israel continues to start settlements or do things that defy the "road map to peace" with the Palestinians, even though a majority in Israel wishes it. I predict that Israel will be fragmented and (theoretically) broken up into insignificant factions after Iran hits it with a nuke in 3 years. This will not be good for the reason, however. The presence of a Jewish State has given the Muslims a common enemy. With Israel becoming a non-player, Sunni's and Shia's will go back to fighting each other over the same Holy Land that Israel currently holds. And yes, antisemitism is rampant in the Muslim World as well as in Western Europe and it continues to grow and ferment in the United States.

Answer 3

If you go to Mesada dont forget Ein gedi, its close by, beautiful water falls in the middle of the desert. The dead sea is the most beautiful place in the world at sunrise. Jerusalem could be endless enjoyment, 3 weeks is not enough for even just jerusalem alone, but probably long enough to fall on love with it. You didnt mention wether you had a guide r not, its important to know the unsafe areas, and if you do have a guide dont let them deprive you, it is such an ancient place, and even just turn of the 20th century architecture is awesome, there is so much you just need to put a guide on a leash and have him walk you through the entire city. Tiberias is beautiful but a little commercially on most of the shore, but Tsfat is close by and the golan heights. Near haifa is an old town called Ako, ancient city by the on the meditranian shore.

Answer 4

The ones that moved me the most-

Jerusalem : I don't know if you're Jewish or not, but I suggest the Jewish quarter. you'll see there an ancient menorah, and all sort of archeologist diggings in between houses and apartments. I also highly suggest the Western wall tunnels. Normally, it's fun to walk around alone, but there's SO much to see in Jerusalem. I think you should go with a tour guide.

Tzfat, or Saffed: It actually became one of the prominent cities after the bible (after the destruction of the second temple). But I don't know, there's something special and ancient about that city.

The Carmel mountains: Next to Haifa, its biblical source is found in Kings A (sorry don't remember which chapter) about the prophet Elijah. The Carmel has a calm atmosphere, at one with nature.

*It's not the safest place in the world, but the Sabbath evening prayers in Hebron is something I will never forget my entire life. Its a shame it's such a stinky city today, there's much holiness there.

Answer 5

It gets hot during those months. Take very comfortable sneakers & sandals. Always take water and fruit on your day trips. As for places to go, get a travel book. I took "Israel on $__ per day" (I can't recall how much it was). There are blurbs on every place you can go, so read up & make a plan with a good travel map. You can start in the north & move south or vice versa. You can see many places as a day trip, so pick a central town as your "base". For example, you can stay in Affula and see much of the upper Galilee; Tiberias and see much of the lower Galilee; Haifa and see the areas around there; Tel Aviv for the middle; Jerusalem, etc.

Answer 6

There are many important places to visit there. Personally, I'll suggest you spend some time in Jerusalem. There you'll learn a lot. Beyond the typical touristic places, I think it's a very nice thing to visit the Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea scrolls are preserved--this is the most ancient Bible in the world. I find Jerusalem magic every time I visit it. You need a book about the history of this ever-changing city. David, Jesus, Mohamed... all of them are part of Jerusalem. Enjoy your trip!

Answer 7

I have been to Israel before and I really think it's a place everyone has to see for themselves!! It is wonderful to see all the sites they have their i would recommend u to go to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jerico. These are some of my personal favorite!! I am actually trying to plan a trip for March my self. If u do go in July bring sun block it does get hot during summer. Hope u have a great trip with ur family.

Answer 8

Israel is a wonderful and beautiful place, although very hot in the end of July. i recommend buying a national reserves card... there are more then 73 nature and historical reserves including the walls of Jerusalem, mesada and ein-gedi, holy places around the see of galili and so on, the most beautiful place is the Dan reserve up north.. waterfalls, small natural swim pool (which is freezing cold even in July), and it even has a place called the garden of eve :-)
you can buy in any local store a nice water bag with tube.. much easier when walking then a bottle. and try to always ware long sleeves and a hat...
have fun and you can always ask me for more tips :-)

Answer 9

You should try to visit the following sites: Jerusalem , Tel-Aviv, Ashkelon, The Dead Sea, Haifa, Eilat, Galilee, Nzaerath
In particular the following in Jerusalemathe Kotel (Western or Wailing Wall), Temple Mount , The Mount of Olives, Dome of the Rock (Templum Domini), Temple Mount, Temple of Solomon (al-Aqsa Mosque), Tomb of the Virgin, The Mount of Olives, Church of the Ascension, Mount Zion, Church of St. Anne, The Via Dolorosa, The Holy Sepulcher.

Answer 10

My only reservation is that it will be extremly hot! I've been there during the summer and it is outrageously hot and many places do not have airconditioning (at least in Jerusalem). There will also be long lines, especially at historical sites such as the weeping wall. I would wait until September or October... or next year for earlier in the year.

Answer 11

definitely spend time in jerusalem, there are a bunch of little museums in the old city that have really interesting exhibits. masada is also great- but in the summer its really hot there, so dont hike up the mountain like i did- but take the cable car! tunnel tours behind the kotel. ceasaria is beautiful and historical. the bah'i gardens in haifa. hebron. meron has lots of great rabbis from 100s of years ago buried there. tzfas is also really beautiful. dont forget the biblical zoo, and all the stunning beaches! ive heard that they have horseback riding on the beach of natanya at night- its really something! enjoy your trip!